FRESHMAN COMPOSITION, RHETORIC, GRAMMAR II

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INTRO. TO LITERARY RESEARCH & WRITING

INSTRUCTOR: James Maxfield

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Comparison & Contrast
 

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English 1010

James Maxfield, Instructor

Rhetorical Modes: Comparison and Contrast

 

This rhetorical mode is used frequently as a dominant and supporting mode in persuasive writing as well as scientific, philosophical, historical, and literary discourse.

 

Comparison—the examination and analysis of similarities among 2 or more things

Contrast—the examination of the differences among 2 or more things

The use of Comparison and Contrast requires that you:

--establish an appropriate and clear basis for comparison

First: Determine whether your points are best emphasized by comparing or contrasting specific aspects or elements

Second: Determine what aspects, elements, or criterion should be examined

 

--make a thorough presentation with specific references and examples

(Choose at least 3 points or aspects for comparison or contrast)

 

--employ an effective and comprehensible arrangement of the material

 

Basic Models for presenting arguments in Comparison and Contrast Mode

Block Method

Alternating Method

Mixed Method
Subject A Subject A-- Criterion 1 Subject A—Criterion 1

Criterion 1

 Subject B—Criterion 1 Subject A—Criterion 2

Criterion 2

   Subject B—Criterion 1

Criterion 3

 Subject A—Criterion 2 Subject B—Criterion 2
Subject B Subject B—Criterion 2 (change for emphasis)

Criterion 1

   Subject A—Criterion 3

Criterion 2

 Subject A—Criterion 3 Subject B—Criterion 3

Criterion 3

 Subject B—Criterion 3  

Comparison and Contrast—continued

The block or alternating methods of arrangement and presentation of your argument should be used when making Comparison and Contrast your dominant rhetorical strategy.

You should also restrict your presentation to either the examination of all of the similar elements of comparison or all of the different elements of contrast.

However, for short supporting arguments using Comparison and Contrast, it can be very effective to introduce a contrasting element after making a case for comparing a series of similar aspects:

Writing Model Example: Comparison of Subject A and Subject B, with a contrasting element added

Subject A resembles subject B with respect to Characteristics 1, 2, and 3. However, Subject A contrasts with subject B in respect to characteristic 4. (If characteristic 4 is your key point, then this emphasizes and supports your argument in favor of Subject B.) As shown here, you should generally arrange and finish your argument using comparison or contrast with whatever Subject or argument position you are advocating!

Use of Analogy (similar to using Comparison mode)

Analogy is an extended metaphor that attempts to make a direct comparison between two things. By asserting that two things are similar is some respects, we make the inference that they are similar in other respects as well. Analogy allows you to "explain unfamiliar concepts by relating them to familiar concepts" (based on D’Angelo).

Writing Model: use for either a short essay or as a supporting paragraph or section.

Introduction: use to set up your analogy

Body--Extended Comparison:

Subject A is similar to Subject B with respect to aspect 1.

Subject A is similar to Subject B with respect to aspect 2.

Subject A is similar to Subject B with respect to aspect 3.

Conclusion: Therefore, since Subject A has characteristic or aspect 4, then Subject A must also

be similar to Subject B with respect to aspect 4, that is, you can infer that Subject B must have

an aspect 4 the same as Subject A by virtue of the three previous similar aspects 1, 2, and 3.

 

 

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Last modified: 04/30/06