• Thesis: Students who have Mr. Dickens and Mr. Joyce as their teachers are immediately aware of the differences in the lecturing manner of each teacher. • Voice
• The topic sentence must make the following two points clear.
What is to be discussed? In what area is the comparison / contrast to be carried out?
Thesis shows a particular relationship between two subjects. • There are many similarities between the movie In The Heart of The Sun and Wangsuo’s novel The Fierce Animal.
Meaning of Comparison / Contrast
• 1. Comparison shows the similarities between two things. • 2. Contrast shows the differences between two things.
Topic Sentence
×
Beijing
A. Population B. Transportation C. Tourism
Chengdu
A. Population B. Transportation C. Tourism
√
• 2. Order of Organization
point-by-point method subject-by-subject method (block method)
Contrast
however on the contrary on the other hand in contrast although unlike though instead of but
I’d rather eat my special dinner at McDonalds’s than at the Chalet. • 1. Can wear anything I want to McD’s.
subject-by-subject method Thesis: Going to the Chalet is more difficult than going to McDonald’s.
1. Chalet a. Dress suits b. Advance reservations c. difficult to find parking space 2. Macdonald’s a.பைடு நூலகம்Casual dress b. No reservations c. Plenty of free parking
• 2. Waiters, lighting, menu at Chalet make me feel awkward. • 3. Chalet is much more expensive than McD’s.
• subject-by-subject method
e.g. compare Guangzhou & Beijing in their climate, population, public
safety
A
B
C
we first discuss Guangzhou in the 3 areas respectively, and then we turn to Beijing in the 3 areas.
•
•
•
A. Joyce: melodious B. Dickens: monotonous Pronunciation A. Joyce: pronounces clearly B. Dickens: mumbles Expression A. Joyce: adds humor B. Dickens: serious Attitude A. Joyce: welcomes questions; enthusiastic … B. Dickens: hates to be interrupted; determined mood …
• 3. Transitional Words
By transitional words, the idea can be explained clearly and coherently.
Comparison • also
• • • • • • • • similarly Too Both Like Not only… but also Have in common Share the same In the same manner
• The many similarities in character and
plot clearly suggest that the movie director was greatly influenced by– parts of Wangsuo’s novel.
Supporting Details
Which one is better for beginners? point-by-point method Contrast / similarity is more impressive and striking In block method, readers tend to forget what has been said about the first topic. Don’t mix two methods in one paragraph.
• Going to the Chalet is more difficult than going to McDonald’s. The Chalet has ① a jacket-and – tie rule, which means I have to dig a coat and tie out of the back of my closet, make sure they are clean, and try to steam out the wrinkles somehow. The Chalet also ② requires reservations. Since it is downtown, I have to leave an hour early to give myself time to ③ find a parking space within six blocks of the restaurant. // Going to McDonald's, on the other hand, is easy. I can feel comfortable ① wearing my jeans or warm-up suit. ② I don’t have to do any advance planning. I can leave my house whenever I am ready and ③ pull into a doorside parking space within fifteen minutes.
Comparing and Contrasting Two Things
Unit 3
• Writing Focus
1. Learn to compare or contrast two things 2. Learn to organize a comparison & contrast paragraph in proper order and with proper transitional words
• point-by-point method
e.g. compare Guangzhou & Beijing in their climate, population, public safety
A B
C
We discuss climate in Guangzhou, and then climate in Beijing. (point A of both) Next, we move to population in Guangzhou, and then population in Beijing. (point B of both) Finally, we talk about public safety in Guangzhou, and then public safety in Beijing. (point C of both)
Sample: Students who have Mr. Dickens and Mr. Joyce as their
teachers are immediately aware of the differences in the lecturing manner of each teacher. // ①Mr. Joyce has a melodious voice which helps hold the interest of the students. Mr. Dickens, however, has a monotonous voice which bores rather than attracts students. // ②Mr. Joyce pronounces clearly in a rhythmic pattern, emphasizing key words. On the other hand, Mr. Dickens mumbles, running his words together. // ③Mr. Joyce also adds humor to the subject and sometimes makes jokes in class, whereas Mr. Dickens, with an expressionless face, is always serious about each lesson. //④ Mr. Joyce welcomes questions from students who don’t understand the material, He is very enthusiastic about his subject; he tries to make sure that his students understand a concept before he moves on to something new. But Mr. Dickens hates to be interrupted. He is always in a determined mood; he feels that he must cover everything. // Each teacher has a different voice, pronunciation, expression, and attitude; and, as a result, their lectures are quite different.