Writing Focus: Comparison / Contrast
One of the most common types of formal writing is comparison and contrast. Oftentimes, you will be asked to compare and contrast certain ideas in various school, college, and university assignments. Although writing in this style can be a tedious task, getting the hang of comparing and contrasting ideas is extremely easy!
What Is Comparison / Contrast?
The act of comparison and contrast in writing is as simple as it sounds: you compare two similar ideas or pieces and discuss the differences between them. This is incredibly common in essays as it allows the writer to show a broad knowledge of both topics. Topics of discussion are not limited either – you can compare and contrast ideas from virtually every area including music, writing and politics.
Comparing and contrasting isn’t only limited to formal work either! You can use comparison and contrast in subtler ways to show differences between characters, fictional businesses or settings. Although this isn’t used as often in fictional writing, it can often go down a treat if done well!
Tips
A good thing to remember when comparing is that when you make a point, you should include both of your ideas or pieces in the analysis. If one piece includes a certain aspect but the other does not, point this out and explain how this changes the tone or idea of one of the pieces.
The idea of a comparison and contrast essay is not to set forth a particular argument, but simply to show the changes. Try to avoid adding in personal opinion or arguments that sway the reader to one side. Be as objective as possible and simply state the differences and how these affect the piece as a whole.
Prompts
Even though many people would like nothing more than to never do any more comparative writing in their entire lifetime, getting practise for essays can be a godsend. Check out the following prompts for ideas on how to practise your comparative writing!
- Describe in detail the similarities and differences between novels Battle Royale and The Hunger Games, paying attention to characterization and political movements.
- Find a story that you are passionate about. Take two articles on the same topic and discuss how the articles differ and in what ways they are similar. Pay close attention to media bias, language used and overall tone.
- Take your oldest piece of writing and your newest piece and analyse your writing style. Think about the differences in the two styles, whether that be grammar-wise or overall.
Articles
As Mibbians are opinionated and passionate about their own beliefs and ideas, it isn’t difficult to find articles that use comparison and contrast to analyse certain elements. Check out the articles below for some ideas!
"Gay Fiction vs. M/M Romance" is an article that discusses the similarities and differences between gay fiction and M/M romance fiction. With a lot of information and interesting points, this comparison article will definitely get you thinking about the differences between the two.
It is incredibly common for people to compare characters from similar stories. "Dorothy vs. Alice" does this with perhaps two of the most well-known characters of our age. This critical analysis of the similarities and differences between the two characters and – in extension – their fictional universes is an interesting read that may have you thinking twice about the characters themselves.
Writing essays for assessments can be tedious if you’re not in the mindset or if you’ve had little practise, but having the ability to compare and contrast ideas will not only help you with your writing, but also everyday practises. Even if you can’t find the use now, comparative and contrasting writing pieces are a great addition to one’s skill arsenal.
