1. Comparison and Contrast
Writing
Steven Federle
Solano College

2. What is comparison and contrast?
 Comparison shows how two or more
things are similar
 Contrast shows how two or more
things are different
 In most writing situations, the two
related processes are used together

3. Establishing a basis for comparison
 The two civilizations to be compared
must have enough in common to
justify the comparison.
 In making comparisons, you should
move beyond the obvious (i.e., old
civilizations, they don’t exist any
more)
 When two things are very similar, it is
the contrasts that may be worth
writing about.

4. Searching points for discussion
 Determine your
emphasis on
similarities, differences,
or both.
 Determine the major
focus of your paper.
 Make sure you treat the
same or similar
elements for each
subject you will discuss:
Civilization
A
Civilization
B
Major
characteristics
Major
characteristics
Minor
characteristics
Minor
characteristics
Similar/different
Similar/different

5. Civilization A
 Do not discuss
entirely different
elements for each
subject.
Civilization B
Major
Only religion
Characteristics
Minor
Why they fall
Characteristics
Themes
symbolism

7. Formulating a Thesis Statement
 Identify not only the subjects to be
compared and contrasted in your essay,
but the point you will make about them.
 Also indicate whether you will focus on
similarities or differences, or balance the
two.
 “Both Greek and Roman civilizations have a
well developed religion, but each of their
religion has a different structure.”

8. Organizing the essay
 Introduction
 Hook
 Explanation
 Thesis statement
 Both Greek and Roman civilizations have
a well developed religion, but each of
their religion has a different structure.”

9. Body
 All paragraph
 Topic sentence
 Supporting details
 Conclusion sentence

10. Both Greek and Roman civilizations have a well developed religion, but
each of their religion has a different structure
1. Topic sentence:
Both Greek and Roman religion were personal, direct, and present in
all areas of life.
- Emperors chosen according to the gods.
- sacrifices made for the Gods
2. Topic sentence:
Roman religion was influence by Greek religion, but Greek religion
wasn´t influence by any other religions.
-Presence of Greeks on in the lower peninsula of Rome
-Conquest of Greece
3. Topic sentence:
Both Greek and Roman religion were animistic in nature, believing that
spirits inhabited everything around them, people included.
-Cupid
-Eros

11. Introduction
(hook)Our ancestors couldn't find an
explanation for all the natural things that
happened around them. (explanation)For
example, the way rain was created, the
way stars were placed in our sky. For this
reason, they formed believes and then turn
out in religions. (thesis) In the case of
Greek and Roman civilizations both have a
well developed religion, but each of their
religion has a different structure

12. Structuring a Comparison and
Contrast Essay
Subject by Subject
 Write a separate paragraph about each
civilization, but you discuss the same points
for both subjects.
 Use basis for comparison to guide your
selection of points.
 Arrange points in logical order, usually
order of importance.

13. Point by Point Comparison
Paragraph 1: Characteristics of one civilization
Paragraph 2: characteristics of the second
civilization
Paragraph 3:Discuss and give all the details of
the similarities between both subjects
Paragraph 4:Discuss and give all the details of
the differences between both subjects.

14. Conclusion
 The conclusion of your paper
should include final connections
about the two subjects and then a
restatement of your thesis.