Writing Skill: Writing a Comparison/Contrast Paragraph

A comparison or contrast paragraph should be tightly focused on a meaningful difference or similarity between two things, people, places or ideas. You should use specific details and examples to explain why the difference or similarity matters. Because this is likely to be a paragraph within a larger essay that discusses three or more differences or similarities, you should focus on just one difference or similarity. Comparison or contrast essays often explain the writer's preference for one thing over the other.

Focus Your Ideas

Brainstorm about the similarities or differences in your topics. Choose a focus from your list that gives new and worthwhile information about the topic.

Write a Topic Sentence

Create a topic sentence to explain the comparison or contrast and its importance for your overall point as explained in your thesis. As the first sentence in your paragraph, it establishes your purpose, giving the reader an idea of your content and the reason it matters. For example, a comparison paragraph in an essay about choosing an appropriate pet might use the topic sentence, “Housebreaking procedures for dogs and cats differgreatly.”

Develop with Support

Develop the paragraph with specific information to illustrate the comparison or contrast and how it supports your overall point. Examples, detailed explanation, definitions and whatever other kind of support will make your thinking clear. For example, to support a topic sentence about a similarity between bottled water and tap water, details might focus on the fact that both types of water have to meet similar safety and purity requirements.

Conclude and Tie Together

Create a concluding sentence to sum up the similarity or difference and why it matters. For example, a paragraph contrasting community colleges and universities inorder for one to make  a better choice might end,“The differences in price clearly show that community colleges offer excellent education without the tremendous debt many universities impose on students.”

Form a comparison paragraph by putting the sentences below in order (1-7)

      a. Lastly, the two types of donations are contributed in a generally equal manner.(6)

      b. Both online and offline donations are contributed by young employees.(7)

      c. First of all, they function in a similar way.(2)

      d. Online and offline donation share a number of similarities.(1)

      e. Secondly, both of them are globally popular.(4)

      f. They are listed as the main channels for collecting money for the poorly educated children in         Africa.(5)

      g. Both aim to collect money for some non-profit organization.(3)

Writing Task

You are going to write a paragraph on the following topic: 

Compare retirement homes and nursing homes

Step 1 Brainstorming for ideas

Note two or more ideas and then share them with a partner.

Step 2 Planning

Follow the outline to make notes for your paragraph. Don't write complete sentences.

Outline

Topic sentence: While retirement homes and nursing homes are different, they share a few basic similarities.

Supporting idea1: Both retirement homes and nursing homes provide accommodation for elderly people.

Detail: Young people do not reside in nursing homes or retirement homes. The people who live in both types of residences are senior citizens.

Supporting idea2: Retirement homes and nursing homes are forelderly people who have difficulty living independently.

Detail: These places provide a safe environment for people whose mobility is somehow limited to live.

Supporting idea3: Both retirement homes and nursing homes offer a number of social activities for their residents.

Detail: These residences offer various amenities and activities for those living in them. Some have gyms, classrooms,swimming pools, as well as arranged outings.

Concluding sentence: In conclusion, retirement homes and nursing homes share some similarities despite being different types of residences.

Step 3 Use the notes in the outline to write the first draft of your paragraph. Practice the writing skill you have learned above.

Step 4 Now edit your draft, and correct the mistakes.