Download Writing Compare and Contrast Papers

WRITING COMPARE & CONTRAST PAPERS
WRITING COMPARE AND CONTRAST PAPERS
Characteristics
Writing Compare and Contrast
Examples
Decision paper, Position Paper, Marketing/Sales writing,
Debates
Purpose
Help the reader make a decision
Organization Method of Ideas
Whole-by-whole or Part-by-part
Audience/Reader
Decision maker
Point of View (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
2nd
Tone (based on word choice &
format [visual appeal, fonts])
Formal
Pace (the speed that ideas are
presented to the reader)
Med
Cognitive Skill
Critical analysis; even evaluation of criteria
Writing Skill
Objective writing
Builds on…
Organization skills
Formatted
Report, Presentation, email
Ethical scenarios
Fail to evaluate evenly across criteria; exaggerate evaluation;
fail to be objective in evaluation
Getting Started
o
Purpose: What decision needs to be made
o
Who are the decision makers (audience)? Analyze their knowledge level with
respect to the subjects, criteria, and decision that will be made.
o
What are the subjects? How many subjects?
o
What criteria need to be evaluated by the decision maker before the decision
can be made? Select criteria based on the decision that needs to be made.
o
Do you have any secondary audiences? If so, what is their role in the decision
making process?
o
Outline an Intro-Body-Conclusion structure.
Introduction
The introduction section must




introduce your criteria
acknowledge your audience
acknowledge the decision that needs to be made
forecast the criteria
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WRITING COMPARE & CONTRAST PAPERS
Comparison/Contrast Body Sections
The support sections contain the comparison/contrast. Introduce each criterion
and present the comparison. Compare/contrast papers are traditionally objective,
so do not make the decision for the reader.
There are two organization methods (see Figure 1):
o
o
Whole-by-whole method – or Subject-by-subject – covering one subject at a
time and cover the criteria in the same order, applying it consistently for each
subject.
Part-by-part method – or Point-by-point – covering one criterion at a time and
evaluate the criterion consistently for each subject, always covering the
subjects in the same order.
Choose one method and stick with it. The method you choose must be obvious.
Use headings to assist the reader.
Figure 1: Outlines for Whole-by-whole and Part-by-part C/C Papers
[WHOLE-by-WHOL E]
Introduction (introduce subjects,
criteria and ack decision)
[PART -by-PART]
Introduction (introduce subjects,
criteria and ack decision)
Subject A
Criterion 1
Criterion 1
Subject A
Criterion 2
Subject B
Criterion 3
Criterion 2
Subject A
...
Subject B
Subject B
Criterion 1
Criterion 3
Subject A
Criterion 2
Subject B
Criterion 3
...
...
Conclusion
Recommendation (optional)
Conclusion
Recommendation (optional)
Once you understand writing compare and contrast using the sample outline, it’s
possible to combine these models.
Conclusion
Your Conclusion section sums up the criteria that your audience needs to
consider when making the decision. Do not reiterate the comparison in the
conclusion. The conclusion could include a separate recommendation section.
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