Tutorial - Comparison and Contrast

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Comparison and Contrast

Comparison and contrast may be shown either through the use of markers, such as: similarly and in contrast, or through the content itself. See the following examples:

1. A few undergraduates will gain a first-class honours degree. Many will not.
2. A few undergraduates will gain a first-class honours degree, but many will not.
3. In contrast to many undergraduates, a few will gain a first-class honours degree.

The first example does not use any marking word, yet the contrast is still clear. Words highlighting the contrast, do just that. The contrast exists with or without the words in most cases.

For example:

1. Hong Kong is in Asia. Luxemburg is in Europe.
2. Macintosh computers are quite popular. Personal computer are popular worldwide.
3. Strategic management is concerned with the future direction of a company. Operational management is about the day to day running of a company.

When showing the similarities it is often more necessary to use linking words than when comparing differences.

The following example is unnatural:

1. Bill Clinton is a former president. George Bush senior is a former president.

Words to express the similarity are needed to link these statements together.

For example:

1. Bill Clinton is a former president. George Bush senior is also a former president.
2. Bill Clinton is a former president. George Bush senior is a former president too.
3. Bill Clinton is a former president. Similarly, George Bush senior is a former president.
4. Both Bill Clinton and George Bush senior are former presidents.

Exercise

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