Compare and Contrast is a text structure or pattern of organization where the similarities and differences of two or more things are explored. The text must do both to be considered compare and contrast. Example: Apples and oranges are both fruits, which means that they have seeds inside of them.

1. Overview. A compare and contrast paper discusses the similarities and differences between two or more topics.
2. Address Both Similarities and Differences.
3. Make Sure You Have a Clear Thesis Statement.
4. Use Clear Transitions.
5. Structure Your Paper.
6. Include Analysis.
7. Make Analogous Comparisons.
8. Related Webinar.

While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them.

Agreement / Addition / Similarity. The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.

Chronological: These texts organize events in the order they happened. This structure is common in current events, history and in works of fiction or memoir. Key words include time markers like “first,” “next,” “then” and “finally.”

Compare and contrast is a rhetorical style that discusses the similarities and differences of two or more things: ideas, concepts, items, places, etc.

For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic.

Transitions words play an important role in text flow, especially for introducing a new topic for a reader to learn about. The words provide logical connections, help convey the structure of an argument, show information flow, improve coherence and, because of these, affect reader comprehension4-7.

Transitional expressions

Transition-sentences bring out the logical relation between ideas. Words like ‘however’, ‘so’, ‘additionally’ do indicate a logical relation between paragraphs, but they are weak. A strong transition makes the relation explicit.

When you do use them, keep their broader functions (i.e., “causality,” “emphasis,” etc.) directly in mind….Transition Words.

In his wonderful novel Brooklyn, Colm Toibin uses this type of transition at the start of many new scenes, with examples such as: One day at dinnertime Rose… (p. 22). “One day” is non-specific, but nevertheless indicates that a number of days have passed and that the new scene takes place at dinnertime.

After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally …

List of Time Order Words