C O M P A R E = find things that are the same |
C O N T R A S T = find things that are different |
Words to help you write a compare and contrast paragraph.
COMPARISONis the same asmost importantthe difference betweenis different fromin the same wayhave in common |
liketoobothbecausesimilarlysimilar toas well ascompared to |
CONTRASTon the other handon the contrarythey both are/haveeven thoughalthoughhoweverthe reversecontrary to |
whereaswhileunlessalthoughinsteadyetbutunlikediffer |
A literacy tool to help you compare and contrast
Structuring a compare and contrast paragraph
Begin by clearly stating which two things you will be comparing. Use a broad statement to say how they are the same and then indicate that you will show the differences in more detail.
You can start by describing each text but the danger is that you might write too much detail here. Better to start by describing the similarities in detail.
Next you write about how the two texts are different, expanding by giving details and explaining the differences.
An example compare and contrast paragraph is provided below based on the races of dwarves and trolls from JRR Tolkein's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series and an activity for you to practice comes afterwards.
You can start by describing each text but the danger is that you might write too much detail here. Better to start by describing the similarities in detail.
Next you write about how the two texts are different, expanding by giving details and explaining the differences.
An example compare and contrast paragraph is provided below based on the races of dwarves and trolls from JRR Tolkein's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series and an activity for you to practice comes afterwards.
Step 1 - Read the 2 Articles on Dwarves and Trolls
DwarvesDwarves were a proud and stern race and were made to be sturdy to resist the dangers of their time. They were physically very strong, had great endurance, especially in the ability to resist heat and cold, and they made light of heavy burdens. Dwarves lived longer than Men, often up to two hundred and fifty years. The Dwarven lords of the First and Second Age may have lived for several hundred years. Dwarves had the ability to learn new artisanal skills quickly, especially those dealing with metal or stone.
Dwarves were typically stubborn, secretive, and fiercely loyal to their friends. They cared greatly about mining, crafting, crafts, gold and gems, their acquisition of which often fueled the envy of the Elves. Dwarves were easily offended by rude comments, and had a propensity to hold long-lasting grudges. Dwarves were often seen as greedy, but their nature gave them resistance to many external influences, including to the evil of the Rings of Power given them. Whereas the Men who owned the nine Rings were corrupted and became the Nazgûl, the Dwarves were unaffected, save by an increase of their goldlust and hatred for anything that stood between them and what they perceived as their treasure. reproduced from the wiki site http://lotr.wikia.com/ |
TrollsThey were strong and vicious, but generally dim-witted and stupid at best. Some were described as being able to speak, while others appear to be as irrational as animals. The major weakness of at least some Trolls was that they turned to stone in sunlight, although it is evident they can be slain by weapons in spite of their extremely tough skin. It is stated that they were created by Melkor, although it's not clear exactly how. There is reference that sunlight will return them to the stone from which they were made in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
During the wars of Beleriand, Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs, had a bodyguard of Trolls. While leading his men in a final stand to protect the retreat of Turgon and the continued secrecy of the Kingdom of Gondolin, the great warrior Húrin faced them, and due to Morgoth's emphatic orders to have Húrin captured alive, he managed to wipe them out. Their caustic blood, however, melted his axe, allowing orcs to swarm over him and bind him. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields there is a reference to "men like Half-trolls", also called troll-men, but it is unclear whether these men actually had some trollish ancestry or were simply compared to trolls (for some readers, the first interpretation is supported by the similar and interchangeable terms "orc-men" and "half-orcs", referring to crossbreeds of Saruman). adapted from the wiki site http://lotr.wikia.com/ |
Step 2 - Complete the Venn Diagram identifying key describing words, similarities and differences
Step 3 - Write a structured paragraph comparing and contrasting Dwarves and Trolls
There are some similarities between Dwarves and Trolls but there are also a great number of differences. Both Dwarves and Trolls are strong, tough and they have a lot of endurance. However Dwarves are quick learners which suggests that they are clever and Trolls are described as dim-witted and stupid. The Dwarves are easily offended and bear grudges but Trolls are thick-skinned which suggests that name calling will not hurt or offend them in anyway.
Note: You could extend your explanations by giving key examples and reasons why dwarves and trolls have these characteristics.
Note: You could extend your explanations by giving key examples and reasons why dwarves and trolls have these characteristics.
Guidance Sheet to Handout
how_to_compare_and_contrast.docx | |
File Size: | 870 kb |
File Type: | docx |