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大家好！欢迎来到《实用英语写作》在线课程。今天我们学习说明文写作方法之比较与对照法:Development by comparison and contrast。

比较与对照法是为了分析两件事物的异同或突出强调某一事物的基本特征而常常采用的一种写作方法。比较法用于分析事物的共同点，对照法则用于分析两者的不同之处。在写作中，我们既可以只比较两件事物的共同点或者对照他们的差异，也可以同时探讨两者之间的相同和差异之处。那么，在进行比较与对照时我们需要注意什么呢？写比较与对照说明文可使用哪些结构模式呢？Let’s begin our class.

When using comparison and contrast in writing, we should know the following important points. (1)The items being compared or contrasted must have something in common. For example, you could choose to compare/contrast two movies, or two sports figures, but you may find it difficult to compare travel by train and animal. (2) It is better to mention the points you would like to compare or contrast in the thesis statement. (3) Comparison and contrast often go together, perhaps with stress on one or the other.

There are two patterns to organize the details of your comparison and contrast essay. (1) Subject by subject

Here, subject refers to the two items or people we want to compare or contrast. In this pattern, you first list some aspects about subject A and then the same aspects about subject B, and finally summarize the similarities and differences between them. Suppose we compare and contrast two professors. Please look at the chart below.

Subject by subject

Professor A                                    Professor B      

A Homework assignment                     A Homework assignment

B Class organization                          B Class organization

C Style of teaching                           C Style of teaching

(2) Point by point

Here, point refers to the aspects we would like to use to develop our essay. In this pattern, you alternate from one point of the first subject to the same point of the other subject before you move on to the next point. For instance, if we compare two generations, we may organize the details as follows. Please look at the chart below.

Point by point

(1) Way of think           (2) Attitude to changes      (3) Hobbies and interest                       

A Younger generation       A Younger generation       A Younger generation

B Older generation          B Older generation         B Older generation

When writing a comparison and contrast essay, we can use some transitional words. (1) In comparison, we can use words like similarly, likewise, just as, like, similar to, alike, the same as, not only … but also…, both … and …and so on. (2) In contrast, we can use words like on the other hand, however, in contrast, even though, although, whereas, while, different from and so on.

Now let’s take an example and see how the essay develops in the pattern of point-by-point comparison. The topic is vacationing at a beach or in a city. Before you write the essay, make an outline and have a clear structure of the essay.

Outline

Introduction:

Thesis statement: We’ll contrast the differences between vacation at a beach and in a city.

Body:

Point 1: The first major difference is the kind of activities you are able to do.

Point 2: Another difference is the clothing and equipment you need to take with you.

Point 3: The final difference is the pace of life.

Conclusion:

Here you have these differences to consider when deciding where to go on vacation.

The first part is introduction. There is the thesis statement: In this essay we’ll contrast the differences between vacationing at a beach and in a city. The second part is body. There are three points to contrast. ….And at last, the third part is conclusion: Here you have these differences to consider when deciding where to go on vacation.

Now, please read Paragraph One.

It is a fact that not all people have the opportunity to go on vacation. The ones who have the opportunity like to go out of town once in a while in order to leave their worries behind. When we go on vacation, we have to decide the best place to go according to what we have in mind. In this essay we’ll contrast the differences between vacationing at a beach and in a city. (Thesis statement)

Here in the introduction the author puts forward the thesis statement at last sentence. The main idea of the essay is very clear.

Next, let’s go to the Body and see how the essay develops by contrast.

The first major difference between vacationing on a beach and in a city is the kind of activities you are able to do. On a beach, for example, you can go sailing, fishing, surfing, skiing, or take advantage of the sun and lie in the sand to get a tan, or even in some cases feed sharks and swim with dolphins. On the other hand, in a city you can visit different sites such as museums, theaters, important buildings, or go downtown. This means that you have many places to know and you will need much more time and organization in a city than on a beach. (Point 1)

Another difference between vacationing on a beach and in a city is the clothing and equipment you need to take with you. If you decide to go to the beach, you will have to take mainly a bathing suit, shorts, short-sleeve shirts, sandals, sunglasses, and sun block. Considering that you are going to the city where you will have to walk a lot, you will need comfortable and casual clothing such as jeans and tennis shoes. You will also have to take fancy clothes in case you want to go, for example, to watch a play or to a concert. (Point 2)

The final difference between vacationing on a beach and in a city is the pace of life. If you want a relaxing plan, your option will be the beach. When you are on the beach you just let things happen while in the city you will have to schedule all your activities in order to have time to visit the different sites you want to. (Point 3)

In the body, the author uses the point-by-point pattern when making contrast. Through contrasting 3 points between vacationing at beach and in a city objectively and clearly, the author helps us understand two places better so that we can make more reasonable judgments.

Now let’s read the conclusion.

In conclusion, here you have these differences to consider when deciding where to go on vacation. Although both places are interesting and exciting, it all depends on what you are looking for. Keep in mind that wherever you decide to go you will enjoy it.

Here, in the last paragraph, the author summarizes the points in the body part and gives us his advice. The transitional word in conclusion is used at the begging of the last paragraph, which is very coherent and natural. It’s a successful contrast essay.

Today we have learned the writing method: Development by comparison and contrast. Can you use it in your own writing? Practice makes perfect.

Well, please write a comparison/contrast essay on the following topic. You can use either subject-by-subject pattern or point by point pattern.

Topic: Thrifty peoples versus the non-thrifty people

Today we’ll stop here. Thank you. See you next time