Structuring Comparison and Contrast

TL;DR

When you compare and contrast, you're showing similarities and differences between two or more things. You can structure your ideas point-by-point, discussing one feature for both subjects before moving on, or subject-by-subject, covering everything about one then everything about the other. Choose the structure that best highlights your main argument and helps your reader follow easily.

1. The Mental Model

Think of it like laying out two different outfits. You can either compare each item (this shirt vs. that shirt, these pants vs. those pants) or show off one full outfit, then the other full outfit. Both work, but one might be clearer depending on what you want to emphasize.

2. The Core Material

When you compare and contrast, you're looking at how things are alike (compare) and how they're different (contrast). The key to doing this well is having a clear structure so your ideas don't get jumbled.

There are two main ways to structure your comparison and contrast:

2.1 Point-by-Point (or Alternating) Structure

Photo by DS stories on Pexels

This method involves discussing one specific point (a feature or characteristic) for both items, then moving to the next point and doing the same. It's great for showing direct relationships between specific aspects.

You'd discuss:
- Point 1 for Subject A
- Point 1 for Subject B
- Point 2 for Subject A
- Point 2 for Subject B
- And so on...

This structure works best for shorter comparisons or when you want to emphasize the direct differences or similarities on each specific aspect. It keeps the reader's attention focused on how the subjects stack up against each other on a single criterion.

2.2 Subject-by-Subject (or Block) Structure

Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels

With this method, you discuss everything about Subject A first, then everything about Subject B. It's like giving a full profile of one item before moving to the next.

You'd discuss:
- All points for Subject A (Point 1, Point 2, Point 3...)
- All points for Subject B (Point 1, Point 2, Point 3...)

This structure is often better for longer comparisons where you have a lot to say about each subject, or when you want to give a holistic view of each item before comparing. Just make sure the points you cover for Subject A are the same points you cover for Subject B.

Here's a visual of these two approaches:

graph TD
    A["Structuring Comparison & Contrast"] --> B["Point-by-Point (Alternating)"]
    A --> C["Subject-by-Subject (Block)"]

    B --> B1["Point 1 (Subject A)"]
    B --> B2["Point 1 (Subject B)"]
    B --> B3["Point 2 (Subject A)"]
    B --> B4["Point 2 (Subject B)"]

    C --> C1["All Points (Subject A)"]
    C --> C2["All Points (Subject B)"]

    C1 --> C1a["Point 1 (Subject A)"]
    C1 --> C1b["Point 2 (Subject A)"]

    C2 --> C2a["Point 1 (Subject B)"]
    C2 --> C2b["Point 2 (Subject B)"]

3. Worked Example

Let's compare two popular types of transportation: cars and bicycles.

Topic: Urban Commuting

Point-by-Point Structure Example:

• Cost:
  • Cars: Typically have high initial purchase costs, ongoing fuel expenses, insurance, maintenance, and parking fees.
  • Bicycles: Lower initial cost, no fuel, minimal insurance (if any), and lower maintenance.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Cars: Produce emissions (unless electric), contribute to air and noise pollution, and require significant manufacturing resources.
  • Bicycles: Zero emissions during operation, minimal noise, and lower overall resource consumption in manufacturing.
• Health Benefits:
  • Cars: Offer little direct physical health benefit to the driver; can contribute to sedentary lifestyles.
  • Bicycles: Provide significant cardiovascular exercise, improving physical fitness and mental well-being.
• Convenience/Flexibility:
  • Cars: Offer speed over long distances, climate control, and capacity for multiple passengers/cargo; susceptible to traffic jams and parking issues.
  • Bicycles: Often faster in congested urban areas due to ability to use bike lanes and paths; limited cargo/passenger capacity; weather-dependent.

Subject-by-Subject Structure Example:

• Cars:
  • Cost: High initial purchase, fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking.
  • Environmental Impact: Emissions, pollution, resource-intensive manufacturing.
  • Health Benefits: Limited direct physical benefit; can lead to sedentary habits.
  • Convenience/Flexibility: Fast for long distances, comfortable, carries many, but traffic and parking are issues.
• Bicycles:
  • Cost: Low initial purchase, no fuel, low insurance/maintenance.
  • Environmental Impact: Zero emissions, minimal pollution, less resource-intensive.
  • Health Benefits: Excellent cardiovascular exercise, improved fitness.
  • Convenience/Flexibility: Fast in traffic, uses bike lanes, limited capacity, weather-dependent.

Notice how both structures cover the same ground, but the flow of information is different.

4. Key Takeaways

• Always make sure you're comparing and contrasting things that have some fundamental similarity.
• Pick your structure (point-by-point or subject-by-subject) early on and stick with it.
• For each point you discuss, ensure you cover it for all subjects you're comparing.
• Use transition words (e.g., "similarly," "however," "in contrast," "on the other hand") to guide your reader.

• Your goal is to reveal something new or make an argument based on the comparison, not just list facts.

• Don't just list facts without explaining their significance or drawing connections.

• Avoid introducing new points for one subject that aren't discussed for the other.
• Don't switch between point-by-point and subject-by-subject structures in the middle of your piece.
• Don't assume your reader knows why you're comparing these things; state your purpose clearly.

5. Now Try It

Think about two different types of mobile apps you use regularly (e.g., a social media app and a productivity app, or two different navigation apps). Choose three specific features or aspects to compare and contrast. Then, draft a short comparison using the point-by-point structure. What would success look like? You'd have a clear comparison for each of your three chosen features, discussing both apps under each feature heading, without getting mixed up.