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Contrast Check List

______The paper contrasts two elements in a worthwhile, informative way that goes beyond the obvious.

______The thesis presents a specific judgment rather than a generic synonym for “different.”

______The opening paragraph briefly shows the similarities and ends with the thesis:

The two most traditional pets, dogs and cats, both have their appeal. Both offer companionship and a warm body to pet and cuddle. Both can give warning signs when something is amiss. And both also bring their share of bother with shedding hair, barking or meowing, shredded upholstery, and digestive accidents. Whether they are dog lovers or cat lovers, however, most pet owners agree that dogs demand more attention than cats.

______Arrange your information into a contrast paragraph format:

Two Paragraphs. One paragraph on A, followed by one paragraph of B, both about the same characteristic. Present the specific details in the same order in both paragraphs (feeding, toileting, grooming, exercising).
Dogs need a lot of care.

Cats, however, are self-sufficient.

The topic sentence of the first paragraph can mention both elements, implying that the second paragraph will complete the contrast:

Being pack animals, dogs are more obedient and need more attention than cats.

Cats, however, are independent, or as Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Nobody owns a cat.”

Split Paragraphs. The first half of a paragraph on element A and the second half of the paragraph on element B. Present the specific details in the same order in each half of the paragraph. Both elements must be in the topic sentence: Dogs need more care than cats.
Weaved Paragraphs. Elements A and B alternating throughout a paragraph. Always begin each sub-point with Element A. Again, both elements must be in the topic sentence This pattern is required if your topic is technical, as in the following sample:
Furthermore, the Zapper is far more versatile than the Gooby. Whereas the Zapper can fax, copy, and text message, the Gooby can only fax, and needs a $200 interfacing to do text messaging. The Zapper is Blackberry compatible; the Gooby is not. The Zapper prints in color at 3,000 dpi (dots per inch), while the Gooby prints only in black and white at 300 dpi. The Zapper accepts five image formats; the Gooby accepts only two. Both offer remote control; however, the Zapper has a 100 foot range while the Gooby has only a 20 foot range. Most important, the Zapper is compatible with any Windows Office software, whereas the Gooby guarantees compatibility only with its own software, and needs its own online service simply to patch bugs when running Windows Office programs.

Notice that it is more difficult to process the technical information in this half and half format:

Furthermore, the Zapper is far more versatile than the Gooby. The Zapper can fax, text message, and copy. The Zapper is Blackberry compatible. The Zapper prints in color at 1,200 dpi (dots per inch), and accepts five image formats. It has a 100 foot remote control range. Most important, the Zapper is compatible with any Windows Office software. On the other hand, the Gooby can only fax, needs a $200 interfacing to do text messaging, and does not copy at all. It is not Blackberry compatible. The Gooby prints only in black and white at 300 dpi and accepts only two image formats. It has only a 20 foot remote control range. Finally, the Gooby guarantees compatibility only with its own software, and needs its own online service simply to patch bugs when running Windows Office programs.

You can mix the Two Paragraphs, Split Paragraphs, and Weaved Paragraphs arrangements in one paper.

______If both elements to be contrasted are included in a paragraph (as in and Weaved Paragraphs), the topic sentence must mention both elements.

Notice that this topic sentence would not prepare the reader for the Gooby showing up later in a Split Paragraph or a Weaved Paragraph.

The Zapper is quite versatile.

______Parallel structure reinforces parallel ideas.

______Transitional expressions are brief. They do not repeat information just stated, and they are punctuated correctly:

although, whereas, even though are fragmentmakers

however, on the other hand, in contrast are pointers

than means comparison; then means time If you misspell this word in this contrast paper, I will lower your mechanics grade by one letter. I suggest that you use Edit>Replace to find each then and decide whether it correctly means time or needs to be changed to mean contrast.

Coordinating conjunctions: but, yet (When one of these words joins two complete sentences, put a comma in front of it. When it joins two verbs or two phrases, put nothing.)

Subordinating conjunctions or fragment makers: although, even though, while, whereas (These words turn their groups into incomplete sentences, so you must use a comma to join the group to a complete sentence.

Conjunctive adverbs or pointers (however, instead, in contrast, on the other hand) are extra transitions that do not affect structure. They cannot turn a group into a fragment, and they cannot join two sentences, EVEN WITH A COMMA.

______Parallel structure reinforces parallel ideas.

_____All sources are credited according to MLA style.

Last updated 10/01/2008