6. The CONTRAST Paragraph

The Contrast Paragraph

FINDING DIFFERENCES

Learners will be able to compare (find DIFFERENCES) concepts, situation, or objects.

Where to Study

One major decision which faces the American student ready to begin higher education is the choice of attending a large university or a small college. The large university provides a wide range of specialized departments, as well as numerous courses within such departments. The small college, however, generally provides a limited number of courses and specializations but offers a better student faculty ratio, thus permitting individualized attention to students. Because of its large, cosmopolitan student body (often exceeding 20,000) the university exposes its students to many different cultural, social, and extra-curricular programs. On the other hand, the smaller, more homogeneous student body of the small college afford greater opportunities for direct involvement and individual participation in such activities.  Finally the university closely approximates the real world; it provides a relaxed, impersonal, and sometimes anonymous existence. In contrast, the intimate atmosphere of the small college allows the student four years of structured living in which to contemplate and prepare for the real world. In making his choice among educational institutions the student must, therefore, consider many factors.

What two ideas are developed in the paragraph above? Outline:

The objective test and the essay exam

In college and university courses, the objective test and the essay exam are two contrasting methods of evaluation commonly used to measure student's grasp of subject matter. The objective test usually consists of a large number of unrelated questions that require the student to demonstrate mastery of details. It often leads to rote memorization of isolated facts during the pre-test period of study. Since the questions on the objective test are presented in true-false or multiple choice form, the student may be encouraged to guess answers for which he has no accurate knowledge. The essay exam, on the other hand, usually consists of a few broadly stated questions that require the student to organize his responses in essay form.  Such questions force the student to give proof of his ability to handle general concepts. This type of exam also relies on factual information, but there is far greater necessity for the student to demonstrate analytical and compositional skills. Mere guessing at' answers is reduced to a minimum. Although the objective test and the essay exam have similar goals - the assessment of a student's academic achievement - the techniques (and very often the results) of the two types of examination differ significantly.

What two ideas are developed in the paragraph above? Outline:

European Football and American Football

Although European football is the parent of American Football, the two games show several major differences. European football, sometimes called association football or soccer, is played in 80 countries, making it the most widely played sport in the world. American football, on the other hand, is popular only in North America (the United States and Canada). Soccer is played by eleven players with a round ball. Football, also played by eleven players in somewhat different positions on the field, is played with an elongated round ball. Soccer has little body contact between players and therefore requires no special protective equipment.  Football, in which players make maximum use of body contact to block a running ball-carrier and his team­mates, requires special headgear and padding. In soccer, the ball is advanced toward the goal by kicking it or: by butting it with the head.  In football, on the other hand, the ball is passed from hand to hand or carried in the hands across the opponent's goal. These are just a few of the features which distinguish association and American football.

What two ideas are developed in the paragraph above? Outline:

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT – Contrast Paragraph (similarities)

Select one of the following PATTERNS to write an outline FOR A CONTRAST PARAGRAPH.    AFTER WRITING YOUR OUTLINE, START DEVELOPING YOUR CONTRAST PARAGRAPH.

Ideas to develop the topic sentence for a contrast:

Even though A and B are similar; they still show some DIFFERENCES.

Despite their similarities, A and B are still DIFFERENT in some aspects

USE DISCOURSE MARKERS:

Contrast WITHIN sentences	Contrast BETWEEN sentences
A is unlike B           A differs from B                 with respect to… A and B differ A is different from  B A contrast with B	A is ______. On the other hand, B is _______. A is _______. In contrast, B is ___________. A is ________.  Conversely, B is ______.

Examples:

Japanese industry invests considerable sums of money in research and development.  In contrast, British investment in this area is low.

The majority of Egyptians practice Islam.  On the other hand, there is also a large Christian minority.

TO INTRODUCE YOUR TERMINATOR USE: AS YOU CAN SEE, CLEARLY, ETC. 

REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EXPLANATIONS OF DETAILS (WHY AND HOW)

Outline the CONTRAST paragraph (USE TWO IDEAS)

	Topic sentence:
A1
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
	Conclusion:

Outline the CONTRAST paragraph (USE TWO IDEAS)

	Topic sentence:
A1
B1
A2
B2
A3
B3
A4
B4
	Conclusion:

WHO IS BRAM STOKER?

WHAT IS HIS MOST FAMOUS LITERARY WORK?

WRITE A CONTRAST PARAGRAPH POINTING OUT THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MOST FAMOUS BRAM STOKER'S LITERARY CHARACTER AND MOST FAMOUS MARY SHELLEY´S LITERARY CHARACTER.

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