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Writing lesson · Informational writing
Compare and Contrast: Write About Likenesses and Differences
Learn to write a paragraph that compares two things, use signal words such as both and however, and keep each point fair by matching features.
The idea
To compare is to show how two things are alike. To contrast is to show how they are different. Writers use this to explain new ideas: a reader who knows soccer can learn about hockey by seeing what is the same and what changes.
A good comparison matches features. If you say something about the size of one thing, say something about the size of the other. Comparing the size of a lake with the wetness of a pond does not help the reader.
Signal words guide the reader. For likenesses use both, also, similarly and like. For differences use but, however, unlike, while and in contrast.
A simple plan has four parts: a topic sentence that names both subjects, one or two likenesses, one or two differences, and a closing sentence that restates the main idea in new words.
See the difference
A first attempt
Hockey is fun. Soccer is fun too. Hockey has sticks. Soccer is outside. I like both.
Hockey and soccer are both fast team sports, but they differ in equipment and where they are played. In both games, players pass to teammates and try to score on a goalkeeper. However, hockey players use sticks and skates on ice, while soccer players use their feet on grass. Although the games feel different, both reward teamwork and quick thinking.
Why this works: The strong paragraph names both subjects in the topic sentence, compares the same features (what players do, equipment, surface), uses signal words (both, however, while, unlike) and ends with a closing idea. The weak version lists unmatched facts with no plan.
Worked examples
Example 1 · Match the features
Compare a library and a bookstore. Choose one feature to compare.
- Pick a feature both have: how you get a book.
- Library: borrow for free. Bookstore: pay to keep.
- Check that both sides talk about the same feature.
At a library you borrow books for free, but at a bookstore you pay to keep them.
Example 2 · Choose the signal word
Join the ideas: "Cats purr. Dogs wag their tails." Are they alike or different?
- Both are ways to show happiness, so they match a feature.
- The ways are different, so use a contrast word.
- Join with while.
Cats purr to show happiness, while dogs wag their tails.
Example 3 · Write a topic sentence
Write a topic sentence comparing summer and winter.
- Name both subjects.
- Say what you will compare, such as weather and activities.
- Hint at both a likeness and a difference.
Summer and winter are both seasons for outdoor fun, but they differ in weather and activities.
Example 4 · Write a closing sentence
Close a paragraph about apples and oranges.
- Restate the likeness in new words.
- Restate the difference in a short phrase.
- Do not add a brand-new fact.
Apples and oranges are both healthy fruit, but oranges are juicier.
Common mistakes
Why this fails: If you say how big one subject is, say how big the other is. Matching features make the comparison fair.
Why this fails: A compare-and-contrast paragraph needs both, unless your assignment says otherwise.
Why this fails: But, however and unlike show differences. Both, also and similarly show likenesses.
Why this fails: Start with a topic sentence, group likenesses together, group differences together and finish with a closing sentence.
Foundation
Foundation practice
Understand compare, contrast and signal words.
1. What does a compare-and-contrast paragraph do?
- Tells a story in order
- Shows how two things are alike and how they are different
- Gives steps to follow
- Describes only one thing in detail
2. Which word signals a DIFFERENCE?
- Both
- Also
- Similarly
- However
3. Which word signals a LIKENESS?
- both
- unlike
- whereas
- but
4. Which topic sentence best opens a paragraph comparing hockey and soccer?
- Soccer was invented a long time ago.
- I like hockey.
- Hockey and soccer are both team sports, but they differ in equipment and surface.
- Sports are popular in many places.
5. Which pair is a DIFFERENCE between a bicycle and a scooter?
- Both have wheels
- A bicycle has pedals, but a scooter is pushed with a foot
- Both need a rider to balance
- Both can be used on a path
Practice
Practice practice
Choose the best signal word and the fairest comparison.
6. "Frogs live in water and on land. ___, toads spend most of their time on land."
- Similarly
- Both
- Also
- In contrast
7. "Tea and hot chocolate are ___ served warm."
- both
- however
- unlike
- but
8. "Ottawa is the capital of Canada, ___ Toronto is the capital of Ontario."
- and then
- because
- while
- so
9. Which order is clearest for a comparison paragraph?
- Closing sentence, topic sentence, differences
- Topic sentence, likenesses, differences, closing sentence
- Differences, a new topic, likenesses
- Likenesses only
10. Which sentence compares fairly?
- Dogs are loud, but cats are good.
- Cats are lazy and dogs are not.
- Dogs are better.
- Dogs need daily walks, but most cats do not need to be walked outside.
11. Which pair of points matches (same feature for both)?
- Winter has short days; summer has long days
- Winter is cold; summer has long evenings
- Winter has snow; summer is fun
- Winter is quiet; summer has a vacation
Think
Think practice
Fix weak comparisons.
12. A student writes: "Lakes are big. Ponds are wet." What is missing?
- A longer title
- More adjectives
- A matching feature to compare for both, such as size
- A question mark
13. Which closing sentence best finishes a paragraph about apples and oranges?
- So now you know.
- Apples and oranges are both healthy fruit, but oranges are juicier and need peeling.
- The end.
- I like fruit.
14. Which sentence contains both a likeness and a difference?
- Water is useful.
- Rivers are wide.
- Streams are small.
- Both rivers and streams carry water, but rivers are wider.
Your turn to write
Write a paragraph (5–7 sentences) comparing two things you know well, such as two sports, two pets or two seasons. Name both in your topic sentence, give at least one likeness and one difference, use at least three signal words and finish with a closing sentence.
Helpful sentence starters
- … and … are both …, but they differ in …
- In both …, …
- However, … while …
- Although …, both …
Write in a notebook or a document. The model and checklist are available without signing in.
Check and improve
- My topic sentence names both subjects.
- I wrote at least one likeness and one difference.
- I compared matching features for both subjects.
- I used at least three signal words.
- My closing sentence restates the main idea in new words.
- I read it aloud to check that it makes sense.
This checklist is for parent-and-child self-review. No automatic writing score is assigned.
Answer key
- 1. Shows how two things are alike and how they are different
Compare means to show likenesses and contrast means to show differences. A story, steps and a one-topic description each have a different purpose. - 2. However
However introduces a contrast. Both, also and similarly all point to likenesses. - 3. both
Both tells the reader the two things share something. But, unlike and whereas signal differences. - 4. Hockey and soccer are both team sports, but they differ in equipment and surface.
A strong topic sentence names both subjects and says what the paragraph will compare. The others name one subject or are too general. - 5. A bicycle has pedals, but a scooter is pushed with a foot
Pedals versus pushing with a foot is a difference. The other choices are shared features. - 6. In contrast
The second sentence shows a difference between frogs and toads, so a contrast word fits. Similarly, also and both would suggest a likeness. - 7. both
The sentence says the drinks share something, so use both. Unlike, however and but signal differences. - 8. while
While joins two statements to show how the cities differ. Because and so show cause, and and then shows time. - 9. Topic sentence, likenesses, differences, closing sentence
Readers need to know the plan first, then see the points one group at a time, then get a closing idea. The other orders leave out parts or jump around. - 10. Dogs need daily walks, but most cats do not need to be walked outside.
A fair comparison uses the same point (care needs) for both subjects. The others give opinions or judge only one side. - 11. Winter has short days; summer has long days
Good comparisons use the same feature, here length of day, for both subjects. The others compare different features. - 12. A matching feature to compare for both, such as size
Both sentences should say something about the same feature. Lakes are big and ponds are small is a real comparison; 'wet' does not contrast with 'big'. - 13. Apples and oranges are both healthy fruit, but oranges are juicier and need peeling.
A good closing sentence repeats the main likeness and difference in fresh words. The others add no idea. - 14. Both rivers and streams carry water, but rivers are wider.
Both signals a likeness, but signals a difference. Each of the other sentences gives only one idea.