INTRODUCTION TO COMPARISON AND CONTRAST IN MULTIMODAL COMPOSITIONS
- As a rhetorical mode, Comparison and Contrast is used to distinguish the similarities and differences between two subjects being compared. Writers use this mode to discover some points of comparison between 2 subjects, usually to make a greater argument about a given issue (and not just for the sake of drawing distinctions). There are 2 methods for organizing a Comparison and Contrast Essay:
METHOD #1: BLOCK FORMAT (AKA SUBJECT-TO-SUBJECT PATTERN)
- In this method, two subjects are being compared in separate paragraphs; one paragraph lists all the points of comparison about the first subject, while the next paragraph lists the same points of comparison about the second subject for the purpose of comparison with the previous subject. For example, if you were to write a simple, comparison and contrast essay on whether dogs or cats make better pets, you might organize your essay Outline like so:
I. Dogs make better petsA. Dogs protect their owners when they sense dangerB. Dogs give their owners lots of attentionC. Dogs can learn tricks
II. Cats do not make as great pets as dogsA. Cats tend to run away when they sense danger
B. Cats give owners attention only when they want toC. Cats tend not to do tricks.Notice that the points of comparison in the second paragraph are organized in the same order as the points of comparison in the first paragraph. Essentially, writing about each subject in separate paragraphs is how comparison and contrast writing is organized by the Block Format METHOD #2: POINT-BY-POINT FORMAT (AKA ALTERNATING PATTERN)
- In this method, two subjects are being compared based on points of comparison; paragraphs are organized based on points of comparison rather than by the subjects themselves. Again, let us use the same comparison and contrast topic on whether dogs or cats make better pets to make a point-by-point formatted Outline:
I. Dogs protect their owners better than cats
A. When sensing danger, dogs can bark loudly to alert their owners, whereas cats can only hiss and purr
II. Dogs give more attention to their owners than catsA. Dogs are more likely to come to the their owners when called than catsIII. Dogs can do more tricks than catsA. Dogs can play fetch, whereas cats are less likely to engage in this type of activity
Notice that both dogs and cats are mentioned in each paragraph, with each paragraph explaining a single point of comparison; this format is different from the block format, which requires a discussion of multiple points of comparison on one subject in one paragraph before moving onto discussing multiple points of comparison on the second subject in a separate paragraph. Experienced writers would consider the complexity of their writing topic before choosing to organize their ideas by either Block Format or Point-By-Point Format. For example, if there are multiple points of comparison to be made between energy generated by Wind Turbines and energy generated by Wave and Tidal Turbines, organizing the essay based on the Point-By-Point Format is recommended; this is because writing about complex issues based on the Block Format would render each paragraph too full of details and difficult to understand. Some writers would strategically mix both Block and Point-By-Point Format in their essay, provided that they clearly delineate where the Block format ends and Point-By-Point format begins
In any case, a writer should be conscientious about his/her writing subject before they decide on the method with which to organize their comparison and contrast essay - SAMPLE ESSAY
- Shades of Being HumanStudent Sample: Comparison/Contrast, Alternating Pattern Alice Walker and Maya Angelou are two contemporary African-American writers. Alt...
MULTIMODAL TEXTS FOR COMPARISON
AMERICAN DINERS
- EXERCISES FOR REFLECTION1. Closely examine and take notes on the 2 photographs of Diners above. List some points of comparison2. Compare and contrast the points of comparison to distinguish the similarities and differences between the 2 photographs. What is the state of American Diners today? Do you notice a change between past and present Diners?
POEM - "A ROAD LESS TRAVELED" BY ROBERT FROST (WEBCOMIC)
- EXERCISES FOR REFLECTION1. As you read the webcomic above by the webcomic artist, Zen Pencil, take careful and specific notes of the various objects, actions, colors, tone, moods, etc. depicted in each side of the dual frames2. Write down the part of the poem that correlates with each section of the webcomic3. Write a paragraph comparing the two version of life depicted in the above webcomic. How does the webcomic artist Zen Pencil's interpret the poem, "A Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost? In other words, what argument does this webcomic assert? (Clue: Analyze the last frame)
THE WRITING PROCESS (MUSIC)
- WHAT IS BEATS PER MINUTE (BPM)?
- Beats Per Minute, online beat counter and reference number chartBeats Per Minute or BPM are used to calculate the 'Timing' of a song and acts as a guide to the speed it should be played. i.e., 60 bmp =...
TEACHING UNIT/THEME - COMPARISON IN MULTIMODAL COMPOSITION
This is an example teaching unit/theme for an English Composition course. The topic is on Comparison in Multimodal Composition; when showing this unit in class, students are required to apply their knowledge of Comparison/Contrast to analyze the various types of multimodal text listed in this page
- Hannina Hj MustafaAmerican diner is a place where many American families choose to dine especially when food is prepared fast and service to customer is their first priority. In...more2013-06-01T19:17:20.945Z
Embed
Show Templates
