San José State University Writing Center
www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter
Written by Emily Hamman
Comparing/Contrasting, Spring 2009. Rev. Summer 2014. 1 of 1
Comparing/Contrasting
Making a Venn diagram can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more
ideas or subjects. To make a Venn diagram, simply draw two overlapping circles, one circle for
each subject you are comparing. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two
items have in common. Below is a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the movies Star
Wars and Indiana Jones.
Useful Words to Help Emphasize your Intentions
As you write a compare/contrast essay, consider using the following words to emphasize both
your points of comparison and your points of contrast.
Comparing:
Like Likewise
Still Also
Again Similarly
Similar to In the same way
In like manner Compared to
At the same time
Contrasting:
Unlike Yet
Compared to Even though
In contrast But
Contrasted with Nevertheless
On the contrary Conversely
However Regardless
Although Despite
On the other hand
Star Wars
Follows the tragic rise and fall of
Anakin Skywalker
Family-oriented
Takes place in a land far, far
away
Rebel Alliance vs. the Galactic
Empire
Indiana Jones
Revolves around the life of an
adventurous archeologist
Mature audience
Takes place on Earth
Protagonist vs. Nazis
BOTH
Episodic
Starred Harrison
Ford
Written and
produced by
George Lucas
Good vs. evil