Rhetorical functions in academic writing: comparison and contrast (This handout was prepared by A. Suchomelová) http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/comparing.htm Introductory Sentences: Differences X is different from Y in a number of respects. There are a number of important differences between X and Y. X differs from Y in a number of important ways. Smith (2003) found distinct differences between X and Y. Women and men differ not only in physical attributes but also in the way in which they ...... Introductory Sentences: Similarities The mode of processing used by the right brain is similar to that used by the left brain. The mode of processing used by the right brain is comparable in complexity to that used by the left brain. The effects of nitrous dioxide on human health are similar to those of ground level ozone. Both X and Y generally take place in a "safe environment". There are a number of similarities between X and Y. Numerous studies have compared the brain cells in man and animals and found that the cells are essentially identical. http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm When you are writing critically, you need to do much more than just give information. One common function in academic writing is comparing and contrasting, writing about similarities and differences. You may compare and contrast objects and places, or ideas and opinion obtained from your reading. Look at the following table and read the text below. Pay attention to the comparisons and contrasts. Price Processor Speed Screen Size Hard Disk RAM Evesham Axis 1.33 SK £1,174 1.33 GHz 17" 40 GB 256 MB Armani R850 P4. £2,467 1.7 GHz 19" 40 GB 256 MB Mesh Elite 1.7GT Pro £1,938 1.7 GHz 19" 57 GB 256 MB Elonex WebRider Pro £1,174 1.2 GHz 17" 38.1 GB 128 MB Comparison The Evesham Axis is like the Elonex WebRider The Evesham Axis and the Elonex WebRider are similar The Evesham Axis is similar to the Elonex WebRider The Evesham Axis is the same as the Elonex WebRider The Evesham Axis resembles the Elonex WebRider with respect to price. as regards price. as far as price is concerned. regarding price. in that the price is the same. in terms of price. in price. Both the Evesham Axis and the Elonex WebRider cost £1,174. The Evesham Axis is as expensive as the Elonex WebRider. The Evesham Axis costs the same as the Elonex WebRider. The Evesham Axis is the same price as the Elonex WebRider. The Mesh Elite has a large screen. Similarly, it has a high capacity hard disk. Likewise, it has a high capacity hard disk. Furthermore, it has a high capacity hard disk. Moreover, it has a high capacity hard disk. Correspondingly, it has a high capacity hard disk. It has a high capacity hard disk, too. It also has a high capacity hard disk. Contrast The Evesham Axis differs from the Armani The Evesham Axis is unlike the Armani The Evesham Axis and the Armani differ The Evesham Axis is different from the Armani The Evesham Axis contrasts with the Armani with respect to price. as regards price. as far as price is concerned. regarding price. in terms of price. in price. The Evesham Axis costs £1,174, whereas the Armani costs £2,467. The Evesham Axis costs £1,174, while the Armani costs £2,467. The Evesham Axis costs £1,174, but the Armani costs £2,467. The Evesham Axis costs £1,174, in contrast to the Armani, which costs £2,467. The Armani is more expensive than the Evesham Axis. The Evesham Axis is not as expensive as the Armani. The Armani costs more than the Evesham Axis. The Armani is expensive to buy. On the other hand, it is very fast and has a large screen. In contrast, it is very fast and has a large screen. Conversely, it is very fast and has a large screen. However, it is very fast and has a large screen. But, it is very fast and has a large screen. Although the Armani is expensive to buy, Despite the high price of the Armani, it is very fast and has a large screen.