Final answer:
When comparing and contrasting two subjects, establish their similarities and differences in a structured format, ensuring there is enough commonality for the comparison to be meaningful. Create working topic sentences that clearly articulate the basis of comparison or contrast. Choose subjects thoughtfully, with the understanding that creative and subtle connections can be drawn even between disparate topics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing and Contrasting Subjects
Comparing and contrasting different subjects involve identifying how they are similar and how they are different. A working topic sentence for a comparison-and-contrast essay may include statements such as 'One way in which (subject 1) and (subject 2) are similar is (similarity)'. Conversely, to illustrate differences, a statement could be 'One way in which (subject 1) differs from (subject 2) is (difference)'.
A critical aspect of creating a comparison-and-contrast paragraph is the identification of two subjects followed by a point-by-point discussion that may investigate similarities or differences in aspects like texture, color, or functionalities in various contexts. For example, in an academic setting, comparing virtual learning to face-to-face learning might involve discussing both the similarities in educational objectives and the differences in the learning environment and student-teacher interaction.
In personal scenarios, comparing one's self to parents can involve acknowledging genetic similarities while also considering how individual experiences contribute to distinct differences.
It is important to choose two subjects with enough commonality that the comparison or contrast will be meaningful, like comparing two schools of philosophical thought, while avoiding subjects without logical connections, like contrasting a fish with a shoe. However, creative connections can sometimes be made even with seemingly unrelated subjects.