Lesson 4: Comparison/Contrast Signal Words

The first key to writing a successful comparison and contrast essay is the appropriate use of comparison and contrast structure words. These are the words that introduce points of comparison and points of contrast and using them will make your essay more coherent and logical. Take a look at the table above showing a few of the words and phrases that can be used in these types of essays.

Be sure to pay attention to the different ways that these structure words are used and for which purpose.

Next, lets look a few of these words in some example sentences:

• Human workers can detect malfunctions in machinery; likewise / similarly, a robot can be programmed to detect equipment malfunctions. 
• Robots can detect very small defects in machinery unlike human workers.
• Both robots and human workers can detect malfunctions in machinery. 
• For example, humans and robots can be used together to ensure that machines are in their best working order.

When contrasting ideas, it is important that you decide whether you want to use a simple contrast or one that results in an unexpected result. Let’s have a look at these two sentences:

• Sreypich prefers coffee, but Dara prefers tea.
• Although Sreypich usually prefers coffee, today she’s drinking tea.

In the first example we have a simple contrast. Sreypich prefers coffee while Dara prefers tea. Meanwhile, in the second example, we have an unexpected result or a concession. Given Sreypich’s stated preference for coffee, her choice of tea is unexpected. This unexpected outcome is called a concession because it does not necessarily align with a fact stated in the writing. 

Be careful when using these structure words as they are not universal and will not work in every situation. For example, while although and though mean similar things, they may not be interchangeable depending on the construction of your sentence. Placement is also something that a writer needs to consider as you can see from these two sentences:

1. • Although I was rather tired, I decided to stay up to see the late movie.
   • I was rather tired, although I decided to stay up to see the late movie. 

In the first sentence, the writer has contrasted the idea of being tired but staying up late to watch a movie. In the second sentence, the writer isn’t necessarily contrasting ideas, but making a simple statement. Take a look at two more examples and see if you can explain why the placement of “even though” in the first sentence is much stronger than its use in the second. 

• • We continued our hike even though it began to rain. 

• • Even though we continued our hike, it began to rain. It doesn’t make sense either. 

There are times, though, when you will have a choice of how to structure your sentence; it will just depend on your point of view:

• Although the film was a bit long, it was quite enjoyable.
• The film was quite enjoyable although it was a bit long.