Comparison and Contrast Essays

Paper Summary:

The paper compares Bruce Catton's work, "Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts" and Russel Baker's essay, "A Nice Place to Visit" and asserts that both follow the comparison and contrast format of writing exceptionally well. The paper explains that where Catton seeks to impart his clearly defined passion and excitement for his subject, Baker wants us to share in his sarcastic assessment of Toronto as being clean and polite and thus boring. The paper posits that both works succeed in engaging the reader, although Baker's assessment has a problem that it requires the reader to take his side.

From the Paper:

"Comparison and contrast essays serve a very distinct point - to show the differences and similiarities between individuals, groups, places, songs, etc. Within the structure of these essays, we find that there are two major methods of comparison: the subject-by-subject and the point-by-point. Within these two methods are also several different styles that authors employ. Bruce Catton's work, "Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts" takes a very serious and well balanced look at the two primary military generals of the U.S. Civil war."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baker, R. (2002). A Nice Place to Visit. Brannan: A Writers Workshop: Crafting Paragraphs, Building Essays. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp 636-38.
• Catton, Bruce. (2002). Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts. Brannan: A Writers's Workshop: Crafting Paragraphs. New York: McGraw-Hill pp 631-35.

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