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Compare and contrast is a common form of academic writing, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs which compare or contrast. This page gives information on what a compare and contrast essay is , how to structure this type of essay, how to use compare and contrast structure words , and how to make sure you use appropriate criteria for comparison/contrast . There is also an example compare and contrast essay on the topic of communication technology, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.
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To compare is to examine how things are similar, while to contrast is to see how they differ. A compare and contrast essay therefore looks at the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences. This essay type is common at university, where lecturers frequently test your understanding by asking you to compare and contrast two theories, two methods, two historical periods, two characters in a novel, etc. Sometimes the whole essay will compare and contrast, though sometimes the comparison or contrast may be only part of the essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the similarities or the differences, not both, will be discussed. See the examples below.
There are two main ways to structure a compare and contrast essay, namely using a block or a point-by-point structure. For the block structure, all of the information about one of the objects being compared/contrasted is given first, and all of the information about the other object is listed afterwards. This type of structure is similar to the block structure used for cause and effect and problem-solution essays. For the point-by-point structure, each similarity (or difference) for one object is followed immediately by the similarity (or difference) for the other. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is easier to write, while the latter is generally clearer as it ensures that the similarities/differences are more explicit.
The two types of structure, block and point-by-point , are shown in the diagram below.
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Compare and contrast structure words are transition signals which show the similarities or differences. Below are some common examples.
When making comparisons or contrasts, it is important to be clear what criteria you are using. Study the following example, which contrasts two people. Here the criteria are unclear.
Although this sentence has a contrast transition , the criteria for contrasting are not the same. The criteria used for Aaron are height (tall) and strength (strong). We would expect similar criteria to be used for Bruce (maybe he is short and weak), but instead we have new criteria, namely appearance (handsome) and intelligence (intelligent). This is a common mistake for students when writing this type of paragraph or essay. Compare the following, which has much clearer criteria (contrast structure words shown in bold).
Below is a compare and contrast essay. This essay uses the point-by-point structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. similarities, differences, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the comparisons and contrasts contained in the main body.
Title: There have been many advances in technology over the past fifty years. These have revolutionised the way we communicate with people who are far away. Compare and contrast methods of communication used today with those which were used in the past.
Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over long distances used traditional means such as letters and the telephone. Nowadays we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging from email to instant messaging and video calls. While the present and previous means of communication are similar in their general form , they differ in regard to their speed and the range of tools available . One similarity between current and previous methods of communication relates to the form of communication. In the past, both written forms such as letters were frequently used, in addition to oral forms such as telephone calls. Similarly , people nowadays use both of these forms. Just as in the past, written forms of communication are prevalent, for example via email and text messaging. In addition, oral forms are still used, including the telephone, mobile phone, and voice messages via instant messaging services. However , there are clearly many differences in the way we communicate over long distances, the most notable of which is speed. This is most evident in relation to written forms of communication. In the past, letters would take days to arrive at their destination. In contrast , an email arrives almost instantaneously and can be read seconds after it was sent. In the past, if it was necessary to send a short message, for example at work, a memo could be passed around the office, which would take some time to circulate. This is different from the current situation, in which a text message can be sent immediately. Another significant difference is the range of communication methods. Fifty years ago, the tools available for communicating over long distances were primarily the telephone and the letter. By comparison , there are a vast array of communication methods available today. These include not only the telephone, letter, email and text messages already mentioned, but also video conferences via software such as Skype or mobile phone apps such as WeChat, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. In conclusion, methods of communication have greatly advanced over the past fifty years. While there are some similarities, such as the forms of communication , there are significant differences, chiefly in relation to the speed of communication and the range of communication tools available . There is no doubt that technology will continue to progress in future, and the advanced tools which we use today may one day also become outdated.
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Below is a checklist for compare and contrast essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
Compare and contrast are used accurately | ||
The for comparison/contrast are clear | ||
The essay has clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
There is a downloadable graphic organiser for brainstorming ideas for compare and contrast essays in the writing resources section.
Find out how to write cause & effect essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about persuasion essays .
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Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 08 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
Table of contents
Many students today have to deal with writing complex and time-consuming essays. These include topics where two different viewpoints have to be introduced and debated. For more professional essay help like this and plenty of other writing resources related to using transition words for compare and contrast essays.
So what do we mean by compare and contrast transition words? Before we delve into these two terms, let’s look at what a ‘transition word’ is. Simply put, transition words describe the relationship between two ideas; they are words for similarities and differences. If we were to dissect their purposes to a more nuanced degree, they can:
Show vague or strong similarities between one concept and another
Show a correlation between one concept and another
Show a causal relationship between one concept and the other
Show the opposing natures of one concept and another
As the name clearly implies, they are transition words that establish a comparison or a contrast between one thing and another. These are very useful and quite widely used in any form of writing. The overall effect of comparing and contrasting expressions is that they make your essays flow much better. Using them ensures that every point you introduce in the piece has a context for each other. It may seem confusing to some, so if you don’t want to go into detail, you can buy essays online and not worry about your grades.
Comparison words.
What are some ‘similarity transition words or transition words’ for explaining what two things have in common? Here are a few comparison transition words examples :
Hence, for example, if you were describing the likeness between the speeds of two different subspecies of lions, you could word it like so: ‘subspecies A can reach speeds up to 40 mph. Similarly, subspecies B can achieve a maximum of 35 mph.
Could “in addition” transitions also fit into the domain of comparative phrases?
The answer is “yes.” It is possible to link multiple traits or features to one entity. For instance, if you want to discuss the multiple benefits of exercise but don’t want your sentences to be too lengthy. You could use compare transition words like ‘in addition’ and “furthermore” to list more benefits in a new sentence. Here are a few examples of these comparison transition signals in use:
What is a comparison transition signal, and what would we do without transitions signifying contrast? There would be no way for us to articulate our polar, different, and conflicting ideas, so debates could not exist. Therefore, contrast words are very important to any essay.
Let’s take a look at some different “categories” of these contrasting words:
What are some “opposite” transition words or phrases?
What are some “difference” transition words or phrases?
What are some ‘conflict’ transition words or phrases?
Transition words for compare and contrast essays are important for academic essay writers to include in their writing. They help connect ideas and points in a compare-and-contrast essay and make the argument or point more easily understood. Transition words for compare and contrast essays can help make an essay more effective and structured. They can link ideas and facts, create emphasis, and help to organize information.
Not everything is black and white in terms of which words fit into which category of transition words. There are, in fact, grey areas where words can be used to both compare and contrast depending on the context. Let’s take a look at these grey areas.
Signal words for compare and contrast – what are they?
These are general words that fall under both contrast and comparative phrases. For example:
What are summary transition words and phrases?
These are words that can be both contrast and comparative terms, which can help tie many points together during a wrap-up. These include:
One of the best ways to learn about something is to see how it is applied. Hence, we’ve compiled a large list of comparison and contrast phrases in action.
Here’s how these transition phrases are applied:
Let’s take a look at a few examples of how contrast transition words are used in essays:
Using transition words in your paper can elevate your writing to a whole new level since these words make your writing more professional and strengthen the connections between the ideas and concepts you describe. Using transitions wisely is where the difference between a good and a great writer is, so let’s find out more about those.
As you can see from the name, these words indicate either similarity or contradiction between different concepts or ideas you describe. You can click here to find out more about those and the proper ways to use them or use some help with essay writing. You can choose any of those as long as they fit the context.
Those are fairly simple, and you can put them between ideas that either entail one another or do not contradict directly. These are:
You can use those whenever a continuation of your ideas is in order.
In contrast to the comparison transitions, these serve to draw the line between the ideas you describe and show your reader that right now, you are about to talk about something entirely different in nature:
These and other similar words make it easier to define the difference between the ideas you describe.
Using transition words requires some finesse because you should never stuff your essays too much with those. Use them wisely and only where necessary, and your writing will reach a new level.
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Transition words for contrast and compare.
In the world of writing, creating connections between ideas is key. But sometimes, the most impactful connections are those that highlight differences and similarities. This is where transition words for contrast and comparison come in! These handy phrases act like bridges, guiding your reader through the relationship between your ideas.
List of Transition words for Contrast
Use these transition words to showcase how your ideas differ:
List of Transition words for Comparison:
Use these transition words to connect ideas that share similarities:
Here are examples of sentences using each of the transition words for contrast:
Here are examples of sentences using each of the transition words for comparison:
So, the next time you write, remember the power of transition words for contrast and comparison! They’ll help you create clear, engaging connections between your ideas, leaving your reader with a well-rounded understanding of your points.
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Compare and contrast transition words! You can connect related thoughts or ideas with transition words . Transition words or phrases can help you compare or contrast ideas. They can do this by showing the degree to which something related is different or similar. It helps you note the correlation that exists between the two concepts. These words work well in comparison essays to keep your thoughts from getting jumbled.
Using transition words can make your arguments clearly understood. You can find transition words in any type of writing. Writers implement these transition words to keep their argument flowing nicely. When writers use transition words their writing becomes more purposeful and focused. Each point relates to the next.
You can use transition words to join independent clauses . To do this, you place the transitions between a period and a comma . In addition, you can place a transition word or phrase between a semicolon and a comma.
Compare transition words and phrases.
You use compare transition words to show a similar relationship between two ideas. Some common compare transition words include:
To set up an alike comparison you can begin talking about the first object or person you wish to compare. For example , compare two people’s enjoyment of running in the morning. You could start by writing:
Begin the next sentence with a compare transition to connect Suzy and Fred:
The word similarly indicates that the two compared terms are alike.
Transitions like “in addition” can work to compare similarities. For example, compare the benefits of jogging. You may list all the similar benefits in one list. To avoid a lengthy sentence you can use two sentences to discuss the benefits. To do this, begins the second sentence with “ in addition “.
Examples of compare transition words
Contrast transition words are important in essays to show off-topic debates. They are necessary to distinguish different ideas or beliefs. Some contrast words include:
These contrast words indicate that you are about to change topics. You use contrast words in the same way you use compare words. These words link two independent clauses together to show a comparison. Contrast words show how things differ. This is unlike compare words that show similarities between compared elements.
Sometimes transition words allow you to both compare and contrast ideas. These are usually referred to as signal words. These words signal a comparison with being forthcoming, but not what type of comparison it will be.
Examples of universal transition words:
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Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.
Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.
The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.
For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.
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When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.
Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.
Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.
The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.
If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.
Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.
While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.
In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.
The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.
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There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.
Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.
Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Addition | We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. | indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact |
Introduction | Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of … | such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably |
Reference | The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that … | considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of |
Similarity | It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear … | similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise |
Clarification | The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep. | that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words |
Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Conflict | The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political … | but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas |
Concession | Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered. | even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted |
Dismissal | It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that … | regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same |
Emphasis | The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis. | above all, indeed, more/most importantly |
Replacement | The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed. | (or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not |
Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Consequence | Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. | therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so |
Condition | We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative. | (even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise |
Purpose | We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible. | to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that) |
Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.
Function | Example sentence | Transition words and phrases |
---|---|---|
Enumeration | This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , … | first, second, third… |
Initiation | , I want to consider the role played by women in this period. | in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first |
Continuation | , I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict. | subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then |
Conclusion | , I consider these two themes in combination. | to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly |
Resumption | my main argument, it is clear that … | to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate |
Summation | Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective. | as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarize, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short |
Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.
Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.
“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.
The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”
While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.
To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.
Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.
The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.
We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”
Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.
In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”
Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”
The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.
First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.
Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.
These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.
With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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Gary larson's final words on his career are bizarre, touching, & perfect for the far side.
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"what else didn't i draw": gary larson on the far side comics left unproduced by his retirement, 10 hilarious far side comics set in movie theaters.
Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side , is by any measurable standard, an idiosyncratic artistic mind, with a singular perspective on his art , and the whole world in general, that no one could truly replicate – something thrown into sharp relief by his final essay in The Complete Far Side , which wrapped up his retrospective on his career.
Near the end of The Complete Far Side Volume Two , Larson penned one final essay, which began with him acknowledging that he occasionally regretted retiring, and ended with him admitting that he wanted " to stop writing about cartoons and thinking about cartoons. "
In between, the essay diverged into an increasingly strange, if memorable, comparison between spiders catching insects, and fishers – specifically, Larson's father – catching fish, sparked by the artist's meditation on creative fulfillment , and articulated as only he could.
As far back as a decade before Far Side Creator Gary Larson retired as a cartoonist, he was already telling fans how and why the comic would end.
A window into the far side's creation.
Though he subsequently takes the comparison to a level of heightened absurdity, in patented Far Side style, at the root of it is a deeply relevant connection between his work as an artist, his father's hobby of fishing, and yes, even spiders catching gnats.
Throughout The Complete Far Side , Gary Larson penned a number of short essays, offering wonderful insights into his creative process , along with anecdotes from throughout his career. The essay that concludes the sprawling two-volume set finds Larson wrestling with contradictory feelings: at once missing his time as a cartoonist, and grateful it is over; melancholy at prolonged exposure to memories of the bygone past, and also anxious to turn his attention back to the present. Ultimately, he retreats into a familiar mode, shifting – so to speak – from thinking in terms of "memoir" to thinking creatively.
In other words, in order to escape his wistful reverie, the author turns his attention to something else that has distracted him – and in the process, offers one further insight into the mind that produced so many Far Side cartoons. As he wrote:
Serendipity has handed me a way to wrap this up. I'm sitting here writing my final essay for this book, and every few minutes I lift my eyes from the computer monitor and stare out the window overlooking the garden. But I'm not looking at the garden. I'm watching the small spiders that have spun webs between the leaded panes and brick frame. There are four of them, and they're catching gnats like they know it's the gnat warden's day off. This is really a show. They're extremely small, these spiders, but the gnats – and they're as thick as, well, gnats – are considerably smaller. There are so many, the spiders aren't even bothering to throw a few holding threads around their prey. They're just grabbing and sucking down gnats, one after the other. I can't help but imagine that somewhere within the primitive, ganglionic mass that serves as a spider's brain, these little guys are experiencing a sensation that equates to what my dad, an avid fisherman, feels when a salmon strikes the line. Hot damn! Another one!
Here, readers are privy to the kind of quick, intuitive connection-making that was foundational to Gary Larson's success as an artist. He finds a connection between spider and human behavior, which in turn offers a strong analogy for his creative endeavors.
At the same time, Larson also exhibits another vital aspect of The Far Side ; his humor was so idiosyncratic because it began as deeply personal, yet the end result was so often universally recognizable, and widely applicable. Though he subsequently takes the comparison to a level of heightened absurdity, in patented Far Side style, at the root of it is a deeply relevant connection between his work as an artist, his father's hobby of fishing, and yes, even spiders catching gnats.
Trust him, it makes sense.
When he sat down at night to work at the same desk where he later composed this essay – next to the same window where he watched the spiders – illustrating Far Side cartoons was Gary Larson's equivalent of catching gnats, or reeling in a keeper.
The last essay in The Complete Far Side Volume Two is especially endearing for the way that it traces the evolution of Gary Larson's thought process – arriving at a point which has the feeling of a familiar Far Side observation . Larson elaborated on the connection between spiders and his father, in the end arriving at an improbably absurd conclusion:
The parallels are interesting, now that I think about it: My dad's invisible fishing line/the spider's invisible web; my dad's net/the spider's holding threads; my dad sitting alone in his boat, patiently waiting for a strike; the spiders sitting alone in their webs, patiently waiting for the same signal. There's only one conclusion: My dad's really just like a big spider, and all these little spiders are really just like my dad. (All we need now is for one of these little gnats to start screaming "Help me!" and this will get really weird.)
Through every step of this intellectual exercise, Gary Larson exhibits The Far Side's trademark humor, a delightfully skewed approach to the world that has resulted in his work's enduring legacy.
The silliness of the "punchline" here aside, Larson's observation here can be praised for the way it ties back to his reflections on retirement. For him, when he sat down at night to work at the same desk where he later composed this essay – next to the same window where he watched the spiders – illustrating Far Side cartoons was Gary Larson's equivalent of catching gnats, or reeling in a keeper. The essay makes it clear that he missed the tug of creative satisfaction, just not enough to keep drawing The Far Side .
Fans of the far side can't pass up this master collection of Gary Larson's finest work. Originally published in hardcover in 2003, this paperback set comes complete with a newly designed slipcase that will look great on any shelf. The Complete Far Side contains every Far Side cartoon ever published, which amounts to over 4,000, plus more than 1,100 that have never before appeared in a book and even some made after Larson retired.
How he turned a short-attention span into a career.
How quickly his mind moved on to the connections between spiders, fishing, and art only served to drive home the fact that he still had an incredible reservoir of ideas and creativity within him – except, barring brief flare-ups, he no longer had the will to produce cartoons.
In a way, it can be said that The Far Side was the product of a cultivated power of distraction, with Gary Larson's creative "superpower" being his ability to turn what is a negative for most artists into a positive. He passingly acknowledged as much in The Complete Far Side Volume Two , drawing his last essay to a close by tenderly, if conspiratorially, confiding in his readers. As Larson wrote:
I'm telling you this because I'm guessing – or hoping – you may know me a little by now. My mind seems to wander. I started off wistfully describing a few cartoons I wish I had drawn, wondering about the ones yet to be imagined, and what happens? – I get cut off by some little spiders.
For Larson, being distracted by the natural world was ultimately a virtue – as exhibited here, it tended to stimulate some of his most exciting, engaging ideas.
As he noted here, the essay began with Gary Larson discussing being " haunted" by the question of " what else didn't [he] draw ?" and the thought of unproduced Far Side comics. How quickly his mind moved on to the connections between spiders, fishing, and art only served to drive home the fact that he still had an incredible reservoir of ideas and creativity within him – except, barring brief flare-ups, he no longer had the will to produce cartoons, and really could only stand to engage with them for short bursts of time.
And it took him to big places.
As much as Gary Larson set out to " draw the little things ," the scope and the depth of his work, and his worldview, developed considerably over time. Still, he achieved this...by finding humor and appreciation for the world in places that everyone else overlooked.
By the end of the essay, having recovered from his tangent about the spiders, Larson's burst of creative enthusiasm had faded, leaving him with only the slight ache of the reminder of what it was like to produce The Far Side . Yet all of this led up to a heartfelt, concise summation of his career. According to Larson:
Here's where I must simply admit the truth: I want to stop writing about cartoons and thinking about cartoons. I just want to watch these little spiders. This is how I started as a cartoonist – drawn to the little things – and this is how I'll end. And if you run into my dad, please don't squish him.
This full circle moment reads as particularly emotionally charged, and it seems clear that Larson considers it definitive – and weighty enough that he chose instead to end on one final joke about his father being a spider.
Admittedly, as much as Gary Larson set out to " draw the little things ," the scope and the depth of his work, and his worldview, developed considerably over time. Still, he achieved this by constantly prioritizing the " little things ," and by finding humor and appreciation for the world in places that everyone else overlooked. This was what drew him with equal interest to nature , including insects such as spiders, and inanimate objects , which he imbued with an incredible amount of life.
Reflecting on his career several years into retirement, Gary Larson admitted that he fleetingly felt haunted by the Far Side comics he never drew.
A must-read for fans.
[Gary] Larson's writings in The Complete Far Side are essential for anyone who seeks a more detailed understanding of a generational American creative talent.
Gary Larson's sense of humor is reflected to a strong degree in modern internet humor, yet at the same time no artist has truly been able to capture, or recreate, precisely what distinguished The Far Side from everything else. Larson's digression in his final essay from The Complete Far Side Volume Two is incredibly valuable to artists studying his work for the way that it maps the intrusion of a Far Side- like idea into the normal flow of his mind. For fans of the comic, it is an emotional send-off for the long-running serial.
In any case, though Larson did sporadically return to The Far Side decades after retiring, The Complete Far Side captures him at a moment in time when that seemed unlikely, giving readers a striking insight into the artist's relation to more than just his art, but to his career , and the public perception of him. While readers can come to be familiar with Gary Larson, to a degree, through familiarizing themselves with The Far Side , Larson's writings in The Complete Far Side are essential for anyone who seeks a more detailed understanding of a generational American creative talent.
Source: The Complete Far Side Volume Two
The Far Side is a humorous comic series developed by Gary Larson. The series has been in production since 1979 and features a wide array of comic collections, calendars, art, and other miscellaneous items.
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By Eliza Griswold
Ms. Griswold is the author of “ Circle of Hope: A Reckoning With Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church .”
In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13, a video with images of Jesus crowned with thorns, blood running down his face, followed by photos of the former president circulated on social media. Days later, at the Republican National Convention, the evangelist Franklin Graham endorsed Mr. Trump from the stage, saying that “God spared his life.”
But the idea of Mr. Trump as chosen by God has infuriated those evangelicals who believe that he stands in direct opposition to their faith. Their existence highlights an often-overlooked fact about the American religious landscape: Evangelicals are not a monolith.
The troubling ascendancy of white Christian nationalism has galvanized evangelicals for whom following Jesus demands speaking truth to power, as well as building the kingdom of heaven on earth in actionable ways. In 2024, this includes mobilizing voters against the former president.
Although this broader evangelical movement is often referred to as the evangelical left, it adheres to no party. “This isn’t about being a Democrat or a Republican,” Jim Wallis, an evangelical Christian pastor, author and justice activist, told me. Instead believers like him say they refuse worldly labels and division.
They also believe that they can sway enough of their fellow evangelicals, along with other people of faith, and low-income Americans, who historically have had much lower voting rates than other groups, to swing this presidential election against Mr. Trump.
“The so-called evangelicals who support Trump have a Jesus problem,” Bishop William Barber II told me. Jesus advocated tirelessly for the poor and warned that nations would be judged “by how we treat the hungry, the sick, the incarcerated and the immigrant,” Bishop Barber said.
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Learn the essential steps and tips on how to write a compelling comparison essay that effectively compares and contrasts two or more subjects to help you excel in your academic writing.
Learn how to effectively structure and write compare and contrast essays to showcase similarities and differences between two or more subjects, enhancing your analytical skills and essay-writing proficiency.
A compare-and-contrast essay is a style of essay that points out the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It's ideal for showing what separates and unites related things or concepts, particularly if the subjects are often confused for each other or unjustly lumped together. Compare-and-contrast essays have a lot in ...
Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it's not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.
We use transition words for comparing and contrasting in essays, discussions, presentations, etc. Explore compare and contrast words & phrases.
Introduction In your career as a student, you'll encounter many different kinds of writing assignments, each with its own requirements. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning ...
Tips for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay Compare and contrast essays are a specific form of academic essay with unique requirements, so if you're a student, it's important that you to know how to write one. Luckily, we've pieced together this guide to help you plan, structure, and put together your essay, complete with tips for comparing and contrasting.
The Purpose of Comparison and Contrast in Writing. Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or ...
How do you write a good compare and contrast essay? In this post, we offer a few tips to help you with your academic writing.
Compare and contrast essays examine topics from multiple viewpoints. This kind of essay, often assigned in middle school and high school, teaches students about the analytical writing process and prepares them for more advanced forms of academic writing. Compare and contrast essays are relatively easy to write if you follow a simple step-by-step approach.
A comparing and contrasting essay analyzes the similarities and differences between two ideas. Learn how to create a strong essay here.
Learn how to write a compare and contrast essay with these examples. Explore topics from education, music, math, and more.
Here they are explained below: 1. Essay Planning. First, I recommend using my compare and contrast worksheet, which acts like a Venn Diagram, walking you through the steps of comparing the similarities and differences of the concepts or items you're comparing. I recommend selecting 3-5 features that can be compared, as shown in the worksheet:
Need some help with writing your compare and contrast essay? Follow this easy guide to get a grasp of compare and contrast outline, and explore our examples
Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way.
Compare & Contrast Essays How things are similar or different Compare and contrast is a common form of academic writing, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs which compare or contrast. This page gives information on what a compare and contrast essay is, how to structure this type of essay, how to use compare and contrast ...
Steal this list of transition words for your compare and contrast essay to make a stable flow of thoughts, and make your writing even more persuasive and much easier to read and comprehend.
The following words signal that two pieces are being contrasted: although besides but compared with conversely differ even though furthermore however in contrast to instead less than more than nevertheless notwithstanding on the other hand otherwise rather than regardless though unless unlike while yet
Transition words for contrast and compare with examples. Explore a range of powerful transition words with examples to clearly connect your ideas. Highlight similarities and differences with confidence, crafting well-structured writing that engages your reader.
Compare and contrast transition words! You can connect related thoughts or ideas with transition words. Transition words or phrases can help you compare or contrast ideas. They can do this by showing the degree to which something related is different or similar. It helps you note the correlation that exists between the two concepts. These words work well in comparison essays to keep your ...
Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text.
What are some essay transition words examples? Some of the most common essay transition words examples include however, although, ultimately, in summary, next, last, also, in general, for that reason, as a result, for example, in the meantime, therefore, similarly, and likewise.
Taylor Swift's 2019 essay about concert safety seems almost haunting now that three of her concerts have been cancelled in Vienna, Austria.
Gary Larson's career retrospective, as part of The Complete Far Side, concluded with an emotional, if characteristically strange, essay that started by reflecting on unproduced cartoons and ended with a bizarre comparison between spiders catching bugs & humans catching fish.; Larson's meditation on creative fulfillment led to his connection between how his father felt catching a fish, and how ...
The former president is focusing his most vicious attacks on domestic political opponents, setting off fresh worries among autocracy experts.
Some church leaders and politicians have condemned the performance from the opening ceremony for mocking Christianity. Art historians are divided.
Guest Essay. Will A.I. Be a Creator or a Destroyer of Worlds? ... data points in the study of the effects of artificial intelligence on the broad field of political competition in comparison with ...
In your career as a student, you'll encounter many different kinds of writing assignments, each with its own requirements. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays ...
Evangelicals who have found the weaponization of Scripture distasteful are showing us that their vote is very much up for grabs.
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