The Elements of a Comparison & Contrast

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE ELEMENTS

This is the elements in the periodic

     All known substances can be classified as solids, liquids, gases, or plasma. In addition, a fifth state of matter, the Bose-Einstein condensate has been discovered recently. However, it is not stable at normal earth conditions. Likewise, although plasma is the most abundant state of matter in the Universe, it is not common on the Earth under normal conditions, except for lightning. Most matter that students are familiar with will therefore be in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state.

   An element is a pure substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by normal chemical means. There are 109 different elements. Ninety of these are naturally occurring; the rest have been created in laboratories. Elements 110 and 118 are still being researched on. There will be more elements as technology can identify them. A symbol is used to represent the full name of an element. For example, H represents hydrogen; O represents oxygen, and Al represents aluminum. Sometimes the Latin name for an element is used as the basis for its symbol, for instance K represents potassium (kalium in Latin).

    Three subatomic particles compose elements: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons, which have an electrical charge of +1, and neutrons, which have a neutral charge, make up the nucleus of an element. This nucleus is surrounded by a "cloud" of electrons, each of which as a charge of -1. The electrons spin around the nucleus in what are called orbits or shells. Each of the orbits can contain a set number of electrons. For instance, the first orbital from the nucleus has 2 electrons, the second has 8, the third has 8, the 4th has 16 and the fifth has 32, and so on. Each shell may not be full, depending on the number of electrons in the element, and the inner shells fill before the outer shells fill. Sodium, for example, has 11 electrons, which are located in the first, second, and third shells (2+8+1.)

   An element has a uniform composition. Different elements may join together; these combinations are called compounds. A compound can be separated into its component elements by chemical means. For example, common table salt is a compound made of two elements: sodium and chlorine. Table salt can be broken down into sodium and chlorine by mixing it with water. However, sodium and chlorine cannot be easily broken down into any simpler forms.

Definitions

   Compare and contrast essays are multi-paragraph compositions that explain ways in which two (or, very occasionally, more) subjects are similar or different. In these papers, compare means describing similarities between the subjects. 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. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

   Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

VENN DIAGRAM
Useful when comparing and contrasting only two things

Writing at Work

   Comparing and contrasting is also an evaluative tool. In order to make accurate evaluations about a given topic, you must first know the critical points of similarity and difference. Comparing and contrasting is a primary tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and contrasted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparison and contrast. Comparison and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.

The Structure of a Comparison and Contrast

   The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting.

• There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays.
  1. Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other.
  2. Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.
• Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

  Comparison	Contrast
  one similarity	one difference
  another similarity	another difference
  both	conversely
  like	in contrast
  likewise	unlike
  similarly	while
  in a similar fashion	whereas

   

  Writing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

  

  
     First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contras seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.
     After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

Source : 

https://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/rc/chemistry/3/rcc3_1a.html

https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_writing-for-success/s14-07-comparison-and-contrast.html

http://study.com/academy/lesson/compare-contrast-essay-definition-topics-examples.html