Similarities and differences
In any literacy work, the main theme is depicted and illustrated using different formats. This makes the work have its uniqueness though the main theme may be common for more than one work. This results in production of literacy works with a common theme but using different formats to illustrate and elaborate on the main theme.
The main artistic works that have common themes but use different formats are books (written literature) and artistic works (creations of the mind). The most affected type of work is artistic genre since many artists discuss the main theme as a unit then uses individual works and styles in language to depict the main theme.
The two works though using different formats and storylines, they usually have differences and similarities. The comparison to come up with the differences and similarities illustrate how the ideas in the two works are related. This brings out the topic of compare (find similarities) and contrast (differences). For elaboration on the topic, we will consider two chemistry books namely longhorn Chemistry book 3 and Macmillan Chemistry book 3.
Comparing the two books, the table of contents is identical on the main topics. This makes the books have a similar content flow and organization. With the similar outlines, both books have a short summary at the end of each topic. This makes the books much similar since they can both be used for quick revision.
Another similarity is the objectives at the front page of each and every topic. With the objectives, it is easy to learn what the learner is expected to read from each topic thus the books have the cohesion of alternative in use.
The last significant similarity is the formula found in each and every book. This can be attributed to the fact that the books are written for a common theme and formula are universal regardless of the country of origin or the author of the book.
The main contrast of the books is the actual contents of each topic. Looking keenly at the Macmillan book, more elaboration and examples are given on each topic (Thickett, 2000). This makes it easier for a person using Macmillan book for revision to grasp the main content of the topic better than the person using the Longhorn book. The longhorn book is more elaborative on the mathematical approach than the Macmillan book. This makes it better for chemistry lessons and session which are more inclined towards mathematical approach than theoretical approach (Ngaruiya, 2005). The book gives background information on each formula and uses a simple elaborate and illustrative approach to the mathematical formula.
The second difference is the language level used in each book to express the main argument in the topic. Macmillan book first gives the background information on the general aspect of each topic. It also gives alternative names in case of elements in different fields of study and emphasizes on the internationally recognized name. In the summary of each topic, the book gives a short description of each process in the topic and in bold letters, the main requirements is highlighted (Thickett, 2000). Longhorn book is less descriptive but more mathematical. This makes the book to lose a theoretical touch and taste while gaining a mathematical touch. The summary is highly simplified making it only important for point revision rather than comprehensive revision (Ngaruiya, 2005).
Considering the importance of the topic ‘compare and contrast’ in the learning process, it helps a learner evaluate books and find which ones best fit his/her requirements. The learner thus stands a better chance of choosing the most relevant book for the specific task and the best alternative. As an example, a learner who is more interested in mathematical revision chemistry, he/she is most likely to choose the longhorn book but if it is comprehensive reading, the better choice would be he Macmillan book.
References.
Thickett, G. 2000. Macmillan Chemistry Series: Book Three. Australia: Macmillan Education Publishers.
Ngaruiya G. 2005. Longhorn Chemistry series: Book Three. Kenya: Longhorn Publishers Limited.
