Comparative / Contrastive Structures
Structures that organize ideas by placing them side by side — comparing similarities, contrasting differences, or using one thing to illuminate another.
4 structures across 1 subcategory
Systematic Comparison
Structures that organize comparison methodically across multiple dimensions.
Criterion₁(A vs B) → Criterion₂(A vs B) → Criterion₃(A vs B) → Judgment
A structure that compares two or more subjects by alternating between them on each point of comparison — discussing how A and B handle criterion 1, then criterion 2, then criterion 3, etc.
Subject A (full portrait) → Subject B (full portrait) → Comparative Judgment
A structure that fully describes subject A across all criteria, then fully describes subject B across the same criteria, then draws conclusions from the juxtaposition.
Establish Analogy → Show Parallels → Transfer Conclusion
A structure that builds its entire argument around an extended analogy — arguing that because two situations are alike in known respects, they are likely alike in a further, disputed respect.
Foil (described to highlight contrast) → Primary Subject (illuminated by contrast) → Insight
A structure that uses one subject primarily to illuminate another by contrast — the 'foil' exists not for its own sake but to make the primary subject's qualities more visible.