UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO MARANHÃO

DEPARTAMENTO DE LETRAS
CURSO: LETRAS DISCIPLINA: INGLÊS IV
PROFESSOR: CESAR ROBERTO ANO/SEMESTRE: 2018.2
STUDENT: JARDEL OLIVEIRA DE MORAES

COMPARISON-CONTRAST ESSAY

 Choose one of the contexts to start the writing task.

CONTEXT 1
You work at a company that publishes articles about cities of Brazil in a magazine. For the
next issue, they are going to talk about similarities and differences between cities of the
Northeast Region. You have been told to write a comparison-contrast essay in which you
compare São Luís with another capital of the region. Besides comparing them, your editor
wants you to give your opinion to the readers about the strengths and weaknesses of both
cities. As a reminder, he has told you to follow several steps before handing in the
article.They are:
1. Get some information about the cities;
2. Use a Venn Diagram or other method to help you visualize the similarities and
differences;
3. Write an outline of the text;
4. Write the first draft. Use the point-by-point style to organize the items that will be
compared;
5. Send (Hand in) the first draft to your editor to verify how good you have been doing
and what can be improved;
6. Write the second version of the article. Consider your editor’s comments and make
any change if you think it is essential. You are also supposed to talk to him if you have
doubts about his comments;
7. Send (Hand in) the second version to your editor. He will read and make some
comments on your article.
 When it comes to vacation in Brazil, the title of one of the most popular
destinations should be definitely given to the Northeast region. Millions of people from all
over the country (and the world as well) come to this part to enjoy the variety of beaches,
culture, food and all sort of things that the Northeast section can provide. During vacation,
countless people buy tickets and fly to different states of this area to see its wonders with their
own eyes.
Among the most popular destinations are São Luis and Recife. And perhaps for an
inexperienced traveler, there is a dilemma: where to go? In a general way, people know that
Recife is well known for the amazing beaches and carnival, and São Luis has more to do with
São João celebration and, of course, a beautiful seashore, traditions, and so on. Basically it is
true, but at the same time, there are also more subtle differences one should consider when
choosing their destination point in Northeast.
The first of them is prices. Recife is expensive (as you might expect from one of
the most urbanized seashore cities in Brazil). Having a three-course meal for two people in a
mid-range restaurant, in case you travel with someone else, will cost you a substantial amount
of money. Transportation through the city can be reasonable. However, renting one room
apartment, especially next to the city center costs a lot (and probably a weekly price). Just do
not expect this apartment to be big and fancy; most likely it will be a small place, with basic
utilities.
São Luis is not much cheaper. Although dining in a typical restaurant is cheaper
(if you go to a mid-range restaurant). Public transportation costs are a little bit higher in
comparison to Recife (however, it depends on where and when you want to go. In some cases,
a taxi or Uber is preferable, for security purposes). If you think you can save some money
buying food in a market, you are correct only in particulars. Some products in Brazil cost a lot
of money, no matter where you buy them. White bread, tomatoes, chicken breasts, and
cheese, the price of these are pretty much the same in both Capitals. Speaking of
accommodation, renting or buying an apartment in São Luis is slightly cheaper. You can rent
one room apartment outside of city’s center for a reasonable price. Although closer
downtown, more expensive it gets (this must be taken as a general rule to every capital of the
world)
Both of them are great to visit if you enjoy hustle and bustle, if you want to feel
the warmth from the natives, dive into their culture and habits, and experience different things
that you have never seen before. It will be a rewarding experience.
 Be prepared for the unique accent that they have. In fact you can get a lot of new
vocabulary in these places (in Brazil there are a range of names to name the same very thing).
São Luis is an island, and not a big one. You can take a 60 minute ride by bus and you will be
able to see most of the touristic places, just avoid the rush hour or else you will be squeezed
by other people so tight that you can feel breathless. For being an island, it is impossible to
develop subway stations through the city, which means that buses are the only option for
public transportation (and this can be a bummer sometimes).
Recife, on the other hand, is good to visit for all those who feel inspired by
stunning landscapes. The beach is a great complement but this city has so much more to offer,
such as two historical centers (Recife Antigo and Olinda) where you can find an intensive
cultural life and excellent gastronomy.
Boa Viagem is known as a seashore neighborhood, where most of the hotels are
located. It is a self sufficient neighborhood because everything can be found there (or near it).
Nevertheless, feel free to go to places away from the beach. In the north zone there is Casa
Forte neighborhood, it is a charming and unknown destination for most people.
If you want to get away from the craziness of a big city, this is the place you have
been looking for: get prepared to see old and historical buildings, museums: all things antique
and authentic that can tell us important moments of our History.
For sure you can also find all these things in São Luis as well, but the culture, the
feeling will be completely different. If you go there between June and September, you can
enjoy one of the most important traditions known as Bumba Meu Boi. It is a celebration party
Festa Junina (a seasonal party dedicated to the saints São João e São Marçal). The
decoration, the colors the typical food are just some things that must be seen.
There are some other cities close to the island that deserve to be visited. Raposa,
Alcantara, São Jose de Ribamar and of course, the most famous destination in Maranhão:
Lençois Maranhenses, an amazing place, a kind of a desert with white that looks like sheets
(hence the name). So, after the raining season, natural swimming pools are formed. There are
no words that can describe how spectacular this place is.
It is difficult to say which city is better for an inexperienced tourist to visit: São
Luis or Recife. São Luis is more suitable for those looking for a nice seashore, traditional and
folk festivals and historical and yet sophisticated palaces and buildings. On the other hand,
Recife is for those who are focusing on stunning beaches, also it has a rich culture but the
atmospheres between the cities are different. Both have issues, mostly related to safety (the
 lack of it). Although compared to the wonders, it is definitely worth it, so if you have a
chance, you should visit them.

COMPARISON TABLE

SÃO LUIS IN COMMON RECIFE

Lower incidence of shark Seashore cities Bigger incidence of sharks

Known for São João Historical centers Known for carnival parties
parties
Bumba Meu Boi Rich handcraft and gastronomy Frevo (typical dance)
(typical dance)