Comparing means similar or the same.

Words or phrases we can use when two things are the same are:

    in the same way,       likewise,             similarly,                equally,

Contrasting means different.

Words or phrases we can use when two things are different are:

    whereas,              however,               though,                on the other hand,

These words are often used to connect the two things we are comparing and contrasting in a BALANCED sentence.

Examples:

Jane enjoys attending Football games; in the same way, James often watches soccer.

Katniss in The Hunger Games is the protagonist; whereas, Voldermort in Harry Potter is the antagonist.*

* bad guy.