Abstract: A system and method are provided for preparing and comparing passages of text in a manner that facilitates the convenient and rapid comparison of text by users of the system. In the given example, the method includes: providing means for the entering and editing of two passages of text, automatically determining differences between the passages of text as they are entered, displaying such differences to the user, and allowing the user to set and change certain parameters of the comparison process and see the results of such changes as they are made.