Compare and Contrast Essay...........pdf
- 1. How to Write a Compare-and- Contrast Essay
- 2. Purpose of a compare-and-contrast essay A compare-and-contrast essay is a style of essay that points out the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Compare-and-contrast essays have a lot in common with other essay types, but differ in many ways, tooand that is the heart of comparing and contrasting! By seeing the differences and similarities, the reader better understands each of the subjects by using the other subject as a frame of reference.
- 3. Purpose of a compare-and-contrast essay Let us say you want to write an essay about how great renewable resources are, but you spend a lot of your time explaining how fossil fuels work. To truly understand why renewable resources are so amazing, your reader needs a little background on their alternative, fossil fuelsbut the essays attention is divided so equally that its like there are two topics. If two topics relate to each other or define each other, you can better explain them both by showcasing their similarities and differences. That goes double for topics that are often confused for each other; it helps readers when someone points out exactly what is the same about them and what is different.
- 4. Thesis You need to choose which subjects you are comparing. This is not always easy, especially if you have to pick the subjects on your own. For inspiration, here are some compare-and-contrast essay example topics: Opposing options for a certain category fossil fuels and renewable resources Related works of arts or cultural movements Mona Lisa and The Girl with a Pearl Earring Thomas Hardys Jude the Obscure and Charles Dickens Great Expectations People who are similar, connected, or associated with each other Elon Musk and Thomas Edison The state of affairs at different time periods London in the 1600s and London now Education in the past and present
- 5. Thesis Two different but related places Roman Empire and Greek Empire Opposing viewpoints or opinions liberalism and conservatism Secular and religious states Once you have settled on your subjects, you can begin generating ideas. It helps to first list all the similarities and differences between your subjects. When you see them all written down, you can start formulating connections and decide what structure to use for your compare-and-contrast essay. If youre stuck, try making a Venn diagram. This is a visual aid that helps you understand which characteristics your subjects share, and which ones are exclusive. Looking at your lists, you can then decide on the thesis. To do so, ask yourself a few questions: What are you trying to show in your compare-and-contrast essay? What do you want your reader to take away? For example, do you want to emphasize that education in the present is better than education in the past, or that they both have positive and negative aspects?
- 7. Organization Compare-and-contrast essays follow the common essay structure. While the linked guide goes into more detail, in a nutshell, your compare-and-contrast essay should follow a simple format of beginning, middle, and end: Introduction: where you explain your thesis or what your essay will discuss Body: where you actually list the similarities and differences of your subjects; the largest section (2 or 3 paragraphs) Conclusion: where you wrap up and summarize your main points
- 8. Organization Essentially, you have three options: Block method (subject by subject): You discuss one subject in full and then move on to the next subject. Alternating method (point by point): You discuss one subject which take on a certain aspect and then another subject which takes immediately afterward, followed by a new aspect. Similarities and differences: You discuss all the similarities between your subjects and then all the differences, or vice versa (differences first and then similarities). No matter which option you choose, you have to pay particular attention to topic sentences. Paragraphs in compare-and-contrast essays can get complicated, so its crucial to have a good topic or introduction sentence for each paragraph to make the flow of ideas clear.
- 9. Organization Block method (subject by subject) The block method is usually divided into paragraphs: a paragraph about one subject and then a new paragraph about another subject Using the block method, you can go back and forth like this for pages, covering as many topics as you need. This approach is best for giving each subject its own attention but tends to slightly weaken the connection between the two
- 10. Organization Alternating method (point by point) As another option, you can break paragraphs up by a specific topic and issue, and in each paragraph discuss both or all subjects. This approach works best when you want to emphasize the connection between your subjects, or lack thereof. The author juxtaposes the two points right next to each other in the same paragraph.
- 11. Organization Alternating method (point by point) Paragraph 1 compare or contrast the two things according to the first point you identified Paragraph 2 compare or contrast the two things according to the second point you identified Paragraph 3 compare or contrast the 2 things according to the third point you identified (Note: 3 body paragraphs total)
- 12. Organization Similarities and differences The third option is quite similar to the alternating approach, with each subject being discussed side by side in the same paragraph. However, the paragraphs arent divided by different topics, but instead by what the subjects have in common and what they dont. This method works best if you want to focus on a particular similarity or difference between your subjects, or if you want to build up to a powerful conclusion at the end.
- 13. The writing process for compare-and- contrast essays The writing process is the same as all essay writing, although adapted specifically for drawing comparisons: 1 Brainstorming this should involve listing all the similarities and difficulties; creating a Venn diagram is a useful method. 2 Preparation Looking at your brainstorming lists, decide which structuring method would best get your point across: block, alternating, or similarities/differences.
- 14. The writing process for compare-and- contrast essays 3 Drafting Here you write your rough draft; this is the longest and toughest phase. 4 Revising Does the structure youve chosen work? With the first draft finished, you can more easily identify any areas that need to be fixed, revised, or rewritten from scratch. 5 Proofreading make sure you corrected all the spelling and grammatical mistakes in your draft. If you want to learn more about this process, read our comprehensive guide on essay writing, which better explains the details.
- 15. Comparison Language Alike My parents and my husbands parents are alike in many ways And.too Dublin has an international airport, and London does too Asas The Towers apartments are as expensive as the Park Lanes. Both.and Both Egypt and Kenya are in Africa. Like The weather in Philadelphia is like the weather in my hometown. Likewise Toyota makes good cars, Likewise, Fiat also makes good cars. Similar to The menu at Ginos is similar to the menu at Franks. Similarly Martha has two children and works full-time. Similarly, Lelia is a working mother. The Same My roommate and I like the same kinds of music. The Same as The altitude of London is the same as the altitude of Copenhagen.
- 16. Contrast Language Although Although the Sahara Desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there. But The Sahara desert has a dry climate, but the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate. Different From The climate in the Sahara desert is very different from the climate in the Amazon Rain Forest. Even Though Even Though the Sahara Desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there. However The Sahara desert has a dry climate; however, the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate. In Contrast The Sahara Desert has a dry climate. In contrast, the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate. On the Other Hand The Sahara Desert has a dry climate. On the other hand, the Amazon Rain Forest has a wet climate. Unlike Unlike rain forests, deserts get very little rain. Whereas Whereas the Sahara Desert is dry, the Amazon Rain Forest is wet. While While the Sahara Desert is dry, the Amazon Rain Forest is wet.
- 17. Topics Research paper writing or creative writing Medicines vs natural remedies Virtual vs real classrooms Public vs private college Study from home vs studying in school Discuss your high school experience versus your college experience Working as a freelancer or an employee Studying science and arts Education in the past and present Family structure in the past and present
- 18. Topics: Virtual vs real classrooms Working as a freelancer or as an employee Family structure in the past and present
- 19. Topics Study from home (online learning) vs studying in school (in-person learning) Working as a freelancer or an employee Education in the past and present