How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay Matt Ellis. Do the check. How do I compare and contrast in a structured way? A compare and contrast essay thesis must make a meaningful comparison. Looking to steal a topic from us? Buy an Essay Do My Essay College Compare contrast essays Help Rewrite My Essay Do My Homework Do My Math Homework.
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Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The key to a good compare contrast essays essay is to choose two compare contrast essays more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but compare contrast essays to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences.
For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated, compare contrast essays. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be. The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the compare contrast essays for doing so.
The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting:. Thesis Statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny. Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted organic versus conventional vegetablesand it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.
The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, compare contrast essays your audience. Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis. First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, compare contrast essays, contrast seemingly similar subjects, compare contrast essays, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.
The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects. After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis.
Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer vastly compare contrast essays experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are. Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines. London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium.
It was not only one of the northernmost points of the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC, on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the s. From that point onward to today, compare contrast essays, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global influence.
Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, compare contrast essays, and continue to hold, significant social influence in compare contrast essays economic and cultural global spheres. London compare contrast essays a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts, but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and national chains.
While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall. Both cities also share and compare contrast essays in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents, compare contrast essays.
Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup. Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the Western world, compare contrast essays, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and socioeconomic disparity. Skip to main content. Unit 4: Types of Compare contrast essays. Search for:.
KEY TAKEAWAYS A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects. The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, compare contrast essays, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so. There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays. Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other. Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point. Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to compare contrast essays to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.
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In order to create it, draw two circles that overlap. In the section where it overlaps, note similarities. Differences should be written in the part of circle that does not overlap. Let one of the subjects be oranges, and the other one be apples. Oranges have thick peel, originally from India, and are tropical fruit. These characteristics pertain only to oranges and should be in the part of the circle that does not overlap. For the same section on apples, we put thin peel, originated in Turkey or Kazakhstan, and moderate to subtropical. This simple, yet good example illustrates how the same concept can be applied to many other complicated topics with additional points of comparison and contrast. This format of visual aid helps to organize similarities and differences and make them easier to perceive.
Your diagram will give you a clear idea of the things you can write about. Another good idea for brainstorming in preparation for your comparison contrast essay is to create a list with 2 columns, one for each subject, and compare the same characteristics for each of them simultaneously. This format will make writing your comparison contrast paper argument a breeze, as you will have your ideas ready and organized. One mistake you should avoid is simply listing all of the differences or similarities for each subject. Sometimes students get too caught up in looking for similarities and differences that their compare and contrast essays end up sounding like grocery lists.
Your essay should be based on analyzing the similarities and differences, analyzing your conclusions about the two subjects, and finding connections between them—while following a specific format. Leave it to professionals of our custom dissertation writing service. Compare and contrast papers rely heavily on factual analysis. Two outline methods can help you organize your facts: use the block method, or point-by-point method, to write a compare and contrast essay outline. While using the block structure , all the information is presented for the first subject, and its characteristics and specific details are explained.
This concludes one block. The second block takes the same approach as the first for the second subject. The point-by-point structure lists each similarity and difference simultaneously—making notes of both subjects. For example, you can list a characteristic specific to one subject, followed by its similarity or difference to the other subject. Both formats have their pros and cons. The block method is clearly easier to write, as you simply point out all of the information about the two subjects, and basically leave it to the reader to do the comparison. The point-by-point format requires you to analyze the points yourself while making similarities and differences more explicit to the reader for them to be easier to understand.
Here is a detailed structure of each type presented below. Giving a lot of facts can be intense. To water it down, try to give the reader any real-life applications of these facts. Depending on the structure selected, you can begin to create an outline for your essay. The typical structure for any essay follows the format of having an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion — though, if you need to focus on each subject in more detailed ways, feel free to include an extra paragraph to cover all of the most important points. To make your compare and contrast essay flow better, we recommend using special transition words and phrases. They will add variety and improve your paper overall.
For the section where you compare two subjects, you can include any of the following words: similarly, likewise, also, both, just like, similar to, the same as, alike, or to compare to. When contrasting two subjects, use: in contrast, in comparison, by comparison, on the other hand, while, whereas, but, to differ from, dissimilar to, or unlike. Arguments for any essay, including compare and contrast essays, need to be supported by sufficient evidence. Make good use of your personal experiences, books, scholarly articles, magazine and newspaper articles, movies, or anything that will make your argument sound credible.
For example, in your essay, if you were to compare attending college on campus vs. distance-based learning, you could include your personal experiences of being a student, and how often students show up to class on a daily basis. You could also talk about your experience taking online classes, which makes your argument about online classes credible as well. The biggest tip we can give you is to have the right attitude when writing a compare and contrast essay, and actively engage the reader in the discussion. If you find it interesting, so will your reader!
Here are some more compare and contrast essay tips that will help you to polish yours up:. Still feeling confused about the complexities of the compare and contrast essay? Feel free to contact our " write my essay " service to get a professional writing help. Had to ask for a revision and I got a revision back in a timely manner as well with no issues. Great work. She followed all the instructions, and she even finished 5 days before the due date. She is amazing! Awesome nursing subject help in such a short amount of time. Expert did the job correctly. I will for sure use her again I can't give enough praise to how well my 6 page case study turned out!
Very impressed with the turn around time and the attention to detail needed for the assignment. is now available. Writers How to Order Services. Custom Writing Dissertation Writing Research Paper Writing Term Paper Writing Admission Essay Writing Essay Help Essay Editing Coursework Writing Physics Help. Buy an Essay Do My Essay College Essay Help Rewrite My Essay Do My Homework Do My Math Homework. When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:. One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class.
In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week and to live near enough to feasibly do so , students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling.
However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others. Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework. Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:.
Have a language expert improve your writing. Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes. Do the check. Generate your APA citations for free! APA Citation Generator. Receive feedback on language, structure and formatting Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on: Academic style Vague sentences Grammar Style consistency See an example. When do I need to compare and contrast? How do I choose subjects to compare and contrast? How do I compare and contrast in a structured way? Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways: The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety. Is this article helpful? Jack Caulfield Jack is a Brit based in Amsterdam, with an MA in comparative literature. He writes and edits for Scribbr, and reads a lot of books in his spare time.
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