How to write and compare and contrast essay. How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay (with Pictures) 2022-12-20
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A compare and contrast essay is a type of essay that asks you to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more items or concepts. These items can be anything from two different novels, to political ideologies, to different ways of life. The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to highlight the similarities and differences between the items being compared in order to draw a conclusion or make an argument about which is better, more effective, or more desirable.
To write a compare and contrast essay, you will need to follow these steps:
Choose your topic: Before you can start writing your essay, you need to choose a topic that has enough similarities and differences to compare and contrast. You should choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to you, and one that you feel you can write about with some authority.
Create a thesis statement: A thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of the main point of your essay. It should clearly and concisely state the main argument or point that you will be making in your essay.
Create an outline: An outline is a way of organizing your essay so that it flows smoothly and logically from one point to the next. It can be helpful to create an outline before you start writing your essay, as it will help you to organize your thoughts and ideas.
Write the introduction: The introduction of your essay should provide some context for the reader and introduce the main points that you will be discussing in your essay. You should also include your thesis statement in the introduction.
Write the body paragraphs: The body paragraphs of your essay should be organized around the main points that you want to make. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of that paragraph, and then provide evidence and examples to support that point.
Write the conclusion: The conclusion of your essay should summarize the main points that you have made in your essay and restate your thesis. It should also provide some final thoughts or insights on the topic.
To compare and contrast effectively, you will need to use specific language and techniques. Some common techniques for comparing and contrasting include using transitional words and phrases, such as "similarly," "in contrast," and "however," and using comparison and contrast words, such as "like," "unlike," and "both." You can also use specific verb tenses, such as the past tense to describe one item and the present tense to describe the other, to help the reader understand the relationship between the items being compared.
Overall, writing a compare and contrast essay requires careful analysis and thought. By choosing a relevant and interesting topic, creating a clear thesis statement, and using specific language and techniques to compare and contrast, you can write a successful compare and contrast essay that highlights the similarities and differences between two or more items or concepts.
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay (with Pictures)
If your teacher recommends this form, go for it. This organization presents all the comparisons first, then all the contrasts. This will help you see which points are the major ones you want to focus on, and can help guide you when you formulate your thesis. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable. Take a little time to brainstorm about how your chosen subjects are similar and different.
This organization deals with all of the points about Topic A, then all of the points of Topic B. For example, you could choose to compare bats and whales. There are several ways to organize a compare-and-contrast essay. Outlining your essay will help you work out the main organizational structure and will give you a template to follow as you develop your ideas. This type of organization switches back and forth between points. This paragraph summarizes the evidence presented. These are points of comparison ways they are similar.
This is the more common method used in the comparison and contrast essay. However, you should be aware that especially in college, teachers and professors tend to want students to break out of this limited mode. Or a better pet choice for a specific living situation e. For example, you could first discuss the prices of frozen pizza vs. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class.
It will restate the thesis, but usually in a way that offers more information or sophistication than the introduction could. Do these differences make one animal a superior type of pet? This set of overlapping circles can help you visualize where your subjects are similar and where they differ. It should provide and analyze evidence in order to connect those proofs to your thesis and support your thesis. While it can be a little intimidating to approach this type of essay at first, with a little work and practice, you can write a great compare-and-contrast essay! Which one you choose depends on what works best for your ideas. For example, you could choose "The Hunger Games movie vs. It uses those points to make a meaningful argument about the subjects. X University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process.
Let's say you're working with the following statement: "When deciding between whether to go camping in the woods or spend a day at the beach, one should consider the following points: the weather, the types of activities each location offers, and the facilities at each location. Take it to the next level! For example, you could discuss all your points about frozen pizza in as many paragraphs as necessary , then all your points about homemade pizza. Instead, choose a few points that seem to be particularly important. . This paragraph acknowledges that other counter-arguments exist, but discusses how those arguments are flawed or do not apply. One is tiny and flies, and the other is huge and swims, but they both use sonar to hunt.
This paragraph comes first and presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted. This method of organization can be unwieldy, so if you choose it, be sure not to let your paragraphs become page-long lists of points about each subject. The disadvantage is that you do switch back and forth between topics, so you need to make sure that you use transitions and signposts to lead your reader through your argument. It should present your thesis and the direction of your essay i. In other words, why bother putting these two things together? The first step to writing a successful compare and contrast essay is to pick two subjects that are different enough to be compared. Major points of difference are also good to note.
Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof. Remember: your audience now has all the information you gave them about why your argument is solid. However, it can be more difficult for your readers to immediately see why these two subjects are being contrasted if all the similarities are first. Many middle-school and high-school essays may only require three body paragraphs, but use as many as is necessary to fully convey your argument. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions. These are the meat of your essay, where you provide the details and evidence that support your claims. Putting the contrasts last places the emphasis on them.