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Compare and Contrast Essays: Explained with Examples

• December 20, 2023

Compare and contrast essays are one of the most common academic writing assignments. As the name suggests, these essays focus on analyzing the similarities and differences between two or more subjects or ideas. This type of essay is often assigned in various courses ranging from literature to social sciences.

A compare and contrast essay aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. By comparing and contrasting different subjects, students can look at them from a new perspective and better understand their similarities and differences. This article will discuss the key elements of writing a successful compare-and-contrast essay.

What are Compare and Contrast Essays?

A compare and contrast essay is a specific type of essay that focuses on examining and evaluating the similarities and differences between two or more related subjects. These subjects can be anything from people, events, books, theories, objects, or places. This type of essay aims to develop a deeper understanding of the chosen subjects and present it to the reader in an organized and coherent manner.

Key Elements of Compare and Contrast Essays

Identification of Similarities and Differences: The first step in writing a compare and contrast essay is identifying the key similarities and differences between the subjects. This will help in setting the foundation for your comparison.

Developing a Thesis Statement: A thesis statement is the main argument of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and specific, highlighting the main points of comparison or contrast between the subjects.

Organizing the Essay: There are two common ways to organize a compare and contrast essay:

Subject by Subject: The first section will discuss one subject’s similarities and differences, followed by the second subject in the next section.

Point by Point: Each paragraph will focus on a specific point of comparison or contrast between the subjects.

Supporting Evidence: To make your arguments more convincing, it is important to support them with evidence. This can include examples, statistics, or quotes from reliable sources.

Conclusion: The conclusion of a compare and contrast essay should summarize the main points and restate the thesis statement in light of the arguments presented.

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

Writing a compare and contrast essay involves examining the similarities and differences between two or more subjects, providing insights into their relationships, and drawing meaningful conclusions.

Choose Your Subjects : Start by selecting two subjects that share similarities but differ clearly. These could be characters from two different novels, two theories in psychology, or two historical events.

Identify the Points of Comparison or Contrast : Note the similarities and differences between your chosen subjects. This will form the basis of your comparison or contrast. You can use a table to display these points. In one column, list the features of one subject, and in the second column, list the features of the other. This will make it easier to see the points of comparison or contrast.

Incorporate Tables for Organization : Tables systematically organize your points of comparison and contrast and simplify drafting your essay. By arranging your points in a table, you can effortlessly compare and contrast the features of your subjects side by side. This helps you maintain a clear focus, prevents any key points from being overlooked, and serves as a quick reference guide during the writing process.

Use a Venn Diagram : A Venn diagram visualizes the overlap and differences between your subjects. Draw two overlapping circles, one for each subject. The overlapping area will represent the similarities, while the non-overlapping areas will represent the differences .

Develop Your Thesis and Essay Structure : Based on your Venn diagram and table, decide on your main points of comparison or contrast and develop your thesis statement. Plan the structure of your essay, deciding whether to use a subject-by-subject or a point-by-point structure.

Write and Edit Your Essay : Start writing your essay by introducing your subjects and thesis statement. Then, proceed with the body paragraphs, each covering a point of comparison or contrast. Use evidence from your table and Venn diagram to support your points. Finally, write a conclusion that links your points and restates your thesis. Be sure to review and edit your essay for clarity and coherence.

Topic Examples for Compare and Contrast Essays

Selecting compelling subjects for a compare and contrast essay can be thought-provoking, as it entails identifying diverse topics that share commonalities and differences, sparking insightful comparisons.

Comparison between two types of music genres (e.g., rock vs. pop).

Differences in the two countries’ education systems (e.g., US vs. UK).

Similarities and differences between two historical figures (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr. vs. Nelson Mandela).

Comparison of two art movements (e.g., Impressionism vs. Cubism).

Contrast between two leadership styles (e.g., autocratic vs. democratic).

Differences in the lifestyles of people living in urban and rural areas.

Comparison of two methods for solving a common problem (e.g., traditional vs. modern medicine).

Similarities and differences between two famous novels or movies.

Contrast between two different sports (e.g., basketball vs. soccer).

Comparison of two political systems (e.g., democracy vs. dictatorship).

Compare & Contrast Essay: Introduction Paragraph

When writing a compare and contrast essay, it is important to have a strong introduction that captures the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Here are some tips and examples for writing an effective introduction paragraph:

Start with an Interesting Hook

Begin your essay with an attention-grabbing statement or question related to your topic. This will pique the reader’s interest and make them want to continue reading.

Example: Did you know that rock and pop music have more in common than you might think?

Provide Background Information

Give some context about your topic to help the reader understand the purpose of your essay. This could include a brief history or explanation of the topics you will compare and contrast.

Example: Rock and pop music have been two of the most popular genres since the 1950s, but they have distinct differences that make them unique.

State Your Thesis

Your thesis statement should clearly state the main points you will discuss in your essay. This will give the reader a preview of what to expect and guide the rest of your essay.

Example: While both rock music and pop music have a significant influence on popular culture, their origins, styles, and impact are vastly different.

Use Transitional Words

Use transitional words to smoothly transition from your introduction to the body of your essay. This will help guide the reader through your points without feeling disjointed or abrupt.

Example: In this essay, we will compare and contrast the origins, styles, and impact of rock and pop music on popular culture.

Compare and Contrast Essays: Body Paragraph

Crafting effective body paragraphs for compare and contrast essays requires skillful organization and clear analysis, with each paragraph delving into specific points of comparison and contrast to illuminate the chosen topics comprehensively.

Use a Point-by-point Structure

In this type of essay, it is important to compare and contrast each point or aspect in separate paragraphs. This will help keep your essay organized and easy to follow.

Example: While rock and pop music have roots in the United States, their origins differ.

Use Specific Examples

Support your points with specific examples or evidence. This will make your comparisons and contrasts more concrete and compelling.

Example: Rock music originated in the 1950s with iconic artists such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, while pop music emerged in the 1960s with groups like The Beatles and The Supremes.

Consider Both Similarities and Differences

Be sure to focus on the differences and explore similarities between the two topics. This will provide a more balanced analysis and make your essay more interesting.

Example: While rock music is known for its heavy guitar riffs and rebellious lyrics, pop music often features catchy melodies and danceable beats. However, both genres have significantly impacted shaping popular culture throughout history.

Use Transitional Phrases

To effectively compare and contrast your points, use transitional phrases such as “similarly,” “in contrast,” or “on the other hand.” These will help connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly.

Example: Both rock and pop music have evolved to incorporate various sub-genres, such as alternative rock and electronic pop. On the other hand, these genres still maintain their distinct characteristics that set them apart.

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How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay: Structure, Effective Outline & Pro Tips

It is very important to learn how to write a compare and contrast essay because it is the most common assignment assigned to students in the first year of college. By writing a compare and contrast essay, students can improve their writing as well as critical thinking skills. This type of essay has a very clear purpose, such as clearing up misconceptions about any difficult topic or shedding light on a complicated idea. If your teacher asks you to write this essay and you don't know how to start a compare and contrast essay, don't worry. Our detailed guide will help you to learn how to write a comparison essay. Let's start!

What is a compare and contrast essay?

It is similar to other types of essays. In this essay, the writer compares the similarities and differences between the two subjects. It seems very simple, but the main key is to make connections between two subjects. A lot of planning is required to ensure that the writer has a complete understanding of both subjects. There are different ways to compare one topic with another, such as Venn diagrams and charts. 

Read also: “ How to write a college essay in 8 simple steps”

How to structure a compare and contrast essay?

According to our expert essay writers, it's better to define a compare and contrast essay structure before writing begins. The structure is a template that helps you to keep on track throughout the writing process. Moreover, there are three ways to make your comparison essay structure. 

Block method

In this method, you have to discuss the subjects one by one. Firstly, discuss one subject in complete detail, then move to the next one. This method is ideal for providing each subject with its own focus while significantly weakening the connection between the two.  Your comparison and contrast essay body will look like this if you choose the block method or subject by subject method:

• Introduction (topic, theme, and thesis statement)
• Make a comparison and explain why they're essential
• Add real life examples

Alternative method

The second method is the alternative method, in which you have to structure your essay point by point. You discuss one subject's perspective on a certain aspect, followed immediately by the perspective of another subject, before moving on to another aspect. If you want to emphasize the connection between two subjects, then this approach is feasible.  If you choose point by point method for writing a compare and contrast essay, then your essay will look like this:

• Argument #1
• Argument #2

As you can see, by following this structure, you will review each topic by specific points in a single body paragraph rather than breaking them apart. The most important thing to keep in mind is that each paragraph should have a single main topic, and all of the points should be related to one another.

Commonalities and differences

You cover all of the similarities and then all of the differences between your subjects, or the reverse (differences first and then similarities). This approach is most effective when you want to concentrate on specific similarities or differences between your subjects or when you want to build to a shocking conclusion or reveal at the end.   All these formats have their pros and cons. But the most simple method is the block method, where you simply point out all the information about both subjects and leave the comparison to the reader. Being a student if you need help in analyzing various subjects, our team of professional analytical essay writers can provide tailored solutions for your essay-related questions.

Outline for comparison and contrast essay

It would be a good idea to make a proper outline before writing a compare and contrast essay. 

Introduction

Are you wondering 'How to start a compare and contrast essay?' The best approach is to start with a concise, to-the-point, and clear introduction. Its opening paragraph is the same as other essays. You must ensure that your comparison essay introduction consists of the following main elements:

• A strong hook statement that grabs the reader's attention and encourages them to read further. If your teacher has specified some guidelines, then follow them.  
• The next step is to mention the subject that you're going to compare and contrast in the whole essay.
• End your compare and contrast essay introduction with a clear thesis statement. 

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraph of compare and contrast essays is completely different from other essay types. In this section, you have to focus on the topics which you're comparing or other countless factors. You will highlight the similarities and differences between the two subjects and why they matter. Additionally, the number of body paragraphs can vary depending on the word count requirement specified by your instructor. But if the essay length is not mentioned by the professor, then there should be at least 2-3 paragraphs in your essay. Must add a topic sentence to each paragraph. To give your paper a logical flow, you should use connectors like both, unlike, compared to, in contrast, and likewise. 

Compare and Contrast Essay Conclusion

Conclusion comes after writing the intro and body of the essay. The conclusion section of your compare and contrast essay should wrap up everything you discussed in the above sections. Write the summary of all the main points and restate your thesis statement. Briefly analyze the outcomes of your comparison essay and give a final evaluation. In the end, stress the importance of the overall subject. Moreover, give this section some extra thought. 

How to write a good compare and contrast essay: step by step guide

Do you want to know the steps of how to write a compare and contrast essay? Below are a few strategies that you must follow:

Define your essay topic

Precisely select your compare and contrast essay topic. Maybe the topic you selected initially is too broad and isn't suitable for comparison. Narrow down your topic by doing some research. The most crucial thing to keep in mind while choosing essay topics is to choose two different subjects that can be compared easily. For example, you are comparing introverts and extroverts, online and traditional learning.

Research and brainstorming about the topic

After selecting the topic, do research to understand the topic. Brainstorm the similarities and differences the topics have. To ensure accuracy, look into and assess each of your two subjects independently. Next, create two lists, one for similarities and the other for the points that are different. In each list, jot down any ideas that come to your mind. Making notes is definitely helpful, but if you're a visual learner, then it may be convenient for you to map out the ideas using graphic components. 

Start Writing

Write a solid introduction for your comparison and contrast essay. It should outline the topic that you will cover in your essay. Additionally, add the necessary background information, ideas, events, and other main points that you will discuss in the essay. It should be brief but accurate.  Before developing a thesis statement, add a preview of your supporting arguments and facts. These facts will help the reader to understand the worth of your compare and contrasting essay topic. 

Develop a thesis statement

It is one of the most important parts of compare and contrast essay. The basic purpose of a thesis statement is to formulate a focused argument. For example, the thesis could claim that the number of similarities is far more than the number of differences. It might also say that these two things are a bit same and a bit different. It also considers how entities relate to one another in light of differences or similarities that are found. To make your statement strong, answer various questions such as "So what?" and "What makes you decide to compare these specific parties?" Be careful to include some background information on your issue in your response to these questions. For instance, emphasize that the two main competing parties are the Democrats and the Republicans.

Suggested Reading : “ Difference between thesis and dissertation and helpful tips”

Choose your essay structure

One of the three types of structure mentioned earlier would be used to organize your essay. After deciding on a structure, create an outline. The introduction with a thesis statement and the conclusion are the two elements that never change, regardless of the format you chose.

Write main body

List the evidence and support it with citations. Begin a compare and contrast paragraph with a clear but succinct topic sentence that establishes one point of comparison (e.g., shape, appearance, etc.) against which your subjects will be compared. Next, briefly discuss each of your topics in relation to the selected point. Finally, use terms from the compare and contrast list to emphasize any similarities or differences. Apply the same strategy to the other body paragraphs. In order to fully explore your subjects while maintaining the coherence and logic of your work, always remember to concentrate on one point of comparison per paragraph.

The conclusion helps the readers to understand the writer's point of view. The best essay conclusion reminds the reader about the thesis statement and key points of the essay. You also need to provide closing remarks.

Proofread your comparison essay

Once the final draft is read, read it several times to remove grammatical and punctuation mistakes. Follow the following steps to make your proofreading simple.

• Set it aside for a few hours and then proofread it again.
• Use modern spell checker and grammar tools.
• Ask your friend or family member to review your essay to ensure that you haven't missed anything.

Helpful Tips for Writing Compare and Contrast Essays

To make your essay shine, keep the following tips in mind while writing an essay.

• Pick subjects that have a lot in common; otherwise, your essay will only be contrasting and not comparing. Subjects for compare and contrast essays typically have a close relationship, like two individuals in the same industry or two items in the same category. The reader is left thinking, "What's the point of comparing these two things?" in the absence of this connecting theme. It will not only confuse readers but it will also make it harder for you to write coherent paragraphs. Make wise choices about your subjects early on to solve these issues before they arise.
• If you’re stuck on the introduction section, feel free to skip and jump directly to the body paragraphs. As you gather information and evidence for your essay, you might notice that a clear idea or perspective will naturally come to mind. This idea will help you understand how your essay's introduction and thesis statement should be written. It's a good practice to keep revising your thesis statement as you work on your essay, even after you finish writing. This is because, as you go along, you may find new information that makes your thesis statement stronger or more accurate. You might need to make small changes to your thesis to include this new information or to make it more complete and precise.
• Once you select a structure, then follow it consistently. If not, an odd transition in the middle of a reader's experience is likely to leave them feeling unpleasant.
• Using a template can make writing an outline or draft much easier (it can help with both structure and formatting).
• If you are free to choose a topic for a comparison essay but don't know where to begin, look into available sources to create a compare and contrast essay - these frequently contain hundreds of ideas organized by discipline.

Get benefits from Professional Writing Services

Now, you have a clear understanding of how to write a compare and contrast essay. The structure of this essay is almost similar to other essays, but it gives the freedom to choose the structure of the body paragraphs. By following the above mentioned steps, you can generate an excellent compare and contrast essay. 

But not sure how to write? It's completely okay to get professional help. You can buy compare and contrast essays online and secure top grades. Our customer support team is active 24/7 to answer your queries. You can place an order any time for writing a compare and contrast essay.

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• Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

• Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
• Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

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. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

• Point of comparison A
• Point of comparison B

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. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

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 .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

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.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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How to write a Compare and Contrast Essay | Outlines and Examples

Need help writing a compare and contrast essay check out these tips and examples to get you started.

A compare and contrast essay is a differentiation of two or more topics, explaining similarities and differences between them through an essay writing format. It is essential that each topic is clearly highlighted in order to be accurately compared.

This form of academic writing works best for essay topics that have similarities to be compared to each other. For example, you can compare and contrast two novels or authors, or two school subjects or cuisines. In order to write this type of essay well, it is important to conduct research and use reliable sources to ensure the accuracy of your work.

If you want to write high-quality compare-and-contrast essays, we recommend using Jenni.ai's Free Essay Writer for AI assistance. Get your essays done 10x faster with the help of artificial intelligence!

What is a compare and contrast essay?

A compare and contrast essay is a type of written work where the writer analyzes and compares two or more subjects to identify their similarities and differences (e.g., cats and dogs as pets). This essay is a useful tool for gaining a deeper understanding of the subjects being compared and for improving our knowledge of them.

In a compare and contrast essay, the first step is to identify the subjects that will be analyzed. This could also be two books, historical events, pieces of art, or any other subjects that can be compared. The writer must then gather information on each of the subjects in order to develop a strong thesis statement.

The body of the essay is where the writer compares and contrasts the subjects. This can be done in a point-by-point or block comparison format. The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis statement in a new, more insightful way.

Types of Compare and Contrast Essays

A compare-and-contrast type of essay has two main approaches. There is the block method and the point-by-point style. Let's dive a little deeper into each one!

Block Method - The block method presents all arguments related to the initial statement in the essay and compares them directly to the opposing statement. The purpose is to provide an in-depth analysis of each point by presenting supporting evidence in the form of examples that focuses on one statement over the other.

Phrases such as "in relation to" or "in the same way" is best used in the block method as it helps establish the relationship between each argument. Keep in mind that in order for the points to be presented effectively, these quotes are presented in relation directly to the initial statement in order to analyze the relationship between the two subjects.

Point-by-point Method - The point-by-point method presents an argument for each point that is directly compared against the opposing statement. In this method, the writer focuses on one point or aspect at a time, describing both statements and how they are similar or different in a precise manner.

This method is used more in academic writing and essay writing because it is simpler and easier to use than the block method. However, writers are not discouraged from using either approach as long as they understand how to effectively use each of them.

Tips on how to create your Compare and Contrast Essay

Creating a compare and contrast essay is relatively simple once you understand the basic concepts behind it. Here are some helpful tips to get you started with creating a high-quality essay:

Create a general overview that defines each of the paragraphs and how they relate to each other. This is essential after doing research to give the readers a general idea of what the essay will be about.

Create a structure for your paper by creating a roadmap for each paragraph that clearly outlines how the information will be presented. This will help the writer structure their thoughts and ideas and make sure nothing is left out or forgotten about during the editing process.

Transitions are very useful in comparing and contrasting essays as they provide a clear connection between each point being discussed and how it relates to the other points.

Create symmetrical comparisons when presenting your ideas to the readers to ensure everything is explained properly. For example, if you are comparing and contrasting two literary works, it should be clear for the reader how the ideas presented in one work relate to the ideas presented in the other work.

After finishing your entire essay, make sure to proofread and edit accordingly to make sure that all the relevant talking points are panned out correctly throughout the whole essay structure. 

How to Outline Compare and Contrast Essays?

Now that we have talked about the basics of a compare and contrast essay, we will now talk about the process and steps for outlining to help you out accomplish your essay effectively.

Block Method Outline:

In a block format compare and contrast essay, the writer discusses all the similarities and differences between one subject before moving on to the next subject.

Here is an example of how the block format in a compare and contrast essay might be structured:

I. Introduction Paragraph

A. Background information on the subjects being compared and contrasted

B. Thesis statement outlining the purpose of the essay

II. Block format of Subject 1

A. Detailed description of Subject 1

B. Analysis of the similarities and differences between Subject 1 and Subject 2

III. Block format of Subject 2

A. Detailed description of Subject 2

B. Analysis of the similarities and differences between Subject 2 and Subject 1

IV. Conclusion

A. Summary of the main points of the essay

B. Restatement of the thesis statement in a new, more insightful way

In this format, the writer first provides a detailed description of one subject and then analyzes its similarities and differences with the other subject. This is repeated for the second subject, ensuring that all similarities and differences are thoroughly discussed. This format allows the writer to provide a comprehensive analysis of each subject before moving on to the next, making it a useful format for writing a detailed and thorough compare-and-contrast essay.

Point by point Method:

A point-by-point compare and contrast essay is a type of essay where the writer compares and contrasts two or more subjects by discussing a specific aspect or point of each subject in relation to the other.

Here is an example of how a point-by-point compare and contrast essay might be structured:

I. Introductory Paragraph

II. Point 1: Comparison of aspect 1 of Subject 1 and Subject 2

A. Analysis of aspect 1 of Subject 1

B. Analysis of aspect 1 of Subject 2

C. Comparison and contrast of aspect 1 of Subject 1 and Subject 2

III. Point 2: Comparison of aspect 2 of Subject 1 and Subject 2

A. Analysis of aspect 2 of Subject 1

B. Analysis of aspect 2 of Subject 2

C. Comparison and contrast of aspect 2 of Subject 1 and Subject 2

IV. Point 3: Comparison of aspect 3 of Subject 1 and Subject 2

A. Analysis of aspect 3 of Subject 1

B. Analysis of aspect 3 of Subject 2

C. Comparison and contrast of aspect 3 of Subject 1 and Subject 2

V. Conclusion

In this format, the writer focuses on one aspect or point at a time, comparing and contrasting it between the two subjects. This allows the writer to provide a detailed and thorough analysis of each aspect, making it a useful format for writing a highly specific and focused compare-and-contrast essay.

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Now that we have talked about all the essential things needed to create a compare and contrast essay, let's move on to some examples that will inspire you to create your very own essay! 

Example #1: iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you?

"The iPhone vs. Android comparison is a never-ending debate on which one is best. It will likely never have a real winner, but we're going to try and help you to find your personal pick all the same.

The latest version of both operating systems — iOS 16 and Android 13 — are both excellent, but in slightly different ways. Many of their features overlap, but design-wise they look quite different, aside from the basic touchscreen-focused layout. Whichever of the best phones available today you buy, they'll be running one of these two OSes.

Pitting iPhone vs. Android, we take a look at the respective strengths of each mobile platform, so you can pick the right one for you the next time you buy a smartphone. If you want to see the current flagships for Android and iOS, be sure to check out our Pixel 7 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max and Pixel 7 vs. iPhone 14 face-offs. And if you're convinced to want to leave your iPhone, read more about Google's new Switch To Android app that will help you move over.

Why iPhone is better

You're invested in Apple's ecosystem. This might seem like a shallow reason, but Apple obviously makes a wide breadth of tech products, and if you already own a Mac, iPad or Apple Watch, getting an iPhone makes a lot of sense.

Apple has designed a multitude of continuity features that allow you to carry over work and data from one of its devices to another, and these features can certainly save you time. Take Handoff, for example, where calls on your iPhone and web pages in Safari can move seamlessly between iOS and macOS. Universal Clipboard makes text copied on one platform usable on the other. Another one of our favourites is Continuity Camera, which allows you to take pictures and scan documents using your iPhone's camera, and then view and edit them on your Mac. You can even complete purchases on your Mac by using biometric authentication features on your iPhone via Apple Pay.

Only a handful of Android phone makers have hardware ecosystems that approach Apple's, and even for some that come close, like Samsung, you won't get the depth of integration possible between the iPhone and other Apple-built devices. Microsoft is helping Google close the gap somewhat with its new Your Phone app for Windows, which allows Android users to respond to texts and notifications on their PCs, though the experience is a little clunky and there is still work to be done."  

Example #2: MOBILE HOME VS TINY HOUSE | SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES, PROS & CONS  

"A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE TINY HOUSE MOVEMENT

Interestingly, the modern tiny house movement sprouted in the 1980s, increasing in popularity these last three decades. Thanks to blogging, books, and magazine spotlights, the tiny house bug has spread and grown significantly.

While the real estate crisis has had an impact on the tiny house movement’s popularity, that’s not all that makes it appealing.

People love the tiny house options for practical, ethical, and emotional reasons.

PRACTICAL REASONS

Additionally, choosing a smaller home can save you lots of money. You’ll spend less on utilities. Maintenance will cost you less as there is not so much house to maintain and remodel. They are more economical than a stick-built home, and your property taxes are something to brag about.

Another practical point is minimalism in your belongings. In a tiny home, you will have no choice but to whittle down your belongings to what you will actually use. There is freedom in this.

ETHICAL REASONS

From an ethical standpoint, tiny house proponents are environmentally friendly. They use less CO2 than the average home. Due to the smaller space, energy spent on heating and cooling is greatly reduced. Oftentimes these tiny homes are made out of recycled materials. They are usually self-sufficient, making use of renewable energies such as rainwater. Thus they provide homeowners with everything they need.

Homeowners like to choose the way of the tiny home in an effort to help the environment.

There you have it. A brief scoop on the mobile home vs tiny house movement. We hope you found this article interesting and helpful."

Creating compare-and-contrast essays is quite fun to write especially if you have familiarized yourself with the topics at hand. Just make sure to keep our tips in mind to create high-quality essays.

If you want your compare-and-contrast essays done 10x faster, we recommend using Jenni.ai along with the tips and guidelines we provided you in this post. Jenni.ai is a fantastic AI software that aids your essay writing process so that you could produce your writing needs faster and better than ever!

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compare and contrast essay

What is compare and contrast essay definition, usage, and literary examples, compare and contrast essay definition.

A compare and contrast essay (kuhm-PAIR and kuhn-TRAST ESS-ey) is a composition that points out the similarities and differences of two or more things.

In academia, educators assign compare and contrast essays to evaluate students’ knowledge of the subjects and encourage critical thinking. Outside of academia, compare and contrast essays or articles compare things like products and forms of media to assist in the reader’s decision-making process.

Compare and Contrast Essay Criteria

It’s important that a compare and contrast essay’s subjects are somewhat alike. Like the adage about apples to oranges, there’s no logical point in comparing two things that are obviously dissimilar. Instead, a compare and contrast essay should consider two subjects whose similarities and differences aren’t immediately evident. For example, it’s better to compare two breeds of dogs (like a Labrador vs. a German Shepherd) rather than a giraffe and a dog, as the former serves the logical purpose of offering insight into the best option for a family pet.

Then, essayists must compare the subjects based on similar criteria. For example, a sentence like “The Labrador never barks; however, a German Shepherd is expensive” isn’t comparing the dogs with the same criteria. Instead, the essayist would say “The Labrador never barks; however, German Shepherds are a more vocal breed.”

Compare and Contrast Essay Structure

The style of essay begins with a thesis statement that identifies the two or more subjects to be discussed. Using the Labrador vs. German Shepherd example, the thesis statement might be “While Labradors are often considered the quintessential family dog, German Shepherds are just as trainable and have many qualities that make them a more desirable family pet.”

Body of the Essay

From the thesis statement, there are two ways to organize a compare and contrast essay: the subject method or the point-by-point method.

Subject Method

With the subject method, the essayist focuses on each subject individually. They would fully examine the first subject’s negatives and positives in the first few paragraphs, the second subject’s negatives and positives in the next few paragraphs, and then reexamine their thesis in a concluding paragraph. If the essay comparing Labradors and German Shepherds was written with the subject method, it would analyze the traits of Labradors, then the traits of German Shepherds, and conclude with the essayist’s findings.

Point-by-Point Method

When using the point-by-point method, the essayist examines the subjects by each individual similarity or difference before reaching a conclusion. For example, the first paragraph might compare the price of purebred Labradors vs. purebred German Shepherds, and the second paragraph might compare the two breeds’ temperaments when in a family environment.

The conclusion of an essay readdresses the thesis and outlines the essayist’s main arguments. A conclusion to the Labradors vs. German Shepherds essay might be: “While both Labradors and German Shepherds have their positive qualities, a German Shepherd’s trainability and exceptional health outweigh the issue of costliness, making it the superior choice for a family.”

Transition Signals

Throughout this style of essay, the essayist uses certain phrases, called transition signals, to indicate they’re making a comparison. Comparison signals are phrases like similarly , also , both , and likewise ; contrast signals are phrases like conversely , in contrast , and unlike .

Compare and Contrast Essay Usage

Compare and contrast essays are used largely in academia to assess the student’s knowledge of two subjects. An educator might have a student compare works of literature, authors, genres, time periods, characters, or ideological concepts.

Some semblance of the form also appears in print and online, usually to aid in the decision-making process. In the workplace, for example, a presentation might compare two strategies to help the company decide on a certain direction. Many periodicals feature articles that compare products, movies, and literature so that consumers can make better buying decisions.

Examples of Compare and Contrast Essays

1. Timandra Harkness, “Nature and Nurture, Then and Now”

Harkness compares the treatment of the nature vs. nurture question in two films: the 2011 documentary Project Nim, which is about a chimpanzee learning sign language, and the 1970 feature film L’Enfant Sauvage , about a doctor’s encounters with a feral child. Here, she points out similarities between the films’ subjects:

At first, there are many parallels in the behaviour of the boy, whom the doctor names “Victor,” and that of Nim. Both show instinctive fear and resistance, bite their captors, and have to be restrained with a rope from running away. Both learn table manners and to ask for food and drink.

Harkness uses transition signals in her essay ( parallels , both ) and chooses a point-by-point structure to compare the two characters.

2. Nicholas Klacsanzky, “Parenting Styles”

In this essay, Nicholas Klacsanzky compares four different parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, and authoritative:

Not too different from the authoritarian style, authoritative parenting combines responsiveness with demands. It is commonly the most recommended parenting style, as it sets limits for children, while offering them support.

Klacsanzky organized his essay by subject and spends a paragraph on each of the different styles. In this excerpt, he transitions into the authoritative style paragraph by comparing it to the authoritarian style. Unlike Harkness’s essay, Klacsanzky clearly favors one of his subjects over the others.

Further Resources on Compare and Contrast Essays

The Academic Help website offers several complete compare and contrast essay examples.

The University of Minnesota website has compare and contrast essay writing exercises.

Related Terms

• Argumentative Essay
• Expository Essay

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Writing effective comparison/contrast essays, 1. brainstorming and prewriting.

Recall that a comparison/contrast essay serves the purpose of examining the similarities and/or differences between two subjects. When you compare things, you show their similarities; when you contrast things, you show their differences.

The first step in writing a comparison/contrast essay is to brainstorm ideas and decide upon a topic. It's important that you find two things that have enough similarities or differences in order to be able to effectively compare or contrast them. If you choose two things that are too similar, you’ll struggle to find meaningful differences. If you choose two things that are too different, you’ll struggle to find meaningful comparisons.

During the brainstorming stage of the writing process, you can use a variety of activities to help you generate ideas for your topic. It can be helpful to make a list of similarities and differences between your two subjects, then choose the ones that are most important to use in your comparison/contrast essay.

This will help you to see the multitude of similarities and differences, and then focus in on the most important ones to use in your essay:

Clustering, or mapping, is another way to generate ideas using words, shapes, and lines that show the connections between those ideas.

• There are unending things that you can compare/contrast, and choosing two might seem overwhelming. Some common themes for a comparison/contrast essay may include events (Battle of Fort Sumter versus Battle of Sewell’s Point), situations (riding the bus versus driving to work), people (a CEO versus a CFO of a company), and places (London versus Tokyo).
• A good approach for beginner writers can be to pick two things that are in the same overarching category (foods, animals, locations, people, events, etc.) but differ in some significant ways. This can make it easier to see the similarities as well as the differences.
• Don’t forget to consider the "So what?" question when deciding on your topic. Why are you choosing this topic? Why should anyone care? Is it at all meaningful? You should be able to explain to your readers why it is useful that they understand the similarities or differences between these two topics.
• Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. (historical figures)
• The 1960s and today (two eras in time)
• Pop music and country music (genres of music)
• Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres (talk show hosts)
• Online college courses and in-person college courses (ways to take college courses)
• Communism and socialism (belief systems)
• Solar power and wind energy (energy types)

As you narrow your focus, you will need to determine which points of comparison or contrast are most important. The number of points of comparison or contrast that you settle on will be driven by the topic you choose. However, for the comparison/contrast essay you’ll be writing for this course, you will need to focus in on two or three main points of comparison or contrast.

As you know, an outline can be a useful tool during prewriting to help you further develop the ideas and organization of your essay. Creating an outline will help you plan the way in which you want to organize your body paragraphs, and which details you want to include in each. This will help you to produce a sort of roadmap for your essay.

2. Drafting a Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement is the cornerstone of any academic essay. During the brainstorming and prewriting steps, you will have selected a topic and chosen your strongest main points to either compare or contrast within your essay. This will help you further develop your thesis statement.

A good thesis statement should convey the main points of your essay and should avoid being overly generic.

Instead, a good thesis statement should provide more information on which points of comparison or contrast will be discussed in the essay. Below are some templates you can consider as you begin to draft your thesis statement. A good thesis statement is not required to follow one of these patterns, but as a beginning writer, you may find that they provide a helpful starting point.

For an essay contrasting two subjects, your thesis statement may look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} may appear similar, but they differ in {first point of contrast}, {second point of contrast}, and {third point of contrast}.

Or, if you are comparing two subjects, your thesis statement might look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} do not appear to have a lot in common, but they are very similar in {first point of comparison}, {second point of comparison}, and {third point of comparison}.

A thesis statement might meaningfully contrast two subjects using the template above, like this:

Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses.

Notice how the primary emphasis in the above thesis is about how the two cities differ based on the three points the author chose to focus on: job opportunities, income, and living expenses. This thesis statement gives the reader a clear idea of the specific points of contrast that will be covered within the body of the essay.

3. Methods of Organization

Now that you have your working thesis statement, you’re ready to begin thinking about how to organize the body paragraphs within your essay.

• The point-by-point method
• The block method

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.

3a. Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point method, also known as the alternating format method, is one method of paragraph development and organization for a comparison/contrast essay.

When you use the point-by-point method, you are choosing one point of comparison and then writing one paragraph about each of your subjects that shows how they are similar or different.

IN CONTEXT If you are comparing two fast-food restaurants, McDonalds and Burger King, you would first determine your points of comparison. Let’s say you're going to focus on similarities in costs, menus, and taste. Your first body paragraph would consider the costs at McDonalds, and your second body paragraph would consider the costs at Burger King. Your third and fourth body paragraphs would consider the menus at McDonalds and Burger King, and your final two body paragraphs would consider the taste of the food at both restaurants.

This method of organizing is usually easier for the reader to follow, as the main points of the body paragraphs alternate in sequence between subjects.

To demonstrate this method, let’s take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses." In this case, the author is focusing on the differences between the two cities in regard to three main points.

• Introduction + thesis statement
• Body paragraph 1: Job opportunities in Paris
• Body paragraph 2: Job opportunities in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 3: Average income in Paris
• Body paragraph 4: Average income in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 5: Living expenses in Paris
• Body paragraph 6: Living expenses in Tokyo

3b. Block Method

The block method, also known as the subject-by-subject method, is another method of paragraph development and organization in a comparison/contrast essay.

As the name implies, if you choose the block method, you will consider all of your points of comparison or contrast for one subject in the first two or three body paragraphs of your essay, and then discuss the same main points for the second subject in the remaining body paragraphs.

IN CONTEXT If you're contrasting your local grocery store with the giant superstore outside of town, you would first determine your points for contrast. You might choose to focus on the differences in prices, convenience, and atmosphere. You would begin the body of the essay by devoting one paragraph each to these three points about your local grocery store; then, you would write three paragraphs that show how the superstore is different according to those same points.

hint If you choose this method, pay special attention to transition use to help guide your reader.

To demonstrate this method, let’s again take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses."

• Body paragraph 2: Average income in Paris
• Body paragraph 3: Living expenses in Paris
• Body paragraph 4: Job opportunities in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 5: Average income in Tokyo

4. Using Transitions

Given that comparison/contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is also helpful to have some transitions on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

These words and phrases help to highlight the points you are trying to make by signaling the relationships between the subjects in a clear way.

Below are some sample transitional words and phrases that you may use to indicate a comparison or contrast.

summary In this lesson, you learned how to begin putting your comparison/contrast essay together by first starting with brainstorming and prewriting, then moving on to drafting a thesis statement . There are two methods of organization for the body of a comparison/contrast essay that you can choose from: the point-by-point method and the block method . The specific way in which you organize your body paragraphs will be largely determined by your topic and subjects, your audience, and your purpose. Whichever method you choose, using transitions effectively can help readers follow along with your main points. Best of luck in your learning!

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Comparing and Contrasting

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you first to determine whether a particular assignment is asking for comparison/contrast and then to generate a list of similarities and differences, decide which similarities and differences to focus on, and organize your paper so that it will be clear and effective. It will also explain how you can (and why you should) develop a thesis that goes beyond “Thing A and Thing B are similar in many ways but different in others.”

Introduction

In your career as a student, you’ll encounter many different kinds of writing assignments, each with its own requirements. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, engage in critical thinking, and go beyond mere description or summary to generate interesting analysis: when you reflect on similarities and differences, you gain a deeper understanding of the items you are comparing, their relationship to each other, and what is most important about them.

Recognizing comparison/contrast in assignments

Some assignments use words—like compare, contrast, similarities, and differences—that make it easy for you to see that they are asking you to compare and/or contrast. Here are a few hypothetical examples:

• Compare and contrast Frye’s and Bartky’s accounts of oppression.
• Compare WWI to WWII, identifying similarities in the causes, development, and outcomes of the wars.
• Contrast Wordsworth and Coleridge; what are the major differences in their poetry?

Notice that some topics ask only for comparison, others only for contrast, and others for both.

But it’s not always so easy to tell whether an assignment is asking you to include comparison/contrast. And in some cases, comparison/contrast is only part of the essay—you begin by comparing and/or contrasting two or more things and then use what you’ve learned to construct an argument or evaluation. Consider these examples, noticing the language that is used to ask for the comparison/contrast and whether the comparison/contrast is only one part of a larger assignment:

• Choose a particular idea or theme, such as romantic love, death, or nature, and consider how it is treated in two Romantic poems.
• How do the different authors we have studied so far define and describe oppression?
• Compare Frye’s and Bartky’s accounts of oppression. What does each imply about women’s collusion in their own oppression? Which is more accurate?
• In the texts we’ve studied, soldiers who served in different wars offer differing accounts of their experiences and feelings both during and after the fighting. What commonalities are there in these accounts? What factors do you think are responsible for their differences?

You may want to check out our handout on understanding assignments for additional tips.

Using comparison/contrast for all kinds of writing projects

Sometimes you may want to use comparison/contrast techniques in your own pre-writing work to get ideas that you can later use for an argument, even if comparison/contrast isn’t an official requirement for the paper you’re writing. For example, if you wanted to argue that Frye’s account of oppression is better than both de Beauvoir’s and Bartky’s, comparing and contrasting the main arguments of those three authors might help you construct your evaluation—even though the topic may not have asked for comparison/contrast and the lists of similarities and differences you generate may not appear anywhere in the final draft of your paper.

Discovering similarities and differences

Making a Venn diagram or a chart can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more things or ideas. To make a Venn diagram, simply draw some overlapping circles, one circle for each item you’re considering. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common. Assign each one of the areas that doesn’t overlap; in those areas, you can list the traits that make the things different. Here’s a very simple example, using two pizza places:

To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items. Along the left side of the page, list each of the criteria. Across the top, list the names of the items. You should then have a box per item for each criterion; you can fill the boxes in and then survey what you’ve discovered.

Here’s an example, this time using three pizza places:

As you generate points of comparison, consider the purpose and content of the assignment and the focus of the class. What do you think the professor wants you to learn by doing this comparison/contrast? How does it fit with what you have been studying so far and with the other assignments in the course? Are there any clues about what to focus on in the assignment itself?

Here are some general questions about different types of things you might have to compare. These are by no means complete or definitive lists; they’re just here to give you some ideas—you can generate your own questions for these and other types of comparison. You may want to begin by using the questions reporters traditionally ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? If you’re talking about objects, you might also consider general properties like size, shape, color, sound, weight, taste, texture, smell, number, duration, and location.

Two historical periods or events

• When did they occur—do you know the date(s) and duration? What happened or changed during each? Why are they significant?
• What kinds of work did people do? What kinds of relationships did they have? What did they value?
• What kinds of governments were there? Who were important people involved?
• What caused events in these periods, and what consequences did they have later on?

Two ideas or theories

• What are they about?
• Did they originate at some particular time?
• Who created them? Who uses or defends them?
• What is the central focus, claim, or goal of each? What conclusions do they offer?
• How are they applied to situations/people/things/etc.?
• Which seems more plausible to you, and why? How broad is their scope?
• What kind of evidence is usually offered for them?

Two pieces of writing or art

• What are their titles? What do they describe or depict?
• What is their tone or mood? What is their form?
• Who created them? When were they created? Why do you think they were created as they were? What themes do they address?
• Do you think one is of higher quality or greater merit than the other(s)—and if so, why?
• For writing: what plot, characterization, setting, theme, tone, and type of narration are used?
• Where are they from? How old are they? What is the gender, race, class, etc. of each?
• What, if anything, are they known for? Do they have any relationship to each other?
• What are they like? What did/do they do? What do they believe? Why are they interesting?
• What stands out most about each of them?

Deciding what to focus on

By now you have probably generated a huge list of similarities and differences—congratulations! Next you must decide which of them are interesting, important, and relevant enough to be included in your paper. Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s relevant to the assignment?
• What’s relevant to the course?
• What’s interesting and informative?
• What matters to the argument you are going to make?
• What’s basic or central (and needs to be mentioned even if obvious)?
• Overall, what’s more important—the similarities or the differences?

Suppose that you are writing a paper comparing two novels. For most literature classes, the fact that they both use Caslon type (a kind of typeface, like the fonts you may use in your writing) is not going to be relevant, nor is the fact that one of them has a few illustrations and the other has none; literature classes are more likely to focus on subjects like characterization, plot, setting, the writer’s style and intentions, language, central themes, and so forth. However, if you were writing a paper for a class on typesetting or on how illustrations are used to enhance novels, the typeface and presence or absence of illustrations might be absolutely critical to include in your final paper.

Sometimes a particular point of comparison or contrast might be relevant but not terribly revealing or interesting. For example, if you are writing a paper about Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” and Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight,” pointing out that they both have nature as a central theme is relevant (comparisons of poetry often talk about themes) but not terribly interesting; your class has probably already had many discussions about the Romantic poets’ fondness for nature. Talking about the different ways nature is depicted or the different aspects of nature that are emphasized might be more interesting and show a more sophisticated understanding of the poems.

Your thesis

The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so they don’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for example, “This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference”) with something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, “Pepper’s and Amante have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.”

Be careful, though—although this thesis is fairly specific and does propose a simple argument (that atmosphere and delivery make the two pizza places different), your instructor will often be looking for a bit more analysis. In this case, the obvious question is “So what? Why should anyone care that Pepper’s and Amante are different in this way?” One might also wonder why the writer chose those two particular pizza places to compare—why not Papa John’s, Dominos, or Pizza Hut? Again, thinking about the context the class provides may help you answer such questions and make a stronger argument. Here’s a revision of the thesis mentioned earlier:

Pepper’s and Amante both offer a greater variety of ingredients than other Chapel Hill/Carrboro pizza places (and than any of the national chains), but the funky, lively atmosphere at Pepper’s makes it a better place to give visiting friends and family a taste of local culture.

You may find our handout on constructing thesis statements useful at this stage.

Organizing your paper

There are many different ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. Here are two:

Subject-by-subject

Begin by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then move on and make all the points you want to make about the second subject (and after that, the third, and so on, if you’re comparing/contrasting more than two things). If the paper is short, you might be able to fit all of your points about each item into a single paragraph, but it’s more likely that you’d have several paragraphs per item. Using our pizza place comparison/contrast as an example, after the introduction, you might have a paragraph about the ingredients available at Pepper’s, a paragraph about its location, and a paragraph about its ambience. Then you’d have three similar paragraphs about Amante, followed by your conclusion.

The danger of this subject-by-subject organization is that your paper will simply be a list of points: a certain number of points (in my example, three) about one subject, then a certain number of points about another. This is usually not what college instructors are looking for in a paper—generally they want you to compare or contrast two or more things very directly, rather than just listing the traits the things have and leaving it up to the reader to reflect on how those traits are similar or different and why those similarities or differences matter. Thus, if you use the subject-by-subject form, you will probably want to have a very strong, analytical thesis and at least one body paragraph that ties all of your different points together.

A subject-by-subject structure can be a logical choice if you are writing what is sometimes called a “lens” comparison, in which you use one subject or item (which isn’t really your main topic) to better understand another item (which is). For example, you might be asked to compare a poem you’ve already covered thoroughly in class with one you are reading on your own. It might make sense to give a brief summary of your main ideas about the first poem (this would be your first subject, the “lens”), and then spend most of your paper discussing how those points are similar to or different from your ideas about the second.

Point-by-point

Rather than addressing things one subject at a time, you may wish to talk about one point of comparison at a time. There are two main ways this might play out, depending on how much you have to say about each of the things you are comparing. If you have just a little, you might, in a single paragraph, discuss how a certain point of comparison/contrast relates to all the items you are discussing. For example, I might describe, in one paragraph, what the prices are like at both Pepper’s and Amante; in the next paragraph, I might compare the ingredients available; in a third, I might contrast the atmospheres of the two restaurants.

If I had a bit more to say about the items I was comparing/contrasting, I might devote a whole paragraph to how each point relates to each item. For example, I might have a whole paragraph about the clientele at Pepper’s, followed by a whole paragraph about the clientele at Amante; then I would move on and do two more paragraphs discussing my next point of comparison/contrast—like the ingredients available at each restaurant.

There are no hard and fast rules about organizing a comparison/contrast paper, of course. Just be sure that your reader can easily tell what’s going on! Be aware, too, of the placement of your different points. If you are writing a comparison/contrast in service of an argument, keep in mind that the last point you make is the one you are leaving your reader with. For example, if I am trying to argue that Amante is better than Pepper’s, I should end with a contrast that leaves Amante sounding good, rather than with a point of comparison that I have to admit makes Pepper’s look better. If you’ve decided that the differences between the items you’re comparing/contrasting are most important, you’ll want to end with the differences—and vice versa, if the similarities seem most important to you.

Our handout on organization can help you write good topic sentences and transitions and make sure that you have a good overall structure in place for your paper.

Cue words and other tips

To help your reader keep track of where you are in the comparison/contrast, you’ll want to be sure that your transitions and topic sentences are especially strong. Your thesis should already have given the reader an idea of the points you’ll be making and the organization you’ll be using, but you can help them out with some extra cues. The following words may be helpful to you in signaling your intentions:

• like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.

For example, you might have a topic sentence like one of these:

• Compared to Pepper’s, Amante is quiet.
• Like Amante, Pepper’s offers fresh garlic as a topping.
• Despite their different locations (downtown Chapel Hill and downtown Carrboro), Pepper’s and Amante are both fairly easy to get to.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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How to write a compare and contrast essay, by luisa brenton.

As a student, you’ve got to write a lot of different essays and writing assignments, which all have different requirements and expectations. To get the best grade possible, it is important that you understand these differences and make use of them as best you can. In this way, you don’t spend time barking up the wrong tree.

Now, it would be great if we could deal with each and every essay expectations. That would make for a rather unwieldy blog post. So, instead, here we’re going to look at one of the most popular forms, which is the compare and contrast essay.

Recognizing the compare and contrast essay

Often they’re not actually that hard to spot. Some will even have the word ‘compare’ and ‘contrast’ in the title. For example, you might have ‘compare two romantic poets and explore the differences between them’ or ‘contrast the first and the Second World War and the political reasons for them’. Other words that you might see are such words as ‘differences’, ‘similarities’ or other words like that.

But it doesn’t always work out that easily. Sometimes you’re going to find questions that are far more subtle. For example, ‘take a major literary theme and explore how Virginia Wolfe and F Scott Fitzgerald dealt with them’ or ‘How does liberty evolve from the 15 th  to the 16 th  century?’

Yet, the idea though they might not use the words ‘compare’ and ‘contrast’ you can still find it between the lines.

Representing differences and similarities visually

When you’ve been asked to discuss the similarities or differences between two things (or three) then the best thing you can do is draw a Venn diagram. You know the one I’m talking about – where you draw as many circles as there are concepts (e.g. first world war and second world war) where they each overlap all the other circles?

Then you write the differences in the areas where the circles don’t overlap and the similarities in the areas where they do. In this way, you’ll have an easy time of knowing what the differences and similarities are.

Of course, don’t get carried away. Remember that you’re writing for a specific class, which means that you’re supposed to write about areas that fit within the structure thereof.

One trick that might work if you’re struggling to know what’s relevant is to include another circle in your diagram so that you can write those things that fall within the scope of the class inside of that circle and those that don’t outside of it.

Note that this strategy works a lot better if you’re only asked to compare two things, as when you’re asked to compare more it can get very confusing very quickly as there are just too many circles.

Decide what to write about

The next thing that you’ll need to decide on is what you’re going to include in your essay. The first things to focus on is what is absolutely essential to the argument you’re going to make. These points will need to be included no matter what.

If that alone does not fill up your essay, however, then it’s time to pull out a point system. Give things a score from one to five (or ten, if you’ve got a lot of topics and need the extra differentiation).

Things to base your score on:

• Is it relevant to the class?
• Is it interesting and informative?
• Does it fit into the argument that you’re going to make or is it a tangent?
• Is it a topic that the teacher or professor seems particularly interested in?
• How obvious is it? (The more obvious, the less the need to include it)

Time to formulate your structure

The first thing that you want to do at this point is formulated your thesis. You probably already had a central argument outline above (otherwise you would have struggled to complete the last section) but now it’s time to put it down in words.

Don’t skip this part! Often you can realize where you’re making errors in your reasoning simply by writing down what you’re trying to argue. Also, always answer the most important question of all about your thesis and that is ‘why should I care about this particular question? Why is it relevant?’ That question will need to be answered somewhere in your essay.

That done, it’s time to create a structure. Return to your Venn diagram and take the pieces that you’ve ranked highest (as well as those that you decided are central to the question and your argument) and put them in order.

Make sure you start out with a whopper of an argument – something that’s engaging and interesting so that you draw in the reader. Take your second strongest argument and put it right at the end (this is important due to the peak and end effect, which states that we remember the end of things better than what comes in the middle).

Start writing

Now you’ve got everything worked out, all you’ve got to do is fill in the gaps. Now remember to use clear paragraphs and well-defined sentences. Also, remember to focus on good transitions, so that people can spot when you’re moving on from one area to another.

Now, if this is a struggle, don’t stress out too much. There are plenty of tools available to help you online – from other websites that deal with this kind of thing in more detail, to services that can help you with the process (check out the best sites for writing help).

And remember, if you’re struggling at this point, that doesn’t mean you always will. Essay writing (actually all writing) is something that you get better at over time, particularly if you pay attention to what your professors and teachers are saying and not just the grades they give you.

So with those thoughts, you should be much better prepared to deal with the contrast and comparison essay.  Let me know how it goes.

Luisa Brenton is an ex-marketer, present writer, and a future professor at the Chicago University. She has been working as an educational blogger for top websites.You can contact her on Twitter.

One comment on “How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay”

Hi Luisa, I was searching for the tips to write an perfect essay for my college and found this. Thanks for the wonderful tips, will apply it and let you know the results.

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34 Compelling Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Topics cover education, technology, pop culture, sports, animals, and more.

Do your writers need some inspiration? If you’re teaching students to write a compare and contrast essay, a strong example is an invaluable tool. This round-up of our favorite compare and contrast essays covers a range of topics and grade levels, so no matter your students’ interests or ages, you’ll always have a helpful example to share. You’ll find links to full essays about education, technology, pop culture, sports, animals, and more. (Need compare-and-contrast essay topic ideas? Check out our big list of compare and contrast essay topics! )

What is a compare and contrast essay?

• Education and parenting essays
• Technology essays
• Pop culture essays
• Historical and political essays
• Sports essays
• Lifestyle essays
• Healthcare essays
• Animal essays

When choosing a compare and contrast essay example to include on this list, we considered the structure. A strong compare and contrast essay begins with an introductory paragraph that includes background context and a strong thesis. Next, the body includes paragraphs that explore the similarities and differences. Finally, a concluding paragraph restates the thesis, draws any necessary inferences, and asks any remaining questions.

A compare and contrast essay example can be an opinion piece comparing two things and making a conclusion about which is better. For example, “Is Tom Brady really the GOAT?” It can also help consumers decide which product is better suited to them. Should you keep your subscription to Hulu or Netflix? Should you stick with Apple or explore Android? Here’s our list of compare and contrast essay samples categorized by subject.

Education and Parenting Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Private school vs. public school.

Sample lines: “Deciding whether to send a child to public or private school can be a tough choice for parents. … Data on whether public or private education is better can be challenging to find and difficult to understand, and the cost of private school can be daunting. … According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, public schools still attract far more students than private schools, with 50.7 million students attending public school as of 2018. Private school enrollment in the fall of 2017 was 5.7 million students, a number that is down from 6 million in 1999.”

Read the full essay: Private School vs. Public School at U.S. News and World Report

Homeschool vs. Public School: How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education

Sample lines: “Home schooling, not a present threat to public education, is nonetheless one of the forces that will change it. If the high estimates of the number of children in home schools (1.2 million) is correct, then the home-schooling universe is larger than the New York City public school system and roughly the size of the Los Angeles and Chicago public school systems combined. … Critics charge that three things are wrong with home schooling: harm to students academically; harm to society by producing students who are ill-prepared to function as democratic citizens and participants in a modern economy; and harm to public education, making it more difficult for other parents to educate their children. … It is time to ask whether home schooling, charters, and vouchers should be considered parts of a broad repertoire of methods that we as a society use to educate our children.”

Read the full essay: Homeschool vs. Public School: How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education at Brookings

Which parenting style is right for you?

Sample lines: “The three main types of parenting are on a type of ‘sliding scale’ of parenting, with permissive parenting as the least strict type of parenting. Permissive parenting typically has very few rules, while authoritarian parenting is thought of as a very strict, rule-driven type of parenting.”

Read the full essay: What Is Authoritative Parenting? at Healthline

Masked Education? The Benefits and Burdens of Wearing Face Masks in Schools During the Pandemic

Sample lines: “Face masks can prevent the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2. … However, covering the lower half of the face reduces the ability to communicate. Positive emotions become less recognizable, and negative emotions are amplified. Emotional mimicry, contagion, and emotionality in general are reduced and (thereby) bonding between teachers and learners, group cohesion, and learning—of which emotions are a major driver. The benefits and burdens of face masks in schools should be seriously considered and made obvious and clear to teachers and students.”

Read the full essay: Masked Education? The Benefits and Burdens of Wearing Face Masks in Schools During the Pandemic at National Library of Medicine

To Ban or Not: What Should We Really Make of Book Bans?

Sample lines: “In recent years, book bans have soared in schools, reaching an all-time high in fall 2022. … The challenge of balancing parent concerns about ‘age appropriateness’ against the imperative of preparing students to be informed citizens is still on the minds of many educators today. … Such curricular decision-making  should  be left to the professionals, argues English/language arts instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky. ‘Examining texts for their appropriateness is not a job that noneducators are trained to do,’ she wrote last year, as the national debate over censorship resurged with the news that a Tennessee district banned the graphic novel  Maus  just days before Holocaust Remembrance Day.”

Read the full essay: To Ban or Not: What Should We Really Make of Book Bans? at Education Week

Technology Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Netflix vs. hulu 2023: which is the best streaming service.

Sample lines: “Netflix fans will point to its high-quality originals, including  The Witcher ,  Stranger Things ,  Emily in Paris ,  Ozark , and more, as well as a wide variety of documentaries like  Cheer ,  The Last Dance ,  My Octopus Teacher , and many others. It also boasts a much larger subscription base, with more than 222 million subscribers compared to Hulu’s 44 million. Hulu, on the other hand, offers a variety of extras such as HBO and Showtime—content that’s unavailable on Netflix. Its price tag is also cheaper than the competition, with its $7/mo. starting price, which is a bit more palatable than Netflix’s $10/mo. starting price.”

Read the full essay: Netflix vs. Hulu 2023: Which is the best streaming service? at TV Guide

Kindle vs. Hardcover: Which is easier on the eyes?

Sample lines: “In the past, we would have to drag around heavy books if we were really into reading. Now, we can have all of those books, and many more, stored in one handy little device that can easily be stuffed into a backpack, purse, etc. … Many of us still prefer to hold an actual book in our hands. … But, whether you use a Kindle or prefer hardcover books or paperbacks, the main thing is that you enjoy reading. A story in a book or on a Kindle device can open up new worlds, take you to fantasy worlds, educate you, entertain you, and so much more.”

Read the full essay: Kindle vs. Hardcover: Which is easier on the eyes? at Books in a Flash

iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you?

Sample lines: “The iPhone vs. Android comparison is a never-ending debate on which one is best. It will likely never have a real winner, but we’re going to try and help you to find your personal pick all the same. iOS 17 and Android 14—the latest versions of the two operating systems—both offer smooth and user-friendly experiences, and several similar or identical features. But there are still important differences to be aware of. … Owning an iPhone is a simpler, more convenient experience. There’s less to think about. … Android-device ownership is a bit harder. … Yet it’s simultaneously more freeing, because it offers more choice.”

Read the full essay: iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you? at Tom’s Guide

Cutting the cord: Is streaming or cable better for you?

Sample lines: “Cord-cutting has become a popular trend in recent years, thanks to the rise of streaming services. For those unfamiliar, cord cutting is the process of canceling your cable subscription and instead, relying on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu to watch your favorite shows and movies. The primary difference is that you can select your streaming services à la carte while cable locks you in on a set number of channels through bundles. So, the big question is: should you cut the cord?”

Read the full essay: Cutting the cord: Is streaming or cable better for you? at BroadbandNow

PS5 vs. Nintendo Switch

Sample lines: “The crux of the comparison comes down to portability versus power. Being able to migrate fully fledged Nintendo games from a big screen to a portable device is a huge asset—and one that consumers have taken to, especially given the Nintendo Switch’s meteoric sales figures. … It is worth noting that many of the biggest franchises like Call of Duty, Madden, modern Resident Evil titles, newer Final Fantasy games, Grand Theft Auto, and open-world Ubisoft adventures like Assassin’s Creed will usually skip Nintendo Switch due to its lack of power. The inability to play these popular games practically guarantees that a consumer will pick up a modern system, while using the Switch as a secondary device.”

Read the full essay: PS5 vs. Nintendo Switch at Digital Trends

What is the difference between Facebook and Instagram?

Sample lines: “Have you ever wondered what is the difference between Facebook and Instagram? Instagram and Facebook are by far the most popular social media channels used by digital marketers. Not to mention that they’re also the biggest platforms used by internet users worldwide. So, today we’ll look into the differences and similarities between these two platforms to help you figure out which one is the best fit for your business.”

Read the full essay: What is the difference between Facebook and Instagram? at SocialBee

Digital vs. Analog Watches—What’s the Difference?

Sample lines: “In short, digital watches use an LCD or LED screen to display the time. Whereas, an analog watch features three hands to denote the hour, minutes, and seconds. With the advancement in watch technology and research, both analog and digital watches have received significant improvements over the years. Especially in terms of design, endurance, and accompanying features. … At the end of the day, whether you go analog or digital, it’s a personal preference to make based on your style, needs, functions, and budget.”

Read the full essay: Digital vs. Analog Watches—What’s the Difference? at Watch Ranker

AI Art vs. Human Art: A Side-by-Side Analysis

Sample lines: “Art has always been a reflection of human creativity, emotion, and cultural expression. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), a new form of artistic creation has emerged, blurring the lines between what is created by human hands and what is generated by algorithms. … Despite the excitement surrounding AI Art, it also raises complex ethical, legal, and artistic questions that have sparked debates about the definition of art, the role of the artist, and the future of art production. … Regardless of whether AI Art is considered ‘true’ art, it is crucial to embrace and explore the vast possibilities and potential it brings to the table. The transformative influence of AI art on the art world is still unfolding, and only time will reveal its true extent.”

Read the full essay: AI Art vs. Human Art: A Side-by-Side Analysis at Raul Lara

Pop Culture Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Christina aguilera vs. britney spears.

Sample lines: “Britney Spears vs. Christina Aguilera was the Coke vs. Pepsi of 1999 — no, really, Christina repped Coke and Britney shilled for Pepsi. The two teen idols released debut albums seven months apart before the turn of the century, with Britney’s becoming a standard-bearer for bubblegum pop and Aguilera’s taking an R&B bent to show off her range. … It’s clear that Spears and Aguilera took extremely divergent paths following their simultaneous breakout successes.”

Read the full essay: Christina Aguilera vs. Britney Spears at The Ringer

Harry Styles vs. Ed Sheeran

Sample lines: “The world heard our fantasies and delivered us two titans simultaneously—we have been blessed with Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. Our cup runneth over; our bounty is immeasurable. More remarkable still is the fact that both have released albums almost at the same time: Ed’s third, Divide , was released in March and broke the record for one-day Spotify streams, while Harry’s frenziedly anticipated debut solo, called Harry Styles , was released yesterday.”

Read the full essay: Harry Styles versus Ed Sheeran at Belfast Telegraph

The Grinch: Three Versions Compared

Sample lines: “Based on the original story of the same name, this movie takes a completely different direction by choosing to break away from the cartoony form that Seuss had established by filming the movie in a live-action form. Whoville is preparing for Christmas while the Grinch looks down upon their celebrations in disgust. Like the previous film, The Grinch hatches a plan to ruin Christmas for the Who’s. … Like in the original Grinch, he disguises himself as Santa Claus, and makes his dog, Max, into a reindeer. He then takes all of the presents from the children and households. … Cole’s favorite is the 2000 edition, while Alex has only seen the original. Tell us which one is your favorite.”

Read the full essay: The Grinch: Three Versions Compared at Wooster School

Historical and Political Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Malcolm x vs. martin luther king jr.: comparison between two great leaders’ ideologies .

Sample lines: “Although they were fighting for civil rights at the same time, their ideology and way of fighting were completely distinctive. This can be for a plethora of reasons: background, upbringing, the system of thought, and vision. But keep in mind, they devoted their whole life to the same prospect. … Through boycotts and marches, [King] hoped to end racial segregation. He felt that the abolition of segregation would improve the likelihood of integration. Malcolm X, on the other hand, spearheaded a movement for black empowerment.”

Read the full essay: Malcolm X vs. Martin Luther King Jr.: Comparison Between Two Great Leaders’ Ideologies  at Melaninful

Contrast Between Obama and Trump Has Become Clear

Sample lines: “The contrast is even clearer when we look to the future. Trump promises more tax cuts, more military spending, more deficits and deeper cuts in programs for the vulnerable. He plans to nominate a coal lobbyist to head the Environmental Protection Agency. … Obama says America must move forward, and he praises progressive Democrats for advocating Medicare for all. … With Obama and then Trump, Americans have elected two diametrically opposed leaders leading into two very different directions.”

Read the full essay: Contrast Between Obama and Trump Has Become Clear at Chicago Sun-Times

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Lebron james vs. kobe bryant: a complete comparison.

Sample lines: “LeBron James has achieved so much in his career that he is seen by many as the greatest of all time, or at least the only player worthy of being mentioned in the GOAT conversation next to Michael Jordan. Bridging the gap between Jordan and LeBron though was Kobe Bryant, who often gets left out of comparisons and GOAT conversations. … Should his name be mentioned more though? Can he compare to LeBron or is The King too far past The Black Mamba in historical rankings already?”

Read the full essay: LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant: A Complete Comparison at Sportskeeda

NFL: Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning Rivalry Comparison

Sample lines: “Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were largely considered the best quarterbacks in the NFL for the majority of the time they spent in the league together, with the icons having many head-to-head clashes in the regular season and on the AFC side of the NFL Playoffs. Manning was the leader of the Indianapolis Colts of the AFC South. … Brady spent his career as the QB of the AFC East’s New England Patriots, before taking his talents to Tampa Bay. … The reality is that winning is the most important aspect of any career, and Brady won more head-to-head matchups than Manning did.”

Read the full essay: NFL: Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning Rivalry Comparison at Sportskeeda

The Greatest NBA Franchise Ever: Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers?

Sample lines: “The Celtics are universally considered as the greatest franchise in NBA history. But if you take a close look at the numbers, there isn’t really too much separation between them and their arch-rival Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, you can even make a good argument for the Lakers. … In 72 seasons played, the Boston Celtics have won a total of 3,314 games and lost 2,305 or a .590 winning mark. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 3,284 of 5,507 total games played or a slightly better winning record of .596. … But while the Lakers have the better winning percentage, the Celtics have the advantage over them in head-to-head competition.”

Read the full essay: The Greatest NBA Franchise Ever: Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers? at Sport One

Is Soccer Better Than Football?

Sample lines: “Is soccer better than football? Soccer and football lovers have numerous reasons to support their sport of choice. Both keep the players physically fit and help to bring people together for an exciting cause. However, soccer has drawn more numbers globally due to its popularity in more countries.”

Read the full essay: Is Soccer Better Than Football? at Sports Brief

Lifestyle Choices Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Mobile home vs. tiny house: similarities, differences, pros & cons.

Sample lines: “Choosing the tiny home lifestyle enables you to spend more time with those you love. The small living space ensures quality bonding time rather than hiding away in a room or behind a computer screen. … You’ll be able to connect closer to nature and find yourself able to travel the country at any given moment. On the other hand, we have the mobile home. … They are built on a chassis with transportation in mind. … They are not built to be moved on a constant basis. … While moving the home again *is* possible, it may cost you several thousand dollars.”

Read the full essay: Mobile Home vs. Tiny House: Similarities, Differences, Pros & Cons at US Mobile Home Pros

Whole Foods vs. Walmart: The Story of Two Grocery Stores

Sample lines: “It is clear that both stores have very different stories and aims when it comes to their customers. Whole Foods looks to provide organic, healthy, exotic, and niche products for an audience with a very particular taste. … Walmart, on the other hand, looks to provide the best deals, every possible product, and every big brand for a broader audience. … Moreover, they look to make buying affordable and accessible, and focus on the capitalist nature of buying.”

Read the full essay: Whole Foods vs. Walmart: The Story of Two Grocery Stores at The Archaeology of Us

Artificial Grass vs. Turf: The Real Differences Revealed

Sample lines: “The key difference between artificial grass and turf is their intended use. Artificial turf is largely intended to be used for sports, so it is shorter and tougher. On the other hand, artificial grass is generally longer, softer and more suited to landscaping purposes. Most homeowners would opt for artificial grass as a replacement for a lawn, for example. Some people actually prefer playing sports on artificial grass, too … artificial grass is often softer and more bouncy, giving it a feel similar to playing on a grassy lawn. … At the end of the day, which one you will choose will depend on your specific household and needs.”

Read the full essay: Artificial Grass vs. Turf: The Real Differences Revealed at Almost Grass

Minimalism vs. Maximalism: Differences, Similarities, and Use Cases

Sample lines: “Maximalists love shopping, especially finding unique pieces. They see it as a hobby—even a skill—and a way to express their personality. Minimalists don’t like shopping and see it as a waste of time and money. They’d instead use those resources to create memorable experiences. Maximalists desire one-of-a-kind possessions. Minimalists are happy with duplicates—for example, personal uniforms. … Minimalism and maximalism are about being intentional with your life and belongings. It’s about making choices based on what’s important to you.”

Read the full essay: Minimalism vs. Maximalism: Differences, Similarities, and Use Cases at Minimalist Vegan

Vegetarian vs. Meat Eating: Is It Better To Be a Vegetarian?

Sample lines: “You’ve heard buzz over the years that following a vegetarian diet is better for your health, and you’ve probably read a few magazine articles featuring a celeb or two who swore off meat and animal products and ‘magically’ lost weight. So does ditching meat automatically equal weight loss? Will it really help you live longer and be healthier overall? … Vegetarians appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure  and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than meat eaters. Vegetarians also tend to have a lower body mass index, lower overall cancer rates and lower risk of chronic disease. But if your vegetarian co-worker is noshing greasy veggie burgers and fries every day for lunch, is he likely to be healthier than you, who always orders the grilled salmon? Definitely not!”

Read the full essay: Vegetarian vs. Meat Eating: Is It Better To Be a Vegetarian? at WebMD

Healthcare Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Similarities and differences between the health systems in australia & usa.

Sample lines: “Australia and the United States are two very different countries. They are far away from each other, have contrasting fauna and flora, differ immensely by population, and have vastly different healthcare systems. The United States has a population of 331 million people, compared to Australia’s population of 25.5 million people.”

Read the full essay: Similarities and Differences Between the Health Systems in Australia & USA at Georgia State University

Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate

Sample lines: “Disadvantages of universal healthcare include significant upfront costs and logistical challenges. On the other hand, universal healthcare may lead to a healthier populace, and thus, in the long-term, help to mitigate the economic costs of an unhealthy nation. In particular, substantial health disparities exist in the United States, with low socio-economic status segments of the population subject to decreased access to quality healthcare and increased risk of non-communicable chronic conditions such as obesity and type II diabetes, among other determinants of poor health.”

Read the full essay: Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate at National Library of Medicine

Pros and Cons of Physician Aid in Dying

Sample lines: “Physician aid in dying is a controversial subject raising issues central to the role of physicians. … The two most common arguments in favor of legalizing AID are respect for patient autonomy and relief of suffering. A third, related, argument is that AID is a safe medical practice, requiring a health care professional. … Although opponents of AID offer many arguments ranging from pragmatic to philosophical, we focus here on concerns that the expansion of AID might cause additional, unintended harm through suicide contagion, slippery slope, and the deaths of patients suffering from depression.”

Read the full essay: Pros and Cons of Physician Aid in Dying at National Library of Medicine

Animals Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Compare and contrast paragraph—dogs and cats.

Sample lines: “Researchers have found that dogs have about twice the number of neurons in their cerebral cortexes than what cats have. Specifically, dogs had around 530 million neurons, whereas the domestic cat only had 250 million neurons. Moreover, dogs can be trained to learn and respond to our commands, but although your cat understands your name, and anticipates your every move, he/she may choose to ignore you.”

Read the full essay: Compare and Contrast Paragraph—Dogs and Cats at Proofwriting Guru via YouTube

Giddyup! The Differences Between Horses and Dogs

Sample lines: “Horses are prey animals with a deep herding instinct. They are highly sensitive to their environment, hyper aware, and ready to take flight if needed. Just like dogs, some horses are more confident than others, but just like dogs, all need a confident handler to teach them what to do. Some horses are highly reactive and can be spooked by the smallest things, as are dogs. … Another distinction between horses and dogs … was that while dogs have been domesticated , horses have been  tamed. … Both species have influenced our culture more than any other species on the planet.”

Read the full essay: Giddyup! The Differences Between Horses and Dogs at Positively Victoria Stilwell

Exotic, Domesticated, and Wild Pets

Sample lines: “Although the words ‘exotic’ and ‘wild’ are frequently used interchangeably, many people do not fully understand how these categories differ when it comes to pets. ‘A wild animal is an indigenous, non-domesticated animal, meaning that it is native to the country where you are located,’ Blue-McLendon explained. ‘For Texans, white-tailed deer, pronghorn sheep, raccoons, skunks, and bighorn sheep are wild animals … an exotic animal is one that is wild but is from a different continent than where you live.’ For example, a hedgehog in Texas would be considered an exotic animal, but in the hedgehog’s native country, it would be considered wildlife.”

Read the full essay: Exotic, Domesticated, and Wild Pets at Texas A&M University

Should Zoos Be Banned? Pros & Cons of Zoos

Sample lines: “The pros and cons of zoos often come from two very different points of view. From a legal standard, animals are often treated as property. That means they have less rights than humans, so a zoo seems like a positive place to maintain a high quality of life. For others, the forced enclosure of any animal feels like an unethical decision. … Zoos provide a protected environment for endangered animals, and also help in raising awareness and funding for wildlife initiatives and research projects. … Zoos are key for research. Being able to observe and study animals is crucial if we want to contribute to help them and repair the ecosystems. … Zoos are a typical form of family entertainment, but associating leisure and fun with the contemplation of animals in captivity can send the wrong signals to our children.”

Read the full essay: Should Zoos Be Banned? Pros & Cons of Zoos at EcoCation

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Plus, if you liked these compare and contrast essay examples check out intriguing compare and contrast essay topics for kids and teens ..

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The Compare/Contrast Essay

The compare/contrast essay – similarities and differences come to light.

Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay Think of the Compare/Contrast essay as a bridge between both the Personal Essay and the Issues (Research) Essay. To begin, we often compare and contrast things in our everyday lives—what gas station to go to, what to major in, which job is better, etc. Sometimes comparing and contrasting allows one the possibility of gauging which choice (or perhaps subject) is more advantageous to you personally, or perhaps might be more beneficial on a larger scale (like when a company decides which health plan will provide its employees with the best benefits). Your purpose in this essay is to evaluate a subject or subjects. In another sense, comparing and contrasting affords one the possibility of shedding light on an issue or conflict, and works by illustrating both sides of the subject (or perhaps debate). If you wanted to provide an objective take on the current economic climate of the US, you might provide data (or facts) from both before and after the economic downturn of late. This would be considered a more informative approach here. While the latter is common, your essay should focus more on the former, where you will take a stance and make a judgment on the subject(s) at hand. This being the case then, your Compare/Contrast Essay should present both your perspective in relation to the subject(s) and provide evidence via a progression of logical arguments to support your claims. Compare/Contrast

• Involves juxtaposition → putting things (subjects/parts) side by side
• Illustrates the similarities/differences of a subject or subjects
• Might also illustrate the advantages/disadvantages of subject(s)
• Helps you organize information in arriving at a choice/decision/outcome
• Often used when someone makes a decision or has to choose
• Subjects must be similar enough, or could be various parts of a larger subject
• You should figure out the factors involved before writing
• Depending on the subject, some research may be necessary
• Common ways we compare/contrast →  analogies → metaphors & similes
• Commonly used words or phrases to suggest similarities/comparisons: like, as, also, in a like manner, similarly, likewise, in addition
• Commonly used words or phrases to suggest differences/contrasts: but, in contrast to, unlike, whereas, on one hand, however, on the other hand
• Conclusion should reveal your ultimate choice/decision/outcome

Two common ways of organizing a Compare/Contrast Essay:

Factor-by-Factor or Subject-by-Subject

(will likely be influenced by purpose and audience) Factor-by-Factor (or Point-by-Point):

a) Subject A

b) Subject B

c) Subject C

2. Factor 2

3. Factor 3

Subject-by-Subject (or One-Side-at-a-Time):

A) Subject A

1. Factor 1

B) Subject B

C) Subject C

For more in-depth notes, a sample essay, and a helpful video for this rhetorical mode, please click here for  compare and contrast .

• The Compare/Contrast Essay - Similarities and Differences Come to Light. Authored by : Jason Brown. Provided by : Herkimer College. Project : AtD OER Course. License : CC BY: Attribution

How to Write a Comparison Essay

• Introduction
• Essay Outline
• Expressions For Comparison Essays
• Sample Comparison 1
• Sample Comparison 2
• Guides & Handouts Home
• Writing Centre Home

A comparison essay compares and contrasts two things. That is, it points out the similarities and differences (mostly focusing on the differences) of those two things. The two things usually belong to the same class (ex. two cities, two politicians, two sports, etc.). Relatively equal attention is given to the two subjects being compared. The essay may treat the two things objectively and impartially. Or it may be partial, favoring one thing over the other (ex. "American football is a sissy's game compared to rugby").

The important thing in any comparison essay is that the criteria for comparison should remain the same; that is,  the same attributes should be compared . For example, if you are comparing an electric bulb lamp with a gas lamp, compare them both according to their physical characteristics, their history of development, and their operation.

Narrow Your Focus (in this essay, as in any essay). For example, if you compare two religions, focus on  one  particular aspect which you can discuss in depth and detail, e.g., sin in Buddhism vs. sin in Christianity, or salvation in two religions. Or if your topic is political, you might compare the Conservative attitude to old growth logging vs. the Green Party's attitude to old growth logging, or the Conservative attitude to the Persian Gulf War vs. the NDP attitude to the same war.

Each paragraph should deal with only  one idea  and deal with it  thoroughly . Give  adequate explanation  and  specific examples  to support each idea. The first paragraph introduces the topic, captures the reader's attention, and provides a definite summary of the essay. It may be wise to end the first paragraph with a thesis statement that summarizes the main points of difference (or similarity). For example, "Submarines and warships differ not only in construction, but in their style of weapons and method of attack." This gives the reader a brief outline of your essay, allowing him to anticipate what's to come. Each middle paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main idea of that paragraph (ex. "The musical styles of Van Halen and Steely Dan are as differing in texture as are broken glass and clear water"). An opening sentence like this that uses a  metaphor  or  simile  not only summarizes the paragraph but captures the reader's attention, making him want to read on. Avoid a topic sentence that is too dull and too broad (ex. "There are many differences in the musical styles of Van Halen and Steely Dan").

VARY THE STRUCTURE

The  structure  of the comparison essay may vary. You may use  simultaneous comparison structure  in which the two things are compared together, feature by feature, point by point. For example, "The electric light bulb lasts 80 hours, while the gas lamp lasts only 20 hours . . . ." Or as in this example (comparing two American presidents):

Consider how perfectly Harding met the requirements for president. Wilson was a visionary who liked to identify himself with "forward-looking men"; Harding was as old-fashioned as those wooden Indians which used to stand in front of cigar stores, "a flower of the period before safety razors." Harding believed that statemanship had come to its apogee in the days of McKinley and Foraker. Wilson was cold. Harding was an affable small-town man, at ease with "folks"; he was an ideal companion to play poker with all Saturday night. Wilson had always been difficult of access; Harding was accessible to the last degree. etc.

Don't use simultaneous structure all the way through the essay, however. It becomes monotonous. Use it sparingly. For most of the essay, use  parallel order structure .

In  parallel order structure  you compare the two things separately but take up the same points in the same order. For example, you may spend half a paragraph on "thing A" and the other half of the paragraph on the corresponding characteristics of "thing B." Or, if you have enough material, devote one paragraph to the physical characteristics of an electric bulb lamp, and the next paragraph to the physical characteristics of the gas lamp.

Or say everything there is to say about the electric bulb lamp (its physical characteristics, history of development and operation), followed by everything there is to say about the gas lamp.

For the sake of variety  you may switch to simultaneous comparison at one point  in the essay, and then switch back to parallel order structure for the rest of the essay. In fact, there are many ways to structure a comparison essay; use whichever organization works best for your particular paper. Here are a few sample organizational methods. "A" stands for "thing A" (ex. electric lamp) and "B" stands for "thing B" (ex. gas lamp). Each number (1,2,3, etc.) stands for a different aspect of that thing (ex. physical characteristics, operation, history of development).

• Next: Essay Outline >>
• Last Updated: Aug 19, 2019 3:34 PM
• URL: https://langara.libguides.com/writing-centre/comparison-essay

Reading Skills

Central theme: comparing and contrasting texts.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: December 27, 2023

What We Review

What is a Central Theme?

In any story, book, or literary piece, the central theme is like the big idea or lesson that everyone can relate to. Think of it as the main message that the author wants to share with the world. Even though a single book might have a bunch of different themes, there’s usually one big idea that stands out. And guess what? Different stories can talk about the same big idea in their own unique ways.

This post is all about how to spot these big ideas in stories. We’ll guide you through picking texts that have similar themes, show you how to figure out what the main theme of a story is, and teach you how to compare different stories based on how they handle these big themes.

Choosing texts for comparison

When you’re ready to compare themes across different stories, picking the right texts is super important. Here’s what to think about:

• Pick Age-Appropriate Texts: Choose stories that are just right for your age and reading level. You want something that challenges you a bit but isn’t too tough to understand. Plus, the content should be something you can relate to and is suitable for your age group.
• Consider Your Time Frame: How much time do you have for this lesson or project? If you’ve only got a short period, you might want to choose a novel and a short story or poem. But if you have more time, like a whole semester, you can dive into multiple books and stories that explore the same theme. This way, you can get a broad view of how different texts handle similar big ideas.

Remember, the goal is to find texts that will be interesting and engaging for you while also giving you enough material to compare and contrast how they approach the same themes.

For example, in Shakespeare’s  Romeo and Juliet , the theme of revenge is prominent. The Montagues and Capulets have been exacting vengeance on the rival family for decades. Additionally, in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” the antagonist, Montresor, exacts revenge on Fortunato for disrespecting his family name.

Even though both texts address the theme of revenge, the message or central idea that results from the depiction of this theme is vastly different. In  Romeo and Juliet , Shakespeare warns readers against avenging their enemies as it only results in pain and unnecessary deaths. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor successfully traps and takes vengeance on Fortunato and is seemingly never caught. The central idea in this text is not a warning against taking vengeance; rather, it is a warning against drinking excessively and finding yourself in dangerous situations. Revenge is still bad in both stories, but it is not the central idea or message that the author wants to convey to their readers. 

Understanding the theme of a text

To really get what a story’s theme is all about, you’ve got to dig deep. Here’s how you can do it:

• Multiple Close-Reads: Start by reading the text a few times. Each read lets you peel back another layer of the story.
• First Reading – Get the Basics: In your first read, just try to understand the story on a basic level. What happens? Who are the main characters?
• Second Reading – Notice Patterns and Structure: Now, read it again, but this time focus on the plot’s structure and any patterns you notice. This could be repeating ideas or actions that seem to pop up a lot.
• Third Reading – Find the Theme: On your third read, it’s time to connect the dots. How do these patterns and the plot relate to real life or bigger ideas? This is where you’ll start to see the theme emerge.

Take “Romeo and Juliet” for example. Throughout the play, there’s constant fighting between the Montagues and Capulets. Our main characters, Romeo and Juliet, try to stop this fighting with their love, but it only leads to more trouble and, eventually, their tragic deaths. After losing their children, both families decide to end their feud. While reading, you might notice themes like violence, revenge, love, and hate. By the end, the play shows us a powerful message: revenge only leads to more pain and loss.

Comparing texts on similar themes

When you’re looking at different stories that share similar themes, it’s like being a detective finding connections and differences. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it easier:

• Know the Stories Well: First, ensure you really understand both stories. What’s happening in them? Who are the main characters?
• Using a T-Chart: On one side, write down the similarities between the stories. For instance, if you’re comparing “Romeo and Juliet” with “The Cask of Amontillado,” you might note that both involve themes of hatred, murder, and revenge. On the other side, jot down the differences. For example, “Romeo and Juliet” is a tragic love story, whereas “The Cask of Amontillado” is all about revenge without any romantic angle.
• Using a Venn Diagram: This is like two circles that overlap. Put details unique to “Romeo and Juliet” in one circle and details unique to “The Cask of Amontillado” in the other. Where the circles overlap, write down what they have in common.
• Analyze the Findings: Think about what these similarities and differences tell you about how each story deals with the theme. In “Romeo and Juliet,” the feud’s cause is unclear, and it ends with the families vowing peace. But in “The Cask of Amontillado,” the motive for revenge is a personal insult, and the story ends with the narrator feeling triumphant about his secret revenge.

By doing this, you’re not just understanding each story better but also getting how different authors can handle similar themes in their own unique ways. It’s like looking at the same picture through different lenses!

The big takeaway here is that the central theme of a story is its main message, idea, or lesson. When you do a close reading of a story, you get to uncover these themes and really grasp what the author is trying to say.

But here’s where it gets even more interesting: many stories might share the same big themes. That’s why it’s super cool to compare different stories and see how each one deals with these themes in its own way. Whether you use a T-Chart or a Venn Diagram, analyzing stories side by side can show you a lot about how different authors play around with the same ideas.

Why does this matter? Well, once you get good at spotting themes and seeing how they show up in different stories, you’ll be able to understand new texts on a much deeper level. You’ll see not just what the stories are about but how they’re talking about bigger ideas that many authors are interested in. And that’s a skill that can really make reading more fun and meaningful. So, next time you pick up a book, think about its themes and how they might connect with other stories you’ve read. Happy reading!

Practice Makes Perfect

In addition to the recommended activities above, Albert provides a wide range of texts for students to analyze and interpret. For emerging readers, check out our Short Readings course, which uses short passages to reinforce fundamental reading skills. Readers at all ability levels may enjoy our Leveled Readings course. It offers Lexile® leveled passages focused on a unifying essential question. This allows you to keep all students on the same page regardless of reading level. Learn more about the Lexile Framework here !

For authentic practice, check out our Essential Readings in Literature course. This course provides an overview of the core texts that American students often read in English class. Each text is broken down by skill, ensuring that students approach their reading from every angle.

With our easy-to-use interface and informative feedback, Albert.io is the perfect tool for reinforcing close reading skills .

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Writing A Compare/Contrast Paper

TIP Sheet WRITING A COMPARE/CONTRAST PAPER

A compare and contrast essay examines two or more topics (objects, people, or ideas, for example), comparing their similarities and contrasting their differences. You may choose to focus exclusively on comparing, exclusively on contrasting, or on both-or your instructor may direct you to do one or both.

First, pick useable subjects and list their characteristics. In fact, their individual characteristics determine whether the subjects are useable. After that, choose a parallel pattern of organization and effective transitions to set your paper above the merely average.

1. Picking a subject Focus on things that can obviously be compared or contrasted. For instance, if you are examining an idea (political or philosophical) examine the opposite of that idea. Or, if you are examining a person, like a president, pick another president for comparison or contrast. Don't try to compare a president and a cab driver, or existentialism and a legislative bill on car tax refunds.

2. Listing characteristics Divide a piece of paper into two sides. One side is for the first subject, the other for the second subject. Then, begin to list the similarities and differences that immediately come to mind. Concentrate on characteristics that either are shared or are opposing between the two subjects. Alternately, you may construct a Venn diagram of intersecting circles, listing the subjects' differences to either side and their similarities where the circles intersect. Keep in mind that for a balanced paper, you want to make point-by-point, parallel comparisons (or contrasts).

Similarities between my math and English instructors: Both are welcoming and available to students. Both are organized and keep a neat office. Both are knowledgeable and professional.

Differences between my math and English instructors Math teacher listens to classic rock.         English teacher listens to jazz. Math teacher drinks Earl Grey tea.           English teacher drinks strong black coffee. Math teacher likes to chat about movies.  English teacher sticks to business.

As you create your list, is it clear why you are comparing and contrasting these two subjects? Do you have a preference for one or the other? If so, make sure you are evaluating each side fairly. A point-by-point list helps you maintain balance.

Once you have a list, decide whether there are more similarities or differences between the topics. If there are more similarities, concentrate your paper on comparing. If there are more differences (or if, as in the example above, the differences are simply more interesting), concentrate on contrasting. If there is a balance of similarities and differences, you might concentrate on discussing this balance.

3. Organizing There are at least two ways to organize a compare/contrast essay. Imagine you are examining Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant, both Civil War generals. In your list you have uncovered important points of dissimilarity between them. Those points are their background, personalities, and underlying aspirations. (Call these three points A, B, and C.) You have decided to contrast the two subjects.

Here is one way to organize the body of this paper, addressing points A, B, and C for each subject. This paper will follow parallel order–A, B, and then C–for each subject:

A. Lee's background B. Lee's personality C. Lee's underlying aspirations

A. Grant's background B. Grant's personality C. Grant's underlying aspirations

However, here is another way to organize the same paper:

A. Lee's background A. Grant's background

B. Lee's personality B. Grant's personality

C. Lee's underlying aspiration C. Grant's underlying aspiration

For a shorter paper, the above might represent three paragraphs; if you are writing a long paper and have a great deal of information, you may choose to write about each point, A, B, and C, in separate paragraphs for a total of six. However you decide to organize, make sure it is clear why you are examining this subject. You might be able to compare apples and oranges, for example, but why would you? Include any insights or opinions you have gathered. And yes, in general, three is the magic number. While there is no hard-and-fast rule that precludes creating a paper based on two points, or four, or five, a three-point discussion is manageable, especially for complex or abstract subjects. At the same time, a three-point structure helps you avoid oversimplifying, especially when addressing controversial topics in which discussions tend to become polarized–right or wrong, black or white, for or against. Three-point treatments encourage discussion of the middle ground.

4. Signaling transitions Learn to use expressions that precisely convey contrast or comparison. These expressions, or transitions, signal contrast:

on the contrary on the other hand however otherwise whereas still yet

These expressions signal comparison:

as well as both like in common with likewise also

Signal words such as these help the reader understand the relationships between your sentences, paragraphs, and ideas. In particular, if you are both comparing and contrasting, signal words help sort out what's what. Second only to effective organization, effective use of these expressions will go a long way toward helping produce a good compare/contrast paper.

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How to Write Comparative Essays in Literature

Soheila battaglia, 26 sep 2017.

A comparative literature essay compares two texts -- examining their differences and similarities -- while making a single overall point about the texts, authors or world in general. The goal of the essay is not to summarize the texts; rather it involves thinking critically about themes, characters, plot, setting and literary devices to draw broader conclusions.

Explore this article

• Write a Thesis Statement
• Use Quotations as Evidence

1 Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement gives your essay a focus. It should address both texts but not act as a summary of either one. Instead, your thesis statement should make a specific point about the correlation between the two texts. One effective foundation for a thesis statement in a comparative literature essay is a literary theme. If the stories share a particular theme, you can make a point about the similarities or differences in how the themes are manifested. Other grounds for comparison include plot, point-of-view, character background, character actions, character motivations, setting and author's message.

Organization is particularly crucial in a comparative essay. Whether you choose the "text-by-text" structure or the "point-by-point" structure, you should create an outline of the essay structure before you write. For example, if you are writing an essay comparing how the theme of madness is manifested in "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe, you must plan the order of the content to make certain you are presenting a balanced analysis of both texts, rather than focusing more heavily on one.

The comparison of the two texts is made through analysis, in which you examine aspects of the story including literary devices such as flashback, foreshadowing, metaphor, simile and personification. The analysis asks how and why the two pieces of literature are similar and different, and what those similarities and differences express about the texts and about life in general. Analysis requires your interpretation of the texts as well as your reflections on society, morals, history and human nature.

4 Use Quotations as Evidence

In a literature essay, you must provide evidence from both texts, in the form of direct quotations, to support your comparisons. Every quotation in your essay must be properly cited. Whether your instructor requires MLA or APA style, you must note the author and exact page number for each extract that you include. The evidence must directly support the point you are making in the paragraph, as well as the thesis statement of the essay.

• 1 University of Toronto: The Comparative Essay
• 2 Northern Virginia Community College: How to Write a Literary Comparison

About the Author

Soheila Battaglia is a published and award-winning author and filmmaker. She holds an MA in literary cultures from New York University and a BA in ethnic studies from UC Berkeley. She is a college professor of literature and composition.

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4.1: Introduction to Comparison and Contrast Essay

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The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. Comparison and contrast is simply telling how two things are alike or different. The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both. The thesis should focus on comparing, contrasting, or both.

Key Elements of the Compare and Contrast:

• 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, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.
• 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 signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.

Objectives: By the end of this unit, you will be able to

• Identify compare & contrast relationships in model essays
• Construct clearly formulated thesis statements that show compare & contrast relationships
• Use pre-writing techniques to brainstorm and organize ideas showing a comparison and/or contrast
• Construct an outline for a five-paragraph compare & contrast essay
• Write a five-paragraph compare & contrast essay
• Use a variety of vocabulary and language structures that express compare & contrast essay relationships

Example Thesis: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Sample Paragraph:

Organic grown tomatoes purchased at the farmers’ market are very different from tomatoes that are grown conventionally. To begin with, although tomatoes from both sources will mostly be red, the tomatoes at the farmers’ market are a brighter red than those at a grocery store. That doesn’t mean they are shinier—in fact, grocery store tomatoes are often shinier since they have been waxed. You are likely to see great size variation in tomatoes at the farmers’ market, with tomatoes ranging from only a couple of inches across to eight inches across. By contrast, the tomatoes in a grocery store will be fairly uniform in size. All the visual differences are interesting, but the most important difference is the taste. The farmers’ market tomatoes will be bursting with flavor from ripening on the vine in their own time. However, the grocery store tomatoes are often close to being flavorless. In conclusion, the differences in organic and conventionally grown tomatoes are obvious in color, size and taste.

Compare and Contrast Similar Themes Across Time Periods (English II Reading)

Introduction.

Source: Love hear, MLBPROD, Open clip art library

Although the  genres  of fiction, poetry, drama, and literary nonfiction are different, all writing within these genres has  themes . Each theme is not merely the topic of the writing but is a truth the author wants the reader to understand. For example, love is a topic commonly explored by writers.

Source: romeo_juliet_0400_filtered, Daniel_dimarco, Flickr

To read a play like Shakespeare’s  Romeo and Juliet  and to say its theme is “love” is to miss the point that Shakespeare is trying to make about love. Romeo's and Juliet’s families despise each other and forbid the teens’ love. This forbidden love ultimately leads to the deaths of the young lovers. Shakespeare wants us to understand that love is more than an emotion; it is a force that can cause violence and destruction.

Understanding Theme

Source: Anneboleyn2, Wikimedia

If theme is a way of seeing the world through the author’s eyes, then as we read works by different authors that tackle the same theme, we will see their differing viewpoints about the same topic.

Let’s take a look at an example. The lines below are from the poem “O Death, Rock Me Asleep” attributed to Anne Boleyn. It was presumably written while she waited for her execution in 1536.

Farewell, my pleasures past, Welcome, my present pain! I feel my torments so increase That life cannot remain.

The theme of this poem is that death is a welcome relief from the torments of life.

Source: Dylan Thomas photo, Wikipedia

Now, read this stanza from “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” written by Dylan Thomas in 1951 for his dying father.

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

How might you figure out the theme of this poem? You can start by asking questions such as the ones that follow. Even if you can’t answer all of the questions about a work, it’s good to keep them in mind.

• What does the work’s title reveal about the theme?
• What is the  context  of the work?
• What is the work’s topic?
• What is the work’s  tone ?
• What lines or words catch your attention?
• What is the  point of view ?
• What lesson does the narrator or speaker learn?
• What is the conflict?
• What  motifs  or symbols are used?
• What  figurative language  is used?

You can find the elements mentioned in the questions above in different types of texts, including fiction, poetry, drama, and even nonfiction. Let’s use the excerpt from the Thomas poem above to see how asking questions might work.

• Title:  We know from reading the stanza that “good night” might mean death, and to “not go gentle” might mean to not go willingly or to not go without a fight.
• Context:  We know from the lesson that the speaker wrote this for his dying father.
• Topic:  Death and how we approach it is the topic.
• Tone:  The tone could be anger at the circumstances because the speaker uses words like “rage,” “burn,” and “rave.”
• Lines that grab your attention:  “Rage, rage against the dying of the light” grabs our attention because it suggests that a person should fight against death.
• Point of view:  The poem is written from the son's point of view about how he regards his father’s dying.
• Lessons learned:  We don’t have enough of the poem to be able to answer this question.
• Conflict:  We can say the conflict is man against nature or death.
• Motifs or symbols:  “Old age” that “burn[s] and rave[s]” could be a central idea or motif and might represent an attitude that the speaker wishes older people would take toward dying.
• Figurative language:  “[L]ight” might be a metaphor for life just as the “good night” is a metaphor for death.

Source: Buzz Lightyear Parking Area at Disneyland Resort, tom.arthur, Flickr

Comparing Themes

Source: Ellis island 1902, Wikimedia

The immigrant experience is a topic that has been written about extensively in many genres and time periods. Today, the conversation about immigration is mostly focused on undocumented immigrants, specifically the effects of immigrants on our society and resources.

In the late 1800s, the conversation about immigration focused mainly on immigrants from European countries such as Ireland, Germany, Russia, and Italy. Let’s take a look at some texts about immigration from that time and identify their themes.

Source: Statue of Annie Moore and her brothers, Cobh, Ireland, Juan Antonio Flores Segal, Flickr

The first work is an excerpt from the short story “How I Found America” written by Anzia Yezierska in 1920. This is the story of a young Russian Jewish girl who comes to America to escape poverty and the oppression of the Cossacks, who won’t allow her to go to school because she is Jewish. Her family settles in New York City, and even though they no longer live in a mud hut or have to fear being hurt because of their religion, the narrator misses the open fields and sunshine of her homeland.

In New York, she works as a seamstress in a sweatshop until she is fired for confronting the boss about cutting the wages. On her way home from the sweatshop, she is hit by a car and ends up in the hospital. At the hospital, she has a dream of learning in an  idyllic  school. Her friend Yetta visits and tells her about the School for Immigrant Girls. She immediately goes to the school when she’s released from the hospital. At the school, Anzia meets Mrs. Olney, who suggests she learn a trade and become a servant. The following passage occurs after Anzia tells Mrs. Olney she doesn't want to be a servant.

Mrs. Olney stood abashed a moment. “Well, my dear,” she said deliberately, “what would you like to take up?”

“I got ideas how to make America better, only I don’t know how to say it out. Ain’t there a place I can learn?”

A startled woman stared at me. For a moment not a word came. Then she proceeded with the same kind smile. “It’s nice of you to want to help America, but I think the best way would be for you to learn a trade. That’s what this school is for, to help girls find themselves, and the best way to do is to learn something useful.”

“Ain’t thoughts useful? Does America want only the work from my body, my hands? Ain’t it thoughts that turn over the world?”

“Ah! But we don’t want to turn over the world.” Her voice cooled. “My child, thought requires leisure. The time will come for that. First you must learn to earn a good living.”

“Did I come to America for a living?”

“What did you come for?”

“I came to give out all the fine things that was choked in me in Russia. I came to help America make the new world. . . . They said, in America I could open up my heart and fly free in the air—to sing—to dance—to live—to love . . . Here I got all those grand things in me, and America won’t let me give nothing.”

The narrator then goes home to find her family evicted because of the wages she lost when she was in the hospital. Defeated, she goes back to the sweatshop to work. However, things begin to change at the shop. The shop gets electricity, and the workers get raises. She can finish her work with enough time to go to night school, but eventually she feels that night school isn’t helping her find the America she imagined either. Her young sister comes home from school one day, excited about a teacher who encourages her to express her opinions. The narrator goes to visit the teacher, hoping that she, too, will be inspired.

“I’m an immigrant many years already here, but I’m still seeking America. My dream America is more far from me than it was in the old country. Always something comes between the immigrant and the American,” I went on blindly. “They see only his skin, his outside—not what’s in his heart. They don’t care if he has a heart. . . . I wanted to find someone that would look on me—myself . . . I thought you’d know yourself on a person first off.”

The teacher encourages the narrator to share her story so that the teacher can better understand the situations of her immigrant students. The teacher also reads to the narrator from  Our America  by Waldo Frank.

All the way home the words she read flamed before me: “We go forth all to seek America. And in the seeking we create her. In the quality of our search shall be the nature of the America that we create. . . .”

So all those lonely years of seeking and praying were not in vain! How glad I was that I had not stopped at the husk—a good job—a good living—but pressed on, through the barriers of materialism.

Through my inarticulate groping and reaching-out I had found the soul—the spirit—of America!

Now, complete this  graphic organizer  about this story. You can download, save, and print this file. When you are finished with it, return to the lesson.  Graphic Organizer Instructions

Read the short poem “Pot O’ Gold” by Kathryn Fitzgerald. This is a contemporary poem written by the grandchild of immigrants. After reading the poem, open a  graphic organizer . You can download, save, and print this file. When you are finished with it, go to the next section in this lesson.  Graphic Organizer Instructions

Pot O’ Gold

Kathryn fitzgerald.

We came here in search of food across a tumultuous sea We came here for a life that’s good; We'd have stayed home if we could

Máthair cried after we arrived Each day in the filth she would toil Athair’d search each day for a wage that was good to buy food, to buy shoes, to buy wood

They fought long and hard, became loyal and true To forge a life from something brand new This immigrants legacy would be seen through

Pulsing through my heart is emerald blood My grandfather's father’s will, in me They came here for a life that’s good I stay here because I could.

Contrasting Themes

Source: DSC_5793, City of Bellevue, WA, Flickr

When you compare themes in two different texts, you look for similarities and differences in how the themes are portrayed. When you contrast themes, you look for differences. Although two texts might contain the themes of coming to America and looking for respect, there will be both similarities and differences in how these themes are portrayed in each text.

In the previous section, you read texts that dealt with the experience of Russian and Irish immigrants. One of the experiences occurred more than a century ago. Think about current immigration. How has the immigrant experience differed during different time periods?

Source: Jose Antonio Vargas, The Opportunity Agenda, Flickr

To compare and contrast the previous excerpts you read with a contemporary perspective, read an excerpt from a 2011 article “My Life as An Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas. Before you read, you’ll need some context for the purposes of analyzing the theme of this excerpt and comparing and contrasting it to the themes of the short story and poem from the previous section. At the turn of the twentieth century, immigrating legally to the United States was relatively easy, provided you could get here. As the numbers of immigrants increased, quotas based on national origin were implemented, and it became increasingly difficult to immigrate to the United States. By the time Jose Antonio Vargas came here, legal immigration was tightly controlled.

Open this  graphic organizer  to read an excerpt from Vargas’s article.  Graphic Organizer Instructions

Compare and contrast the theme from “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” to the theme of “How I Found America.”

How are they similar? How are they different?

When you’re finished writing your answer, check your understanding to see a possible response.

Understanding how different texts may have similar topics but different themes can be difficult, but knowing how to use a few easy reading strategies and graphic organizers makes comparing and contrasting themes easy, even when you read challenging texts.

Resources Used in This Lesson: Bibliography

Boleyn, Anne. “ O Death, Rock Me Asleep .” Poetry Archive. http://www.poetry-archive.com/b/ o_death_rock_me_asleep.html.

Fitzgerald, Kathryn. “ Pot O’ Gold .” Immigrant City: Chicago. Jane Addams Hull Museum, University of Illinois at Chicago. http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/immigrantcitychicago/poems/ fitzgerald_potogold.html. †

Thomas, Dylan. “ Do not go gentle into that good night .” Poets.org. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/ 15377#sthash.IZPzmEAB.dpuf.

Vargas, Jose Antonio. “ My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant . ”   New York Times , June 22, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html ?pagewanted=all.

Yezierska, Anzia. “ How I Found America .”  Hungry Hearts . Project Gutenberg. October 30, 2012. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41232/41232-h/41232-h.htm#Page_250.

† Republished with permission from author

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Exploring Common Themes in Compare-and-Contrast Essay Writing

When you sit down to write a compare-and-contrast essay, you embark on a journey of discovery. you are not just comparing two things; you are diving into the depths of their common themes. When writing a compare-and-contrast essay about a common theme, the writer must look for similarities and differences between two subjects that share something special. Imagine this process like exploring two sides of a colorful coin.

In this blog, we will take you through the ins and outs of exploring common themes in compare-and-contrast essay writing , making this seemingly complex task a simple essay that you enjoy writing.

Table of Contents

What Is a Compare-And-Contrast Essay?

A “compare and contrast” essay is when you look at two things and talk about how they are similar and different. In this type of essay, you talk about the things you are comparing, which could be almost anything – like two books, two animals, or two countries. Then you say how they are similar like maybe both animals have fur, but one is big and the other is small. After that, you say how they are different, such as one book is about adventure, while the other is about mystery.

So, in a compare and contrast essay, you take two things, find what is the same and what is not, and then talk about it in your essay.

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?

When writing a compare-and-contrast essay about a common theme, the writer must know what steps should he consider in the process of writing. Let’s break these steps down for you;

Step 1: Pick Your Subjects

First, you choose two things to compare. These could be anything – like two movies, two books, or two animals. Let’s say you pick two movies, two books, or two articles to analyze.

Step 2: Find Similarities

Now, think about what is similar between the two movies. Maybe both movies have heroes who solve problems, or both books have similar settings of time. Write down these similarities. It is like making a list of things they have in common.

Step 3: Point Out Differences

Next, think about what is different between the movies. Perhaps one is full of action scenes, while the other has lots of mysterious twists. Write down these differences. it is like making a list of things that set them apart.

Step 4: Make a Plan

Before writing, make a simple plan. You can use paper or just keep it in your head. Decide what order you will talk about the similarities and differences.

Step 5: Introduction

Start your essay with an introduction. it is like saying hello to your readers. Mention the two movies you will be comparing and give a little background.

Step 6: Similarities Paragraph

In the first paragraph, talk about the similarities. Remember that list you made? Pick a few important ones and explain them. For example, you could say both movies have strong main characters who fight for justice.

Step 7: Differences Paragraph

In the next paragraph, talk about the differences. Pick a few of those differences you listed and explain them. For instance, you could mention that one movie is full of exciting explosions, while the other is all about solving tricky mysteries.

Step 8: Tie it Together

Now, in another paragraph, bring it all together. Summarize what you have talked about. You can say something like, “Even though these movies are different in some ways, they both have heroes who save the day.”

Step 9: Conclusion

Finish your essay with a conclusion. It is like saying goodbye to your readers. Wrap up your ideas and maybe add a final thought, like how both types of movies can be exciting in their own special ways.

Step 10: Check and Polish

Read your essay again to make sure it sounds good. Check for any mistakes and fix them. It is like making sure your room is tidy before your friend comes over.

And there you have it – your compare and contrast essay! Remember, it is all about showing how things are alike and different. Just like how you might talk about two friends who are unique in their own ways but still make a great team.

Why Do Common Themes Matter?

Common themes matter a lot in a compare-and-contrast essay. they are like the secret code that unlocks the deeper meaning between the two things you are comparing. Here is why common themes matter.

• Revealing Similarities: Common themes show you that even though two things seem different, they actually share important ideas. This helps you understand the subjects better.
• Adding Depth: It’s like adding more layers to a story. Common themes give your essay depth and make it more interesting to read.
• Connecting the Dots: Imagine you have two puzzles. They might look different, but if you find pieces that fit in both, you see how they relate to one another. Common themes connect the dots between your subjects.
• Showing Relationships: Common themes tell you how two things relate to each other. It’s like finding out your two friends are cousins – it changes the way you see them.
• Highlighting Insights: When you point out common themes, it helps you share your insights with your readers.

Let’s say you are comparing two movies: one about superheroes and the other about regular people. Even though they are different, you notice they both talk about courage and helping others. That’s a common theme! By talking about this theme, you are showing how these two movies share an important idea, even though they are not exactly the same.

Common themes in a compare-and-contrast essay are like the glue that holds two things together. They give your essay a deeper meaning and help you show how two seemingly different things are more connected than you might think. So, next time you or your essay writing service are writing a compare-and-contrast essay, keep an eye out for those common themes – they are the key to unlocking a whole new level of understanding!

What Should Writers Take Care of When Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay?

Here are what writers should keep in mind when writing a compare-and-contrast essay, using simple language:

• Choose Clear Subjects: Pick two things that you want to compare. It could be anything, like two books, two animals, or two movies. Make sure they have enough in common and differences to talk about.
• Focus on a Specific Angle: Decide on a specific angle or theme you want to compare. It could be their characters, themes, or settings. This helps you stay organized.
• Make Lists of Similarities and Differences: Before writing, make lists of things that are the same and things that are different between the subjects. This will help you organize your ideas.
• Create a Simple Structure: Divide your essay into parts. Start with an introduction, then have separate paragraphs for similarities and differences, and end with a conclusion.
• Use Clear Examples: When you talk about similarities or differences, give clear examples from the subjects you are comparing. This helps your readers understand better.
• Explain Why It Matters: Don’t just list similarities and differences, explain why they are important or interesting. This gives your essay more depth.
• Use Simple Language: Write in a way that your friend could easily understand. Avoid using fancy words or complicated sentences.
• Check Your Facts: If you are using facts, make sure they are accurate. You don’t want to accidentally give the wrong information.
• Proofread and Edit: After writing, read your essay again. Look for mistakes in grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. Fix them to make your essay clearer.
• Get Feedback: If possible, ask a friend or family member to read your essay and give you feedback. They might catch things you missed.
• Be Original: While you are comparing and contrasting, bring your own ideas and thoughts to the essay. This makes it unique and interesting to read.
• Avoid Overloading with Details: Don’t overwhelm your essay with too many similarities and differences. Pick the most important ones to discuss.
• Wrap Up Thoughtfully: In your conclusion, summarize the key points you discussed and maybe offer a final thought about what you have learned from comparing and contrasting these subjects.

Remember, the goal is to help your readers see the similarities and differences clearly and understand why they matter.

Why Is a Compare-And-Contrast Essay Important in Academics?

A compare-and-contrast essay is important in school because it helps you learn and think in a clever way. Let me break it down for you:

• Thinking Skills: When you write this kind of essay, you look at two things closely, find clues about how they are the same and different, and then talk about it. This makes your brain work better and smarter.
• Understanding: It is like when you are deciding what to wear. You look at your options, see what is similar and what is different, and then pick what suits you best. In school, you do this with ideas or topics. You understand them more deeply by comparing and contrasting them.
• Learning : In school, you compare ideas or things to find out their special qualities. This helps you learn more.
• Exploring Details: Just like when you are exploring a new place, a compare-and-contrast essay lets you explore the details of two things. You notice things you might not have seen before.
• Problem-Solving: When you write this essay, you are solving the puzzle of how two things are connected or different.
• Communication: When you talk about the similarities and differences, you are practicing how to explain ideas clearly to others. This is super important because, in school and life, good communication helps you share your thoughts better.
• Analyzing: This means looking closely at something. When you compare and contrast, you are analyzing. It is like when you are checking a map to see the shortest way to your friend’s house. In academics, you analyze information to make sense of it.
• Writing Skills: Writing this kind of essay makes your writing skills stronger. You learn how to organize your thoughts and present them neatly.
• Critical Thinking: This is when you think really carefully about things. A compare-and-contrast essay makes you think in a critical way. you are not just taking things as they are – you are exploring why they are that way.
• Getting Ready for Bigger Stuff: When you go to higher grades or college, you will face more complex ideas. Writing compare-and-contrast essays now prepares you to handle those bigger challenges.

Writing a compare-and-contrast essay helps you become a better thinker, learner, communicator, and problem-solver. It helps you do well in school and beyond!

When Should You Take Help from an Online Essay Writing Service for A Compare-And-Contrast Essay?

Here’s when you might want to get help from an online essay writing service for a compare-and-contrast essay;

• Hectic Schedules:

If you have a lot of things going on, like other assignments, hobbies, or family stuff, and you are finding it hard to find time for your essay, getting help can be a good idea.

If you are feeling confused about how to start your essay or how to put your ideas together, professionals from online services can give you a hand.

• Writing Worries:

Sometimes, you might worry about your writing skills. If you are not confident about your grammar, spelling, or making sentences flow well, experts can help make your essay sound better.

• Deadline Stress:

When your essay’s due date is getting closer and you are feeling stressed, getting help can ease that pressure. Online services can help you finish on time.

• Complex Topics:

If your essay is about something complex and you are struggling to understand it fully, professionals can break it down and write it in a way that is easier to understand.

• Extra Guidance:

If you want to learn how to write better essays, professionals can show you a well-done essay as an example. This can help you improve your writing skills.

• English is Not Your First Language:

If English is a bit tricky for you, online services can help you write in clear and proper English, so your ideas shine.

• Personal Issues:

Sometimes personal things like health problems or family situations can make it tough to focus on your essay. Online services can give you some breathing space.

• Quality Concerns:

If you are worried about the quality of your essay, professionals can make sure it is well-researched, organized, and has good content.

Remember, it is okay to ask for help when you need it. Professionals from online essay writing services can help you put all the pieces of your essay together.

How Can an Essay Writing Service Like Essay Basics Help You in Writing A Compare-And-Contrast Essay?

Are you struggling with your compare-and-contrast essay? No worries! Essay Basics is here to lend a helping hand. we are a trusted essay writing service that students have relied on for many years. Our goal is to make your essay writing experience smooth and successful.

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• Highly Skilled Writers: Our writers are experts in their fields. They’ll ensure your essay is well-researched and well-written.

Why Choose Essay Basics:

When you are stuck with a compare-and-contrast essay, Essay Basics is your reliable essay writing service. We make essay writing easy and stress-free. Our experienced writers know how to craft essays that stand out. You can trust us to handle your essay with care and professionalism.

Remember, with Essay Basics, you are not alone in your essay-writing journey. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you submit a top-quality compare-and-contrast essay that makes you proud. So, let’s work together and create an essay that shines!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, when writing a compare-and-contrast essay about a common theme, the writer must be a thoughtful explorer. Through the lens of shared themes, you uncover the beauty of diversity and unity, revealing how seemingly different subjects can connect in marvelous ways. So, embrace the adventure of writing, and let your essay express the common themes in the best way possible.

If you ever find yourself stuck anywhere in your compare-and-contrast essay, Essay Basics provide the best essay writing service online. We understand that essay writing can be a little challenging sometimes. Our writers make sure that you find the best essay when you invest in our essay writing services.

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