Writing a comparison contrast essay. Compare and Contrast Essay: Topics, Outline, Examples 2022-10-30

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A comparison contrast essay is a type of essay that compares and contrasts two or more items, ideas, or concepts. It is a common assignment in high school and college, and can be a useful tool for analyzing and understanding the similarities and differences between two or more things.

There are several steps to writing a comparison contrast essay:

  1. Choose your topic: The first step in writing a comparison contrast essay is to decide on a topic. This could be two books, two films, two historical events, or any other two things that can be compared and contrasted.

  2. Determine the purpose of your essay: Before you start writing, it is important to decide on the purpose of your essay. Are you comparing and contrasting the two items to show how they are similar or different? Are you trying to argue that one is better than the other? Knowing the purpose of your essay will help guide the rest of your writing.

  3. Create an outline: An outline is a great way to organize your thoughts and ideas before you start writing. It should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should introduce your topic and explain the purpose of your essay. The body paragraphs should focus on the similarities and differences between the two items, and the conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis.

  4. Write the introduction: The introduction should introduce your topic and provide some background information. It should also state your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay.

  5. Write the body paragraphs: The body paragraphs should focus on the similarities and differences between the two items. You can choose to compare and contrast them point by point, or you can compare and contrast them in blocks. In a point-by-point structure, you would discuss one point about one item and then immediately discuss the same point about the other item. In a block structure, you would discuss all the points about one item before moving on to the other item.

  6. Write the conclusion: The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis. It should also provide some final thoughts on the topic and explain why the comparison and contrast is important.

Overall, writing a comparison contrast essay requires careful planning and organization. By following these steps and considering your purpose, you can create a well-written and insightful essay that compares and contrasts two or more items.

Compare and Contrast Essay: Topics, Outline, Examples

writing a comparison contrast essay

One side is for the first subject, the other for the second subject. Please download the PDF to view it: Over the last two decades, the demand from consumers for organic foods has increased tremendously. Both are organized and keep a neat office. In fact, their individual characteristics determine whether the subjects are useable. For example, you would have a difficult time writing an essay comparing and contrasting your favorite television program with a popular vacation spot in your state. In fact, the popularity of organic foods has exploded significantly with consumers, spending a considerably higher amount of money on them as compared to the amount spent on inorganic foods. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley are both early examples of science fiction, so they make a good pair.

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Compare & Contrast Essay

writing a comparison contrast essay

The main aspect of contrast essay topics is that they consider two subjects or ideas at once. Furthermore, considering the environmental effects of foods, organic foods present less risk of environmental pollution — compared to inorganic foods. Step 6: Write the Body Paragraphs The most important component of your essay structure is the body paragraphs, and standard essay form asks for three paragraphs. Listing characteristics Divide a piece of paper into two sides. Then, you will address the second subject , and so forth. Use our How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay: Brainstorm Similarities and Differences When you are set with your topic, the first thing you should do is grab a piece of paper and make a list with two columns: similarities and differences.

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4.1: Introduction to Comparison and Contrast Essay

writing a comparison contrast essay

While using the block structure, all the information is presented for the first subject, and its characteristics and specific details are explained. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley both use elements of speculative fiction and folklore differently, they speak to the same innate fear that our humanity is a fragile thing. Sadly, even unintentional plagiarism can lead to serious academic and career consequences, so you must be vigilant. This paper will follow parallel order—A, B, and then C—for each subject: A. First, pick useable subjects and list their characteristics. It also requires a firm grasp of different styles of citations , in order to lend confidence to your argument and give proper credit to others. Oranges have thick peel, originally from India, and are tropical fruit.


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9 Easy Steps for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

writing a comparison contrast essay

The US market noted an increase in sales of more than 10% between 2014 and 2015 Brown, n. Lee and Ulysses S. Alternately, you may construct a Venn diagram of intersecting circles, listing the subjects' differences to either side and their similarities where the circles intersect. To make your compare and contrast essay flow better, we recommend using special transition words and phrases. Let one of the subjects be oranges, and the other one be apples.

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Writing A Compare/Contrast Paper

writing a comparison contrast essay

For example, it is better to write about two composers, rather than a composer and a singer. Either approach allows you to create a rough outline of your main points , with additional brainstorming when needed. You may structure the compare and contrast essay using either the alternating method stating one aspect of one thing and immediately discussing the same aspect of the other item and how they are similar or different or the block method discussing all of the aspects of one thing and then discussing all of the aspects of another. Your paper might tackle any subject, such as science, history, economics, literature, or philosophy. Math teacher drinks Earl Grey tea.


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writing a comparison contrast essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both. NOTE: When you write a compare and contrast essay, be sure that the two things have enough in common. Step 5: Write the Introduction Once you have a thesis statement and an essay outline , the actual essay writing becomes much simpler. For instance, if you are examining an idea political or philosophical examine the opposite of that idea. The increase is in line with the views of many consumers that organic foods are safer, tastier, and healthier compared to the inorganic foods. Another good idea for brainstorming in preparation for your comparison contrast essay is to create a list with 2 columns, one for each subject, and compare the same characteristics for each of them simultaneously.


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writing a comparison contrast essay

The point-by-point format requires you to analyze the points yourself while making similarities and differences more explicit to the reader for them to be easier to understand. You might be able to compare apples and oranges, for example, but why would you? Most word processing software offers this tool for spelling and grammar. Strong comparison skills will help you write better college entrance essays and argue your point in debates. Afterwards, you can begin with the actual fleshing out of the paper. Your essay should be based on analyzing the similarities and differences, analyzing your conclusions about the two subjects, and finding connections between them—while following a specific format. The typical structure for any essay follows the format of having an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion — though, if you need to focus on each subject in more detailed ways, feel free to include an extra paragraph to cover all of the most important points. To water it down, try to give the reader any real-life applications of these facts.

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writing a comparison contrast essay

A compare and contrast essay thesis must make a meaningful comparison. These skills will improve your test scores and deepen your college papers. Differences between my math and English instructors Math teacher listens to classic rock. Those points are their background, personalities, and underlying aspirations. Step 4: Create an Outline Armed with your main points , you should now elevate your rough content into an outline.

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writing a comparison contrast essay

After that, choose a parallel pattern of organization and effective transitions to set your paper above the merely average. To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences. Do I have enough information to write the paper? Signaling transitions Learn to use expressions that precisely convey contrast or comparison. This simple, yet good example illustrates how the same concept can be applied to many other complicated topics with additional points of comparison and contrast. Write Having established the case you will make, it is time to turn those rough points and thesis sentences into a fully fleshed-out paper. Either way, you will use the first body paragraph as a compare and contrast in the alternating method , or a thorough treatment of the first subject overall. .

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