Key Takeaways
- A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
- The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
How to write a comparison or a contrast paragraph?
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay. Begin by Brainstorming With a Venn Diagram. Develop a Thesis Statement. Create an Outline. Write the Introduction. Write the First Body Paragraph. Repeat the Process for the Next Paragraphs. Write the Conclusion. Proofread.
How do you write a comparison paragraph?
Writing a comparison paragraph
- WRITING A COMPARISON PARAGRAPH
- A COMPARISON PARAGRAPH… demonstrates similarities between two texts or topics. Take apples and oranges, for example. ...
- BOTH APPLES AND ORANGES… are fruits. ...
- HOW TO WRITE A COMPARISON PARAGRAPH Step 1: Identify the subjects for comparison. ...
- Step 4: Write! ...
What are the key words for compare and contrast?
Key Words for Compare and Contrast The following words signal that two pieces are being compared: also as well as both comparatively in the same way in addition just as like most important similarly the same as too The following words signal that two pieces are being contrasted: although besides but compared with conversely differ even though ...
Does compare and contrast mean the same thing?
Contrast means to examine the character or qualities of something in order to discover the differences. Therefore, the main difference between compare and contrast is that compare looks at both similarities and differences whereas contrast only looks at the differences. 1. What Does Compare Mean? – Meaning, Features and Usage 2.
How do you write a compare and contrast paragraph?
A comparison-contrast paragraph has three main parts. The topic sentence introduces two subjects and says something about them. The body sentences give details about how the two subjects are alike and different. The ending sentence sums up how the subjects are the same or different.
What is an example of compare and contrast?
For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic.
What is meant by compare and contrast paragraph?
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.
How do you start a compare and contrast first paragraph?
Paragraph 1: The opening sentence names the two subjects and states that they are very similar, very different or have many important (or interesting) similarities and differences. Continue discussing similarities only using compare-contrast cue words such as "like," "similar to" and "also," for each comparison.
What are 3 key words for compare and contrast?
Ask: How did I compare and contrast two animals in the sentences? Students should respond that you used compare key words such as similar, at the same time, and likewise. You used contrast key words such as in comparison to, in contrast, and rather.
What are 5 things to compare and contrast?
Compare and contrast essay topics for 2020 on TeenagersPaying for college or getting a scholarship.Life in high school vs life in college.Online tuitions or home tuitions.Getting a college degree or getting a job.Working in college vs freelancing in college.Spending money on education vs spending money on fun.More items...•
How do you explain compare and contrast to students?
Comparing and contrasting is looking at what is the same and what is different between two things. Comparing is looking at what is similar, and contrasting is looking at the differences. A Venn Diagram can be used to write down and visually show comparing and contrasting.
How do you write a point by point for a compare and contrast essay?
If you are using the point-by-point method, organize your paragraph in the following way:Start with a Topic Sentence: Your first sentence should introduce both topics to your reader and state the main point of the paragraph.Compare/Contrast by Point: Your paragraph will discuss each of the main points of both topics.More items...
How do you write a 5 paragraph compare and contrast essay?
How to Write a 5-Paragraph Compare and Contrast EssayPick your topic carefully.Organize your ideas.Develop your thesis statement.Create an outline.Use supporting evidence.Write, proofread and edit.
What is a good sentence starter for a compare and contrast essay?
To compare and contrast In comparison … Complementary to this … Then again, … However, … This is in contrast to …
What is the structure of a compare and contrast essay?
Structure. There are two main ways to structure a compare and contrast essay, namely using a block or a point-by-point structure. For the block structure, all of the information about one of the objects being compared/contrasted is given first, and all of the information about the other object is listed afterwards.
How many paragraphs are in a compare and contrast essay?
A compare and contrast essay discusses that similarities and differences between two subjects. The two main methods for organizing your ideas within the essay are the point-by-point method (five paragraphs) and the block method (four paragraphs).
What are some examples of contrast?
Contrast often means “opposite”: for example, black is the opposite of white, and so there's a contrast between black ink and white paper. But contrast can also happen when the two things are just very different. For example, cats and dogs are definitely a contrast, but they're not opposites.
What are some good transition words for essays?
and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)
How do you properly cite an essay?
When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, for example, (Jones, 1998), and a complete reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.
What are 3 good topics for an essay?
Some great ideas for your essay topic are:Your favorite childhood memory.Most recent travel experience.The death of a friend or relative that influenced you.The loss of a pet that changed your life.Your best friend and how you met.Your first time on a plane.The first book you read.The worst memory you have.More items...•
What is a comparison and contrast paragraph?
Contrast and compare graphs You write about the similarities and contrasts between two or more persons, places, objects, or ideas in a comparison a...
What is the comparison paragraph?
If you are requested to investigate similarities and/or differences, you must write a compare and contrast paragraph. Compared emphasizes similarit...
What type of text structure is used to compare how two things are similar and different?
Contrast and contrast This literary structure includes a comparison of several objects, illustrating how they are similar and distinct. It is usual...
What are the features of a comparison paragraph?
The topic phrase introduces the subject and expresses the purpose to compare and/or contrast X and Y, as well as comment on the degree of resemblan...
What is a compare and contrast essay?
A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences ...
What is the structure of a comparison and contrast essay?
The Structure of a Comparison and 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 and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both.
How to write an essay that leans toward contrast?
Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Choose one of the following three categories. Pick two examples from each. Then come up with one similarity and three differences between the examples.
What is the purpose of comparison and contrast?
Comparing and contrasting is a primary tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and contrasted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparison and contrast. Comparison and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.
What are some examples of compare and contrast?
For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay. Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first ...
What is the organizational structure of a compare and contrast essay?
Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.
Is organic vegetable worth it?
Thesis statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.
Why is a thesis important in a comparison?
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 she/he doesn’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.”
How to make a Venn diagram?
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.
How to do a central area where two things overlap?
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. ...
How to make a chart of a list of criteria?
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.
How to write a lens comparison?
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.
What is a comparison essay?
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, ...
Why do we use comparison and contrast?
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 ...
Why Compare and Contrast?
When studying a particular subject, students are often asked to write essays that compare and contrast various aspects of that area of study. It is common to be assigned to write essays in all areas of study, not just when taking a composition course.
Why do we use a Venn diagram in a compare and contrast essay?
Compare and contrast essays always reveal similarities and differences between the subjects. A Venn diagram is a helpful tool for prewriting and organizing an essay. Essays may require research to either help support the information or to increase the knowledge the writer has on a particular topic.
How to structure an essay?
Another way to structure the essay would be to compare and contrast both ideas in a paragraph and tell the similarities and differences of one detail from the topic. A strong essay will have an opening paragraph that includes a thesis statement and a concluding paragraph.
How to write a comparison essay?
Choose two characters from the same novel, film, or television series. Create two Venn Diagrams that would help you to write a compare/contrast essay. The most important part of this activity is to focus one diagram on comparing the two characters and one on contrasting. Think about how you might organize your thoughts and ideas before writing such an essay and make your two diagrams reflect this difference in focus.
What is a thesis statement in an essay?
If this is the writer's thesis statement, then the essay should focus on details that are relevant to the hustle and bustle of city life, noises, and social activities available in the city versus on a farm. The thesis statement will help keep the writing focused on just a few ideas that are based on the overall topic.
What is the final paragraph of an essay?
The final paragraph of the essay should be a concluding paragraph, where the writer should find a way to summarize or restate the thesis statement and end the essay with a few strong statements.
How to structure a compare and contrast essay?
A compare and contrast essay is generally structured in one of two ways. First, the writer could organize the essay by subject. To do this, he or she would describe one subject in the first few paragraphs, then describe the other subject in the remaining paragraphs.
What to write in paragraph 2 of a research paper?
Paragraph 2: The opening sentence must contain a transition showing that you are pivoting to discussing differences, such as: "Despite all these similarities, (these two subjects) differ in significant ways." Then describe all the differences, using compare-contrast cue words such as "differs," "unlike," and "on the other hand," for each comparison. End the paragraph with a personal statement, a prediction, or another compelling conclusion.
What is the opening sentence of paragraph 2?
Paragraph 2: The opening sentence must contain a transition showing you are comparing the second subject to the first, such as: "Unlike (or similar to) subject No. 1 , subject No. 2..." Discuss all the features of subject No. 2 in relation to subject No. 1 using compare-contrast cue words such as "like," "similar to," "also," "unlike," and "on the other hand," for each comparison. End this paragraph with a personal statement, a prediction or another enlightening conclusion.
Who is Melissa Kelly?
Melissa Kelly, M.Ed., is a secondary school teacher, instructional designer, and the author of "The Everything New Teacher Book: A Survival Guide for the First Year and Beyond.". Organizing two compare-and-contrast paragraphs is just a mini version of creating a compare-and-contrast essay.
Why are organic foods so popular?
The US market noted an increase in sales of more than 10% between 2014 and 2015 (Brown, n.p). The increase is in line with the views of many consumers that organic foods are safer, tastier, and healthier compared to the inorganic foods. Furthermore, considering the environmental effects of foods, organic foods present less risk of environmental pollution — compared to inorganic foods. By definition, organic foods are those that are grown without any artificial chemical treatment, or treatment by use of other substances that have been modified genetically, such as hormones and/or antibiotics (Brown, n.p).
What is a compare and contrast essay?
Compare and Contrast Essay: Full Writing Guide. Compare and contrast essays are academic papers in which a student analyses two or more subjects with each other. To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences. Both subjects of the comparison are usually in the same category, ...
How to make a compare and contrast essay flow better?
To make your compare and contrast essay flow better, we recommend using special transition words and phrases. They will add variety and improve your paper overall.
How to make a good comparison essay?
Make good use of your personal experiences, books, scholarly articles, magazine and newspaper articles, movies, or anything that will make your argument sound credible. For example, in your essay, if you were to compare attending college on campus vs. distance-based learning, you could include your personal experiences of being a student, and how often students show up to class on a daily basis. You could also talk about your experience taking online classes, which makes your argument about online classes credible as well.
How to make a list of 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. Jot down key things first, the most striking ones. Then try to look at the subjects from a different angle, incorporate your imagination.
What is the difference between "contrast" and "comparing"?
To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences. Both subjects of the comparison are usually in the same category, although they have their differences. For example, it can be two movies, two universities, two cars etc.
How to compare apples and oranges?
Oranges have thick peel, originally from India, and are tropical fruit. These characteristics pertain only to oranges and should be in the part of the circle that does not overlap. For the same section on apples, we put thin peel, originated in Turkey or Kazakhstan, and moderate to subtropical. In the section that overlaps, let’s put that they are both fruit, can be juiced, and grow on trees. 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.
Why do we need to write a compare and contrast essay?
The real reason behind writing an essay that has the define compare and contrast is to find the similarities (compare) and to also find the differences (contrast). It is just common to people to find it challenging to write such kind of paper. The reality is, this is not a known kind of assignment not like the research papers, term papers, ...
How many paragraphs are in a compare and contrast essay?
With compare and contrast format of essay, writers use two organizational ways. The first is the block organization divided in four paragraphs. The other is the alternating sequence of ideas or the point by point that are written with five paragraphs.
How to write a comparison essay?
To put emphasis on the similarities of something is the way how to write comparison essay. The way to write contrasting essay is to fully put an emphasis on the differences of the topic. Usually, people use compare and contrast when choosing something related to making a good decision. With compare and contrast format of essay, ...
How to write a point by point essay?
Writing the point by point organization with five paragraphs. Part 1: Again, start with the compare and contrast introduction that can catch the attention of the readers. The purpose of the essay must be discussed. Part 2: the first difference must be pointed out at this paragraph.
What is the purpose of the compare and contrast paragraph?
The purpose must be stated that can discuss the differences of the topic being compared or contrasted. Part 2: this part would have the first item that you wish to compare.
What is the purpose of transitional phrases and words in a book?
To help readers to quickly comprehend the similarities and the differences of the topic, the use of transitional phrases and words are advised.
Do subtopics of first item have to be present in second item?
The subtopics of first item must also be present in the second item.
What Is The Difference Between Cause and Effect and Comparing and Contrasting?
What Is The Comparison paragraph?
- If you are requested to investigate similarities and/or differences, you must write a compare and contrast paragraph. Compared emphasizes similarities. Contrast emphasizes differences. You can use either a full paragraph or a few sentences to do this task. Comparison paragraphs describe two things that are similar but also different. These descript...
How Do You Identify, Compare, and Contrast Text Structures?
- It is critical to note that the compare and contrast text structure requires the text to explore similarities and differences. The paragraph is merely comparing if it solely mentions similarities. Similarly, if it merely describes how things vary, it is only contrasting. Structuring a comparison or contrast properly is important for clarity and readability. Text structure can be used to explain th…