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Nov 09, · A compare and contrast essay is a piece of academic writing focused on finding similarities or differences between several objects. “Well,” you might think, “it’s the easiest paper ever. Why even bother looking for samples and examples?” Is Estimated Reading Time: 7 mins 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 Oct 27, · 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
Strong Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
The key to a good compare-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 or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic.
Similarly, to focus on comparison, writing a comparison contrast essay, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, writing a comparison contrast essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.
Comparing and contrasting is also an evaluative tool. In order to make accurate evaluations about a given topic, writing a comparison contrast essay, you must first know the critical points of similarity and difference. 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.
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. Brainstorm an essay that leans toward comparison. Choose one of the following three items. Then come up with one difference and three similarities.
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. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting. Thesis statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.
Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted organic versus conventional vegetablesand it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader. You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:. See Figure The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.
Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader writing a comparison contrast essay such analysis. See Table Use the point-by-point organizing strategy for one of them, and use the subject organizing strategy writing a comparison contrast essay the other. First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects.
Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can writing a comparison contrast essay learned from doing so. The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose.
You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other.
Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects. After you finish analyzing the subjects, writing a comparison contrast essay, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. Many business presentations are conducted using comparison and contrast.
The organizing strategies—by subject or individual points—could also be used for organizing a presentation, writing a comparison contrast essay. Keep this in mind as a way of organizing your content the next time you or a colleague have to present something at work. Choose one of the outlines you created in Exercise 3, and write a full compare-and-contrast essay.
Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, well-defined and detailed paragraphs, and a fitting conclusion that ties everything together.
Comparison and Contrast by Writing for Success is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4, writing a comparison contrast essay. Skip to content Comparison and Contrast Writing for Success Learning Objectives Determine the purpose and structure of comparison and contrast in writing.
Explain organizational methods used when comparing and contrasting. Understand how to write a compare-and-contrast essay. Exercise 1 Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Romantic comedies Internet search engines Cell phones. Exercise 2 Brainstorm an essay that leans toward comparison. Department stores and discount retail stores Fast food chains and fine dining restaurants Dogs and cats.
Exercise 4 Choose one of the outlines you created in Exercise 3, and write a full compare-and-contrast essay. Key Takeaways A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects. The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.
There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays. Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other. Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed. This section was originally from Writing for Success, found at the University of Minnesota writing a comparison contrast essay textbook project. Full license information: This is a derivative of Writing for Success by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution, originally released and is used under CC BY-NC-SA.
This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4. Previous: Process Analysis. Next: Persuasion. License Comparison and Contrast by Writing for Success is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.
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Compare and contrast essay structure
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Like every essay, compare and contrast essay templates include an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, the body needs to be focused in a specific way since you are comparing and contrasting two different topics. Set this up in two ways, topic by topic Oct 27, · 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 A compare and contrast essay is the most common type of essay that is written to observe and evaluate the similarities and differences between two objects or subjects. In this essay, the two objects of the same category are compared with each other to evaluate their similarities and differences