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  • The Compare/ Contrast Essay

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    Rica Avila
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    The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyze the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects. Once you pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way, then you can begin to formulate your thesis and work out the organization of your paper. If you want to write a thoughtful and convincing comparison and contrast essay, just follow these steps. Pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way. The first step to writing a successful compare and contrast essay is to pick two subjects that are different enough to be contrasted, but similar enough to be compared. This means that the subjects aren't so different that you can't find a thing they have in common (such as oreos and kale) or that they shouldn't be so similar (like two very similar soft drinks) that you don't have much to say about their differences. Here are some topics to consider as you pick your two subjects:[1] The careers of two different athletes The quality of two different restaurants Two movies Two novels Two weight-loss programs Two cities Two historical periods Two events Do your research to make a list of all of the ways the two subjects are similar and different. Once you've picked your two subjects, you'll need to do your research to figure out exactly how much they have in common and how different they really are. Make a Venn Diagram of the two subjects and write the similarities in the part of the intersecting circles, while writing the differences in the parts of each subject's circle that does not intersect with other. This will require you to consult your sources, brainstorm, and analyze the two subjects on a deeper level. Once you've made your list, think about the most meaningful differences and similarities. If you're comparing "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Great Gatsby," you may find that one author was male and one was female, but there's only so much you can say about that; instead, dig deeper into the themes that are worth exploring. For example, you can argue that both books explore the theme of loss of innocence. Write your thesis statement. Your thesis statement will be the one sentence that tells your readers how the subjects are similar or different and why this is an important comparison to make. Ideally, your thesis should focus on three points of comparison, so that you have three distinct differences or similarities to discuss. Here are some examples of strong thesis statements and strategies for the comparison and contrast essay: Show readers why one subject is more desirable than the other. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable." Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions." Show readers how two subjects are similar and different. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class." Outline your essay. Outlining your essay will help you work out the main organizational structure and will give you a template to follow as you develop your ideas. Your compare and contrast essay should have the following organizational structure:[2] Introduction Presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted Provides a thesis argument and 3 points of comparison that will be elaborated in the body of your essay. Points of comparison are the smaller arguments that help you develop your main argument. Body Paragraphs This is the meat of your essay. Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof

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    The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyze the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects. Once you pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way, then you can begin to formulate your thesis and work out the organization of your paper. If you want to write a thoughtful and convincing comparison and contrast essay, just follow these steps. Pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way. The first step to writing a successful compare and contrast essay is to pick two subjects that are different enough to be contrasted, but similar enough to be compared. This means that the subjects aren't so different that you can't find a thing they have in common (such as oreos and kale) or that they shouldn't be so similar (like two very similar soft drinks) that you don't have much to say about their differences. Here are some topics to consider as you pick your two subjects:[1] The careers of two different athletes The quality of two different restaurants Two movies Two novels Two weight-loss programs Two cities Two historical periods Two events Do your research to make a list of all of the ways the two subjects are similar and different. Once you've picked your two subjects, you'll need to do your research to figure out exactly how much they have in common and how different they really are. Make a Venn Diagram of the two subjects and write the similarities in the part of the intersecting circles, while writing the differences in the parts of each subject's circle that does not intersect with other. This will require you to consult your sources, brainstorm, and analyze the two subjects on a deeper level. Once you've made your list, think about the most meaningful differences and similarities. If you're comparing "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Great Gatsby," you may find that one author was male and one was female, but there's only so much you can say about that; instead, dig deeper into the themes that are worth exploring. For example, you can argue that both books explore the theme of loss of innocence. Write your thesis statement. Your thesis statement will be the one sentence that tells your readers how the subjects are similar or different and why this is an important comparison to make. Ideally, your thesis should focus on three points of comparison, so that you have three distinct differences or similarities to discuss. Here are some examples of strong thesis statements and strategies for the comparison and contrast essay: Show readers why one subject is more desirable than the other. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable." Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions." Show readers how two subjects are similar and different. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class." Outline your essay. Outlining your essay will help you work out the main organizational structure and will give you a template to follow as you develop your ideas. Your compare and contrast essay should have the following organizational structure:[2] Introduction Presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted Provides a thesis argument and 3 points of comparison that will be elaborated in the body of your essay. Points of comparison are the smaller arguments that help you develop your main argument. Body Paragraphs This is the meat of your essay. Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof

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    84 views9 pages

    The Compare/ Contrast Essay

    Uploaded by

    Rica Avila
    The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyze the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects. Once you pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way, then you can begin to formulate your thesis and work out the organization of your paper. If you want to write a thoughtful and convincing comparison and contrast essay, just follow these steps. Pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way. The first step to writing a successful compare and contrast essay is to pick two subjects that are different enough to be contrasted, but similar enough to be compared. This means that the subjects aren't so different that you can't find a thing they have in common (such as oreos and kale) or that they shouldn't be so similar (like two very similar soft drinks) that you don't have much to say about their differences. Here are some topics to consider as you pick your two subjects:[1] The careers of two different athletes The quality of two different restaurants Two movies Two novels Two weight-loss programs Two cities Two historical periods Two events Do your research to make a list of all of the ways the two subjects are similar and different. Once you've picked your two subjects, you'll need to do your research to figure out exactly how much they have in common and how different they really are. Make a Venn Diagram of the two subjects and write the similarities in the part of the intersecting circles, while writing the differences in the parts of each subject's circle that does not intersect with other. This will require you to consult your sources, brainstorm, and analyze the two subjects on a deeper level. Once you've made your list, think about the most meaningful differences and similarities. If you're comparing "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Great Gatsby," you may find that one author was male and one was female, but there's only so much you can say about that; instead, dig deeper into the themes that are worth exploring. For example, you can argue that both books explore the theme of loss of innocence. Write your thesis statement. Your thesis statement will be the one sentence that tells your readers how the subjects are similar or different and why this is an important comparison to make. Ideally, your thesis should focus on three points of comparison, so that you have three distinct differences or similarities to discuss. Here are some examples of strong thesis statements and strategies for the comparison and contrast essay: Show readers why one subject is more desirable than the other. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable." Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions." Show readers how two subjects are similar and different. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class." Outline your essay. Outlining your essay will help you work out the main organizational structure and will give you a template to follow as you develop your ideas. Your compare and contrast essay should have the following organizational structure:[2] Introduction Presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted Provides a thesis argument and 3 points of comparison that will be elaborated in the body of your essay. Points of comparison are the smaller arguments that help you develop your main argument. Body Paragraphs This is the meat of your essay. Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof

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    of 9

    Lanzbom comp/cont

    The Compare/ Contrast Essay


    First, lets explain compare and contrast:
    When we compare, we show our readers a subject's similarities.
    When we contrast, we show our readers a subject's diferences.
    Compare and Contrast essays are
    learning-process essays. You learn
    about your subject as you gather and
    organize information.
    his type of essay ta!es a bit of
    organization, and it"s this
    organizational process, this
    gathering of facts, that helps you
    learn as you go.
    You #ill create lists of $ualities or
    traits that each of your subjects has, and as you do this, you #ill disco%er insights to your
    subject that, at first glance, you may not ha%e realized #ere there.
    &ts li!e buying a ne# shirt. he moment you spread it out on your bed, you start seeing
    things you hadn"t noticed in the store. 'erhaps a button is loose, or the poc!et is torn, or
    it"s a size too big. (ut there"s more) *s an intelligent, probing #riter you"re going to as!
    $uestions of this shirt: why, what, where, when, how, who. +hy are buttons on the collar,
    +hat other type of shirt does this shirt remind you of, +here #as it made, +hen #as it
    made, -o# did it get to your store and into your hands, +ho made it, he $uestions
    are endless. (ut you must as! them to understand your subject. .sing why, what, where,
    when, how, who, you to probe into the core and the reason this shirt exists.
    he same type of probing and unco%ering #ill happen to you as
    you outline your subject"s $ualities. Youll disco%er all sorts of
    ne# things as you as! why, what, where, when, how, who, and
    as you unco%er these ne# points, your essay #ill change. &n the
    end, most essays end up far different than expected.
    Your Thesis
    1
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    You will ofer a thesis, like in an argumentative essay, but in this essay,
    your thesis sets the tone of your paper. In other words, through your
    thesis, you want the reader to understand what you plan to compare or
    contrast.
    eep it simple! Your thesis will be one or two sentences on what you
    want to ofer "your subject#, and if you$re comparing or contrasting.
    Getting Started
    &f possible, find an interesting subject about #hich you can #rite. his is important
    because your enthusiasm #ill sho# in your #or!.
    his essay calls for an outline list: you are going to list the $ualities of both subjects,
    $ualities that can be compared, contrasted, or shared.
    For example: let"s say your comparing and contrasting surfing to sno#boarding. Your
    first job is to list the $ualities of each subject. From these $ualities and your insight, you
    can then de%elop your thesis.
    /ualities of *: surfing 0hared /ualities /ualities of (:
    sno#boarding
    surf on #ater both use a #ater medium sno#board on sno#
    need #etsuits and trun!s both re$uire special clothing need #inter clothes and
    boots
    * thesis that #ill set the tone of your essay for the $ualities abo%e might read: hough
    surfing and sno#boarding are done in different seasons, these sports ha%e more
    similarities than differences.
    1f course, the list abo%e is incomplete, and, perhaps, not as academic is #e #ould #ant it
    to be. (ut its a start. You !eep listing $ualities until you belie%e you ha%e enough
    information to #rite a %alid essay. * list of fi%e to ten $ualities #or!s #ell for the
    a%erage paper. (ut you may ha%e to list t#enty $ualities to get fi%e that #ill #or! for
    you. +hen listing, it is good to o%erdo it2 this #ay, #hen you"re ready to #rite your
    paper, you can #eed out the $ualities that #on"t #or! and pic! the best of the bunch.
    Three Parts
    2
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    1pening: You #ill
    begin your essay,
    introducing the
    subjects you plan to
    compare and contrast
    and ending your fist
    paragraph #ith your
    thesis.
    (ody: text by text
    3first discuss all of *
    and then discuss all of
    (4 or point by point
    3alternate bet#een *
    and (4. &n this class
    you #ill stic! to point
    by point. *nd you #ill either compare or contrast, not both. (e careful, sometimes going
    point by point can ma!e your #riting sound tedious and repetiti%e. +atch your language
    and transition #ords. .se se%eral points at a time.
    5nding: *s in the argumentati%e essay, bring it all together. *llo# your ending to go
    bac! to your thesis. .se the transitional #ords on the next page to help your papers
    coherence. ransitions and other connecting #ords and connecting sentences should be
    used throughout.
    6emember: here are no hard and fast rules as to ho# many comparisons or contrasts
    you should offer. For a thorough loo! into your subject, you must offer enough
    comparisons or contrasts or both to ma!e a %alid statement.
    ransitional +ords 3Conjuncti%al *d%erbs4
    .se these #ords to help you connect your thoughts, your sentences, and your paragraphs:
    3
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    37est you #ish to sound pedantic, tiptoe #ith caution through #ords such as 8indeed,8 and 8of
    course.84
    addition
    again, also, and, and then, besides, e$ually important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in
    addition, in the first place, last, moreo%er, next, second, still, too
    comparison
    also, in the same #ay, li!e#ise, similarly
    concession
    granted, naturally, of course
    contrast
    although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, e%en so, e%en though, for
    all that, ho#e%er, in contrast, in spite of, instead, ne%ertheless, not#ithstanding, on the contrary,
    on the other hand, other#ise, regardless, still, though, yet
    emphasis
    certainly, indeed, in fact, of course
    example or illustration
    after all, as an illustration, e%en, for example, for instance, in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other
    #ords, in short, it is true, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly
    summary
    all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in other #ords, in particular,
    in short, in simpler terms, in summary, on the #hole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to
    summarize
    time se$uence
    after a #hile, after#ard, again, also, and then, as long as, at last, at length, at that time, before,
    besides, earlier, e%entually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place,
    in the past, last, lately, mean#hile, moreo%er, next, no#, presently, second, shortly,
    simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, subse$uently, then, thereafter, too, until, until no#, #hen
    Compare Contrast Grid
    4
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    SUBJECT A SHARED QUALITIES SUBJECT B
    Outline Form for Compare Contrast Essays
    Tesis Statement
    5
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Quality !" for para#rap !$
    Specific support_______________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Comparati%e&Contrastin# Qualities for para#rap !$
    Specific support_______________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Quality !$ for para#rap !'
    Specific support_______________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Comparati%e&Contrastin# Qualities for para#rap !'
    6
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    Specific support_______________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Quality !' for para#rap !(
    _______________________________________________________
    Specific support_______________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Comparati%e&Contrastin# Qualities for para#rap !(
    Specific support_______________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    _______________________________________________________
    Con)lusion
    ______________________________________________________
    ______________________________________________________
    ______________________________________________________

    Compare or Contrast Checklist
    7
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    999999& ha%e made it clear in my opening paragraph #hat t#o things & #ill #rite about
    and #hether & #ill compare or contrast.
    999999& offered a good strong thesis letting the reader !no# #hat & plan to compare or
    contrast.
    99999& ha%e offered three points in #hich & #ill compare and contrast my t#o subjects
    99999 & stuc! to my method of de%elopment: loo!ing, in order, at one side at a time.
    99999& ha%e used transition #ords as & mo%ed to each subject and from paragraph to
    paragraph, so my essay reads smoothly li!e #ater rolling do#n a hill. here are no
    sudden changes of subjects #ithout gracefully transitioning into them.
    999999:y concluding paragraph binds my t#o subjects together and brings me bac! to
    the thesis of my essay.
    999999:y simple sentences offer one thought only.
    999999& %ary my sentences. & ma!e sure to use compound and complex sentences, so my
    essay has a musical $uality to it, but & do not o%erdo it.
    999999& ha%e re%ie#ed my essay and remo%ed all redundant #ords. & a%oided #ordiness
    and stuc! to concision.
    Ce)*list
    ______Prewriting
    8
    Lanzbom comp/cont
    ______ri! "comparing #ua$ities%
    ______&ut$ine
    ______'oug( !raft
    ______)!ite! !rafts "wit( correction mar*s%
    E%aluate +our Essay
    _______ 'ea! t(e essa+ once wit(out ma*ing an+ comment
    ________,raw a $ine un!er an+ aw*war! wor!ing t(at is !ifficu$t
    to un!erstan!
    _______,raw a two $ines un!er #uestionab$e spe$$ing or grammar
    _______-ig($ig(t t(e t(esis statement "or !raw a wa.+ $ine un!er
    it%
    _______-ig($ig(t or wa.+ $ine un!er t(e main #ua$it+ in eac(
    paragrap(
    _______Loo* for transitiona$ wor!s an! p(rases/ an! if t(ere are
    none/ ma*e notes on +our paper to put t(em in0
    _______1rite t(e wor!s 2.ague3 or 2specific3 in t(e margins ne4t
    to specific !etai$s0
    _______5irc$e or (ig($ig(t6 s$ang/ c$ic(7s/ repetition/ an!
    misspe$$e! wor!s
    ________Pu$$ out -ac*er or open up t(e -ac*er site6 re.iew +our
    8L90 :f format is off/ fi4 it0

    ;

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