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How to Write a Compre and Contrast Essay

Writing an effective compare and contrast essay is much easier than it may first appear, especially when you take a logical, step-by-step approach to the task.

Definition of a compare and contrast essay

To understand how to approach this sort of essay assignment, it's important to first have a clear understanding of what a compare and contrast essay is. Simply put, it's a written narrative that focuses on the discussion of the similarities (compare) as well as the differences (contrast) of two or more things.

Typically, these types of essays are assigned in order to encourage critical thinking so that it's necessary to do more than merely describe something. Instead, you need to put some thought into the two items and think about the things that make them the same as well as the things that make them different. As an example, let's compare and contrast apples and oranges. 

Similarities

  1. Both are fruits
  2. Both grow on trees
  3. Both have seeds
  4. Both are healthy parts of a diet 

Differences

  1. Oranges are a citrus fruit and apples are not.
  2. Oranges need a warm climate where temperatures do not approach freezing
  3. Apples grow in a more temperate climate with temperatures ranging from sub zero to 80 degrees plus throughout the year
  4. You eat the skin of the apple, but you peel the rind off the orange 

Developing a thesis and creating an outline 

The best way to tackle writing a compare and contrast essay to spend some time thinking about your topics and brainstorm a list of the similarities and differences between the two, much like the list for apples and oranges above. The ideas that you come up will help develop your thesis, or the point your essay will set out to prove. For example, with the apples and oranges example a thesis might be something like: 

“Although both apples and oranges both flavorful fruits, there are also marked differences that make them unique to themselves.”

 With a thesis in place, it's time to structure the essay. This can be done in one of two ways: 

  1. Topic Exhaustion Method - This means that you focus on one item at a time and write all the similarities and differences. So, in the case of apples and oranges, you would start with a paragraph or two devoted solely to apples. The next section would then focus on the oranges. 
  2. Likenesses & Differences Method - This means that you first review all the ways the two topics under discussion are alike. Once that it completed the focus moves to differences between the items.

No matter what method you choose, like all good essays, you need to start with an introduction that includes your thesis and end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis. 

Once you've determined the method you prefer, the structure will follow one of these two patterns. 

Topic Exhaustion Method 

Paragraph 1 - Introduction and thesis statement

Paragraphs 2-3 - Discuss all facts about the first topic

Paragraphs 4-5 - Discuss the facts about the second topic

Paragraph 6 - Conclusion which summarizes the similarities and differences and correlates them directly to the thesis. 

Likenesses & Differences Method 

Paragraph 1 - Introduction and thesis statement

Paragraph 2 - Review supporting facts for subject 1

Paragraph 2 - Review the facts about subject 2

Paragraph 3 - Review additional details about subject 1, the focus is probably more on what makes it unique

Paragraph 4 - Review additional details about subject 2, again focusing on the unique attributes

Paragraph 6 - Conclusion which summarizes the similarities and differences and correlates them directly to the thesis. 

When you dissect the project of writing a compare and contrast essay and follow these steps, you'll find the process is not only relatively easy, but it can also be enjoyable.