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Compare and contrast is a common form of academic writing, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs which compare or contrast. This page gives information on what a compare and contrast essay is , how to structure this type of essay, how to use compare and contrast structure words , and how to make sure you use appropriate criteria for comparison/contrast . There is also an example compare and contrast essay on the topic of communication technology, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.
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To compare is to examine how things are similar, while to contrast is to see how they differ. A compare and contrast essay therefore looks at the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences. This essay type is common at university, where lecturers frequently test your understanding by asking you to compare and contrast two theories, two methods, two historical periods, two characters in a novel, etc. Sometimes the whole essay will compare and contrast, though sometimes the comparison or contrast may be only part of the essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the similarities or the differences, not both, will be discussed. See the examples below.
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. This type of structure is similar to the block structure used for cause and effect and problem-solution essays. For the point-by-point structure, each similarity (or difference) for one object is followed immediately by the similarity (or difference) for the other. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is easier to write, while the latter is generally clearer as it ensures that the similarities/differences are more explicit.
The two types of structure, block and point-by-point , are shown in the diagram below.
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Compare and contrast structure words are transition signals which show the similarities or differences. Below are some common examples.
When making comparisons or contrasts, it is important to be clear what criteria you are using. Study the following example, which contrasts two people. Here the criteria are unclear.
Although this sentence has a contrast transition , the criteria for contrasting are not the same. The criteria used for Aaron are height (tall) and strength (strong). We would expect similar criteria to be used for Bruce (maybe he is short and weak), but instead we have new criteria, namely appearance (handsome) and intelligence (intelligent). This is a common mistake for students when writing this type of paragraph or essay. Compare the following, which has much clearer criteria (contrast structure words shown in bold).
Below is a compare and contrast essay. This essay uses the point-by-point structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. similarities, differences, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the comparisons and contrasts contained in the main body.
Title: There have been many advances in technology over the past fifty years. These have revolutionised the way we communicate with people who are far away. Compare and contrast methods of communication used today with those which were used in the past.
Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over long distances used traditional means such as letters and the telephone. Nowadays we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging from email to instant messaging and video calls. While the present and previous means of communication are similar in their general form , they differ in regard to their speed and the range of tools available . One similarity between current and previous methods of communication relates to the form of communication. In the past, both written forms such as letters were frequently used, in addition to oral forms such as telephone calls. Similarly , people nowadays use both of these forms. Just as in the past, written forms of communication are prevalent, for example via email and text messaging. In addition, oral forms are still used, including the telephone, mobile phone, and voice messages via instant messaging services. However , there are clearly many differences in the way we communicate over long distances, the most notable of which is speed. This is most evident in relation to written forms of communication. In the past, letters would take days to arrive at their destination. In contrast , an email arrives almost instantaneously and can be read seconds after it was sent. In the past, if it was necessary to send a short message, for example at work, a memo could be passed around the office, which would take some time to circulate. This is different from the current situation, in which a text message can be sent immediately. Another significant difference is the range of communication methods. Fifty years ago, the tools available for communicating over long distances were primarily the telephone and the letter. By comparison , there are a vast array of communication methods available today. These include not only the telephone, letter, email and text messages already mentioned, but also video conferences via software such as Skype or mobile phone apps such as WeChat, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. In conclusion, methods of communication have greatly advanced over the past fifty years. While there are some similarities, such as the forms of communication , there are significant differences, chiefly in relation to the speed of communication and the range of communication tools available . There is no doubt that technology will continue to progress in future, and the advanced tools which we use today may one day also become outdated.
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Below is a checklist for compare and contrast essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
Compare and contrast are used accurately | ||
The for comparison/contrast are clear | ||
The essay has clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
There is a downloadable graphic organiser for brainstorming ideas for compare and contrast essays in the writing resources section.
Find out how to write cause & effect essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about persuasion essays .
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Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 08 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
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Contrast. Emphasizes the differences between two things, ideas, concepts, or points of view. ison/Contrast Essay:The two items should make sense to. compare or contrast. For example, you might compare two baseball teams, but not a football team. and a baseball team. As you select your topic, keep in mind that you won't merely be describing ...
1. Remember a time when you had a misunderstanding with someone because of miscommunication. This could be something that happened between you and a friend, a roommate, a family member, or someone at school. Write about the situation and the dif erent ways you and the other person understood the situation. 2.
Peay APSU Writing Center Compare/Contrast Essay Organizing your paper: There are many different ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. Here are two: Subject-by-subject: o Structure: discuss one subject, then discuss the other. Begin by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then move on and make all ...
Step 1 - Students will encounter different kinds of writing assignments; one of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay where the focus is on the ways in which certain things or ideas - usually two of them - are similar to (comparison) and/or different from (contrast) one another. When writing such essays students make ...
In a compare / contrast essay students have to compare two objects, problems or events and evaluate their similarities and differences. This can be done in three ways: 1. Discuss the similarities between them 2. Discuss the differences between them 3. Discuss the similarities and differences between them Compare or contrast essays are grouped ...
Recognizing comparison/contrast in assignments Some assignments use words—like compare, contrast, similarities, and differences—that make it easy for you to see that they are asking you to compare and/or contrast. Here are a few hypothetical examples: Compare and contrast Frye's and Bartky's accounts of oppression.
Paragraph 1 - Point of Comparison 1: Moral Complexity: "Tiger Lily is nobly good; Captain Hook is irredeemably bad.". Paragraph 2 - Point of Comparison 2: Responsibility: "Peter is a scamp who avoids responsibility.". Paragraph 3 - Point of Comparison 3: Confronting Death: "Only Hook dies, and his death is comical.".
the results of your comparison (e.g. "Judging by criteria #1, #2, and #3, Thing A is more preferable/radical/effective than Thing B"). There are several ways to organize your ideas in a compare/contrast essay. For instance, you can discuss the two things separately. If you do this, make sure you use the same criteria when discussing each ...
follow for short essays, while the point -by-point approach is better suited to longer, more complex papers (Comprone 275; Fawcett 123- 124). Regardless of essay style, the purpose of a compare/contrast essay is to carefully examine and evaluate the similarities and differences between two or more things. Compare/Contrast Writing Process
An Essay Map. There are two common ways of organizing the body of a compare-contrast essay: whole-to-whole or part-to-part. After formulating an acceptable working thesis, it is important to decide which organization best suits your argument. • In a whole-to-whole format argument, you discuss Subject A first; then you discuss Subject B ...
Start with a topic sentence introducing the subjects. Address each topic separately, listing all relevant points. Block 1: Discuss all the main points about the first topic. Present one aspect of the first topic. Provide evidence and analysis. Transition to the next aspect of the first topic. Block 2: Continue creating blocks for each topic you ...
Remember, whether an essay is developed by comparison, by contrast, or by both comparison and contrast, the basic structure of the essay remains the same. The essay will contain an introduction and thesis statement, a body consisting of topic sentences and paragraphs which support the thesis, and a conclusion.
Comparing and Contrasting. This tutorial will give you some guidelines and practice for organizing an essay by comparing— explaining the similarities between things—and/or contrasting— explaining the differences. Although you may not have received an essay assignment that specifically asks you to compare and/or contrast two or more things ...
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Template A. Introduction a. Introduction to the broad topic b. Specific topic c. Thesis statement B. Body Paragraphs a. Body paragraph #1—First aspect that's similar or different i. Subject #1 1. Detail #1 2. Detail #2 ii. Subject #2 1. Detail #1 2. Detail #2 b.
To compare is to examine how things are similar, while to contrast is to see how they differ. A compare and contrast essay therefore looks at the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences. This essay type is common at university, where lecturers frequently test your understanding by asking you to compare and contrast two theories, two methods, two historical periods, two ...
The Comparison and Contrast Guide outlines the characteristics of the genre and provides direct instruction on the methods of organizing, gathering ideas, and writing comparison and contrast essays.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY OUTLINE. I. Introduction . A. Hook: _____ _____ B.
The point of a comparison and contrast essay is to help you see something new about the two things you're comparing. Your thesis, which will usually be at the end of your introduction, will tell your reader what that is. For a college paper, your thesis must not be that "these two things have similarities and differences.".
comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare. events (e.g., the Great Depression and the global financial crisis of 2008-9) Although the assignment may say "compare," the assumption is that you will consider both the ...
What is a Comparison/Contrast Essay? A comparison shows how two subjects are similar; a contrast shows how two subjects are different. In writing, you must first decide whether you will compare, contrast, or do both. Follow These Steps When Writing a Comparison/Contrast Essay: 1. Identify similarities and differences. If you have two items to ...
Essay Writing Frame Use the writing frame below to develop a "compare and contrast" essay. Your essay should contain four basic parts: 1. An opening sentence that introducesyour findings. 2. Statements that express how the two ideas, things, or people are alike. Use signal words like both, alike, similar, same, and resemble. 3.
A comparison and contrast essay focuses on how two items or texts are similar, different, or similar in some ways and different in others. You can compare and contrast any number of items including theories, events, books, or people. o Choose a topic that you can argue. Remember that you need to do more than just list how items are similar or ...
Students then read a point-by-point compare and contrast essay and scan it, listing the four points of comparison, which form the main idea of each body paragraph. Exercise B - Answer key. 1. reliability. 3. reputation for safety. 2. driving experience. 4. customers they appeal to.