Comparison and contrast essays are usually assigned to students and college students to encourage critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and orderly writing. Comparison and contrast essays should look at the subject in a new way, with new insights, using the similarities and differences between two topics or two perspectives on a topic.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Reviewing the Topic
Step 1. Know the structure of a comparison and contrast essay
Most comparison and contrast essays present one or both subjects in sharp focus, lead the reader to a new way of looking at things, or show that one subject is better than another. To analyze comparison and contrast effectively, the essay must make a connection or difference between two subjects.
Once the topic has been defined, you can contrast two things that may be in the same category, but are different from each other. For example, cats and dogs are both animals, but they have many differences. The pro-life view on abortion and the pro-choice view on abortion are both included in human rights, but their views or positions are very different
Step 2. List the similarities and differences
Take a piece of paper or open a new document in a word processor program. Create two columns for each subject under similarities and two columns for each subject under differences. For example, two separate lists for the similarities between cats and dogs, and the differences between cats and dogs.
- Try to write as many similarities and differences as possible. For example, cats and dogs are both tame animals. However, cats have a different temperament than dogs, and cats are known to be house pets, while dogs tend to need regular walks and outdoor play.
- Think of at least one or two deep differences and similarities between the two subjects. For example, comparisons and contrasts between abortion rights can lead to profound messages such as this: A pro-life attitude views the fetus as a fully formed human being and is usually based on religious beliefs, while a pro-choice attitude views the fetus as an undeveloped egg and is usually based on scientific beliefs.
- To focus the list, select a category (or supporting point) to classify the similarities and differences between the two subjects. For example, for the topic of abortion rights, you can select categories such as legal details, women's rights, scientific views, and religious beliefs. Then, separate each list item into those categories.
Step 3. Create a Venn diagram of the topic
Draw two large tangent circles, one circle for each subject. In the center, where the two circles intersect, write the equations of the two subjects. In the areas that do not intersect, write down the differences. Write down specific words or phrases for each subject or for each perspective on the same subject.
- When you have finished writing 10–15 differences and 5–7 similarities, circle the most important item in each list. Then, connect at least three opposite grains from one circle to another.
- Go through the list and look for the three different categories that describe the item. For example, for the topic of abortion rights, the pro-life side might say “scientific study of the fetus”, and the pro-life side might say “the belief that the fetus is alive”. The category that can be made for both is the debate about fetal life.
Step 4. Answer questions 5W and 1H
Try to answer the question that journalists usually think about, namely Who? What? When? Where? Why (Why)? and How? By answering these questions, you will get an idea of each topic and perspective.
- If you compare and contrast two historical periods or events, ask: When did it occur (the date and duration)? What happened or changed during each event? Why is the event significant? Who are the important people involved? How did that event happen, and what are its consequences on history?
- If you are comparing and contrasting two ideas or theories, ask: What is the content of the idea or theory? How was it born? Who created it? What is the focus, claim, or goal of each theory? How is the theory applied to situations or people and so on? What evidence is supported to support each theory?
- If you compare and contrast two works of art, ask: What does each work represent? What's the style? What's the theme? Who made it? When was the work made? How would the creator of the work describe his work? Why was the work made that way?
- If you compare and contrast two people, ask: Where did each person come from? How old are they? What made them famous? How do they identify themselves in terms of gender, race, class, etc.? Do the two people have a relationship with each other? What are they doing? Why are they important? What are the salient features of them?
Step 5. Pay attention to gaps in your knowledge or research
The instructor giving the assignment may ask you to do in-depth research on a complex topic, such as abortion rights. Or, you can write from a perspective based on pure opinion, such as why you prefer cats over dogs. After you've finished reviewing your ideas, you should be able to identify aspects of your essay that might need further research or study, if the topic is academic and/or based on recent social events and issues.
Instructors may also request a discussion of more than one similarity and difference between two topics or two perspectives. Look for gaps in your knowledge, and be prepared to do some research so you can better compare and contrast the two topics
Part 2 of 3: Making the Skeleton
Step 1. Compose a thesis statement
The thesis will help you create a focused argument and serve as a map for you and the reader. Make a thesis statement that is specific and detailed, not general and vague.
- The thesis should state important similarities and differences between the two subjects. For example, “Dogs and cats are both considered ideal pets, but temperament and grooming set the two apart.”
- The thesis must also be able to answer the question “Then what? Why should people care about the pros and cons of owning a cat or dog?” Readers may also ask why you chose to discuss cats and dogs instead of other pets such as birds, reptiles, or rabbits. A thesis statement will be much stronger if it contains the answer to that question, and a strong thesis will form a strong essay.
- Here's an example of a better thesis: “Dogs and cats are both considered ideal pets, and have proven to be more popular than other animals such as birds or rabbits, but less difficult care and special temperaments make cats better for a variety of breeds. person." For a thesis that is more concise and allows for an open discussion of both options, see the following example: “Both cats and dogs are good pets, but the right choice depends on the owner's lifestyle, financial situation, and accommodations that can be provided.”
Step 2. Organize essays by block method
In the block method, each paragraph covers only one topic, and discusses the same attributes or aspects that you find when reviewing the topic. Here are the settings:
- Introduction: Introduce a general topic, then introduce both topics specifically. End with a thesis, which states what will be covered in the essay.
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Discussion Paragraph 1: Start with the topic sentence for Topic 1. For example, “Cats are easier to care for and less expensive to care for than dogs”.
- Aspect 1: Lifestyle, with at least two details. For example, that a cat doesn't need to be watched all day, and can take care of itself if the owner is away or not at home often.
- Aspect 2: Cost, with at least two details. For example, that cat food and health care is cheaper and that cats are less likely to cause harm to their owners' homes.
- Aspect 3: Accommodation, with at least two details. For example, that cats don't need a lot of space and are less annoying because they don't have to be walked or played every day.
- End the paragraph with a transition sentence.
- Discussion paragraph 2 follows the same structure, with three aspects and two supporting details for each aspect.
- Discussion paragraph 3 can follow the same structure as discussion paragraphs 2 and 3. Or, create a paragraph that develops a comparison of the previous two paragraphs. You can use scientific data, input from various sources, or personal experience. For example, comparing and contrasting options for owning a dog or cat, and basing decisions on your lifestyle, finances, and accommodations. This can be used as a support argument based on personal experience.
- Conclusion: Contains a summary of the main points, restatement of the thesis, evaluation of the analysis, and further development that can skew comparisons and contrasts on a single topic.
Step 3. Use a point-by-point structure
In the point-by-point method, each paragraph contains arguments for only one aspect. The settings are as follows:
- Introduction: Introduce a general topic, then introduce both topics specifically. End with a thesis, which states what will be covered in the essay.
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Discussion Paragraph 1: Start with the topic sentence for Aspect 1. For example, “Cats are easier on their owners' lifestyle and finances”.
- Topic 1, Aspect 1: Cats, with two details in favor of cats. For example, that a cat doesn't need to be watched all day, and can take care of itself if the owner is away or not at home often.
- Topic 2, Aspect 1: Dogs, with two details that contrast dogs with the previous argument. For example, that dogs are companion animals and cannot be left alone for long, and that dogs cannot take care of themselves when their owners are away.
- End with a transition sentence.
- Discussion paragraph 2 follows the same structure, with discussion of Topic 1 and Topic 2 in relation to Aspect 2. For example, “Cast care and ownership is cheaper”. There should be two supporting details for each topic.
- Discussion paragraph 3 follows the same structure, with discussion of Topic 1 and Topic 2 in relation to Aspect 3. For example, “Cats do not need special accommodations than dogs”. There should be two supporting details for each topic.
- Conclusion: Contains a summary of the main points, restatement of the thesis, evaluation of the analysis, and further development that can skew comparisons and contrasts on a single topic.
Part 3 of 3: Writing the Introduction
Step 1. Use clear and unequivocal words
There's no need to apologize to the reader that you're not an expert on either topic, or that your opinion doesn't matter. Don't start with phrases like, "In my opinion" or "I may be wrong, but I believe that…" Instead, you should start with confidence, keeping in mind the thesis statement and outline you have made.
- Also avoid stating the intent directly and formally. For example, avoid statements like, “In this essay, I will…” or “The purpose of this essay is…”
- The reader should be able to understand the purpose of your essay through the first two sentences of the introductory paragraph.
Step 2. Create an attention-grabbing first sentence
A catchphrase can captivate the reader from the start, especially if your topic is dry or complex. Try creating attention grabbers with starting points like these:
- Interesting or surprising examples. For example, personal experiences where cats have been shown to be better pets than dogs, or scientific studies showing the differences between cats and dogs.
- Provocative quotes. For example, a quote from a source you used for your essay or that is relevant to the topic.
- Anecdote. Anecdotes are short stories that contain morals or symbols. Think of an anecdote that might be poetic or powerful to start the essay. You can also check research results for anecdotes.
- Thought provoking questions. Look for questions that will get the reader thinking and interested in the topic. For example, “Did you wish you had a cat, but ended up always having a dog?”
Step 3. Revise the introduction after the essay is finished
Another technique you can try is to write a temporary introduction with a thesis question, then revise it or rewrite it after the essay is finished. If you're having a hard time finding the right introduction because you're not sure what to cover in detail or how the main argument will turn out, try writing an introduction in the last step.
