Writing a Cmpare/Cntrast Essay As always, the instructr and the assignment sheet prvide the definitive expectatins and requirements fr any essay. Here is sme general infrmatin abut the rganizatin fr this type f essay: A cmparisn essay ntes either similarities, r similarities and differences. A cntrast essay ntes nly differences. The cmparisn r cntrast shuld make a pint r serve a purpse. Often such essays d ne f the fllwing: Clarify smething unknwn r nt well understd. Lead t a fresh insight r new way f viewing smething. Bring ne r bth f the subjects int sharper fcus. Shw that ne subject is better than the ther. The thesis can present the subjects and indicate whether they will be cmpared, cntrasted, r bth. The same pints shuld be discussed fr bth subjects; it is nt necessary, hwever t give bth subjects the same degree f develpment. Sme cmmn rganizatinal structures include: (see nte belw) Blck methd (subject by subject) Pint by pint Cmparisns fllwed by cntrasts (r the reverse) Use detailed tpic sentences and the fllwing cnnecting wrds t make the relatinship between yur subjects clear t yur reader: Cnnectrs That Shw Cmparisn (Similarities) In additn Crrespndingly Cmpared t Similarly Just as As well as Likewise Same as At the same time Cnnectrs That Shw Cntrast (Differences) Hwever On the cntrary On the ther hand Even thugh In cntrast Althugh Unlike Cnversely Meanwhile See the ther side f this page f a detailed example fr bth the Blck Methd and the Pintby-Pint methd. Fr a blank chart t rganize yur wn essay, use the Cmpare/Cntrast Essay Wrksheet
Intr Bdy Paragraph 1 Bdy Paragraph 2 Bdy Paragraph 3 Cnclusin CLRC Writing Center Writing a Cmpare/Cntrast Essay The fllwing example cntains an element f the authr s pinin, but nt all cmpare/cntrast assignments allw fr that. Always check yur assignment sheet and ask yur instructr fr clarificain abut including yur pinin. Pint-by-Pint Methd Intrductin f general tpic Specific tpic Thesis = areas t be cvered in this essay: Bth cats and dgs make excellent pets, but an apprpriate chice depends n the pet wner s lifestyle, finances, and husehld accmmdatins. Tpic Sentence - Aspect 1 Cats make less f an impact n an wner s lifestyle. Tpic 1 - Aspect 1: Cats : Dn t have t be watched during the day : Easier t get care if wner travels Tpic 2 - Aspect 1: Dgs : Pack animals shuldn t be left alne : Harder t get care when away Transitin Sentence Tpic Sentence - Aspect 2 Cats are less expensive t wn and care fr. Tpic 1 - Aspect 2: Cats : Fd and health care are usually less expensive : Less likely t cause prperty damage Tpic 2 - Aspect 2: Dgs : Fd is mre expensive : Over-breeding causes sme health prblems Transitin Sentence Tpic Sentence - Aspect 3 Cats need few special huse accmmdatin. Tpic 1 - Aspect 3: Cats : Dn t take up much space : Less intrusive Tpic 2 - Aspect 3: Dgs : Often need yard and fence : Require mre safety and prtective measures Transitin Sentence Summary f main pints Evaluatin and/r pssible future develpments Significance f tpic t authr: When cnsidering adpting a pet, a prspective wner must cnsider the lifestyle, finances, and husehld accmmdatins that the pet wuld require. Owners wh neglect t cmpare these aspects will ften nt care fr their pet in a safe manner. Blck Methd Intrductin f general tpic Specific tpic Thesis = areas t be cvered in this essay: Bth cats and dgs make excellent pets, but an apprpriate chice depends n the pet wner s lifestyle, finances, and husehld accmmdatins. Tpic Sentence Tpic 1 Cats are easier and less expensive t care fr. Aspect 1: Lifestyle : Dn t have t be watched during the day : Easier t get care if wner travels Aspect 2: Cst : Fd and health care are usually less expensive : Less likely t cause prperty damage Aspect 3: Huse accmmdatins : Dn t take up much space : Less intrusive Transitin Sentence Tpic Sentence Tpic 2 Dgs are active and lyally engaging pets. Aspect 1 Lifestyle : Pack animals shudn t be left alne : Harder t get care when away Need mre living space Aspect 2 Cst : Fd is mre expensive : Over-breeding causes sme health prblems Aspect 3 Huse accmmdatins : Often need yard and fence : Require mre safety and prtective measures Transitin Sentence Optinal: develp a paragraph t evaluate the cmparisn made in the essay: Last summer, I was cnsidering adpting a pet, s I visited the SPCA t gather mre infrmatin abut cats and dgs. I am a full time student and wrk part time in the evenings, s my lifestyle and schedule didn t seem cnducive t wning a dg like I had riginally planned. Nw that I ve had my cat Ckie fr a few mnths, I see that she s the perfect fit and a great cmpanin fr me. Summary f main pints Evaluatin and/r pssible future develpments Significance f tpic t authr: When cnsidering adpting a pet, a prspective wner must cnsider the lifestyle, finances, and husehld accmmdatins that the pet wuld require. Owners wh neglect t cmpare these aspects will ften nt care fr their pet in a safe manner.
Brainstrming fr a Cmpare/Cntrast Essay 1. Write each tpic name abve ne f the circles. List attributes r qualities f that tpic in the circle, placing any shared qualities in the verlapping sectin. Be specific and use details. (Example:details f living in SB might include high cst f living, beach cmmunity, gd schls, etc. Less effective qualities: nt nice place, cl hanguts.) 2. Circle the mst imprtant qualities in each list and match at least three ppsites frm ne circle t anther. After cmpleting steps 1-3, list the three categries r aspects that bth items share: 1. 2. 3. 3. Review the lists and identify three categries r aspects that describe these details. (Example: beach cmmunity detail fr ne tpic and big city detail fr the ther = envirnment r setting as a categry.) List the categries in the bx abve. 4. Then chse ne ptin (pint by pint r blck methd) t structure yur essay. See examples in this handut. 5. Use the chart n the next page t rganize yur paragraphs as indicated. Add mre ideas and details fr each categry as yu think f them.
Cmpare and Cntrast Essay Structure: Blck Methd In the Blck Methd, each paragraph addresses ONE TOPIC ONLY frm yur pair f tpics and includes the SHARED ASPECTS yu have chsen t Cmpare t tpic 2. Use the fllwing chart t rganize yur ideas fr yur essay. (See Venn diagram steps 1 5 fr examples n tpics, aspects, and details.) Blck Methd Intrductin intrductin f general tpic specific tpic areas t be cvered in this essay My Essay Tpic 1 Aspect 1 Aspect 2 Aspect 3 Tpic Sentence: Tpic 2 Aspect 1 Aspect 2 Aspect 3 Tpic Sentence: Cnclusin Summary f main pints Evaluatin and/r pssible future develpments
Cmpare and Cntrast Essay Structure: Pint by Pint Methd In the Pint-by-Pint Methd, each paragraph cntains details n ONE ASPECT f BOTH TOPICS rganized in the same rder. Use the fllwing chart t rganize yur ideas fr yur essay. (See Venn diagram steps 1 5 fr examples n tpics, aspects, and details.) Pint by Pint Methd Intrductin intrductin f general tpic specific tpic areas t be cvered in this essay My Essay Tpic 1 - Aspect 1 Tpic 2 - Aspect 1 Tpic 1 - Aspect 2 Tpic 2 - Aspect 2 Tpic 1 - Aspect 3 Tpic 2 - Aspect 3 Tpic Sentence: Tpic Sentence: Tpic Sentence: Cnclusin Summary f main pints Evaluatin and/r pssible future develpments Surce referenced: http://www.efl.arts.gla.ac.uk/campusonly/essays/15web.htm