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To write a compare and contrast essay, you need to describe the similarities and differences between two items that are similar in nature. In the body paragraphs of the essay it is important to use the methods of writing in blocks or point by point, and the connectors of contrast and comparison.
what is an essay
The essay is a prose text, and also a literary genre that analyzes a certain topic . It can be academic, literary, scientific and deal with a great infinity of topics.
However, it presents specific characteristics, such as:
- Formal tone.
- Relevant content.
- Good organization and documentation.
- Correct use of language.
Essays have three main parts: introduction , body or core , and conclusion . In the introduction the topic to be discussed is mentioned in an attractive way. The theme is developed in the body of the essay, using the appropriate methods according to the type of essay. Finally, in the conclusion, the ideas of the essay are reviewed and a final sentence is included as a result of the analysis carried out throughout the text.
What is a compare and contrast essay
The compare and contrast essay is an expository text in which two or more elements are compared and contrasted, which can be objects, people, feelings, ideas, theories, etc. The objective is to analyze different options and make a value judgment or make a decision.
In the comparison and contrast essay, all the characteristics that the elements have in common are highlighted, as well as their differences, to establish which is the best, the most relevant or convenient, or else, expose different alternatives for the reader.
While anything can be compared and contrasted, such as the philosophical thoughts of Plato and Aristotle or mobile phone models, it is essential that the items are of the same nature, category, or relationship between them. That is, the contrast and comparison essay can be about two or more types of philosophical thoughts or two or more brands of phones, and not between a philosophical thought and a brand of phones.
Organization of the compare and contrast essay
In a compare and contrast essay, the following organization is usually found:
- Introduction : in this paragraph the subject that is going to be analyzed in the essay is exposed.
- Development : in this part, the author can elaborate on the different differences and similarities of what he is analyzing. This section can be two or more paragraphs, but it must be very well organized in order to clearly express the contrast or similarity, while maintaining the flow of the text. The organization of the paragraphs can be:
- In blocks: this method consists of using one or more paragraphs to highlight all the similarities of the elements in question. Instead, the next paragraph includes all the differences. This can also be done in reverse: first all the differences in one paragraph and then all the similarities in the other.
- Point by point: this type of method allows greater detail when defining and establishing the comparison and contrast between the elements, since it analyzes each one of them “point by point”. For example, in the same paragraph or more, the similarities and differences of the elements are expressed at the same time.
- Conclusion : in the last paragraph, the differences and similarities that were found are summarized in a general way and after an analysis, a conclusion is reached.
In addition to these features, the paragraphs within the compare and contrast essay should have a smooth transition from one to the other.
How to write an essay (in general)
To effectively write a compare and contrast essay, it is important to consider the basic rules of writing an essay. In this way it will be possible to efficiently expose the information that you want to transmit.
First, it is essential that the essay has an introduction or opening hook , which captures the reader’s attention and interest.
In the body or knot of the essay must be the results of the analyzes carried out , in the clearest, most precise and direct way possible.
Finally, the essay should end with a conclusion highlighting the key points , either resulting in the best options or summarizing all available options.
How to write a compare and contrast essay
Before you start writing a compare and contrast essay, you must determine its topic. If you do not have a specific content, you can do:
- A «brainstorm», writing down the ideas that appear spontaneously.
- A Venn diagram, including in the sets the aspects of each element to obtain the differences and similarities.
- A list of pros and cons, or differences and commonalities for each item being compared.
The first paragraph of the compare and contrast essay should include references to both sides of the comparison. It’s a good idea to end with a sentence that summarizes the overall purpose or results, such as “Living in the country means a healthier lifestyle.”
In the body of the essay the elements to be compared are incorporated, choosing the development in block or point by point.
In the conclusion, the results of the evaluation that was carried out are logically expressed. An item rating can also be added, but only if it is relevant to the objectives of the essay.
compare and contrast connectors
To achieve better writing and reading of a compare and contrast essay, it is important to take into account and include some of the following connectors:
- To indicate contrast or difference: however, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, on the contrary, although, while, but, still, despite, to be different from, unlike, although.
- To point out the similarities: like, in addition, also, likewise, compared to, in the same way as, similar to, the same as, in the same way as, as well as, even when, similar to, in the same context , so…(adjective) like…
50 topics to write a compare and contrast essay
Below are some interesting topic suggestions for writing compare and contrast essays.
History and Politics Topics
- Communism versus capitalism.
- Greek and Roman mythology.
- Monarchy and republic.
- Christianity and Islam.
- Buddhism and Hinduism.
- Africa and Europe.
- Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire.
- Dalton and Bohr atomic models.
- North Korea and South Korea.
- North America and Latin America.
Subjects of Art and Literature
- Books versus movies.
- Poetry versus prose.
- Artwork by Diego Velázquez and Pablo Picasso.
- Fiction and nonfiction.
- Comics and anime.
- Renaissance art and baroque art.
- Egyptian art and Greco-Roman art.
- 1984 or Fahrenheit 451 .
- Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot.
- Mayan and Aztec art.
technology and entertainment
- Comparison of two video games.
- Advantages and disadvantages of an Apple computer.
- Uses of instagram and Twitter.
- Urban dance and ballroom dancing.
- Classical music and jazz.
- Soccer or rugby.
- Xiaomi or Samsung.
- Rap and trap.
- Laptop or tablet.
- American and European TV series.
Topics related to education and languages
- Waldorf teaching and the Montessori method.
- The phonetics of English and Spanish.
- Public school and private school.
- Mandarin Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
- Pedagogical methods.
- On-site or virtual teaching.
- High school and college.
- The bilingual school and the traditional school.
- Written and colloquial language.
- Prose and poetry.
Lifestyles and eating habits
- Gourmet restaurants and street food.
- Virtual nomads and conventional work.
- Residential neighborhoods and suburbs.
- Have a dog or cat.
- Living in a house or an apartment.
- Wind power and solar power .
- Coffee and energy drinks.
- Glass or plastic containers.
- Cash, credit cards or virtual wallets.
- beneficial and harmful habits
Bibliography
- Escalante, E. How to write an essay: Practical guide. (2017, Kindle version). Spain. Edward Escalante.
- Batista Franco, M. How to write an essay?: Practical guide in 5 steps. (2021, Kindle version). Spain. Milton Batista Franco.
- Garfias, L. (2015, January 19). Comparison and contrast essay. Luzgarfias.com. Available at: https://www.luzgarfias.com/es/ensayo-de-comparacion-y-contraste/
