Compare and Contrast Essay Full Writing Guide

Finding the Best Compare and Contrast Essay Topics For You

Compare and contrast essay rely heavily on factual analysis. Two outline methods can help you organize your facts. When choosing a topic for your essay, remember that subjects cannot be drastically different, because there would be little to no points of comparison (similarities). The same goes for too many similarities, which will result in poor contrasts. For example, it is better to write about two composers, rather than a composer and a singer.

It is extremely important to choose a topic you are passionate about. You never want to come across something that seems dull and uninspiring for you. Here are some excellent ways to brainstorm for a topic:

• Find categories: Choose a type (like animals, films or economics), and compare subjects within that category – wild animals to farm animals, Star Wars to Star Trek, private companies to public companies, etc.
• Random Surprising Fact: Dig for fun facts which could make great topics. Did you know that chickens can be traced back to dinosaurs?
• Movie vs. Book: Most of the time, the book is better than the movie — unless it’s Blade Runner or Lord of the Rings. If you’re a pop culture lover, compare movies vs. books, video games, comics, etc.

Some interesting ideas to consider:

• Attending a college course vs. distance-based learning.
• Writing a research paper vs. writing a creative writing paper. What are the differences and similarities?
• The differences between a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree.
• The key aspects and differences between the US and UK education systems.
• Completing assignments at the library compared with doing them at home. Which one is the most efficient?
• The similarities and differences of the behaviour between married and unmarried couples.
• The similarities and differences between the EU (European Union) and ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations)?
• The similarities and differences between American and Canadian English.
• Writing an internship report vs. writing a research paper.
• The differences between US colleges and colleges in the EU?

How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay: Brainstorm Similarities and Differences

• When you are set with your topic, the first thing you should do is grab a piece of paper and make a list with two columns: similarities and differences. Jot down key things first, the most striking ones. Then try to look at the subjects from a different angle, incorporate your imagination.
• If you are more of a visual learner, creating a Venn diagram might be a good idea. In order to create it, draw two circles that overlap. In the section where it overlaps, note similarities. Differences should be written in the part of circle that does not overlap.
• Let’s look at a simple example. Let one of the subjects be oranges, and the other one be apples. Oranges have thick peel, originally from India, and are tropical fruit. These characteristics pertain only to oranges and should be in the part of the circle that does not overlap. For the same section on apples, we put thin peel, originated in Turkey or Kazakhstan, and moderate to subtropical. In the section that overlaps, let’s put that they are both fruit, can be juiced, and grow on trees. This simple, yet good example illustrates how the same concept can be applied to many other complicated topics with additional points of comparison and contrast.
• This format of visual aid helps to organize similarities and differences and make them easier to perceive. Your diagram will give you a clear idea of the things you can write about.
• Another good idea for brainstorming in preparation for your comparison contrast essay is to create a list with 2 columns, one for each subject, and compare the same characteristics for each of them simultaneously. This format will make writing your comparison contrast paper argument a breeze, as you will have your ideas ready and organized.
• One mistake you should avoid is simply listing all of the differences or similarities for each subject. Sometimes students get too caught up in looking for similarities and differences that their compare and contrast essays end up sounding like grocery lists. Your essay should be based on analyzing the similarities and differences, analyzing your conclusions about the two subjects, and finding connections between them—while following a specific format.

Compare and Contrast Essay Structure and Outline

Compare and contrast papers rely heavily on factual analysis. Two outline methods can help you organize your facts: use the block method, or point-by-point method, to write a compare and contrast essay outline.

While using the block structure, all the information is presented for the first subject, and its characteristics and specific details are explained. This concludes one block. The second block takes the same approach as the first for the second subject.

The point-by-point structure lists each similarity and difference simultaneously—making notes of both subjects. For example, you can list a characteristic specific to one subject, followed by its similarity or difference to the other subject.

Both formats have their pros and cons. The block method is clearly easier to write, as you simply point out all of the information about the two subjects, and basically leave it to the reader to do the comparison. The point-by-point format requires you to analyze the points yourself while making similarities and differences more explicit to the reader for them to be easier to understand. Here is a detailed structure of each type presented below.

Point-by-Point Method

Intro

• Introduce the topic;
• Specify your theme;
• Present your thesis – cover all areas of the essay in one sentence.

Body Paragraph 1 – LIFESTYLE

• Topic Sentence: Motorcycles impact the owner’s lifestyle less than cars.
• Topic 1 – Motorcycles

• Argument: Motorcycles are smaller and more comfortable to store.
• Argument: Motorcycles are easy to learn and use.

• Topic 2 – Cars

• Argument: Cars are a big deal – they are like a second home.
• Argument: It takes time to learn to become a good driver.

Body Paragraph 2 – FINANCES

• Topic sentence: Cars are much more expensive than motorcycles
• Topic 1 – Motorcycles

• Argument: You can buy a good motorcycle for under 300$.
• Argument: Fewer parts that are more accessible to fix.

• Topic 2 – Cars

• Argument: Parts and service are expensive if something breaks.
• Argument: Cars need more gas than motorcycles.

Body Paragraph 3 – CITY

• Topic sentence: Cars are a better option for bigger cities with wider roads.
• Topic 1 – Motorcycles

• Argument: Riding motorcycles in a big city is more dangerous than with cars.
• Argument: Motorcycles work great in a city like Rome, where all the streets are narrow.

• Topic 2 – Cars

• Argument: Big cities are easier and more comfortable to navigate by car.
• Argument: With a car, traveling outside of the city is much easier.

Conclusion

Body Paragraph 1

• Topic Sentence: Motorcycles are cheaper and easier to take care of than cars.
• Aspect 1 – Lifestyle

• Argument: Motorcycles are smaller and more comfortable to store.
• Argument: Motorcycles are easy to learn and use.

• Aspect 2 – Finances

• Argument: You can buy a good motorcycle for under 300$.
• Argument: Fewer parts, easier to fix.

• Aspect 3 – City

• Argument: Riding motorcycles in a big city is more dangerous than cars.
• Argument: Motorcycles work great in a city like Rome, where all the streets are narrow.

Body Paragraph 2

• Topic sentence: Cars are more expensive but more comfortable for a big city and for travelling.
• Aspect 1 – Lifestyle

• Argument: Cars are a big deal—like a second home.
• Argument: It takes time to learn to become a good driver.

• Aspect 2 – Finances

• Argument: Parts and service are expensive if something breaks.
• Argument: Cars need more gas than motorcycles.

• Aspect 3 – City

• Argument: Big cities are easier and more comfortable to navigate by car.
• Argument: With a car, traveling outside the city is much more comfortable.

Body Paragraph 3‍

Use the last paragraph to evaluate the comparisons and explain why they’re essential. Giving a lot of facts can be intense. To water it down, try to give the reader any real-life applications of these facts.

Depending on the structure selected, you can begin to create an outline for your essay. The typical structure for any essay follows the format of having an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion — though, if you need to focus on each subject in more detailed ways, feel free to include an extra paragraph to cover all of the most important points.

To make your compare and contrast essay flow better, we recommend using special transition words and phrases. They will add variety and improve your paper overall.

For the section where you compare two subjects, you can include any of the following words: similarly, likewise, also, both, just like, similar to, the same as, alike, or to compare to. When contrasting two subjects, use: in contrast, in comparison, by comparison, on the other hand, while, whereas, but, to differ from, dissimilar to, or unlike.

Show Your Evidence

Arguments for any essay, including compare and contrast essays or while psychology essay writing, need to be supported by sufficient evidence. Make good use of your personal experiences, books, scholarly articles, magazine and newspaper articles, movies, or anything that will make your argument sound credible. For example, in your essay, if you were to compare attending college on campus vs. distance-based learning, you could include your personal experiences of being a student, and how often students show up to class on a daily basis. You could also talk about your experience taking online classes, which makes your argument about online classes credible as well.

Helpful Final Tips

The biggest tip paper writing services can give you is to have the right attitude when writing a compare and contrast essay, and actively engage the reader in the discussion. If you find it interesting, so will your reader! Here are some more compare and contrast essay tips that will help you to polish yours up:

• Compare and contrast essays need powerful transitions. Try learning more about custom writing transition sentences using the words we provided for you in the “Compare and Contrast Structure and Outline” section.
• Always clarify the concepts you introduce in your essay. Always explain lesser known information—don’t assume the reader must already know it.
• Do not forget to proofread. Small mistakes, but in high quantities, can result in a low grade. Pay attention to your grammar and punctuation.
• Have a friend or family member take a look at your essay; they may notice things you have missed.