A Guide to Writing a Contrast and Compare Essay

The significance of essays to students and their learning cannot get stated enough. Among the core that sum up essays entail the contrast and compare essays. It’s an essay type that provides learners with an opportunity to analyze two or additional subjects against each other. Students explore the similarities and differences between subjects falling under a similar category.

Picking a Contrast and Compare Essay Title

A student must understand that topics for a contrast and compare essay must not drastically be different. Titles must contain points of both similarities and differences for effective comparison and contrast. Further, learners must pick subjects that they feel passionate about to make them lively and inspired.  

Writing a Contrast and Compare Essay

• Brainstorm the differences and similarities on the topic you have settled upon. List the striking things first before becoming more creative in jotting down differences and similarities. In instances where you learn best through visuals, try creating things like a Venn chart. You can accomplish this by drawing two overlapping circles with similarities jotted down in the overlapping area while placing differences in the non-overlapping regions.  
• Outline your contrast and compare essay pieces. All contrast and compare essays heavily rely on accurate analysis. Use the point-by-point or block method in outlining your essay. With a block outline, you have to present every existing information, including features and particular details of the initial subject. You then have to follow it with the second block following a similar approach for the subsequent subject. The point-by-point method entails listing every difference and similarity simultaneously of both subjects. 

Both formats of a block and point-by-point method have their cons and pros, with the block structure making it easier for the student to write. You only have to point out every available information concerning both subjects and letting the reader make the comparison. With the point-by-point method, however, you must analyze the key points and make the differences and similarities explicit yourself.

• Structure your essay by following the typical essay structure. Please have an introduction, the body of the text having three paragraphs, and finally the conclusion. When there’s a need to have a more detailed focus on every subject, you can incorporate an extra paragraph so that you cover every vital point. 

Further, use specific transition words to ensure a smooth flow of your contrast and compare essay. Such words can include likewise, similarly, both, also, just like, etc. or by comparison, in contrast, whereas, differ from, but, unlike, etc.

• Back your claims with evidence to lend more credibility to your essay. You can use scholarly articles, books, magazines, movies, newspaper articles, or anything else that can give your work more credibility.
• Proofread and edit your essay to eliminate small mistakes that can impact the quality of your essay piece resulting in a poorer grade. If you need a second pair of eyes, involve a friend or a family member to proofread the article for you. You can get surprised by the number of mistakes they spot.

Conclusion

As a student, it’s crucial to have a proper attitude when you settle down to write a contrast and compare essay pieces. By so doing, you can actively engage the intended audience with the discussion. It’s almost a given that when you find your contrast and compare essay enchanting, the audience will similarly find it captivating as well.