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Compare and Contrast Essay: Examples, Outline, Structure, Format

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Dr. Simon Robbins
  • Icon Calendar 10 September 2024
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This article is a guideline on how to write a compare and contrast essay correctly and provide a high-quality paper without plagiarism. Basically, a compare and contrast essay is a paper writing assignment for students at various levels of education. It provides critical insights for learners who often have to write these types of essays for assessment purposes. By reading an entire article, students can develop necessary skills and get new ideas about various topics they can choose to write their papers, 3 standard types of outlines, and some technical details they must focus on when writing. A presented article also includes sample outlines and essays to enrich a reader’s experience and understanding of what students’ instructors might expect from them. In particular, an in-depth discussion concerning the best practices for writing a good contrast and compare paper focuses on its definition and meaning, format, types, prompts, structure, sample outlines, examples of essays, easy 4 steps to follow, what to include, and what to avoid.

General Aspects

A clear understanding of an expected content to be delivered when writing a compare and contrast essay is necessary for an entire development of an effective paper. Writing is integral to a college education because various types of papers are valid platforms upon which students apply knowledge. In this sense, creating various documents through writing allows individuals to develop intellectually. Further on, compare and contrast essays are standard texts that learners in higher learning environments write as part of semester assessments. According to academic writing conventions, specific rules apply to different types of essays. When students receive instructions to write a specific essay from their tutor, they should first determine its type, whether it is a personal narrative, a cause and effect essay, an evaluation essay, or an analytical essay. As such, this article provides a valid guideline on how to write a compare and contrast paper. It also offers sample compare and contrast structures, outlines, and essays and invites college students and anyone interested in knowing how to write this type of composition to read and grasp essential insights.

What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a compare and contrast essay is a type and format of academic writing that examines some similarities and differences between two or more subjects. For example, the main purpose of writing a compare and contrast essay is to provide a comprehensive analysis that highlights how two or more subjects are alike or distinct from one another, offering a deeper understanding of their key characteristics (Mentan, 2022). In writing, this type of paper allows students to develop critical thinking skills by evaluating various aspects of subjects in question, informing readers about two unfamiliar concepts, helping them decide between alternatives, or clarifying some strengths and weaknesses of each. Further on, such a composition follows a structured approach, where key similarities and differences are organized either subject by subject or point by point (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Basically, the primary writing goal is to offer insights that go beyond surface-level observations, leading readers to a clearer, more comprehensive view of topics being discussed. Moreover, these papers are often used to explain various concepts, weigh options, or demonstrate how one subject stands out against another (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In terms of pages and words, a compare and contrast essay’s length depends on academic levels, specific course requirements, and the nature of subjects, while general writing guidelines are:

High School


  • Length: 1–3 pages
  • Word Count: 250–750 words

College


  • Length: 2–4 pages
  • Word Count: 500–1,000 words

University (Undergraduate)


  • Length: 3–6 pages
  • Word Count: 750–1,500 words

Master’s


  • Length: 4–10 pages
  • Word Count: 1,000–2,500 words

Ph.D.


  • Length: 6–20+ pages
  • Word Count: 1,500–5,000+ words
Compare and Contrast Essay: Examples, Outline, Structure, Format

Format

SectionContent
TitleWrite a clear, informative title that reflects two or more subjects being compared and contrasted.
IntroductionBegin with a brief introduction to subjects being compared and contrasted.
State a purpose of a compare and contrast essay (e.g., to analyze, inform, or persuade).
Write a thesis statement outlining main points of comparison and contrast.
Body Paragraph 1 (Subject-by-Subject OR Point-by-Point)Subject-by-Subject Format:
Discuss all aspects of a first subject.
Include similarities and differences.
Point-by-Point Format:
Focus on one specific aspect of both subjects (e.g., feature, theme, idea).
Compare and contrast that one aspect.
Body Paragraph 2 (Subject-by-Subject OR Point-by-Point Formats)Subject-by-Subject Format:
Discuss all aspects of a second subject.
Include similarities and differences.
Point-by-Point Format:
Focus on another specific aspect of both subjects (e.g., feature, theme, idea).
Compare and contrast that one aspect.
Body Paragraph 3 (Subject-by-Subject OR Point-by-Point Formats)Subject-by-Subject Format:
Discuss all aspects of a third subject.
Include similarities and differences.
Point-by-Point Format:
Focus on one more specific aspect of both subjects (e.g., feature, theme, idea).
Compare and contrast that one aspect.
Body Paragraphs 4+ (Subject-by-Subject OR Point-by-Point Formats)Follow a structure and format of a chosen method for writing any other body paragraph.
Add more points of comparison or more subjects, depending on a depth of analysis.
ConclusionRestate a central thesis and summarize key points of comparison and contrast.
Provide insight or implications based on an entire analysis.
Conclude a whole writing with a final thought or recommendation if relevant.
List of ReferencesList all academic sources cited in a compare and contrast essay (e.g., books, articles, websites).
Follow a required citation style (MLA, APA, Harvard, Chicago/Turabian, etc.).

Note: Some writing sections of a compare and contrast essay can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, depending on actual assignment requirements, topic complexities, types, and institutional guidelines. For example, a standard compare and contrast essay format is a structured way of organizing a paper that examines some similarities and differences between two or more subjects, typically using either subject-by-subject or point-by-point methods (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In literature, the term “contrast and compare” refers to a specific process of identifying differences and similarities between two or more subjects or ideas. Further on, a subject-by-subject comparison and contrast essay example is first discussing all aspects of city life, such as convenience and culture, followed by a separate section analyzing rural life in terms of tranquility and community. On the other hand, a point-by-point comparison and contrast essay example is comparing smartphones and tablets by evaluating specific features, like portability, functionality, and price, and discussing each point for both devices in alternating order. In writing and purpose, a compare and contrast informative essay provides a detailed examination of key similarities and differences between two or more subjects to inform and enhance a reader’s understanding of each topic (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Moreover, some examples of a compare and contrast essay for college are analyzing key pros and cons of studying abroad versus studying in one’s home country in terms of cost, cultural exposure, and academic opportunities. As such, a compare and contrast essay explains principal similarities and differences between two or more subjects to highlight their distinct characteristics or draw meaningful conclusions about them (Mentan, 2022). In turn, to start a compare and contrast essay, authors introduce two or more subjects being analyzed, provide relevant background information, and present a clear thesis that outlines main paper’s points.

Defining Features

A compare and contrast essay is a scholarly text that examines two or more topics related to people, objects, or ideas and compares their similarities and contrasts their differences. For example, to compare and contrast in an essay, people examine crucial similarities and differences between two or more subjects, presenting each point clearly and using evidence to support their analysis (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Typically, most college professors ask students to compare and contrast, but this writing feature is not mandatory. There are circumstances when tutors may ask students to focus exclusively on comparing similarities, contrasting differences, or both. Then, the most important thing that learners should understand is that writing a compare and contrast essay means examining two or more topics from principal perspectives of similarities and differences (Mentan, 2022). Therefore, this type of essay differs from others, including expository, descriptive, and persuasive papers. For instance, writing an argumentative essay requires students to make a claim about a person, object, or idea and defend it using evidence from various credible sources.

Content

For writing a well-organized compare and contrast essay, students must provide detailed explanations of some similarities and differences between two or more subjects mentioned in an assignment prompt. For example, a specific number of similarities and differences included in a comparative essay is either determined by a college essay’s length or writing instructions (Davidson & Berninger, 2015). Moreover, an entire presentation of similarities and differences requires authors to establish a basis for a good comparison. In turn, these are themes that enable readers to follow and distinguish an actual relevance of specific differences or similarities. Besides, 10 writing examples of compare and contrast words are: similarly, likewise, in contrast, however, both, on the other hand, whereas, yet, unlike, and conversely. As a result, a whole content of this type of essay should present an unbiased analysis of two or more themes or subjects in writing.

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Prompts

When writing a compare and contrast paper, one should use the instructions from their lecturer as a writing guide. While it is common for tutors to define essay topics explicitly, sometimes, they require students to decide by themselves (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). As such, students should brainstorm with their peers on what topic to base their essay on. In turn, the following compare and contrast essay prompts are ideal for writing good papers because they suggest an entire need to compare similarities and contrast differences.

Structures and Types

When writing a compare and contrast paper, one should know a traditional essay structure. For example, to write a correct compare and contrast essay outline, people organize their paper by listing main points of analysis, group related ideas under each point, and decide whether to use a subject-by-subject or point-by-point structure (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Basically, essays are unique from other texts because they have specific rules to make correct outlines. As such, writing a compare and contrast essay without knowing how content should appear from the beginning to the end is a grave mistake that can lead to stiff penalties. Further on, a compare and contrast essay structure typically follows either a subject-by-subject format, where each subject is discussed separately, or a point-by-point format, where each point is analyzed for both subjects simultaneously (Mentan, 2022). As such, there are several writing structures and types of compare and contrast essays one can follow. In particular, a block approach involves discussing one subject point by point to compare and then repeating the same structure for a next subject. Then, a point-by-point approach entails discussing one point at a time, explaining how it applies to each subject, and then discussing a next point, including its relevance. Moreover, a similarities and differences approach involves discussing some similarities between two or more subjects first and then their differences. In turn, some other writing structures and types of compare and contrast essays include:

Structure/TypePurpose
Subject-by-SubjectTo thoroughly discuss each subject in separate sections before comparing them.
Point-by-PointTo compare specific aspects of both subjects side by side in a detailed manner.
Mixed ParagraphTo blend comparison and contrast within each paragraph for a nuanced analysis.
Comparative AnalysisTo critically analyze similarities and differences to gain deeper insight or judgment.
Block MethodTo address one subject fully, followed by the other, with less emphasis on integration.
Lens (or “Frame”) MethodTo compare a subject through a perspective or “lens” of another subject.
Venn Diagram EssayTo use visual representation for quick, direct comparison and contrast.
Historical ComparisonTo analyze historical similarities and differences, understanding key trends or impacts.
Philosophical ComparisonTo explore deep conceptual or theoretical differences between ideas or ideologies.
Evaluation/DecisionTo help readers to make a choice between two options by comparing strengths and weaknesses.

Examples of Outlines and Templates

Block Outline and Template

I. Essay Introduction

  • Introduce a topic – Cars and Motorcycles.
  • Establish a background.
  • Create a thesis statement addressing some similarities and differences covered in a compare and contrast essay.

II. First Body Paragraph: Point 1

  • Topic Sentence 1: Cars and motorcycles enhance convenience by enabling people to move from one location to another speedily.
  • Theme 1: Availability
  • Argument 1 for Point 1: It is easier to find cars and motorcycles in urban centers.
  • Argument 2 for Point 1: Public buses, taxis, and motorcycles for hire are common phenomena in most big cities worldwide.

III. Second Body Paragraph: Point 2

  • Topic Sentence 2: Cars are more comfortable for long-distance traveling, while motorcycles are good for traveling within the city.
  • Theme 2: Comfort
  • Argument 1 for Point 2: Traveling with a car for long distances does not cause fatigue like traveling on a motorcycle.
  • Argument 2 for Point 2: Navigating the city with a motorcycle is easier than a car.

IV. Third Body Paragraph: Point 3

  • Topic Sentence 3: Cars are more expensive to buy and maintain than motorcycles.
  • Theme 3: Purchase Price
  • Argument 1 for Point 3: Cars cost more than motorcycles.
  • Argument 2 for Point 3: Cars consume more gas than motorcycles.

V. Conclusion

  • Restate a thesis in a compare and contrast essay and provide a summary of Points 1, 2, and 3.

Point-by-Point Outline and Template

I. Introduction

  • Introduce a topic: Cars and Motorcycles.
  • Contextualize a topic.
  • Create a 3-point thesis that captures a paper’s primary focus between two or more subjects under analysis.

II. First Body Paragraph: Convenience

  • Topic Sentence 1: Cars and motorcycles are convenient modes of transport.
  • Subject 1: Motorcycles
  • Argument 1 for Subject 1: It is enjoyable to ride a motorcycle in a big city.
  • Argument 2 for Subject 1: Motorcycles are convenient on narrow streets.
  • Subject 2: Cars
  • Argument 1 for Subject 2: Cars make it easy to move between locations as quickly as possible.
  • Argument 2 for Subject 2: Cars make long-distance traveling less cumbersome.

III. Second Body Paragraph: Comfort

  • Topic Sentence 2: While motorcycles are comfortable riding in cities, cars have greater comfort when traveling outside the city.
  • Subject 1: Motorcycles
  • Argument 1 for Subject 1: Motorcycles carry fewer passengers, increasing the comfort of individuals.
  • Argument 2 for Subject 1: Motorcycles are easy to fix when they break.
  • Subject 2: Cars
  • Argument 1 for Subject 2: Cars allow one greater comfort when traveling for long distances.
  • Argument 2 for Subject 2: Cars have a more expansive internal space that increases comfortability.

IV. Third Body Paragraph: Cost

  • Topic Sentence 3: Cars are more expensive than motorcycles.
  • Subject 1: Motorcycles
  • Argument 1 for Subject 1: A good motorcycle can cost $300 or less.
  • Argument 2 for Subject 1: Motorcycle parts are cheap to buy and fix.
  • Subject 2: Cars
  • Argument 1 for Subject 2: Car parts and car servicing are costly.
  • Argument 2 for Subject 2 Cars consume more gas than motorcycles.

V. Conclusion

  • Sum up a compare and contrast essay by rewording a thesis and reiterating main body points.

Similarities and Differences Outline and Template

I. Introduction

  • Introduce a topic: Cars and Motorcycles.
  • Establish a topic’s background.
  • Create a thesis that covers key similarities and differences between objects or includes other aspects.

II. First Body Paragraph: Similarities

  • Topic Sentence 1: Cars and motorcycles enhance transportation convenience.
  • Argument 1: Both vehicles are comfortable to use, park, or store.
  • Argument 2: They are comfortable traveling long distances.

III. Second Body Paragraph: Differences

  • Topic Sentence 2: Cars and motorcycles have different cost implications.
  • Argument 1: A good motorcycle can cost $300 or less.
  • Argument 2: Cars are generally expensive
  • Argument 3: Motorcycle parts are cheap to buy and fix.
  • Argument 4: Car parts, care servicing, and gas make cars expensive to own and maintain.

IV. Third Body Paragraph: Other Aspects

  • Topic Sentence 3: Motorcycles have a shorter lifecycle than cars.
  • Argument 1: It is easy to have a cat yard for old cars than one for old motorcycles.

V. Conclusion

  • Summarize a compare and contrast essay by restating a thesis and emphasizing key similarities and differences between cars and motorcycles.

Note: In writing, a specific number of compare and contrast body paragraphs depends on assignment instructions or essay length. For example, a compare and contrast essay may include 1 paragraph on similarities between objects and 2 paragraphs on differences or vice versa (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Usually, an entire writing length of a compare contrast essay is about 500-1,000 words (2-4 double spaced pages or 1-2 single spaced pages).

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Example 1: Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay Using a Block Outline

Topic: Cars and Motorcycles as Means of Transportation

I. Block Introduction

Cars and motorcycles are modern means of transportation because people find them convenient for various reasons. Essentially, people use tools to travel from one location to another for work, leisure, or domestic engagements. While it is common to find individuals who own both, most populations use them for personal reasons. These two types of vehicles are similar and different because they enhance convenience and vary in purchase price and maintenance costs, respectively.

II. First Body Paragraph: Point 1 – Availability

Cars and motorcycles enhance convenience by enabling humans to move from one location to another speedily. For example, one aspect that both means of transportation share is availability (Cole, 2020). Arguably, almost every urban center in contemporary global society has these machines. A current growth of urban centers and a resulting rural-urban migration of populations has exerted immense pressure on the public transport system in most countries. For manufacturers, this development is a business opportunity. Indeed, most people in urban centers have embraced various machines because they are easy to find (Rankin et al., 2021). Although not everyone can afford a car or a motorcycle, public buses, taxis, and motorcycles for hire significantly meet people’s travel needs. Hence, cars and motorcycles’ availability in urban centers has enhanced people’s convenience in traveling between locations, such as home and workplace or marketplace.

III. Second Body Paragraph: Point 2 – Comfort

However, cars are more comfortable for long-distance traveling, while motorcycles are good for moving within the city. In short, cars and motorcycles differ in comfort, making them ideal for different kinds of travel (Cole, 2020). Ideally, using a car for long-distance travel is comfortable because it does not cause fatigue. How a car is built allows people to stretch themselves or change their sitting style for greater comfort. On the other hand, a motorcycle lacks such an aesthetic, making it ideal for city travel because of the short distances one makes. In essence, the differences between a car and a motorcycle in built aesthetics make the latter appropriate for navigating the city (Robbins et al., 2018). Since city travel involves a lot of stopping and traffic maneuvering, a motorcycle creates greater flexibility in movement than a car.

IV. Third Body Paragraph: Point 3 – Purchase Price

Another critical difference between two vehicles is that the former is more expensive to buy and maintain than the latter. Because of built aesthetics, cars have a higher purchase price than motorcycles (Cole, 2020). Some features that make cars costly include the time it takes to build them, the components that go into their production, and the labor involved throughout the manufacturing process. In turn, motorcycles have a short production cycle, utilize fewer components, and consume less labor in production. To compare, cars are also costly to maintain because they consume more gas than motorcycles for the same distance. Arguably, this feature explains why most individuals are shifting from cars to motorcycles in big cities worldwide (Rankin et al., 2021). The shift to electric cars and motorcycles will significantly impact what mode of transportation people use in big cities because the gas price will no longer be an issue.

V. Block Conclusion

Cars and motorcycles are a common transport phenomenon in cities worldwide. These transportation modes have similarities and differences, including enhancing convenience and having varied purchase price and maintenance cost implications. Therefore, one has to find each feature that makes it a convenient means of transport at any given time.

List of References

Cole, L. (2020). Classic car museum guide: Motor cars, motorcycles and machinery. Pen and Sword Transport.

Rankin, K. A., Zaki, T., Ou, D., Kim, C.-Y., Averbukh, L., Maisano, J. R., Leslie, M. P., & Wiznia, D. H. (2021). High-risk motor vehicle drivers engage in more risk behaviors than motorcyclists. SICOT-J, 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1051/sicotj/2021027

Robbins, C. J., Allen, H. A., & Chapman, P. (2018). Comparing car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ opinions about junction crashes. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 117, 304–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2018.05.001

Example 2: Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay Using a Point-by-Point Outline

Topic: Cars and Motorcycles as Means of Transportation

I. Point-by-Point Introduction

In today’s globalized cities and urban centers, cars and motorcycles are common in people’s lives. The need to travel from one location to another, such as from home to work or from the office to the field, explains why people buy cars or motorcycles. In essence, both vehicles have similarities, such as convenience, and differences, including comfort and cost, influencing people’s choices in meeting their travel needs.

II. First Body Paragraph: Convenience

Cars and motorcycles are convenient modes of transport in the contemporary world. For example, a key advantage of motorcycles is that they are enjoyable to ride in big cities because of their flexibility (Cole, 2020). A person can easily navigate a traffic jam and ride through narrow streets using a motorcycle. Big cities can be a menace to people’s travel needs because the population bust has made many individuals own cars, which is an inconvenience in areas where city authorities do not expand roads to accommodate many vehicles. Consequently, the closeness of buildings makes it impossible to improve wide roads in some areas. As such, motorcycles help people to deal with these inconveniences (Rankin et al., 2021). On their part, cars make it easy for individuals to travel between locations in the shortest time possible. They also make traveling long distances less cumbersome because of their features, including navigation systems.

III. Second Body Paragraph: Comfortable Trip

A difference between two vehicles is that, while the latter is comfortable riding in cities, the former has greater comfort when traveling outside the city. Motorcycles carry fewer passengers, increasing the comfort of individuals (Cole, 2020). In many cities, authorities have passed by-laws prohibiting carrying more than one passenger on a motorcycle. Consequently, they are easy to fix when they break down. Dealing with problems when traveling increases one’s comfort through the journey compared with others. On their part, cars have greater comfort when traveling long distances. Features like the navigation system make it easy for drivers to find their destinations quickly, reducing the time spent on the road (Robbins et al., 2018). Consequently, cars have a more expansive internal space that increases comfort. A challenge of traveling long distances is fatigue. In a car, one can shift the sitting position for greater comfort.

IV. Third Body Paragraph: Cost

Another difference between two vehicles is that the former is more expensive. In most cities, a good motorcycle can cost $300 or less (Cole, 2020). As such, most people can afford them. Consequently, their spare parts are cheap, meaning one can fix them quickly after they break down. However, cars are costly to maintain because their spare parts are expensive, and servicing is costly. Many people see these reasons as why they opt to buy motorcycles (Rankin et al., 2021). Another disadvantage of cars is that they consume more gas than motorcycles, making them costly for frequent travel.

V. Point-by-Point Conclusion

Each vehicle is an essential mode of transport in modern cities. The convenience they provide is why many individuals buy and use them. However, they are different because they offer various comfort levels and have varied cost implications. As such, one should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each before buying.

List of References

Cole, L. (2020). Classic car museum guide: Motor cars, motorcycles and machinery. Pen and Sword Transport.

Rankin, K. A., Zaki, T., Ou, D., Kim, C.-Y., Averbukh, L., Maisano, J. R., Leslie, M. P., & Wiznia, D. H. (2021). High-risk motor vehicle drivers engage in more risk behaviors than motorcyclists. SICOT-J, 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1051/sicotj/2021027

Robbins, C. J., Allen, H. A., & Chapman, P. (2018). Comparing car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ opinions about junction crashes. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 117, 304–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2018.05.001

Example 3: Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay Using a Similarities and Differences Outline

Topic: Cars and Motorcycles as Means of Transportation

I. Introduction for Similarities and Differences

Cars and motorcycles are transportation modes people in modern cities find valuable in daily activities. Traveling is an activity people cannot avoid in contemporary society because of different engagements, including work and visiting relatives. Cars and motorcycles are valuable because of their similarities and differences.

II. First Body Paragraph: Similarities

About similarities, these vehicles enhance transportation convenience. For example, a main advantage of using motorcycles in big cities is that one can easily use, park, or store them because of their small size (Cole, 2020). As such, space is not an issue when traveling to a new location because they can always find a place to keep their motorcycle. On their part, cars are comfortable for long-distance traveling. People can travel non-stop to distant locations if they fill the gas tank, reducing the time (Rankin et al., 2021). Therefore, one can use a car to travel to a distant location and return the same day for other engagements.

III. Second Body Paragraph: Differences

Concerning differences, both vehicles have some cost implications. There are higher chances of someone owning a motorcycle than a car because one can get a motorbike costing $300 or less (Cole, 2020). This low price explains why many people own motorcycles in most metropolitan areas in many countries. However, cars are generally expensive, and only a few individuals can afford them. This characteristic also explains why second-hand car yards are many more than second-hand motorcycle yards in most urban centers. Another difference is that motorcycles are cheaper to maintain than cars (Robbins et al., 2018). While motorcycle parts are cheap to buy and fix, car parts, servicing, and gas make cars expensive.

IV. Third Body Paragraph: Other Aspects

Another difference is that motorcycles have a shorter lifecycle than cars. While it is common to see old cars from generations past, one must travel widely to see a motorcycle from past generations (Cole, 2020). This characteristic might explain the scenario above, where spotting a car yard for second-hand cars is easier than seeing one for motorcycles. In essence, this feature of these transport modes suggests that one should understand that owning a motorcycle might be a shorter-lived experience than owning a car (Rankin et al., 2021). For families, it makes sense to own a car because it can pass from the father to the child to the grandchild, which might not happen for a motorcycle.

V. Conclusion for Similarities and Differences

Both vehicles are essential tools for transport in today’s society. Their similarities and differences are crucial because they represent key advantages and disadvantages of each. As such, people must consider how both modes of transport are similar and different to know which one suits their purpose and status.

List of References

Cole, L. (2020). Classic car museum guide: Motor cars, motorcycles and machinery. Pen and Sword Transport.

Rankin, K. A., Zaki, T., Ou, D., Kim, C.-Y., Averbukh, L., Maisano, J. R., Leslie, M. P., & Wiznia, D. H. (2021). High-risk motor vehicle drivers engage in more risk behaviors than motorcyclists. SICOT-J, 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1051/sicotj/2021027

Robbins, C. J., Allen, H. A., & Chapman, P. (2018). Comparing car drivers’ and motorcyclists’ opinions about junction crashes. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 117, 304–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2018.05.001

Example 4: A Complete Compare and Contrast Essay

Topic: Activists vs. Populists

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Steps on How to Write a Good Compare and Contrast Essay

Writing a well-structured compare and contrast essay is a technical process that requires students to understand crucial details that enhance an overall quality of their work. For example, to write a compare and contrast essay, people analyze key similarities and differences between two or more subjects, support their points with evidence, organize an entire content using either a subject-by-subject or point-by-point structure, and conclude by summarizing key insights (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In writing, an example of a compare and contrast essay is an analysis of key differences and similarities between online education and traditional classroom learning in terms of accessibility, flexibility, and student engagement. Further on, writing is an intellectual activity that demands one to be systematic from the beginning to the end (Callinan et al., 2017). Basically, some issues students should pay attention to include preparing, setting up a stage, writing a paper, and perfecting a document. As a result, these writing steps represent a technical flow of producing a high-quality compare and contrast essay.

Step 1: Preparation

In this first writing step, students must demonstrate a deep understanding of how a compare and contrast essay satisfies key expectations of their instructor. For example, crucial writing details students should consider include defining a specific topic if a lecturer has not explicitly stated it (Mentan, 2022). Choosing a good topic is vital in establishing a mental picture of an entire text and its contents. Further on, a second detail one should focus on is idea generation (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Because no one knows everything, students should brainstorm ideas with their peers and colleagues. However, they should ensure they remain within chosen topics they want to write about. Then, students should consider an intended audience, the people who will consume their compare and contrast essay, including an instructor and fellow peers. Doing so helps authors to remain formal throughout their texts (Bouwer et al., 2018). In short, when writing a compare and contrast essay, one should know its purpose because it guides ideas and forms paper’s contents.

Step 2: Stage Set-Up

Setting a correct stage is a second step in writing a compare and contrast essay. For example, a first technical detail to consider is using reliable sources that help support key arguments (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Students should use different databases to research scholarly materials that address a chosen topic. Then, another crucial writing detail is to make notes when researching academic sources (Mentan, 2022). Basically, note-taking helps authors to create a pattern of ideas and thoughts to avoid centering a compare and contrast essay on their opinions. Further on, students should create a clear outline of their paper, choosing either block, point-by-point, or similarities and differences outlines (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Besides, they should choose a compare and contrast writing method they find appropriate if their instructors do not explicitly specify one. Lastly, people should create an annotated bibliography to ensure every idea has a corresponding source to avoid plagiarizing an entire work.

Step 3: Writing a First Draft

A third step is to start writing a first draft when organizing a compare and contrast essay. For example, an author’s focus should be to create a draft that incorporates all ideas a person generated in a preparation stage (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Ideally, students use a first draft to put everything together to produce a logical document. Further on, a next writing activity is adding or deleting sources, depending on whether compare and contrast papers need new ideas (Mentan, 2022). In most instances, professors may give new instructions, such as increasing a paper’s length, which compels students to generate additional ideas. Deletion of content happens when one realizes some ideas are irrelevant to a topic. Moreover, a next writing task is to alter a well-organized outline if there are new instructions from a tutor, or if a student realizes another outline suits a paper (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Lastly, people should create a thesis to guide their compare and contrast essays. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a compare and contrast essay are:

  • In examining key similarities and differences between [Subject A] and [Subject B], it becomes clear that [explain].
  • While both [Subject A] and [Subject B] share certain features in [what?], they differ significantly in terms of [name them].
  • When comparing [Subject A] and [Subject B], one can see that they are alike in many ways, yet there are notable differences in [specify them].
  • An entire examination between [Subject A] and [Subject B] highlights important distinctions in [describe them].
  • Though [Subject A] and [Subject B] may seem similar at first glance, a closer look reveals [explain your look].
  • Both [Subject A] and [Subject B] offer unique perspectives on [topic], but their approaches differ in [suggest areas of difference].
  • A critical comparison between [Subject A] and [Subject B] shows how their similarities align with each other, while their differences are [indicate them].
  • Critical similarities between [Subject A] and [Subject B] are striking, yet their differences cover [what?].
  • Although [Subject A] and [Subject B] appear to be vastly different, they share a common theme of [specify it].
  • By comparing [Subject A] and [Subject B], people can better understand how they relate to [a particular theme or concept].

Writing a Compare and Contrast Introduction

A compare and contrast essay has an introductory segment that includes a thesis statement. For example, to write a clear introduction for a compare and contrast essay, people begin by introducing chosen subjects, providing some background information, and ending with a clear thesis statement that outlines main body points (Caplan & Johns, 2022). When writing an opening section, students should introduce a topic through a statement that captures a reader’s attention. Then, they should provide the background of a topic by stating facts (Mentan, 2022). Basically, an introduction part of compare and contrast essays discusses two or more subjects under comparison from a general point of view to give a target audience adequate contextual information. Further on, this section should end with a well-organized thesis statement emphasizing a text’s focus: comparing and contrasting two objects or ideas. For example, to write a strong thesis statement for a compare and contrast essay, people clearly state chosen subjects under analysis, highlight key similarities and differences, and explain an overall purpose or significance of their paper (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). In writing, an example of a thesis statement for a compare and contrast essay is: “While both online and traditional education modes provide quality learning experiences, the former offers greater flexibility and accessibility, whereas the latter fosters a more interactive and structured environment.” Moreover, various thesis statement examples are unique because they require authors to identify their preferred subject and highlight its superiority (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In this case, people should provide a clear thesis statement that acts as a reference point readers can use to understand a presented topic. Hence, writing an introductory paragraph of a compare and contrast essay should be comprehensive.

Writing Compare and Contrast Body Paragraphs

In this section, authors should use several paragraphs to emphasize a central thesis, depending on a paper’s length. For example, to write a body paragraph showing compare and contrast, people present a point of similarity or difference between two subjects, provide evidence or examples for both, and use transition words, like “similarly” or “in contrast,” to highlight an entire comparison (Mentan, 2022). Basically, the body paragraphs in a comparative essay analyze specific points of comparison or contrast between two or more subjects, providing evidence and examples to support an entire discussion. Therefore, each paragraph should open with a topic sentence, a statement that emphasizes a single idea. In this case, students should use the rest of a paragraph to reiterate this idea. Further on, there are three conventional writing methods of organizing a body of contrast and compare essays: block, point-by-point, and similarities and differences approach (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Firstly, a block approach is ideal in a case of short compare and contrast essays where authors can explain a single subject in detail within a single section entirely before moving on to a next subject. Basically, it is ideal in a case of short essays because readers can easily relate to two sections that contain limited information. Secondly, a point-by-point approach in a compare and contrast essay involves dividing a paper based on a given basis of comparison. In principle, people discuss both subjects within a single paragraph or within a section. Moreover, this method is appropriate in a case of lengthy essays. Finally, a last approach allows authors to exhaustively examine a particular point for both subjects, making differences and similarities more apparent in their compare and contrast essay. Other essential components of each paragraph are evidence, a concluding sentence, and a transition (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Evidence-based writing suggests that students should incorporate ideas from other sources to make the work scholarly. However, writers should provide proper citations to avoid plagiarizing a compare and contrast essay.

Writing a Compare and Contrast Conclusion

As a last part of a compare and contrast essay, a conclusion paragraph allows students to sum up their work. For example, to write a logical conclusion for a compare and contrast essay, people summarize key similarities and differences discussed, restate a central thesis in light of an entire analysis, and provide a final insight or reflection on an actual significance of a whole comparison (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). As such, they should restate a thesis by rewording it and reemphasizing main points, which should be discussed similarities and differences between two or more objects or ideas. Further on, a conclusion part in a compare and contrast essay must also follow the typical writing rules (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Firstly, a concluding paragraph does not introduce any new information to readers since it is an overview of main points discussed in a compare and contrast essay. When writing this part, learners should refrain from introducing new ideas because it would confuse readers and make the entire paper illogical (Mentan, 2022). Secondly, authors need to develop a tightly-knit paragraph to show the relevance of the overview and extend it to a broader line of thinking. Thus, this writing section is an opportunity when students to emphasize critical points alluded to in a thesis statement.

Step 4: Wrap Up

A last step of writing a compare and contrast essay is to wrap up a whole work by producing a final draft. For example, students take a first draft paper and perfect it by revising some sections that do not make sense, such as deleting irrelevant ideas or adding new ones (Kirszner & Mandell, 2020). Then, they edit their papers to ensure their content aligns with all writing expectations, including topic sentences, concluding sentences, and transitions. Further on, a next task is ensuring proper formatting by correcting mistakes like missing citations (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In turn, students need to fix all grammatical or writing errors, missing punctuation, or formatting issues of not following the rules of MLA, APA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian formatting standards and finish the process by ensuring a logical flow of ideas and thoughts. In this respect, authors should read and reread their documents to ensure no mistakes (Mentan, 2022). As a result, one should give a compare and contrast paper to a colleague or friend to read because fresh eyes might point out glaring writing errors.

What to Include

ElementDescription
Thesis StatementA concise statement that outlines a main argument or purpose of an entire comparison.
Key SimilaritiesThe most significant ways in which two or more subjects are alike, supported by evidence or examples.
Key DifferencesThe main differences between two or more subjects, supported by evidence or examples.
Examples and EvidenceSpecific instances or data that illustrate key points of comparison or contrast.
Contextual InformationA simple background or context about each subject to help readers to understand them better.
Analytical InsightsA deeper analysis of why defined similarities or differences are important or relevant.
Transition WordsPhrases, such as “similarly,” “in contrast,” or “on the other hand,” to guide readers through comparisons and contrasts.
Evaluation or JudgmentA subjective assessment of which one of the subjects might be superior or more relevant.
Thematic FocusIdentifying and focusing on a particular theme or issue that ties discussed subjects together.
Conclusion of SignificanceA final reflection on broader implications or insights gained from an entire comparison and contrast essay.

Common Mistakes

  • Lack of a Clear Thesis: Failing to provide a focused thesis that explains a main purpose of a comparison and contrast essay and its writing.
  • Discussing Subjects Separately: Treating each subject in isolation without showing how they relate to one another.
  • Unbalanced Analysis: Spending too much time on one subject while neglecting the other, leading to an incomplete comparison.
  • Overly General Comparisons: Using vague or overly broad comparisons that do not offer meaningful insights into two or more subjects in writing.
  • Inadequate Transitions: Failing to use transition words or phrases that guide readers through an entire text.
  • Ignoring Differences or Similarities: Focusing only on either differences or similarities, rather than providing a balanced view of both.
  • Poor Organization: Using a disorganized writing structure that confuses readers and hides key points of a paper.
  • Lack of Supporting Evidence: Making claims about similarities and differences without backing them up with examples or evidence.
  • Weak Conclusion: Ending a compare and contrast essay without summarizing body points or offering any final insights.
  • Overly Descriptive Writing: Providing descriptions of chosen subjects without analyzing their significance or meaning within a composition.

Summing Up

Writing a compare and contrast essay requires people to know main characteristics of an expected composition and an ideal structure. Basically, key similarities and differences should be identified based on a definitive criterion that isolates the most relevant themes. In turn, a compare and contrast paper must adhere to a general essay structure. Besides, students have much freedom in organizing their body section and conclusion. As such, some writing tips include:

  • Based on the preceding sections, writing a good compare and contrast paper is a complex process requiring understanding essential tips.
  • A first tip is that students should choose a specific compare and contrast essay topic on their own if their instructors have not explicitly specified one.
  • A second tip is brainstorming with peers to generate ideas.
  • Students should choose one outline out of the three writing types, such as block, point-by-point, and similarities and differences outlines, if their instructors have not given a specific direction.
  • A next step is to find good sources to enrich a compare and contrast paper by providing critical writing insights, including key similarities and differences between two or more objects or ideas.
  • People should produce a first draft of a compare and contrast essay that incorporates all ideas.
  • A next task is to perfect a first draft by eliminating all writing mistakes, like grammatical errors, missing punctuation, formatting errors, improper citations, inconsistencies, misplaced words, and unclear sentences, to produce a final draft.

References

Bouwer, R., Lesterhuis, M., Bonne, P., & De Maeyer, S. (2018). Applying criteria to examples or learning by comparison: Effects on students’ evaluative judgment and performance in writing. Frontiers in Education, 3, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2018.00086

Callinan, C. J., van der Zee, E., & Wilson, G. (2017). Developing essay writing skills: An evaluation of the modelling behaviour method and the influence of student self-efficacy. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 42(5), 608–622. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2017.1302564

Caplan, N. A., & Johns, A. M. (2022). Essential actions for academic writing: A genre-based approach. University of Michigan Press.

Davidson, M., & Berninger, V. (2015). Informative, compare and contrast, and persuasive essay composing of fifth and seventh graders. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 34(4), 311–321. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282915604977

Kirszner, L. G., & Mandell, S. R. (2020). Focus on writing: Paragraphs and essays. Bedford/St. Martins.

Mentan, T. (2022). English essay writing handbook. Authors’ Tranquility Press.