Writing the Comparison and Contrast Essay What is the purpose of comparison and contrast?

Writing the Comparison and Contrast Essay

What is the purpose of comparison and contrast?

• Contrasts draw out differences between two subjects.
• Comparisons outline both similarities and differences between two subjects.
• Demonstrates how one subject is superior in some way to the other.
• Demonstrates how two subjects, which appear dissimilar, are actually similar.
• Instead of judgmental, may be informational.

How do I prepare to write a comparison and contrast essay?

• Brainstorm everything about two subjects.
• Identify points that are relevant to both subjects.
• Establish a dominant idea after examining points of similarity and difference. This is the basis of the comparison/contrast.
• Select those traits to focus upon based upon the dominant idea.
• Be sure these traits are subject to the purpose —desired accomplishment.

Writing the Thesis Statement

How do I write a thesis statement for a comparison and contrast essay?

• Decide to what extent the similarities between subjects will be stressed, and to what extent their differences will be stressed.
• Create a thesis statement that reflects that decision.

Examples: Weak Thesis Statements

• They are both somewhat alike and somewhat different.
• I can see some similarities and some differences too.
• Both of them involve (only a single similarity, no differences).

Examples: Better Thesis Statements

• Ralph and Jack have very different leadership styles and motivations which leads to the eventual chaos and anarchy on the island.
• In order to make a decision between the Honda Civic and the BMW, consider the following criteria: price of the vehicle, average mileage, and price of insurance.

Organizing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

Should I use block or alternating arrangement?

• Block: Treats all of the elements for each subject separately.
• Alternating: Treats each element with respect to each subject sequentially.
• If the comparison is short (a paragraph or two), then the block method is fine.
• Alternating is usually preferable for longer comparisons; there is a risk that a block essay will sound like two separate essays weakly connected with a transitional paragraph or sentence.

Paragraph Organization --Block--

• 2nd Paragraph

• 3rd Paragraph

Outline -- Block Method

• I. Introduction
• a) Hook
• b) Background Information
• c) Thesis
• II. BMW
• a) Price
• b) Mileage
• c) Insurance

• III. Honda Civic
• a) Price
• b) Mileage
• c) Insurance
• IV. Conclusion
• a) Emphasize Major Ties
• b) So What? Evaluate
• c) Clincher

Paragraph Organization --Alternating--

• 2nd Paragraph

• 3rd Paragraph

• 4th Paragraph

Outline -- Alternating

• I. Introduction
• a) Hook
• b) Background Information
• c) Thesis
• II. Price
• a) BMW
• b) Honda
• III. Mileage
• a) BMW
• b) Honda

• IV. Insurance
• a) BMW
• b) Honda
• IV. Conclusion
• a) Emphasize Major Ties
• b) So What? Evaluate
• c) Clincher

What are the rules of thumb with comparison and contrast essays?

• Be sure to discuss both subjects equally in terms of coverage.
• Be sure to discuss the same elements for each subject; do not discuss one element for one subject and not do so for the other!
• Decide either upon block or alternating arrangement; do not mix. Alternating is better
• Have a clear purpose to achieve in the comparison/contrast.

Using Indicators

Why do I need to use indicators?

• Good comparison or contrast essays feature the use of indicator words to convey to the reader at any given moment whether a comparison or contrast is being made and the nature of it.

Example Indicators

• To Compare
• also
• as
• in the same way
• like
• likewise
• similarly
• comparable
• equally
• in addition

• To Contrast
• -although
• -but
• -even though
• -however
• -on the other hand
• -otherwise
• -yet
• -still
• -conversely
• -as opposed to
• -different from
• -whereas

Comparative Essay Topics

• Compare and contrast the collapse of the western Roman empire with the collapse of the Han empire in China.
• Compare and contrast the effects of inter-regional trading systems on TWO of the following regions during the period 8000 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.
• - Mesopotamia
• India
• China
• MesoAmerica and Andean South America
• Classical Mediterranean World
• Pick one of the following regions and discuss the continuities and changes in belief systems from 8000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.
• The Middle East South Asia East Asia Europe
• Compare and contrast the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on TWO of the following regions. (2005)
• China Middle East Russia
• Analyze similarities and differences in the rise of TWO of the following empires. (2011)
• A West African Sudanic empire (Mali OR Ghana OR Songhay) Aztec Mongol

Topics

• Compare and contrast Japanese and European feudalism.
• Compare and contrast the spread of Christianity and Islam during the period 100C.E. – 1450.
• Compare and contrast the impact of plague pandemics in TWO of the following regions, c. 600-1450.
• Western Europe Eastern Asia Middle East
• Within the period 1450-1800, compare the process (e.g. political, social, economic) of empire-building in the Spanish Empire with the empire-building process in ONE of the following. (2007)
• The Ottoman Empire or The Russian Empire
• Compare demographic and environmental effects of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas with the Columbian Exchange’s demographic and environmental effects on ONE of the following regions between 1492 and 1750: (2012)
• Africa Asia Europe
• Compare and contrast the impact of the Columbian Exchange on TWO of the following regions.
• North America, Western Africa, East Asia , Latin America, Western Europe, South Asia