Writing a Compare Contrast Essay 

 

As always, the instructor and the assignment sheet provide the definitive expectations and requirements for any essay. Here is some general information about the organization for this type of essay:

 

• A comparison essay notes either similarities, or similarities and differences.
• A contrast essay notes only differences.
• The comparison or contrast should make a point or serve a purpose. Often such essays do one of the following:
  • Clarify something unknown or not well understood.
  • Lead to a fresh insight or new way of viewing something.
  • Bring one or both of the subjects into sharper focus.
  • Show that one subject is better than the other.
• The thesis can present the subjects and indicate whether they will be compared, contrasted, or both.
• The same points should be discussed for both subjects; it is not necessary, however to give both subjects the same degree of development.
• Some common organizational structures include: (see note below)
  • Block method (subject by subject)
  • Point by point
  • Comparisons followed by contrasts (or the reverse)
• Use detailed topic sentences and the following connecting words to make the relationship between your subjects clear to your reader:

Connectors That Show Comparison (Similarities)
ƒIn additon					ƒCorrespondingly      ƒ				Compared to
ƒSimilarly					ƒJust as          ƒ				As well as
ƒLikewise					ƒSame as       ƒ				At the same time
Connectors That Show Contrast (Differences)
		ƒ	However	ƒ		On the contrary	ƒ	On the other hand
		ƒ	Even though	ƒ		In contrast	ƒ	Although
		ƒ	Unlike	ƒ		Conversely	ƒ	Meanwhile

 

 

See the other side of this page of a detailed example for both the Block Method and the Pointby-Point method. For a blank chart to organize your own essay,

use the  Compare/Contrast Essay Worksheet

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Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay

The following example contains an element of the author’s opinion, but not all compare/contrast assignments allow for that. Always check your assignment sheet and ask your instructor for clarificaion about including your opinion.

 

Point-by-Point Method

• Introduction of general topic
• Specific topic
• Thesis = areas to be covered in this essay: Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on the pet owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations.

Topic Sentence – Aspect 1

Cats make less of an impact on an owner’s lifestyle.

Topic 1 – Aspect 1:Cats

• Detail: Don’t have to be watched during the day
• Detail: Easier to get care if owner travels

Topic 2 – Aspect 1:Dogs

• Detail: Pack animals shouldn’t be left alone
• Detail: Harder to get care when away

Transition Sentence

Topic Sentence – Aspect 2

Cats are less expensive to own and care for.

Topic 1 – Aspect 2:Cats

• Detail:Food and health care are usually less expensive
• Detail:Less likely to cause property damage

Topic 2 – Aspect 2: Dogs

• Detail: Food is more expensive
• Detail: Over-breeding causes some health problems

Transition Sentence

Topic Sentence – Aspect 3

Cats need few special house accommodation.

Topic 1 – Aspect 3: Cats

• Detail:Don’t take up much space
• Detail: Less intrusive

Topic 2- Aspect 3: Dogs

• Detail:Often need yard and fence
• Detail:Require more safety and protective measures

Transition Sentence

• Summary of main points
• Evaluation and/or possible future developments
• Significance of topic to author: When considering adopting a pet, a prospective owner must consider the lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations that the pet would require. Owners who neglect to compare these aspects will often not care for their pet in a safe manner.

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Block Method

• Introduction of general topic
• Specific topic
• Thesis = areas to be covered in this essay: Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on the pet owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations.

Topic Sentence – Topic 1

Cats are easier and less expensive to care for.

Aspect 1: Lifestyle

• Detail:Don’t have to be watched during the day
• Detail:Easier to get care if owner travels

Aspect 2: Cost

• Detail:Food and health care are usually less expensive
• Detail:Less likely to cause property damage

Aspect 3: House accommodations

• Detail: Don’t take up much space
• Detail:Less intrusive

Transition Sentence

Topic Sentence – Topic 2

Dogs are active and loyally engaging pets. 

Aspect 1 – Lifestyle

• Detail:Pack animals shoudn’t be left alone
• Detail:Harder to get care when away Need more living space

Aspect 2 – Cost

• Detail:Food is more expensive
• Detail: Over-breeding causes some health problems

Aspect 3 – House accommodations

• Detail:Often need yard and fence
• Detail:Require more safety and protective measures

Transition Sentence

Optional:  develop a paragraph to evaluate the comparison made in the essay:  Last summer, I was considering adopting a pet, so I visited the SPCA to gather more information about cats and dogs. I am a full time student and work part time in the evenings, so my lifestyle and schedule didn’t seem conducive to owning a dog like I had originally planned. Now that I’ve had my cat Cookie for a few months, I see that she’s the perfect fit and a great companion for me.

• Summary of main points
• Evaluation and/or possible future developments
• Significance of topic to author: When considering adopting a pet, a prospective owner must consider the lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations that the pet would require. Owners who neglect to compare these aspects will often not care for their pet in a safe manner.