Specifically, if you ever decide to use this tool for one of the compare and contrast essay topics, here is what it would look like:
Studies show that conclusions are your last chance to impress a reader. Overall, the structure of this last section is quite standard.
The author should mention these aspects in the introduction saying that he will compare or contrast two different options of obtaining a degree based on these points.
Thus, it is a great idea to compare two books of the same genre, but it makes no sense to compare a basketball and a soccer team: they’re completely different.
Block structure
- Tell about Kennedy’s half-dollar.
- A five-dollar bill with Abraham Lincoln.
Of course, the essence of this type of writing lies in finding common or different characteristics of two objects, places, events, or people. However, the piece can look differently depending on the approach a student considers to use when working on it.
“Well,” you might think, “it’s the easiest paper ever. Why even bother looking for samples and examples?” Is that what you’re thinking? Then we’ve got a surprise for you.
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.
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.
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.
Compare and contrast essays are academic papers in which a student analyses two or more subjects with each other. To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences. Both subjects of the comparison are usually in the same category, although they have their differences. For example, it can be two movies, two universities, two cars etc.
Need a Compare and Contrast Essay Written?
- Introduce the topic
Good compare and contrast papers focus on a central point, explaining the importance and implications of this analysis. A compare and contrast essay thesis must make a meaningful comparison. Find the central theme of your essay and do some brainstorming for your thesis.
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.
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.
When students look for similarities and differences, they read and research and gain a deeper understanding of the two subjects in question. They find out the relationship between both the topics, examine the characteristics that are most significant and weigh the pros and cons of each. In the process they bring a certain conclusion to light.
While creating an outline for your essay, resort to sample templates as they are very useful and can give you a headstart on the structure and formatting of the essay.
It is also helpful to think about the question “so what?” as you strategize your essay, as this will make you question yourself and analyze your own points so that they can be viewed with clarity.
A good thesis statement needs to be specific and should encourage a good discussion around the topic, but should not exceed a single line of thought.
1. Subject-by Subject Structure
- Pick two topics that belong to the same broad category but have inherent differences. For example, prose versus poetry - both are forms of writing but are quite contrasting in nature.
- Pick two subjects that may not have anything in common other than one surprising similarity. For example, bats versus whales - one is small and flies, one is massive and swims, but both hunt by using sound waves.
- Pick two subjects that might appear to be the same but are different in many ways. For example, the Little Women novel versus the Little Women movie.
That’s why, a compare and contrast essay is one of the first essay assignments that students encounter, whether they are in high school or college.
The first step to a good essay is the structure. There are two ways to structure a 5-paragraph compare and contrast essay.
Once you know how long the essay must be, you must then determine exactly how you’re going to split up the topics. Are you going to have four paragraphs – an introduction, a paragraph on the first subject, a paragraph on the second subject, and a conclusion? Or maybe your four paragraphs will be an introduction, the similarities between the two subjects, the differences between the two subjects, and a conclusion? If you’re planning on writing a longer paper, maybe you’ll split it up into five different paragraphs – an introduction, unique aspects of the first subject, similarities between the two subjects, unique aspects of the second subject, and a conclusion. These aren’t the only options you have
Another thing to consider is your audience. Are you writing for a third grade class, or are you writing for college professors? Your audience will largely affect the tone and voice of your essay, as well as the words, phrases, and grammar you use throughout it.
In order to understand how to start an essay, you must first have a full understanding of what you’re going to be writing about. In a compare and contrast essay, you are discussing both the similarities and the differences between two subjects. While you may be someone who can start an essay off of the top of your head with no problem, many people find it easier to sit down and write out an outline before beginning. The order in which you introduce your points in your introduction is the order in which you should introduce them in your essay, so it’s good to have the framework completed before beginning. Knowing how to start a compare and contrast essay is the first step to writing an interesting essay that will keep readers engaged all the way to the end.
The introduction will also introduce the general outline of the essay. Let’s say the first paragraph is comparing and contrasting the people of the city and the country, the second paragraph is about the landscape and general aesthetic quality of the two, and the third paragraph is about what you can do for entertainment. You’ll mention all of this, and mention them in the order the paragraphs will be presented in.
The Introduction
When researching your subjects, try to find information that may not be common knowledge. If someone is going to pick up an essay on the similarities and differences between city and country, chances are they already have a lot of background knowledge on the subject. You’ll want to find a small handful of facts that will make readers think ‘wow!’ and continue to read until the end.
Once you have the framework of the essay, the rest of it will fall into place. The next time you’re staring at a blank Word document, make take out that old fashioned pen and paper and start making that outline! You’ll find that starting a compare and contrast essay is easier than you may have imagined.
The introduction should entice readers into reading your essay, so make sure you start out strong. You may begin by mentioning one interesting fact about one of the subjects, or by asking a question that will be answered later in the paper. An introduction should describe what the compare and contrast essay is about, so if you’re discussing the similarities and differences between vacationing in a city and vacationing in the country, be sure you make that clear. One key thing to remember: don’t say “in my essay I will be talking about this and this”. There are much more interesting ways to lead into your topic. Instead of saying “I’ll be discussing the similarities and differences between a vacation in the city and a vacation in the country”, you could say something like “What makes a city so unique? What draws people to the countryside? Though both are compelling in different ways, they hold more similarities than you may realize”. This statement may also double as your thesis, which is your view or stance on the particular topic at hand.
The first or the second sentence of the conclusion should be your thesis statement. However, you need to paraphrase the thesis so that it does not appear repetitive. Here is a demonstration of the main and rephrased thesis:
Notably, the concluding paragraph of an essay closely resembles the introduction, which takes a broad and then narrows the approach. In conclusion, the same is true, but in reverse. The focus starts with the narrowness of the thesis statement to the expounded impacts of the core points. This means that you start by highlighting the thesis statement and then summarize the main arguments brought out in the compare and contrast essay. Finally, leave the readers with a closing thought to paint a lasting impression. This can be a rhetoric question or quote.
In this post, we will take a closer look at compare and contrast essays with the aim of helping you to answer the primary question: “How do you write a winning compare conclusion?”
When writing the body of a compare and contrast essay, you need to be objective. But the conclusion further needs to capture your opinion. This should be brought out in one or two sentences.
How to Write a Conclusion for a Compare and Contrast Essay
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Make it short. By the time your reader gets to the conclusion of the essay, he will have seen all the points. Therefore, you should be brief and close the essay in style.
For many students, writing the introduction and body of compare and contrast essays is a monumental task. By the time they get to the conclusion, the exhaustion is too much. But you cannot work so hard on the essay and let the conclusion pull down your marks. You should seek writing help.
Thesis in conclusion: “many people find urban life preferable because of improved health care services and ease of getting employment.”