How To Write A Compare And Contrast Essay: Tips & Examples
The compare contrast essay is one of the most common assignments that modern college students face. At first sight, it looks too difficult, but it is because you don’t know what you have to do and what result your professor expects. When you delve deeper and find out how the A-level paper should look, things go easier, especially when you take some time to practice and to improve your writing skills.
If you are assigned to write a compare and contrast paper, you’ll definitely not be bored, especially if you choose a fascinating topic. We are going to share the best tips that will surely make this task easier for you!
What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay? Always Start With a Definition!
Any time when your professors pile you with some tasks, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to read them. Do it in advance so that you have enough time to understand whether there are some difficulties and what you can do to overcome these challenges.
So, what is a compare and contrast paper? It is academic writing intended to find and analyze what similarities and differences do some objects have. The topic depends on your level. For example, elementary school students can compare the sun to the pan. But when you’re studying at college, you have to analyze things that are not so obvious.
For example, it is easy to define what are the differences between the European and Asian cultures, but what are the similarities? If you start thinking about it and do some research, you’ll surely come up with plenty of insights.
Comparing writing is necessary not just to make you forget about your friends and hobbies. It is a good practice for developing research, creative, analytical skills. You learn to gather and process information, to doubt facts, to find unobvious statements, and to develop powerful arguments.
Check out our full article about Simple and Comprehensive Guide on How to Prepare a 500 Word Essay
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline and Other Preparation Stages
Once you read and understand the requirements, your first task is to come up with a topic. Sometimes professors provide you with detailed instructions, but in most cases, the choice is up to you. Most likely, you have a certain framework, e.g., you know it should be a historical topic, a topic about art, different cultures, and so on.
The best idea to come up with a good title is to organize a brainstorming session. You need to get rid of all distractors and to write down all ideas that come to your mind. When you have a list of 20-50 options, you can choose from them.
Your next preparation stage is research. Use reliable and trustworthy sources to find as much information as possible. You’ll have to organize and structure the data, generate your own ideas, and sort them out.
But what is really important is to point outline. It is the plan for your future paper. Until your professor requires you to provide it, you can develop it in any way that you like. For example, some students prefer to create a list with bullet points of ideas, starting with the essential ones.
There are also students who paint mind maps. Or you can adhere to a traditional compare and contrast essay outline with main blocks and several subsections. Don’t skip this step for any reason because it helps you to make the paper readable. When you have a powerful plan, you just follow it without distractions.
Read also: Complete Guide on How to Choose Essay Format with Examples
The Comparing and Contrasting Essay Format That Will Work for You
Now, when you understand what compare and contrast essay structure you should choose for your paper, it is time to write the content.
Introduction
You surely need to come up with a hooking introduction. Actually, it is an integral part of any academic writing. Introduce your topic, the objects of your research, and explain why it is necessary to define these similarities and differences.
Essay Body
The main compare and contrast paragraph can consist of several subsections that will depend on the structure you’ve chosen. Here are the most popular options.
The alternating method
Using this method, you highlight several points of comparison and write down features that are typical for all objects. You cover them side by side.
The block method
Some students prefer to create separate blocks for both objects. Write all your thoughts about the first one, and then proceed to the second one in the next paragraph.
Of course, you can combine both of these methods, develop your own ones, and so on. The main thing is that you structure your arguments. Your readers should understand when you’re writing about similar aspects and when you come up with differences. Support your words with examples, quotes, and other evidence.
Conclusion
The final paragraph is usually brief and doesn’t introduce any new information. It is used to wrap things up, to answer all questions, and to provide the audience with some food for thought.
You can use this section to write about your insights. Were there some similarities or differences that surprised you? Have you changed your mindset in some way? Why do you believe it is necessary to analyze various objects and to compare them? If you think that your analysis was helpful and made a contribution, share your thoughts on it. You can also call your readers to some actions, e.g., to delve deeper and study this topic from other angles.
Do You Really Need to Read Compare and Contrast Examples?
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What is your first thought when you receive a new task? It is a no-brainer that you want to read some samples. Papers that are written by professional authors or students with good writing skills can provide you with some actionable essay tips. It is a good idea to read a couple of samples when you need a dose of inspiration.
However, this coin has a second side. When you read someone else’s content, e.g., the similarities essay, you don’t let your brain work creatively. You limit it with some frames when you should give it total freedom. That’s why you should be careful with samples. Try to rely on your critical thinking, define the strengths and weaknesses of each paper you read.
And always ask yourself: What can I do better? How can I do it? Use samples for inspiration, not for copying the content. Besides, you can’t do it if you don’t want your paper to be compromised. Plagiarism is not supported in academic institutions, so make sure your piece is unique.
Get Help to Make Your Student Life Easier
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