Compare and contrast essay is a common type of academic writing. This type of essay is based on analyzing the similarities and differences and contrasting two subjects.
Writing a compare and contrast essay is not a difficult task like an argumentative essay if you follow proper guidelines. It needs a proper structure and outline. This type of essay is commonly assigned in schools and universities.
Through this type of essay, the teacher analyzes the student’s abilities by asking to find the similarities and differences between two methods, two characters in a novel, two movies, etc.
Good compare and contrast essays are focused on the main point and explain the importance of analysis. Such type of essay establishes the analysis of ability in students. Make a meaningful argument about the topic is the main skill of the writer.
The writer explains why two things are similar/different, and they should provide proper details.
The key to this type of essay is to choose two or more subjects that associate in a meaningful way.
Contents
- Good Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
- Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for College
- Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for High School
- Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for Middle School
- Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for Elementary Students
- Thesis for Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
- How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay?
- How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?
Good Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
The compare and contrast essay is assigned to school and university students. It is not as difficult as compared to other essays. But if you are writing it for the first time, every writer needs good examples and samples to understand how to write a compare and contrast essay.
The following are the best free compare and contrast essay examples that can be categorized for different levels. Take help from these examples and write a well-written essay.
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for College
When writing the compare and contrast essay for a college assignment, the students may seem it the most difficult task. The main purpose of this essay is to focus on logical comparison and contrasting the different aspects of life.
If the students don’t have time to write the college essay example and get confused in this phase. Don’t worry; here are some good examples that can help college students to write a perfect essay in no time.
Free Compare and Contrast Essay Example - College Students
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for High School
When writing the example for the essay, make sure that you can easily write the similarities and differences. The compare and contrast essay for high school is different from a college essay.
It does not require professional logical skills, but it is a good way to develop logical analysis skills.
Compare and Contrast Essay Example for High School
Compare and Contrast Essay Example for High School Students
Compare And Contrast Essay Example High School vs College
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for Middle School
Comparison and contrast essays allow students to learn about the similarities and differences of subjects. At the middle school level, students are able to write a basic level of essay. In a compare and contrast essay, the writer is able to highlight diverse elements.
Each essay has a different purpose and perspective. The essays that are written for middle school students are usually focused on and highlight the education and general conception of students in schools.
The following are good compare and contrast essay examples for middle school students:
Compare and Contrast Essay Example for Middle School
Compare and Contrast Essay Example for Middle School Students
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for 6th Grade
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for Elementary Students
Elementary school students also have to write essays to compare and contrast two things. This can help them learn how to write better. Here are some example essays for kids at the elementary level that make their writing process easy.
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for 4th Grade
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples 5th Grade
Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for 3rd Grade Students
Thesis for Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
A thesis statement highlights the main points of your essay and what two objects or topics you will be further discussing in your essay. Here is an example that will help you to understand better how to write a great thesis statement for an essay.
Thesis for Compare and Contrast Essay Example
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How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay?
To write a great compare and contrast essay, you need to plan well and execute properly. When you are given this type of essay to write, it is best not to start writing it right away.
Focus on the prewriting steps, which include planning and outlining the information. This will help make your essay readable. The prewriting steps for starting a compare and contrast essay are below:
- Select a Good Topic
The best way to pick an interesting compare and contrast essay topic is by being creative. Make sure that you choose something unique, not too broad or specific in nature, because this will make your essay more appealing to readers.
- Brainstorming the Similarities and Differences
Brainstorming is a great way to get creative and think outside of your box. By brainstorming similarities and differences, you can compare two or more things from an interesting and new perspective.
When considering a topic for your paper, it is important to ensure that the chosen topic makes sense. If not then return back to the first step in this process until you find something which does.
- Do Some Research
The more information you have about a particular topic, the better you will write your essay. Researching your chosen topic will not only give you insight into what kind of information is popular but also help to know what readers like to read.
- Create a Thesis Statement
The main goal of a thesis statement is to summarize your argument in one short sentence. It should not be confused with an essay’s introduction, which often contains various points or ideas.
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?
To write a compare and contrast essay, you should first create a Venn diagram to identify the similarities and differences between the objects. Once you have that completed, you can then create an outline that will serve as your template for the essay. The outline should have three components:
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
- Conclusion
Below is a compare and contrast essay outline template that you can use for your help.
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
Let’s discuss these parts in detail.
Introduction
The introduction part contains basic information about the analyzed objects. In this section, the writer describes why they chose these subjects and how their research will be beneficial for the reader.
An attention-grabbing introduction attracts the reader’s attention and will glue readers to your essay until the last words in it.
The essay introduction part starts with a strong hook statement, and it should be interesting. The hook statement can be a quotation, story, or anything that captures the audience’s attention.
The purpose of the essay is also explained in this part. Inform the reader about why you have chosen this subject.
The thesis statement is also stated in the introduction, and it is the main writer’s argument. It should be included at the end of the introductory part.
Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction Examples
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs should include 5-paragraphs. The writer presents their evidence and analyzes how the objects are similar and different.
The body paragraphs can be written by using two methods.
Point by Point: In this method, the writer lists the similarities and differences of both subjects.
Compare and Contrast Example Point by Point Method
Block Method: In the block method, the writer organizes the information. Firstly, define the first object's details and then describe the information about the second object.
Body Paragraph Outline Template
Conclusion
In the conclusion part, summarize and evaluate the entire paper. The conclusion for this type of essay is the same as other types of essays.
The thesis statement is also restated in this part, and it should be impressive. In the essay conclusion part, do not add new ideas or information. This is the last text that the audience read, so try to make it powerful.
Now you have got good compare and contrast essay examples for your academic assignment, making your writing process easy.
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FAQs
- 1. How do you start a compare and contrast essay introduction?
You should begin with an attention-grabbing question or fact that will draw in your audience. When starting, it is important to introduce the topic clearly, so readers understand it from the start.
- 2. What are compare and contrast words?
The most common compare and contrast words are:
- Similarly
- Again
- Likewise
- Nevertheless
- But
- Despite
- Regardless
- Although
- Yet
- unlike
FAQs
What is a good example of compare and contrast? ›
For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic.
How do you answer a compare and contrast essay question? ›Give concrete examples from the items you are comparing or contrasting. Don't just offer a summary. Use either a whole to whole approach or a point to point approach. Depending on what you are comparing or contrasting, after you've made your chart or Venn diagram decide which approach will fully answer the question.
What is a good topic for compare and contrast essay? ›Social Studies Compare and Contrast Essay Ideas
Childhood in the 1980s vs. childhood today. Great Depression vs. coronavirus pandemic.
Introduction: where you explain your thesis or what your essay will discuss. Body: where you actually list the similarities and differences of your subjects; the largest section. Conclusion: where you wrap up and summarize your points.
How can I start a compare and contrast essay? ›The best introductions start with a hook—such as a rhetorical question or a bold statement. After your hook, introduce the subjects that you will examine in your essay. Your thesis statement should come at the end of the introduction.
How do you write a good comparison essay? ›- Read the topic carefully. Make sure that you understand exactly what the topic is asking you to do. ...
- Give roughly equal weight to each text. ...
- Choose your preferred structure. ...
- Focus on differences as well as similarities. ...
- Use linking words and phrases. ...
- Explore a range of elements.
- Similarly, …
- In the same way …
- Likewise, …
- In comparison …
- Complementary to this …
- Then again, …
- However, …
- This is in contrast to …
- Paying for college or getting a scholarship.
- Life in high school vs life in college.
- Online tuitions or home tuitions.
- Getting a college degree or getting a job.
- Working in college vs freelancing in college.
- Spending money on education vs spending money on fun.
- Friends Vs. Family.
- Childhood friendship Vs. High school friendship.
- Bikes vs. cars.
- Study abroad Vs. Studying in your country.
- Living on your own Vs. At home with my parents.
- Facebook vs. Twitter.
- In-house employees Vs. Freelance contractors.
- Texting Vs.
A compare and contrast essay discusses that similarities and differences between two subjects. The two main methods for organizing your ideas within the essay are the point-by-point method (five paragraphs) and the block method (four paragraphs).
What does a compare and contrast essay do 10 points? ›
A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
What are some examples of comparisons? ›“This car is much faster than the other one.” “They are much less wealthy than they used to be.” “He's a little taller than his sister.” “She's slightly less interested in football than him.
How does an essay start? ›Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order: An opening hook to catch the reader's attention. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
What are some good hook sentences? ›- I lost my arm on my last trip home. ...
- A screaming comes across the sky. ...
- It began the usual way, in the bathroom of the Lassimo Hotel. ...
- Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress. ...
- We slept in what once had been the gymnasium. ...
- It was love at first sight.
The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both.
How do you start a contrast paragraph? ›Paragraph 2: The opening sentence must contain a transition showing that you are pivoting to discussing differences, such as: "Despite all these similarities, (these two subjects) differ in significant ways." Then describe all the differences, using compare-contrast cue words such as "differs," "unlike," and "on the ...
What are the two methods for arranging a comparison and contrast essay? ›There are two ways to organize a comparison and contrast essay. The first (and often the clearest) method is the Point-by-Point method. The second method is called the Block method.
How do you write a compare and contrast conclusion? ›For a compare-and-contrast essay, the conclusion starts with the thesis statement and includes a brief summary of the comparison. A strong conclusion paragraph leaves the readers with final thoughts: an image, a quote or even a rhetorical question. The goal is to leave a lasting impression with the readers.
What is a good sentence starter for a compare and contrast essay? ›To compare and contrast
In the same way … Likewise, … In comparison … Complementary to this … Then again, …
- Words to use in your introduction. ...
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly. ...
- In view of; in light of; considering. ...
- According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X. ...
- Adding information and flow.
What is a comparison and contrast paragraph? ›
A compare and/or contrast paragraph is required if you are asked to examine similarities and/or differences. Compare focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences. Topic sentence identifies the topic and the intention to compare and/or contrast X and Y; comments on the degree of similarity or difference.
What are two things that contrast each other? ›Contrast often means “opposite”: for example, black is the opposite of white, and so there's a contrast between black ink and white paper. But contrast can also happen when the two things are just very different. For example, cats and dogs are definitely a contrast, but they're not opposites.
What are the words used in compare and contrast? ›like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.
What are some examples of comparisons? ›“This car is much faster than the other one.” “They are much less wealthy than they used to be.” “He's a little taller than his sister.” “She's slightly less interested in football than him.
What two things are compared and contrasted? ›Comparing involves identifying similarities and/or differences (e.g., apples and oranges are both fruit) whereas contrasting involves comparing two or more objects or events in order to show their differences (e.g., an apple has a thin skin that we can eat; an orange has a thick skin that we cannot eat).
How do you write a compare and contrast topic sentence? ›The topic sentence should introduce the subject. Then add two or three of these compare/contrast words to your sentence. You want to show whether you plan to compare or contrast. When you compare and contrast two people, places, objects, or ideas, you explain how they are alike and different.
What is contrast example? ›Contrast often means “opposite”: for example, black is the opposite of white, and so there's a contrast between black ink and white paper. But contrast can also happen when the two things are just very different. For example, cats and dogs are definitely a contrast, but they're not opposites.
How do you start a comparison sentence? ›- Similarly, …
- In the same way …
- Likewise, …
- In comparison …
- Complementary to this …
- Then again, …
- However, …
- This is in contrast to …
Present one subject and all its points of comparison. Then do the same for the second subject. Discuss each subject completely without interruption. Include both subjects in one point of comparison before moving on to the next point of comparison.
How do you make a comparison sentence? ›- My house is larger than hers.
- This box is smaller than the one I lost.
- Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog.
- The rock flew higher than the roof.
- Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. (" than Jim" is understood)
How do you explain compare and contrast to students? ›
Comparing and contrasting is looking at what is the same and what is different between two things. Comparing is looking at what is similar, and contrasting is looking at the differences. A Venn Diagram can be used to write down and visually show comparing and contrasting.
How do you write a comparison paragraph? ›A comparison-contrast paragraph has three main parts. The topic sentence introduces two subjects and says something about them. The body sentences give details about how the two subjects are alike and different. The ending sentence sums up how the subjects are the same or different.
What is comparison and contrast paragraph? ›A compare and/or contrast paragraph is required if you are asked to examine similarities and/or differences. Compare focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences. Topic sentence identifies the topic and the intention to compare and/or contrast X and Y; comments on the degree of similarity or difference.
What is a good sentence starter for a compare and contrast essay? ›To compare and contrast
In the same way … Likewise, … In comparison … Complementary to this … Then again, …
- In a paragraph about a summer vacation: My summer vacation at my grandparents' farm was filled with hard work and fun.
- In a paragraph about school uniforms: School uniforms would help us to feel more unity as a student body.
- In a paragraph about how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich:
Begin by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then move on and make all the points you want to make about the second subject (and after that, the third, and so on, if you're comparing/contrasting more than two things).
What is an example of contrast in a sentence? ›Examples of contrast in a Sentence
Verb Her black dress and the white background contrast sharply. We compared and contrasted the two characters of the story. Noun Careful contrast of the twins shows some differences. In contrast to last year's profits, the company is not doing very well.
A writer might highlight contrast with a conjunction or connecting phrase like but, yet, however, instead, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, or unlike. For example, you could write “Unlike his big brother, Kevin didn't like school”.