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How to Build Good Compare and Contrast Essay

Students have to write compare and contrast essay to investigate distinctions and likenesses of two certain and various subjects. After a student was given or has chosen subjects he has to start comparing those subjects and working out the structure of his paper. If you are afraid of this type of essay and do not know how to build a decisive comparative analysis or create effective essay, read the following steps.

Choose rational way

Very often the success depends on those two subjects. You have to pick things you can compare and contrast in a rational way. Two subjects can’t be too different or too similar. If your teacher didn’t give you subjects to analyze, think about these topics:

  • Two books
  • Two historical events
  • The careers of two different famous persons (writers, sportsmen, actors, etc).

Write the list

Once you have the subjects to compare, you have to explore them and write all the differences and similarities. Go to the library, surf the Internet, brainstorm and figure out what they have in common and what differentiates one subject from another. Create a list of the most meaningful distinctions and likenesses. Theoretically you have three points of comparing. For example, do not be focused on gender difference of two writers, think about their ideas or pieces of work’s themes, or differences in reader audiences.

Mind the importance

Proceed to the thesis argument of your essay. Try to write in a sentence the importance of comparing and contrasting two subjects. Figure out the strong strategy for the essay.

Stick to the structure of essay

Make a plan of your compare and contrast essay:

  • In the Introduction part write about the subjects you want to compare and contrast, present the main information and your thesis statement.
  • In two or three paragraphs of the body you should write the proofs to support your thesis. Present and explain in complete detail similarities and differences between two subjects. Use method of subject-to-subject comparison. Devote one paragraph to one point of comparison.
  • Present the summary of the evidences in the conclusion and restate your thesis.
  • Choose organizational style of ideas which suits you best.

In the block organization you write all the points about the first subject in the one paragraph and present all the pints about the other subject in the second paragraph. In the point-by-point arrangement you should discuss a certain point about the first subject and then immediately to discuss the same point about the second subject. One paragraph will be devoted to contrasts and the second - to comparisons.

Divide into parts

Each paragraph in the body should consist of the following parts: topic sentence (it will introduce basic idea and subject of the paragraph), body sentences (concrete evidence, proving the topic sentence) and conclusion (summarize the insights of this paragraph).

Do not forget to review the draft of your essay

Proof read the paper and correct any punctual or/and grammatical errors, and sentences that repeat one idea.

Here are few more tips to make you essay more professional:

  • Do not write in first person, you can use it in a reflective essay. Write sentences in third person, “one/a person should take into consideration…”
  • Do not use one source for your paper. Search for various reputable sources to make essay more credible. If you use Wikipedia works, look for references at the end of the article. Perhaps, you will find more valuable information there.
  • But if you used some authoritative sources, make sure that you quoted them. No doubt, nobody wants to get bad grade because of the suspicions of plagiarism. If you like some idea, paraphrase it and add your own opinion.