How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

Compare and Contrast as well as how to Quote novels

How to write a topic sentence

is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.

Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question.

Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose?If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.

Your Thesis for a Comparative/Contrast Essay

I believe Andrew and Cinder are similar because ______, _______, and ______. (compare)

I believe Andrew and Cinder are different because ______, _______, and ______. (contrast)

The three things you will list are your discussion points. Regardless of organization, it is protocol to have three discussion points in your essay as well as an introduction and conclusion.

Where does your thesis go?

Your thesis statement goes in the introduction paragraph. You will introduce your topic, what your paper will be on, and what your discussion points will be. You will sum up your thesis again in the concusion.

What is a Compare or Contrast Essay

A Compare or Contrast essay is an essay in which you either compare something or

contrast something. A comparison essay is an essay in which you emphasize the similarities, and a contrast essay is an essay in which you

emphasize the differences.

Organizing the Essay

When comparing or contrasting something, writers have two classic organizational patterns from which to choose. One is

called block arrangement of ideas; the other is called point-by-point or

alternating arrangement of ideas. 

Block Organizing

Suppose you are interested in showing the differences between vacationing in the mountains and vacationing at the beach.

You will then write a contrast essay. One way to arrange your material is to use the block arrangement which is to write about vacationing in the mountains in one paragraph and vacationing at the beach in the next. If you mention a particular point in the mountains paragraph, you must mention the same point in the beach paragraph, and in the same order.

Block Organizing Outline

Point by Point Organizing

A second way to organize this material is to discuss a particular point about vacationing in the mountains and then immediately to discuss the same point about vacationing at the beach. This is called point-by-point or alternating arrangement. An outline of this organization follows

Point by Point Organizing

Paragraph Count

A block essay comparative should have FOUR paragraphs

A point by point comparative essay should have FIVE paragraphs

Each of these two paragraphs should have three discussion points

Commas in Quotations with Dialogue

(1)Video of how use quotations with sentences and dialogue

(2)Different examples of punctuation and quotations.

Essay Structure

Know what organizational style you are using. Whether you use the block arrangement

or point-by-point organization, you should be able to identify it. Being able to identify your

organization will not only help you in the organization of your own writing, but it

will also help your readers follow the points you make.

What an Outline Should Look Like…

Always start with (1) roman numerals for body paragraphs, followed by (2) numbers– specifics within the THREE topics you are discussing on what your talking points will be , and finally use (3) ABCs to discuss specific details (quotes, details, ideas you want to get down to put in your paper)

Outline Example (point by point)

Outline Continued