· How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay 1. Begin by Brainstorming With a Venn Diagram.. The best compare and contrast essays demonstrate a high level of 2. Develop a Thesis Statement.. Once you’ve mapped out the similarities and differences between your topics, you will 3. Create an Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins · There’s only one remaining element of the guide on how to start a comparison and contrast essay: the introduction itself. This section will introduce the reader into the two subjects and the thesis statement. It’s important to make it strong, appealing, and believable. You can start by introducing an interesting fact about each of your subjects So before we dive into exactly how to start a compare and contrast essay, let’s examine what goes into setting things up. First, you must introduce the subjects in an introduction paragraph. There are three main objectives of your introduction paragraph: Pique your readers’ interestEstimated Reading Time: 7 mins
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay Step by Step
This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA. Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been viewedtimes. Compare and contrast essays are often assigned to students because they promote critical thinking, analytical reasoning and organized writing.
A compare and contrast essay should look at a subject in a new way, with fresh insight, using the similarities and the differences between two topics or two perspectives on one topic. To start a compare and contrast essay, start by making a list of similarities and differences between your subjects.
Once you have a clearer idea of how your subjects work in relation to each other, you can work on your introduction. You can also ask a thought-provoking question or use a provocative quotation.
Then, introduce your general topic. Once you give your reader a bit of context, you can discuss your two specific subjects in a bit more detail before stating your thesis.
Your thesis should note the main similarities and differences between both subjects. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. wikiHow Account. No account yet? Create an account. Community Dashboard Write an Article Request a New Article More Ideas Edit this Article.
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Co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA Last Updated: November 29, Sample Outline Sample Compare and Contrast Outline. Support wikiHow and unlock all samples, good way to start a compare and contrast essay. Part 1 of All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U. and international copyright laws.
This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Understand the structure of a compare and contrast essay.
Most compare and contrast essays bring one or both subjects into sharper focus, lead to a new way of viewing something, or show that one subject is better than the other, good way to start a compare and contrast essay. To compare and contrast effectively, your essay should make new connections or distinctions between two subjects.
If good way to start a compare and contrast essay instructor has already given you your topic, you may be contrasting two things that could go into the same category, but are different from each other. For example, cats and dogs are both animals, but they are different from each other in many ways. The pro-life view on abortion, and the pro-choice view on abortion could both fit under the category of a human rights issue, good way to start a compare and contrast essay, but they are two very distinct views or positions.
Make a list of similarities and differences. Take out a piece of paper or start a new document on a word processor. Create two columns for each subject for the similarities and and two columns for each subject for the differences between each subject.
For example: Two separate lists for the similarities between cats and dogs, and the differences between cats and dogs. For example: cats and dogs are both domesticated animals.
But cats have different temperaments than dogs, good way to start a compare and contrast essay, and cats are known to be indoor pets, while dogs tend to need to be walked and played with outside on a constant basis. Think about at least one or two meaningful differences and similarities between the two subjects. For example, a compare and contrast between abortion rights could lead to meaningful notes like: The pro-life stance views fetuses are full formed humans and are often based in religious beliefs, while the pro-choice stance views fetuses as undeveloped eggs and are often based in scientific beliefs.
To focus your list, choose categories good way to start a compare and contrast essay possible supporting points for your paper to classify the similarities and differences between the two subjects. For example, for the abortion rights topic, you may choose categories like: legal details, women's rights, scientific stance, and religious beliefs. You can then separate each item on the list into these categories. Create a Venn diagram of your topic.
Take out a piece of paper and draw two large overlapping circles, one for each subject or item. In the center area where the two circles overlap, list the traits the two items have in common.
Assign each of the areas that do not overlap. In these areas, you can list the traits that make the subjects different. Be specific when listing words or phrases for each subject or each perspective on the same subject.
Once you are done listing differences and similarities, circle the most important items in each list. Then, match at least three opposites from one circle to the other circle. Review the list and look for three different categories that describe these traits. One possible category could then be the debate of the life of a fetus. Answer the 5 W's and H questions. Try to answer the questions journalists traditionally ask: Who?
and How? Apply these basic questions to your topic to get a sense of each topic or perspective. What happened or changed during each event? Why are they significant? Who were the important people involved? How did the events occur, and what consequences did they have later in history?
If you're compare and contrasting two ideas or theories, you may ask: What were they about? How did they originate? Who created them?
What is the central focus, claim, or goal of each theory? What kind of evidence is used to support each theory? If you're compare and contrasting two pieces of art, you may ask: What good way to start a compare and contrast essay each piece of art describe or depict?
What is their tone or mood? What themes do they address? When were they created? How do the creators of the artworks describe their own work? Why do you think the artworks were created as they were? If you're compare and contrasting two people, you may ask: Where is each person from? How old are they? What, if anything, are they known for? How do they identify themselves in terms of gender, race, class, etc? Do the two people have any relationship to each other?
What does each person do? Why is each person interesting? What are the defining features of each person?
Compare and contrast essay structure
, time: 5:25Strong Compare and Contrast Essay Examples
Like every essay, compare and contrast essay templates include an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, the body needs to be focused in a specific way since you are comparing and contrasting two different topics. Set this up in two ways, topic by topic or So before we dive into exactly how to start a compare and contrast essay, let’s examine what goes into setting things up. First, you must introduce the subjects in an introduction paragraph. There are three main objectives of your introduction paragraph: Pique your readers’ interestEstimated Reading Time: 7 mins Compare and contrast essays identify the similarities and differences between two subjects, preferably under the same umbrella. If you're wondering how to write a compare and contrast essay, we've got a six step formula to help you get there
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