1. Compare and Contrast What does a Compare and Contrast paper mean? When we learn about new things, our brain wants to compare these new things to something that we already know about. (What do they have in common?) Our brain also wants to know how they are different. (contrast) The first step in a Compare and Contrast paper is a Venn Diagram. Let's Compare and contrast soccer and basketball.

3. Now, for the contrast part. Put soccer on one side of the diagram and basketball on the other. Each game's unique characteristics will appear under the title, and the facts listed will directly be contrasted against the other. Ask yourself, "How are they different from each other?"