Compare and contrast essay

2.  A comparison and contrast essay explains
the similarities and differences between
two topics (ideas, people, or things). You
can follow these steps when writing a comparison
and contrast essay:
 1. Have and introduction (relevant information
about the 2 topics being compared and
contrasted) •
 2. Include a thesis statement (purpose for
comparing and contrasting)

3.  3. Support your thesis throughout the essay
(examples and details related to the thesis
statement)
 4. Include all points of comparison and contrast
(All points need to be discussed for each topic)
 5. Add specific details and examples (illustrate
similarities and differences)
 6. Have a conclusion. (summarize main ideas of
the essay and include any final thoughts)

4. Introduction in which you state your purpose which
is to discuss differences between vacationing in
the mountains or at the beach. 1. First difference
between mountains and beaches is climate
 A. Mountains B. Beach
2. Second difference between mountains and
beaches are types of activities A. Mountains B.
Beach
3. Third difference between mountains and beaches
is the location A. Mountains B. Beach

5.  To evaluate two or more things (texts, objects,
facts…or in our case, film and text) We evaluate
to find out which is better, if a pattern is
followed, and trends.
 To explain concepts (Just like when we use
metaphors and similes to create a picture in our
readers’ minds, we compare/contrast to create a
clear picture of our topic or teach.)

6. 6
SIMILARITIES
ONLY

7. 7
DIFFERENCES
ONLY

8. 8
GENERALIZATION:
 Write a generalization that introduces your general
category.
 “Everybody,” “Most people”
 For example, if you are contrasting two specific cars,
generalize about vehicles:
 Most college students need some kind of vehicle to get to
class and work.
 If you are comparing two tragic events, generalize about
history or epochal moments.

9. 9
 Next, narrow the broad category
(that you mentioned in your opening
generalization) towards the two
specific subjects that you will compare
or contrast:
◦ “Some” and “Others”
◦ If you generalized about vehicles, perhaps move to types
of vehicles (using Classification).
◦ Some of us drive “big ol’ trucks,” while others drive little
“gas misers.”

10. 10
 Now you should be at that spot to announce your two
subjects.
◦ Segue from your previous statement:
◦ However, the most common type of car I have noticed in the
school parking lot is the mid-sized sedan, and the two most
popular models are the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.
◦ In a comparison essay, state that the
similarities are more important.
◦ In a contrast essay, state that the differences
are more important.
◦ However, despite these minor similarities,
the differences between the Accord and
Camry are more significant.

11.  Decide to what extent the similarities between
subjects will be stressed, and to what extent
their differences will be stressed.
◦Remember, a thesis statement establishes the topic of
your essay and the main points of your body paragraphs
However, the most important similarities shared by
Subjects X and Y include 1, 2, and 3.
◦Nevertheless, the Honda Accord and Toyota
Camry differ significantly in terms of gas
mileage, engine size, and extras.

12.  They are both somewhat alike and somewhat
different.
 I can see some similarities and some
differences too.
 Both of them involve (only a single similarity,
no differences).

13.  Focus on similarities between the two
topics.
 Useful terms to describe similarities:
Both A and B . . .A and B both . . . Like A, B . . .
Neither A nor B . .
• in comparison, similarly, in the same way, in like
manner, likewise, by the same token, in a similar
fashion, in relation to, in respect of, with
reference to, with regard to, a propos, vis-à-vis

14. Focus on differences between the two topics.
•Useful terms to describe differences :
•in/by contrast, conversely, on the other hand, on
the contrary, however, though, otherwise, at the
same time, notwithstanding, nevertheless,
nonetheless, whereas, but, yet, besides, versus,
while, instead, although (at the start of a Subordinate
Clause)
Useful terms to describe EXAMPLE:
•for example, for instance, to illustrate, to
demonstrate, namely, specifically, in this case,

15. Words to indicate
Contrast
Key Words:
 Unlike
 Different from
 Despite
Coordinators:
 But
 Yet
Transitional Words:
 However
 Nevertheless
 In contrast
 On the other hand
Subordinators:
 Although
 Even though
 While
 Whereas
Words to indicate
Comparison
Key Words:
• Like
• Similar to
• Just like
• Be the same as
• Both
• Neither (negative similarity)
Coordinators:
• And
Transitional Words:
• Similarly
• Likewise
• In the same way
Subordinators:
• Just as

16.  First compare (find similarities), then
contrast (find differences)
 Point by point (compare and contrast
by category – one category/topic per
paragraph)
 Only compare (only write about
similarities)
 Only contrast (only write about
differences
 Whole-to-whole (Write about all the
details of one subject and then write
about the details of the other.)
Created by Cindy Farnum 2004

17.  Your last paragraph will be a conclusion. It
should be two or more sentences and summarize
what you have written using different words.
 eg: We have seen that cars and bicycles have
a few things in common. However, there are more
differences between them than similarities.

18.  Be sure to discuss both subjects equally
in terms of coverage.
 Be sure to discuss the same elements
for each subject; do not discuss one
element for one subject and not do so for
the other!
 Have a clear purpose to achieve in the
comparison/contrast.

19. 19
similar (adj.), similarly (adv.), similarity (n.)
Similarity: (n.)  There are several similarities
between X and Y. as in:
• There are some striking similarities between New
York and Tokyo in terms of their infrastructure and
business purposes
• Like (just like = just as):
 Like X, Y is....  Y is..... like X.
Like Tokyo, New York is densely populated.
New York is densely populated (just) like Tokyo.
New York is densely populated just as Tokyo is.
New York has traffic problems just as Tokyo does.

20.  the same as:
 The subway system in New York is the same as
the one in Tokyo.
 equally (+ adjective):
 Tokyo and New York are equally noisy.

21.  also: Tokyo is the financial heart of Japan. Also,
New York is an important centre of finance.
  New York is also an important centre of
finance.
  New York as well is an important centre of
finance.
 too: Tokyo is an important centre of finance and
New York is too.

22.  Differ (+ in that):  Istanbul and Beyoba differ in
that the former is a big city while the latter is a
small village.
  Different (+in terms of):  Istanbul is very
different from Beyoba in terms of population.
 Difference (+between):
 There is a big difference between Istanbul and
Beyoba.

23.  While New York is known for finance and
business, Boston is known for its universities.
 New York is a financial center while/whereas
Boston is an educational center.
 While San Francisco is very hilly, Miami is flat.
 San Francisco has a lot of Asian immigrants,
whereas Miami’s immigrants are mostly Hispanic.

24.  In comparison with car prices in most European
countries, those in the UK are very high.
 Compared to Istanbul, Beyoba is very
peaceful.
 On the other hand:
 Adults have a lot of responsibilities in life. On
the other hand, children are relatively carefree.
 I really want to go to Paris! On the other hand,
I should save my money for university
expenses.

25. Compares and contrasts the similarities and differences between
two things
ContrastContrast
ContrastContrast
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same as
alike
not only…but also
either…or
likewise
similarly
similar to
compared with
as well as
resemble
•different from
•in contrast
•although
•more than
•less than
•instead of
•however
•on the other
hand
•on the contrary
•as opposed to
•but not
•while
•unless
Comparison and Contrast
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