Create an Excellent Compare and Contrast Essay
A compare and contrast essay is the common type of assignment that encourages you to make connections between the ideas (objects, texts, etc.), engages you in critical thinking and prompts you to go beyond mere explanation to in-depth analysis of the objects compared. Such analysis is often compared to designing the road map that is required to get from point A to point B. When you dismantle the objects into the details (e.g., furniture, movies, etc.), you learn to establish connections and relations between separate items while discovering most important features of the objects analyzed. Please learn how to write a compare and contrast essay following our detailed explanation and hints that will make this cumbersome task not only easy but also enjoyable.
Steps to writing a Compare and Contrast Essay
- Step 1. Thesis Statement
A good compare and contrast essay should have a strong thesis statement that introduces the topic and helps your reader understand which two things you are going to discuss. Composing a compare and contrast essay is a very useful exercise. You do it when you consider which phone to buy, where to go for your summer holidays or who is your best friend, for example. Students are often tasked to compare emotions, cars, types of food, books, people, etc., and it is a compulsory type of papers at high schools, colleges, universities, etc.
We would recommend that you need to be detailed and specific when you introduce the two objects in your compare and contrast essay. For example, it is wrong to say that two books have similarities and differences. In contrast, you can say, for example, that bulimia and anorexia have their roots in mental health conditions, but their symptoms and feelings have the opposing effects on the human body, and discuss in details which way and how. Your thesis statement should be the main sentence in your introduction section.
- Step 2. Brainstorm and organize your ideas
How can you find similarities and differences between the objects you compare? The best technique is to use brainstorming session and make a sketch of your ideas in a well-structured format. You can use the following compare and contrast essay example: make a chart of differences (separate lists for your object A and B) and similarities (between A and B). Once the list is ready, you should prioritize it, i.e., select the most interesting, appealing, important features, etc. At this stage of your essay writing, you should have a clear idea of the course of your discussion. You might also need to surf the net to find additional information that will add substance to your discussion and make it a compelling story for your readers. Do not forget to organize your sources as you will have to cite the borrowed ideas to give credit to other authors and avoid plagiarism in your writing.
- Step 3. So what?
Now, imagine you are a writer, a celebrity whose works are sold out before they are delivered to the store. Write your story down, but make sure it is interesting for your readers to follow the threat of your ideas. Use cue words that will serve to make your sentences especially strong and help your readers follow the plot of your discussion: despite their differences, although they are alike, compared to, etc. Your topic should be interesting for you, so you could energize your readers with your narration. Be creative and make your topic choice with care. Here are some popular compare contrast essay topics that will help you get attuned to write your superb and winning the audience essay: Biking versus Hiking, Fashion in the 1970s vs. Modern Trends, Appealing Lifestyles: Celebrities versus Ordinary People, Do you Prefer Reading Paper Books or E-Books? Country Music as Contrasted to Rock Music.
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