Those points are their background, personalities, and underlying aspirations. In your list you have uncovered important points of dissimilarity between them. There are at least two ways to organize a compare/contrast essay. If there is a balance of similarities and differences, you might concentrate on discussing this balance. If there are more differences (or if, as in the example above, the differences are simply more interesting), concentrate on contrasting. If there are more similarities, concentrate your paper on comparing. Once you have a list, decide whether there are more similarities or differences between the topics. A point-by-point list helps you maintain balance. English teacher sticks to business.Īs you create your list, is it clear why you are comparing and contrasting these two subjects? Do you have a preference for one or the other? If so, make sure you are evaluating each side fairly. English teacher drinks strong black coffee. Similarities between my math and English instructors:īoth are welcoming and available to students.īoth are organized and keep a neat office.ĭifferences between my math and English instructors
Keep in mind that for a balanced paper, you want to make point-by-point, parallel comparisons (or contrasts). Alternately, you may construct a Venn diagram of intersecting circles, listing the subjects' differences to either side and their similarities where the circles intersect. Concentrate on characteristics that either are shared or are opposing between the two subjects. Then, begin to list the similarities and differences that immediately come to mind. One side is for the first subject, the other for the second subject. Don't try to compare a president and a cab driver, or existentialism and a legislative bill on car tax refunds.ĭivide a piece of paper into two sides. Or, if you are examining a person, like a president, pick another president for comparison or contrast. For instance, if you are examining an idea (political or philosophical) examine the opposite of that idea. After that, choose a parallel pattern of organization and effective transitions to set your paper above the merely average.įocus on things that can obviously be compared or contrasted. In fact, their individual characteristics determine whether the subjects are useable. You may choose to focus exclusively on comparing, exclusively on contrasting, or on both-or your instructor may direct you to do one or both.įirst, pick useable subjects and list their characteristics. A compare and contrast essay examines two or more topics (objects, people, or ideas, for example), comparing their similarities and contrasting their differences.
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