A compare and contrast essay serves to show the difference and similarity between two or more distinct ideas. As a writer, the expectation is that you will show how two ideas compare to each other. You will need to draw this comparison by delving into each point and going through the evidence that shows whether it relates or differentiates from another topic or idea. This post will guide you on how to write a compare and contrast essay.
How Do You Start To Write A Compare And Contrast Essay?
The main problem you will face when you think of how to write a compare and contrast essay is how to start it. It is important to understand the essay topic. In most cases, this topic will directly ask you to compare topic A to topic B.
Take your time to read the question and understand what the question is asking. Make an effort to record the ideas that you have of either side of the argument. This process will help you determine what you need to research further and what you need to pay any special attention to.
Once you have understood what the expectation is from the question, the next step is choosing what ideas you will express each side of the argument in your essay. When it comes to this point, focus on more than just drawing up a list of differences and similarities.
You will need to delve deep into each topic and present it on its own. Your audience will expect you to discuss both items with equality. The main thing to remember is that you need to connect your ideas logically. While transition words do help in showing the relationship between one idea and another, it is important to have compelling evidence that shows the same.Â
To have compelling evidence, you will need to do thorough research. College assignments experts advise that you research each topic on its own and then have enough points to argue one side of the argument with the other.Â
Format On How To Write A Compare And Contrast Essay
No matter the topic being discussed, one thing will always make one essay standout and another not to. The organization of ideas. You need to organize your ideas in a chronological manner that allows your reader to follow through on what you are driving at from start until the end. To achieve this, you will need to follow the compare and contrast essay format.
Generally, there is no difference in the way you write this type of essay from all others. The essay will have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. For a compare and contrast essay, however, the body will have a different approach. When it comes to a compare and contrast essay, there are two ways that you may use to write the body. The block method or the point-by-point method.
Block Method
In the block method, you will need to present the main ideas for each idea separately. For example, if you are discussing point A, you will discuss its similarities and then differences to B without delving into point B. In this method, you take the reader through a systematic approach of the ideas that you are discussing.
Point By Point Method
In this alternate method, you will need to discuss each point against another. If for example, you are discussing how a point A and B relate, you will cover similarities on either side first before you can address the differences on either side.
Whichever of the two approaches that you use, you will need to make your argument clear and concise. The comparison only helps your audience further affirm you stand which you layout in the last paragraph of the essay.
How To Conclude A Compare And Contrast Essay
To conclude a compare and contrast essay, you will need to clearly state which of the two ideas present in the essay you stand for. Once you do this, you will need to paraphrase the thesis statement and follow it up with your stand.
Your stand should be the same one that you make in the body of the essay. It should show the clear advantage of the point you choose over the other. Additionally, the stand you make should also show a relation to the introduction that welcomed the reader in the beginning.
An Example Of How To Write A Compare and Contrast essay
How many paragraphs should a compare and contrast essay have?
The number of paragraphs that a compare and contrast essay should have will depend on how long the essay should be. The essay should be structured in a block method where it uses two paragraphs that is for discussing the comparisons while the other for contrasts.
What are some examples of contrast?
Contrast is a noticeable difference between the two items that are in a pair form. Examples include cats and dogs, hero and villains.
