Compare and contract essay - step by step guide

Whenever you have had to make a choice between two or more options (which movie you want to see, which restaurant you want to go to, what time you want to meet your friends, etc.), you have used comparison and contrast. Most simply, a comparison and contrast essay describes the similarities and differences of two or more things. But, if you take a look at the previous examples, you use comparison and contrast to make a choice about whatever it is you are describing, so all comparison and contrast essays should have a focus for comparison, rather than merely listing similarities and differences.

Step by step guide on how to write comparison and contrast essay:

1. Write down the things you will be comparing (items, places, people, emotions, etc.)

2. Ask yourself, “Why am I comparing these things? 

” You always compare things for a reason. You will compare two presidential candidates in order to decide which one to vote for. You might compare three pairs of shoes to decide which pair matches what you’ll be wearing to school that day.

3. Now, what aspects are important for answering that question?

Only certain aspects, or parts, of your description will help you make a decision. Bill Clinton may have a bigger nose than all other candidates, but that description has very little to do with why you would or would not vote for him. When deciding upon which pair of shoes to wear, color and fit might be appropriate. What if the best pair of shoes for the outfit made your feet hurt after two hours? Would you wear them for a full school day? How about if you were asking someone out on a date that day? See how the importance of aspects change based

upon why you are comparing and contrasting?

4. Based upon those aspects, which item do you choose?

This will be your main point (thesis). Take a look at why you are comparing the items. Which item do you believe best answers that question?  

There are two ways to organize a comparison and contrast essay:

Organization by Item

Each section of the essay (paragraph) could be devoted to each item being compared. So you might have a couple of paragraphs describing each restaurant, followed by a conclusion which summarizes your position (thesis).

Organization by Aspect

Each section of the essay (paragraph) could deal with the aspects you are comparing. You might, for example, have a series of paragraphs devoted to the size of the biggest burger from each restaurant, followed by paragraphs comparing the price of the biggest burgers from each restaurant, their taste, etc.

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