The Comparison and Contrast Essay Definition Comparison and contrast essays indicate the similarities and contrasts between two things. A comparison essay is an essay in which you emphasize the similarities. A contrast essay is an essay in which you emphasize the differences. Purpose With comparison and contrast essay, the purpose is not just to point out similarities and differences, or advantages and disadvantages; the purpose is to persuade, explain or inform. Think of comparison and contrast as a method of development – not as a purpose for writing. EXAMPLES A paragraph of comparison A paragraph of contrast Comparison paragraph My hometown and my college town have several things in common. First, both are small rural communities. For example, my hometown, Gridlock, has a population of only about 10,000 people. Similarly, my college town, Subnormal, consists of about 11,000 local residents. This population swells to 15,000 people when the college students are attending classes. A second way in which these two towns are similar is that they are both located in rural areas. Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which is devoted mainly to growing corn and soybeans. In the same way, Subnormal lies in the center of farmland which is used to raise hogs and cattle. Thirdly, these towns are similar in that they contain college campuses. Gridlock, for example, is home to Neutron College, which is famous for its Agricultural Economics program as well as for its annual Corn-Watching Festival. Likewise, the town of Subnormal boasts the beautiful campus of Quark College, which is well known for its Agricultural Engineering department and also for its yearly Hog-Calling Contest. Contrast Paragraphs Even though Arizona and Rhode Island are both states of the U.S., they are strikingly different in many ways. For example, the physical size of each state is different. Arizona is large, having an area of 114,000 square miles, whereas Rhode Island is only about a tenth the size, having an area of only 1,214 square miles. Another difference is in the size of the population of each state. Arizona has about four million people living in it, but Rhode Island has less than one million. The two states also differ in the kinds of natural environments that each has. For example, Arizona is a very dry state, consisting of large desert areas that do not receive much rainfall every year. However, Rhode Island is located in a temperate zone and receives an average of 44 inches of rain per year. In addition, while Arizona is a landlocked state and thus has no seashore, Rhode Island lies on the Atlantic Ocean and does have a significant coastline. Organization A- Point by point Feature by Feature B-All of one / All of the Other Block Format Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement (five paragraphs) I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach II. First difference between mountains and beaches is climate A. Mountains B. Beach III. Second difference between mountains and beaches are types of activities A. Mountains B. Beach IV. Third difference between mountains and beaches is the location A. Mountains B. Beach V. Conclusion Block Arrangement (four paragraphs) I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the differences between vacationing in the mountains or at the beach II. Mountain A. Climate B. Types of Activities C. Location III. Beach A. Climate B. Types of Activities C. Location IV. Conclusion Example: Go on vacation : on a beach or in a city 1. Introduction: Thesis statement: The purpose of this essay is to contrast the differences between vacation at a beach or in a city. 2. Body essay: a. Differences about the kind of activities you are able to do: * At a beach: - Sailing - Fishing - Surfing * In a city: - Visiting museums, theaters, downtown, etc. - Other things b. Differences about the clothing and equipment you need to take with you: * Beach: - Bathing suit - Short - Short-sleeve shirts - Sunglasses, etc. * City: - Jeans - Tennis shoes -Fancy clothes, etc. c. Differences about the pace of life: - Relax and let things happen at a beach - Schedule activities to have enough time to visit many places in a city 3. Conclusion: - Both are interesting - Keep in mind that wherever you decide to go you will enjoy it. [...]... lighted, and the bright-colored décor is informal The employees serve with a smile, and the food is easy to pronounce and identify I know what I’m going to get when I order a certain type of sandwich The most importance difference between the Chalet and McDonald’s, though, is the price difference Dinner for two at the Chalet, even one without the appetizers or desserts, would easily cost $50 And the $50... organize your body paragraphs +First compare, then contrast (or vice verse) +Only compare or only contrast Tips - No matter what you prefer, make sure to give equal amount of attention to both comparison and contrast in your essay - Don’t forget to link your investigations to the thesis The readers should have a clear picture of your comparison and contrast The conclusion General guidelines: -A conclusion... good and bad sides of the items you are discussing _Be consistent, don’t firstly state similarities, and secondly provide a list of differences The Introduction General guidelines: _A good Introduction writing requires the context within which you place the two things you plan to compare and contrast in your essay _Grounds for custom essay comparison _The thesis statement just focuses on how the two... things you’ve chosen to compare /contrast actually relate to one another; it means that the statement should arise from grounds for comparison In your thesis statement you should make it clear to the readers whether the essay is indicating the similarities or differences Tips Try a quotation, or an anecdote to make the context more lively The body General guidelines: There are several ways to organize... knock one of the fragile glass vases off the table The waiters at the Chalet can be uncomfortably formal, too As I awkwardly pronounce the French words on the menu, I get the feeling that I don’t quite live up to their standards Even though the food at the Chalet is gourmet, I prefer simpler meals I don’t like unfamiliar food swimming in dead-white sauce or cover with pie pastry Eating at the Chalet,.. .The Outline General guidelines: _Chose two or more items, that need to be compared / contrasted in essay _Look for common ground, on which you will be doing your evaluation (it’s hopeless to compare the river Nile and New York city) _ Collect your raw data the similarities and differences you’ve observed and make them cohere into a meaningful argument Tips _When you write a compare and contrast essay, ... To show contrast Short Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions However, In contrast, By contrast, , but , yet On the other hand, even though + [sentence] although + [sentence] whereas + [sentence] unlike + [sentence] while + [sentence] nevertheless, More examples Similarities is similar to Example: Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in Halifax Differences On the other hand Example:... McDonald’s When I compare the two restaurants, the advantages of eating at McDonald’s are clear For one thing, going to the Chalet is more difficult than going to McDonald’s The Chalet has a jacket -and- tie rule, which means I have to dig a sport coat and tie out of the back of my closet, make sure they’re semiclean, and try to team out the wrinkles somehow The Chalet requires advance reservations Since... convenient, friendly and cheap And with the money my wife save by taking me to McDonald’s, she can buy me what I really want for my birthday-a new Sears power saw The outline Thesis statement When I compare the two restaurants, the advantages of eating at McDonald’s are clear Body: point by point Pa 1: going to the Chalet is more difficult than going to McDonald’s (block) Pa.2: Eating at the Chalet is less... McDonald’s (block) Pa.3: the price difference (block) Conclusion Language and Sentence Structures To show similarities Short Conjunctions Longer Expressions Similarly, Likewise, the same the same as also , too both In the same way, X is similar to Y in that (they) X and Y are similar in that (they) Like X, Y [verb] In like manner, One way in which X is similar to Y is (that) Another way in which X . The Comparison and Contrast Essay Definition Comparison and contrast essays indicate the similarities and contrasts between two things. A comparison essay is an essay in which. emphasize the similarities. A contrast essay is an essay in which you emphasize the differences. Purpose With comparison and contrast essay, the purpose is not just to point out similarities and. to both comparison and contrast in your essay. - Don’t forget to link your investigations to the thesis. The readers should have a clear picture of your comparison and contrast. The conclusion General