1. Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay

2. Make a Point!
The comparison or contrast should make a point or serve a purpose. Often such essays do one of
the following:
ƒ Clarify something unknown or not well understood.
ƒ Lead to a fresh insight or new way of viewing something.
ƒ Bring one or both of the subjects into sharper focus.
ƒ Show that one subject is better than the other.

3. Creating a Thesis Statement, part 1
The thesis statement will evolve from your prework.
Look at your lists, ask yourself some questions; then, write down answers.
„Is there something important, significant, or interesting in the similarities and differences on my list?
What have I discovered about my two topics?

4. Thesis Statement, part 2
Present the subjects and indicate whether they will be compared, contrasted, or both. Discuss the same points for both subjects; but it is not necessary to give both subjects the same degree of development.

5. Don’t merely list similarities and differences
Why is it important to see
what is the same and what is different between your topics?
Think critically about your topics.

6. Organizational Structures
ƒ Block method (subject by subject)
ƒ Point by point
ƒ Comparisons followed by contrasts (or the reverse)

7. Organization through Vocabulary
Words to indicate Comparison
Words to indicate Contrast
Key Words:
Unlike, different from, despite
Coordinators:
But, yet
Transitional Words:
However, nevertheless
In contrast, on the other hand
Subordinators:
Although, even though
While, whereas
Key Words:
Like, Similar to, Just like
Be the same as, Both
Neither (negative similarity)
Coordinators:
And
Transitional Words:
Similarly, Likewise
In the same way
Subordinators:
Just as

8. Organizational Order
Order points from least to most important.
If the similarities are more significant, discuss difference first.
If the differences are more significant, discuss similarities first.

9. Introduction
Give the overall picture.
Define the subject matter.
Provide brief, all inclusive background.
Write a thesis statement that answers all the “so what?” questions.

10. Body Paragraphs Follow your plan.
Include a paragraph breakdown in your plan.
Whether individual points warrant an entire body paragraph or certain points can be combined depends on the length of the paper.
The order of the paragraphs depends on what you want to emphasize.
Be sure to start and end body paragraphs with topic and concluding sentences.

11. Conclusion
Look back at your introduction and thesis and again answer the “why do we care about this?” question in terms of the big picture.
Accentuate the lessons learned in the comparison and contrast of the subjects and points.