How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

A compare and contrast essay looks at two or more things and their similarities and differences. This is a great way to develop your critical thinking and analytical skills. Whether you are comparing two historical events, contrasting different scientific theories or analysing works of art, this type of essay gets you to really dig deep into your subjects.

Writing a compare and contrast essay will improve your writing skills and help you understand how things are connected. By comparing and contrasting you gain insight into the individual qualities of each and the bigger picture they sit in.

For example, compare two classic novels like George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. While both are dystopian, Orwell looks at the dangers of totalitarianism and Huxley at the dangers of consumerism and technological dominance. By looking at the differences you can gain insight into the fears and aspirations of society in the 20th century.

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

1. Choose Your Subjects: Select two or more subjects that have some similarities and differences. Make sure the subjects are relevant to your audience.
   For example if you are comparing two novels, make sure they are in the same genre or have the same theme. This will help your readers understand the comparison more easily. Don’t choose subjects that are too broad like “science and art” as these may not have enough overlap for a meaningful analysis.
2. Write a Thesis Statement: Your thesis should state whether you are looking at similarities, differences or both. It will be the backbone of your essay.
   A good thesis could be: “While both novels explore identity, one is about self discovery and the other is about societal expectations.” Or you can write a thesis that gives equal weight to similarities and differences: “Although the novels have themes of alienation, their protagonists’ journeys are critiques of different societies.”
3. Make an Outline: Decide on the structure – block or point by point. An outline will keep your essay logical and coherent.
   Using an outline helps you to organise your thoughts. For example:
   • Block Outline:
     • Introduction
     • Subject A
     • Subject B
     • Conclusion
   • Point by Point Outline:
   • Introduction
   • Point 1: A and B
   • Point 2: A and B
   • Conclusion
4. Write the Introduction: Start with a hook to grab the reader’s attention. Provide some background information and end with your thesis statement.
   A good hook could be a surprising fact, a rhetorical question or a brief anecdote related to the subjects. For example: “Did you know that both George Orwell and Aldous Huxley wrote their dystopian novels while witnessing major technological and political upheavals?”
5. Write the Body Paragraphs: Use the chosen structure to compare and contrast your subjects. Use evidence and examples to support your analysis.
   For example, when comparing two historical events like the American Revolution and the French Revolution, you could look at their causes, key figures and outcomes. You could highlight the similarities of them fighting for independence and contrast their approaches to governance post-revolution.
6. Conclude: Summarise your points, restate your thesis in light of the evidence and add a final thought or call to action.
   Ask the reader to think about the implications of the comparison. For example: “So we see how historical context shapes society.” You could also ask: “What can modern societies learn from these revolutions?”

Comparison Table: Block vs Point-by-Point Structure

Additional Tips for Writing Compare and Contrast Essays

• Use Transitional Words: Words like “similarly,” “on the other hand,” and “in contrast” help guide readers through your analysis.
• Stay Focused: Avoid discussing too many points, as this can dilute the essay’s main message.
• Proofread: Carefully review your essay for grammatical errors and logical inconsistencies.
• Use Visual Aids: Adding charts, tables, or diagrams can clarify complex comparisons for the reader.

What to avoid?

• Not having a clear thesis statement.
• Picking subjects that are too different or have no common ground.
• Not using transitions between ideas.
• Adding too much irrelevant info.
• Forgetting the overall structure and confusing the reader.

Can I use personal examples?

Yes, personal examples can be great. For example if you’re comparing two cities you’ve lived in, sharing anecdotes can be helpful.

Recommended reads

• How to Write a Psychology essay
• How to Write an Art Essay
• How Long is a Short Essay

Done

Comparing and contrasting is a useful skill to have. Follow a clear structure and back up your arguments with evidence and you can write great essays that inform and engage your reader. Whether you use block or point by point, make sure your analysis is thorough and your writing is clear. Revise and refine and you’ll get the best results. Try it out and improve your analytical skills and write better essays.