SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE cc CLRC Writing Center Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay ‘As always, the instructor and the assignment sheet provide the definitive expectations and requirements for any essay. Here is some general information about the organization for this type of essay. A comparison essay notes either similarities, or similarities and differences. A contrast essay notes only differences ‘The comparison or contrast should makea point or servea purpose. Often such essays do one of the following + Clarify something unknown or not well understood. + Lead to a fresh insight or new way of viewing something # Bring one or both of the subjects into sharper focus + Show that one subject is better than the other. ‘The thesis can present the subjects and indicate whether they will be compared, contrasted, or both ‘The same points should be discussed for both subjects, itis not necessary, however to give both subjects the same degree of development Some common organizational structures include: (see note below) # Block method (subject by subject) + Point by point + Comparisons followed by contrasts (or the reverse) Use detailed topic sentences and the following connecting words to make the relationship between your subjects clear to your reader Connectors That Show Comparison (Similarities) = Inadditon "Correspondingly "= Compared to = Similarly + Justas + As well as = Likewise = Same as = At the same time Connectors That Show Contrast (Differences) = However * On the contrary * On the other hand = Bven though "= Incontrast = Although = Unlike * Conversely + Mearwhile See the other side of this page ofa detailed example for both the Block Method and the Point- by-Point method. For a blank chart to organize your own essay, use the Compare/Contrast Essay WorksheetSANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE cc CLRC Writing Center Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay The following example contains an element of the author's opinion but not all compare/contrast assignments allow for that. Ahvays check your assignment sheet cvd ask your instructor jor clarificaion about mncluding your opinion Point-by-Point Method Block Method > Introduction of general topie > Introduction of gaeral topic + Specific tie + Speaiic topic gg. | Thesi= aeesio be coveedinthis essay: Both [6 ‘Thesis= aes tobe coveredin his essy: Both cats and dogs S ] cats and dogs make excellent pets but an make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends onthe s ‘appropriate choice depends on the pet owner's (pet owner's lifestyle, finances, cand household Ifectyle finances and household ‘accommodations accommodations Topic Sentence - Aspect “Topic Sentence ~Topie T Cats make less of an mpact on an owner's lifestyle | Cats are easier a less expensive to care for Topic 1 - Aspect I: Cats Aspect I: Lifestyle a ‘© Detail: Don't have to be watched during the = Detail: Don't have to be watched chuing the day day Detail: Basier to get care if owner travels Detail: Easier to get cae if ownertravels | Aspect 2:Cowt E | Topic 2- Aspect I: Dogs ‘Detail: Rood and health care are val less expensive e|° acc animals shouldn't be left alone Detail: Less likely to case property damage ka) arder to get cee when away Aspect 3: House accommodations Transition Sentence Detail Don't take 1p much space # Detail: Less iirusive ‘Transition Sentence Topic Sentence Aspect Topic Sentence ~ Topic 2 Cats are lecs expensive to own and cae for Doge are active and leyaly engaging pets Topic | - Aspect 2: Cats “Aspect | Lifestyle sy | + Detail: Rood and health care are usualy les | Detail: Packoumals shou‘ be left alone 2 expensive #) Detail: Harder o get care when vay Need more living + Detail: Less likely to cause property damage space BF ais moet bee smea7On ai. tod ts more expensive Detail: Foods more expensive z|- ver-breeding cases some heath + Detail: Over-breeding caes come health problems Aspect 3—House accommodations Transition Sentence +) Detail: Qfen need yard an fence + Detail: Require more safety end protective measures Tra Sentence Topic Sentence - Aspect 3 ‘Optional. develop a paregiaph to evaluate the comparison made ts need few special house accommodation. inthe essay: Last stonmer, Iwas considering adopting apet, so ic 1 - Aspect 3: Cats visited the SPCA to gather more information about cate and dogs Don't take up much space Tam afull tme student and work part time in the everangs, so my Iyfestyle and schechle didn't seem condicive to owning a dog like I Body Paragraph 2 Te had originally plarmed Now that I've had my cat Cooke for afew ‘months, I see that she's the perfect fit and a great companion for ‘Transition Sentence + Summary of main points + Summary of main points + Evaluation and/or possible future developments | Evaluation end/or possible future developments JE) * Significance of topeto author When considering | * Significance of ope to author: IVhen considering adopting a B |" adbpingaper aprospechve ovner mist consider | per aprospectve ver mist consider the lfeshle, frances $ the lifestyle, finances, and household ‘and household accommodations that the pet would requare & | accommodations that the pet would require ‘Gweners who neglect to compare these aspects will often not Groners whe neglect to compare these capects will | care for ten pet ma safe manner often not care for their pet ina safe manner.SE arcing Cnter Brainstorming for a Compare/Contrast Essay 1, Write each topic name above one of the citcles. List atibutes or qualities of that topic in the ctcle, placing any shared qualities in the overlapping section Be specific and use details. (Example details of ivngin SB mightinclude high cost of hving beach commuuaty, good schools, et. Less effective quabites: not nce place, cool hangouts) 2. Cizele the most important qualities in each list and match atleast thee opposites fiom one excl to another. ‘After completing stepe 1-3, list the tee categones or aspects that both, items share 1 3. Review the lists and identify tee categontes or aspects that describe these details Example: beach conmanety detail for one topic and “big city” deta for the other = emaronment or seting as «cate gory.) Lit the categories inthe box above 4, Then choose one option (point by point or block method) to strctize your essay. See examples in this handout ‘Use the charton the next page fo oxgenize your paragraphs as indicated. Add more ideas and details for each category as you think of them.SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE cc CLRC Writing Center Compare and Contrast Essay Structure: Block Method In the Block Method, each paragraph addresses ONE TOPIC ONLY from your pair of topics and includes the SHARED ASPECTS you have chosen to Compare to topic 2 Use the following chart to organize your ideas for your essay. (See Vern dtagram steps 1 — 5 for examnples on topics, aspects, and detatls ) Block Method My Essay «Introduction © introduction of general topic © specific topic © areasto be covered in this essay + Topic ‘Topic Sentence: ° ect 1 » Detail * Detail ° ect 2 + Detail * Detail ° ect. * Detail + Detail je + Topic2 ‘Topic Sentence: ° ect » Detail + Detail ° ject 2 * Detail + Detail ° ect 3 » Detail * Detail I~ + Conclusion o Summary of main points o Evaluation andlor possible future developments 2n9SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE cc CLRC Writing Center Compare and Contrast Essay Structure: Point by Point Method In the Point-by-Point Method, each paragraph contains details on ONE ASPECT of BOTH TOPICS organized in the same order. Use the following chart to organize your ideas for your essay. (See Venn diagram steps 1 — 5 Jor examples on topics, aspects, and details.) Point by Point Method My Essay o Introduction © introduction of general topic © specific topic o arcasto be covered in this essay o Topic 1- Aspect 1 = Detail = Detail Topic Sentence: o Topic2- Aspect 1 = Detail = Detail © Topic 1-Aspect 2 Topic Sentence: + Detail ae = Detail o Topic2- Aspect 2 = Detail = Detail © Topic 1- Aspect 3 Topic Sentence: + Detail ae = Detail © Topic 2~ Aspect = Detail + Detail o Conclusion ‘Summary of main points + Evaluation and/or possible future developments Source referenced: http://www. efl arts. gla.ac.uk/CampusOnlylessays!1Sweb htm