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How To Write Compare and Contrast Essay

This document provides instructions for writing a compare and contrast essay. It explains that a compare and contrast essay depicts two or more similar yet different subjects by focusing on their commonalities and differences. The prewriting stage involves choosing topics, researching, creating an outline and thesis statement. The introduction should include a hook, background on topics, and thesis. Each body paragraph should discuss one aspect of the topics and compare and contrast them. Transitional words should be used to smoothly connect ideas. The conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes similarities and differences. An example 5-paragraph compare and contrast essay on cats and dogs is also included.

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17 views

How To Write Compare and Contrast Essay

This document provides instructions for writing a compare and contrast essay. It explains that a compare and contrast essay depicts two or more similar yet different subjects by focusing on their commonalities and differences. The prewriting stage involves choosing topics, researching, creating an outline and thesis statement. The introduction should include a hook, background on topics, and thesis. Each body paragraph should discuss one aspect of the topics and compare and contrast them. Transitional words should be used to smoothly connect ideas. The conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes similarities and differences. An example 5-paragraph compare and contrast essay on cats and dogs is also included.

Uploaded by

Pirate King Luffy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Write Compare and Contrast Essay

This type of assignment is an academic paper, which depicts 2 or more similar yet different things by focusing on what
they have in common and what makes them different. The purpose is to make a reader see the way chosen objects are
interconnected. You may start by picking a couple of good subjects to differentiate and draw parallels.

Prewriting Stage
Before you start writing an essay make sure to do the following:
● Check the assignment instructions and make sure you understand them
● Brainstorm and choose the topics
● Make a research and take some notes to have a basis for your writing
● Create a thesis statement first, as it expresses the main idea of your essay
● Create an outline
● Start writing

Compare and Contrast Essays Introduction. How to Start


An introduction usually starts with a catchy hook sentence, as its aim is to entice the reader into reading the essay to
the end. Thus, you may start you paper with an interesting or unknown fact, shocking statistics, or a joke.

Introductory part presents the main point and shares the primary data about the chosen subject with the reader.
Introduce your topic and provide some background information on it.

Add a strong and clear thesis statement in the end of the paragraph. The opening paragraph must contain a brief
explanation of the selected ideas to analyze (stress why the offered text might be valuable for the reader).

Main Body
In the body of your essay present all your main arguments.
● Discuss one aspect of the chosen subjects per paragraph
● Express your ideas clearly and develop them logically
● Make sure to compare and contrast
● Add topic sentences to each paragraphs
● All the ideas presented in the paragraphs should resonate with the thesis statement.
● Use linking words

The Importance of Comparing and Contrasting


● Comparison means discussing the similarities of the two subjects.
● Contrasting presupposes discussing the differences of the subjects.
● Make sure you highlight both aspects in your essay.

Transitions
An important part of compare and contrast essays is transitional verbs for a smooth flow of your essay. They also help
avoid word repetitions and repetitive sentence structures. You may use the following transitions in your essay:

● like just like similarly


● in contrast however but on the one/other hand unlike
● neither.. nor both.. and
● while whereas

Compare and Contrast Essays Conclusion


Once a student is done with the article body paragraphs, he/she should start working on the next step - the closing part
of the paper, which often leaves the last impression. It means a writer should try hard to leave positive impressions. In a
conclusion, provide a summary of the introduced evidence, restate the thesis statement by rewording it (do not copy-
paste a thesis sentence from the introduction). Do not forget about the most important step - to show all similarities and
differences.

EXAMPLE: 5 Paragraph Essay Compare and Contrast


There are several similarities that cats and dogs share, but at the same time they are very different. These two animals
are two of the most popular pets today. Some people prefer the company of a cat, while others are considered dog
lovers. Through the various aspects of each animal, we will look at the similarities and differences each one holds, and
we can get a good insight as to why these animals are so loved.

First, we shall discuss the similarities that these two creatures share. One of the most obvious similarities between these
two animals is that they both have hair. They are also domesticated animals kept as pets. They require love and affection
from their owner, and can show love and affection If you show it towards them. Another thing is that when you pet
them, not only does it relieve stress, it gets dog or cat hair everywhere. They both give birth to multiple offspring at one
time, which must be very hard on the mother. Both animals are easy to love, and with the right affection they become
like children to most.

Aside from the similarities, there are also various differences between the two animals. To begin with cats, who belong
to the family of felines.Cats are loners, meaning they can spend a lot of time alone without getting lonely. They like
spending time away from people. The sounds they make also differ from a dog. Typically you will hear a “meow” or a
“purr” from a cat. Cat’s do not have ranks that determine their social status. All cats are basically equal, one doesn’t
dominate over another. Another difference is the signals cats give off. When a cat holds its tail up in the it shows a sign
of happiness. Another difference is that cats are nocturnal, meaning they go out at night. They also have retractable
claws, unlike dogs. Cats seem to be very well-balanced and a lot more flexible than dogs. Most would say that cats have
a higher intelligence than dogs do.

Dogs, on the other hand, are canines. They are a pack of animals, which means you should spend lots of time with your
dog so that it doesn’t get lonely. A dog goes woof, bark, growl, or howl, complete opposite of a cat. The canine group
also has a particular social status, and how they determine their ranks. The determining factor in dogs is the tail. In dogs,
how high they hold their tail is how they determine ranks. If one dog meets another dog, and one holds it’s tail up, it is
the one of the higher social class. Dogs, however, are day animals. Another very obvious difference between dogs and
cats is that dogs are usually bigger than cats. Dogs are also somewhat smarter than cats in the area of verbal command.
For example, you can call your dog by name and usually it will come to you, unlike a cat. Also, you can train dogs to do
tricks when commanded. Some of the most commonly seen tricks in dogs are role over, fetch, shake hands, sit down, lay
down, and play dead.

As one can tell there are various similarities and differences that dogs and cats hold to each other. This compare and
contrast between the two animals can be perceived in different ways. Some may think more highly of cats due to their
intelligence, while others will choose a dog any day because of their companionship. It primarily relies on the personality
of the person.

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