compare and contrast
Compare and Contrast Essay Tips
English 101
A compare and contrast essay is about comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities to make a point.
Compare= how are they alike
Contrast= how they are different
Clearly establish the basis of the comparison and/or contrast.
Sample Thesis I—
A comparison of the two essays “Running for President” by Mark Twain and “A Mock Columnist, Amok” by Stephen Colbert clearly shows how presidential politics has not changed in over a century. Between the time Twain wrote his essay and the time Colbert penned his column, many politic realities have remained the same. American politics are still the subject of much humor, are driven by money, and are dependent on pitting one group against another.
Sample Thesis II—
When a reader examines the essays “Running for President” by Mark Twain and “A Mock Columnist, Amok” by Stephen Colbert, the contrast between the two writers’ styles is apparent. The choice of how to approach the subject matter, the prose style, and the use of language are very different.
Point A
While both essays are satiric in nature, the choice of how to approach the subject of presidential politics is very different.
Organizing Your Essay
I’ve placed outlines below for the two methods of organizing an essay of this kind. You may either organize by story, making all your points in one section (not one paragraph) or you may organize by point, reviewing a point of emphasis in each of the stories.
Block Style (Topic-by-Topic)
Introduction
First Story or Essay (First subject) Point A Point B Point C
Second Story or Essay (Second Subject)
Point A (should match the subject discussed in Point A of first story or essay and so on with other points) Point B Point C
Conclusion
This method is also acceptable, but you will need to make sure you follow it very carefully in order not to confuse your reader.
Point-by-point
Introduction
First point
First
English 101
A compare and contrast essay is about comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities to make a point.
Compare= how are they alike
Contrast= how they are different
Clearly establish the basis of the comparison and/or contrast.
Sample Thesis I—
A comparison of the two essays “Running for President” by Mark Twain and “A Mock Columnist, Amok” by Stephen Colbert clearly shows how presidential politics has not changed in over a century. Between the time Twain wrote his essay and the time Colbert penned his column, many politic realities have remained the same. American politics are still the subject of much humor, are driven by money, and are dependent on pitting one group against another.
Sample Thesis II—
When a reader examines the essays “Running for President” by Mark Twain and “A Mock Columnist, Amok” by Stephen Colbert, the contrast between the two writers’ styles is apparent. The choice of how to approach the subject matter, the prose style, and the use of language are very different.
Point A
While both essays are satiric in nature, the choice of how to approach the subject of presidential politics is very different.
Organizing Your Essay
I’ve placed outlines below for the two methods of organizing an essay of this kind. You may either organize by story, making all your points in one section (not one paragraph) or you may organize by point, reviewing a point of emphasis in each of the stories.
Block Style (Topic-by-Topic)
Introduction
First Story or Essay (First subject) Point A Point B Point C
Second Story or Essay (Second Subject)
Point A (should match the subject discussed in Point A of first story or essay and so on with other points) Point B Point C
Conclusion
This method is also acceptable, but you will need to make sure you follow it very carefully in order not to confuse your reader.
Point-by-point
Introduction
First point
First