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Writing a
Comparison/Contrast Essay
(Based on Eschholz and Rosa's Subject and
Strategy, Ch. 6)
What is a comparison/ contrast essay?
A
comparison/contrast essay points out the similarities and/or the differences
between two (or more) objects of the same category. For example, the essay
might discuss two different cars, political candidates, vacation spots, or
historical time periods.
What is the point?
Writers
can use a comparison/contrast strategy for a variety of purposes.
(1) To
Inform: The essay simply explains how two things are similar and/or
different, such as Greek vs. Roman Mythology.
(2) To
Describe Something Unfamiliar: The essay explains something unusual or
foreign by comparing it to something more common, such as the Ukraine vs.
Texas.
(3) To
Evaluate: The essay shows the differences between two things for the purpose
of arguing that one is superior, such as the Geo Prizm vs. the Ford Taurus.
(4) To
Persuade: The essay tries to change readers' minds about one thing by
comparing it to another, such as sending troops to Bosnia vs. sending troops
to Vietnam.
What is first?
The first
step in writing a comparison/contrast essay--after choosing a topic--is to
make a list of possible comparisons. Your goal should be for these
comparisons to be interesting, informative, and not obvious. For example, if
you are writing about solar energy vs. wind energy, you might come up with
the following list: cost, convenience, efficiency, and environmental impact.
(Of course you do not need to point out that one uses the sun as an energy
source and the other uses the wind.)
How should I set up my essay?
A
successful comparison/contrast essay often benefits from rigid organization.
Two common ways to organize the essay are point-by-point and block-by-block.
For example, in the same essay as above, the paragraphs might be organized
point-by-point, as follows:
1.
Introduction
2. Cost
(first solar, then wind)
3.
Convenience (first solar, then wind)
4.
Efficiency (first solar, then wind)
5.
Environmental Impact (first solar, then wind)
6.
Conclusion
If you
prefer block-by-block organization, the paragraphs might be arranged as
follows:
1.
Introduction
2. Solar
Energy (including cost, convenience, etc.)
3. Wind
Energy (including cost, convenience, etc.)
4.
Conclusion
You must
choose the organization that works best for your own paper, and of course
your paper might require a different organizational scheme, depending on
your content and purpose.
Remember,
though, that your job is to make the comparisons and contrasts clear for
your reader. Point-by-point and block-by-block organization work well
because readers can easily recognize and follow those patterns.
Finally,
the introduction should explain what you are comparing, how, and why. For
example, in the solar vs. wind energy paper, you might include the following
thesis:
Both
solar and wind energy are practical alternatives to our current energy
sources, but an analysis of cost, convenience, efficiency, and environmental
impact shows that solar energy is the preferable option.
With this
thesis, the reader can easily understand the paper's content, organization,
and purpose.
I'm still having trouble.
Comparison / Contrast essays are fun, but can also be difficult. Stop by
the Loudoun Campus Writing Center.
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