Create a unified essay that illustrates your understanding of developing writing through the use of comparison and contrast. The two items you choose need to be on the same level of comparison, meaning in the same subject category and have enough similarities and differences to be compared.

 

Determine what type of comparison/contrast essay you are doing:

• Historical Events

• People (Living or Deceased) or Fictional Characters

• Places (Real or Fictional)

Regardless of type, your purpose will be the same; You will be showing the similarities and/or differences between two subjects. You will then need to choose the method of organization: Subject-by-Subject or Point-by-Point (see class notes).

 

Your essay should be roughly 500 words, double-spaced, in standard one-inch margins, and 12 point appropriate font.  Indent the beginning of each paragraph.  Make sure you include an interesting, creative title for your work.

 

NOTES:

• Choose two comparable ideas to compare

• Write in 3rd person (DO NOT USE ‘YOU”)

• Keep a consistent tense throughout

• Use transitional phrases to guide the reader

• Your introduction should include what two items are being compared and what the basis of comparison will be

When you are writing about the comparison and contrast of something, you are looking for similarities and differences. The purpose of this type of essay is that you are trying to inform the reader that X is better than Y, X has a lot in common with Y, or X is quite different from Y. No matter what two things you are comparing, the most important issue is to make sure that the comparisons are fair. For instance, there is no point in comparing a fast-food place with an elegant French restaurant, as they have nothing in common. There has to be some kind of basis for the comparison. You want to ask yourself the following questions when starting a comparison and contrast essay: What are the similarities? What are the differences? Should you emphasize similarities or differences? What other modes (description, etc.) are appropriate? What is your point to the essay?

How your essay is organized is especially important because a compare/contrast essay has a distinct format. Your information should be compared either subject by subject or point by point