Compare and Contrast Essay Structure

Compare and Contrast Essay An essay in which you compare and contrast two or more items. ▫You should emphasize the similarities AND emphasize the differences.

Introduction Get your reader’s attention (AG/hook) and state your purpose (thesis). ▫The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important:  It helps you create a focused argument.  It gives your reader a road map so she/he doesn’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make.

Thesis Replace vague reports of your general topic with something more detailed and specific Bad: ▫“This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places.” ▫“Giuseppe's and Aldo’s are similar in some ways and different in others.” ▫“Giuseppe’s and Aldo’s are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference.”

Thesis Better: ▫“Giuseppe’s and Aldo’s have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.” Best: ▫“Giuseppe’s and Aldo’s both offer a greater variety of ingredients than other local pizza places (and than any of the national chains), but the eclectic, lively atmosphere at Giuseppe’s makes it a better place to give visiting friends and family a taste of local culture.”

Body Paragraphs There are a few different ways to structure your body paragraphs. Two options we will focus on are: ▫Subject-by-subject ▫Point-by-point

Subject-by-subject Begins by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then moves on and makes all the points you want to make about the second subject (and after that, the third, and so on, if you’re comparing/contrasting more than two things) DANGER of this subject-by-subject organization is that your paper will simply be a list of points

Subject-by-Subject Compare (how the two restaurants are similar) ▫Price, location, delivery, menu options, etc. Contrast (how the two restaurants are different) ▫Atmosphere, parking availability, speed of delivery, coupons, etc.

Point-by-point Rather than addressing things one subject at a time, you may wish to talk about one point of comparison at a time. ▫In a single paragraph, discuss how a certain point of comparison/contrast relates to all the items you are discussing.

Point-by-point The prices at both Giuseppe's and Aldo’s: How they are alike/different. The ingredients available at both: How they are alike/different The atmospheres of the two restaurants: How they are alike/different

Subject-by-subject vs. Point-by-point Subject by Subject xx

Transition Words

Prewrite ideas Venn Diagram Overlapping area demonstrates similarities while individual sections should highlight differences Giuseppe’s Traditional, rustic atmosphere Long wait times for delivery Gluten-free options Aldo’s Usual pizza shop setting Quick delivery times Limited menu offerings Better option than chain restaurants