Compare & Contrast Essays

Planning Brainstorm: similarities?/ differences? Subject Similarities Apples & Oranges Tree fruits- grown commercially O. Tropical A. temperate Used for juices O. Pulp A. No pulp Used for sauces/jellies etc. O. Uses pulp/peel for sauce A. Uses pulp of apple (no skin)

Thesis Establish both the subjects and the points you intend to make: Although apples and oranges are both fruits, they are each ripe with difference, some of which are shown in the way they are grown and processed.

Format: “Point by Point” Compare and contrast different elements of each subject in each paragraph of your essay’s body.

Sample: Point by Point Compare: Apples/Oranges are both fruit trees often grown commercially. Contrast: However, they grow in different climates. Compare: Although both fruits can be juiced, Contrast: apples are pressed and only the juice is bottled while both pulp and juice is squeeze from oranges. Compare: Again, while fruit sauce is made from both apples and oranges, Contrast: usually applesauce comes from the pared and pureed apple while orange sauce may contain both the rind and the pulp of the orange.

Format: Block One paragraph devoted to each subject. Final Support paragraph compares and contrasts the two. While writing about each individual topic avoid mentioning the other subject, only focus on the main details significant to that topic.

Sample: Block-- First 2 Supports Apples are a tree fruit that is often grown commerically in large orchards. As well as eaten from the tree, apples are also both pressed into apple juice or pureed and processed into applesauce. Oranges are also a tree fruit, often grown commerically in large orchards. They can be eaten from the tree, squeezed into juices or processed into orange sauce.

Sample Block: Final Support One big difference between apples and oranges is the way they are processed. Notice that while apples are pressed for juice, orange juice is squeezed from the orange. Another difference is that while apple juice contains only the liquid pressed from the apple.

Consistency To avoid confusing your reader, it’s best to follow the same order of representation in each paragraph. Ex. For Point by Point always keep consistent (compare then contrast, compare then contrast ect.)

Cue Words/ Transitions Make sure your paper flows smoothly with clear transitions so your reader is aware when you are switching topics. Try to use specific cue words to alert when you are comparing/contrasting

Cue Words: Compare/Contrast Is similar to Both Also Too As well Like Contrast On the other hand However But Although Unlike While

Conclusion: Reword Thesis! Although each is a commercially grown fruit, growing temperature and differences in processing apples and oranges clearly makes a distinction between the two fruits.