1. Writing the Comparison or Contrast Essay
Do I want this car … ?
… or do I want that other car?

2. Do I want this guy … ?
… or do I want that guy?

3. Do I want to visit Egypt on my next vacation … ?
… or do I want to go to Las Vegas?

4. Do I want to eat something healthy… ?
… or do I want something not so healthy?

5. Understand what comparison or contrast requires you to do.
Always choose two equal items—two cars, two vacations, two sports stars—not two unequal items, like a car and an octopus.
Next, decide if you want to compare or contrast as your primary strategy. The essay should be 80/20 in favor of one strategy, not 50/50.
Your job is to interest the reader. Choose points to discuss that are not immediately obvious.

6. Now let’s test your understanding . . .

7. A baby is like a vacuum cleaner.
WRONG!

8. Even though my little brother Fred is 20 years my junior, he and I have much in common.
Yeah, baby!

9. My sister and I look alike, have common hobbies, and enjoy the same foods.
Boring!

10. Even though Venus and Serena Williams are both professional tennis stars, they differ in their opinions about men, movies, and music.
Excellent!

11. Make the comparison or contrast interesting.
Be sure that your essay has a purpose. Ask yourself this important question: Why would anyone want to read this comparison or contrast?
Consider giving the essay a specific audience. Imagine the essay is a letter to a specific person.
Dear Mom and Dad,
My current car is a death trap! Do you want me to be the reason I-4 traffic is at a standstill? For this reason, I want you to consider helping me pay for my dream car, a 2011 Honda Accord …

12. Pick a pattern for your essay.
Pattern A is a typical multi- paragraph essay.
The thesis statement will read like this:
Because of X, Y, and Z, Subject A is similar to [or different from] Subject B.
Each body paragraph will discuss both Subject A and Subject B.
Introduction
All about Point X
All about Point Y
All about Point Z
Conclusion

13. Pattern B will look a bit different.
Pattern B has only 4 paragraphs.
Alas, the essay must still be 500 words.
The thesis statement should not include restrictions, like this:
Subject A is similar to [or different from] Subject B.
One body paragraph will discuss X, Y, and Z for Subject A; the other body paragraph will do the same for Subject B.
Introduction
All about Subject A
All about Subject B
Conclusion

14. If we follow the advice above …
Do we have two like things?
How are they alike?
Would it be better to compare or contrast?
What is the purpose?
What will make the essay interesting?
Would Pattern A or Pattern B work the best?

15. Format the Pattern A outline correctly.
Roman numerals address the X, Y, and Z from the thesis statement.
Capital letter A is always for the first subject; capital letter B is always for the second subject.
A detail for Subject A must correspond to a detail for Subject B.
Point X
Subject A
Detail 1
Detail 2
Detail 3
Subject B

16. Point X II. Point Y III. Point Z
Thesis statement: The two Sigourney Weaver movies, Aliens and Gorillas in the Mist, have three important points of comparison [or contrast]: X, Y, and Z.
Point X
Gorillas in the Mist
Aliens
II. Point Y
Gorillas in the Mist
Aliens
III. Point Z
Gorillas in the Mist
Aliens

17. A Pattern B outline looks a little different:
Thesis Statement: Subject A is different from/similar to Subject B.
Subject A
First Point of C/C
1. Detail
2. Detail
3. Detail
Second Point of C/C
Third Point of C/C
II. Subject B
First Point of C/C
1. Detail
2. Detail
3. Detail
Second Point of C/C
Third Point of C/C

18. Your compare/contrast essay will discuss the similarities/differences between the two articles in the textbook.
Consider these points of comparison or contrast:
Do they have the same sense about it? 
Or are their attitudes different?
Do they provide a similar history of it?
How similar are their examples?
How different? 
What common ground do these authors share?
You will analyze the rhetorical choices of the authors; is there a difference in tone or style?
How are they employing the use of rhetorical appeals to engage and persuade their audience?
Do you think their audiences are the same?

19. Add support with quotations or paraphrasing.
First, introduce the source with an introductory tag.
The author says, …
According to the author in “Title of Article,” …
Then use the exact words of the source in quotation marks OR paraphrase in your words.
You can make small changes with brackets like these: [ ]
You can omit chunks of text with ellipses, three periods in a row where you have removed words in the middle or at the end.
Follow with an in-text citation [parenthetical reference] with the period after the parentheses.
If you have one or more authors, use the name(s) of the author(s) in parentheses and page number: (Last Name page number).
If you do not have an author, use the title of the work in parentheses: (“Article Title” page number).

20. Comparison and Contrast Transitions
Also
By the same token
In comparison
Likewise
Similarly
Although
But
Even though
However
In contrast
On the contrary
On the other hand
Yet

21. Create a Works Cited List:
The works cited page is on the last page of the essay after your conclusion.
Title the page: Works Cited List.
The entire page is double spaced [with no extra spacing between entries].
For each entry, all lines after the first are indented five spaces.
Punctuation and capitalization require your careful attention.
The list of entries is alphabetized.

22. Note the format for each entry from the textbook:
Williams 4
Works Cited List
Author’s Last Name, First Name. ”Title of Article”. Title of Book, edition. Editors. Publishing house. City where published. Date of publication. Page range.