1. How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

2. Define Compare and Contrast
What does it mean to compare?
To view the relationship between two things
To see how things are alike
To examine the qualities that are the same
What does it mean to contrast?
To show the differences or unlikeness
The state of being different from something else
Opposites

3. What is a compare and contrast essay?
When you are asked to examine two subjects (such as people, ideas, or texts) and write about how they are similar and how they are different.
To do this, all you need to do is take the two subjects and describe how they are alike and then describe the ways in which they are different.

4. How do you know you need to compare and contrast?
Look for clues in the prompt! The writing prompt can use clue words that indicate you need to compare and contrast.
Examples:
Clue Words:
Compare Differentiate
Contrast Both
Show differences
Show similarities
Show a connection
“Compare and contrast the characters in the story.”
“How are the books you read the same or different?”
In what ways are the Middle Colonies and New England Colonies the same. In what ways are they different?

5. Getting Started on Your Essay
To get started, BRAINSTORM, BRAINSTORM, BRAINSTORM!
Figuring out how to write a compare and contrast essay can be a confusing. However, if you plan carefully, you will end up with a well structured, strong essay.

6. Getting Started on Your Essay
To brainstorm, you need to examine ALL the information you have about the two topics. Write down everything you know about both subjects. As you brainstorm, you will begin to see patterns, relationships, and connections between the two subjects.
*Note- you may use one of the templates provided to brainstorm and organize your thoughts
Let’s take a look at how we could brainstorm….

7. Brainstorming with Venn Diagrams
A Venn Diagram is a graphic organizer used to show how things are the same and different. It shows all the relationships between the two things being compared.
Southern Colonies
New England Colonies
Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia
Slavery
Plantations & cash crops
Tobacco, rice, indigo, cotton, tobacco
Included settlements of people from France and Spain with a variety of religious such as Baptist and Catholic
Countryside living
- Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
-founded by those seeking religious freedoms (puritans and pilgrims) from England
-Farming was difficult b/c of soil and rocky conditions
-Fishing, whaling, shipbuilding were major industry
-More “urban”
-ruled by British Monarchy
-democratic values
- representative gov’t

8. Brainstorming with a T-Chart
A T-Chart can be used to write out all the information you know about two subjects. It’s a great way to get ideas down on paper so you can find relationships
New England Colonies
Southern Colonies
- Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
- Founded by those seeking religious freedoms (puritans and pilgrims) from England
- Farming was difficult b/c of soil and rocky conditions
- Fishing, whaling, shipbuilding were major industry
- More “urban” living with cities
- Ruled by British Monarchy
- Democratic values with a representative government
Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia
Slavery
Plantations
Cash crops such as Tobacco, rice, indigo, and cotton
Included settlements of people from France and Spain with a variety of religious (Baptist & Catholic)
Countryside living
Ruled by British Monarchy
Democratic values with a representative government

9. Brainstorming with a Graphic Organizer
Similarities and Differences
Subject A
The New England Colonies
Subject B
The Southern Colonies
Topic 1
Government
- Charter
-British rule was enforced by Royal Governor
-Representative gov’t
- British rule was enforced by Royal Governor
- Representative gov’t
Topic 2
Different land use
- Dense forest for timber which meant shipbuilding
-Natural resources: rich waters for fishing and whaling
-Harsh winters
Fertile soil making
Warm climate
Both good for growing lots of crops
Topic 3
Different people settled the region for various reasons
-Pilgrims and puritans founded religious freedom
- Wanted to worship in the way they wanted to
Variety of religions in the south
People settled in hopes of taking advantage of the land to get rich

10. Compare and Contrast Structure
Once you have all of your ideas down on paper, it is time to start putting them together
Organizing your essay is extremely important because if it isn’t well structured, it can be very confusing to you and your reader.
Let’s take a look at some options for your essay

11. The Introduction
A good introduction to a compare and contrast essay will. . .
Grab the readers attention
Clearly name the subjects you will write about - You can include some background information
A thesis statement that clearly states the points of comparison and contrast

12. The Thesis
A thesis statement is a carefully constructed sentence that tells your reader the topic of your essay.
The thesis should CLEARLY state your subjects and points of comparison/contrast
Even the best writers can have trouble writing a thesis so here are some templates
to get your started….

13. The Thesis
The similarities between ____ and ____ are_____ and the differences are _____.
While some differences between ____ and ____ are ____, the similarities are____.
The ways ___ and ___ are the same are___ while they are different because ____.

14. Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs will vary depending on the way you choose to structure your compare and contrast essay.
You will have 2-3 paragraphs for the body of the essay.

15. Body Paragraphs
No matter how you organize your essay, be sure to have specific details/examples
Be sure that you explain those details/examples
Use facts and details from a text to develop your points of comparison and contrast when appropriate
Use evidence from a text in the form of direct quotes when appropriate.

16. The Conclusion
Your conclusion wraps up your essay. However, you don’t want to repeat what you already wrote. That’s not very interesting for your reader.
Instead you want to….
End the essay with a strong concluding statement related to your essay
Summarize your ideas
Leave the reader with a good impressions
and lasting thoughts