1. Writing the Comparison and Contrast Essay

2. What is the purpose of comparison and contrast?
Contrasts draw out differences between two subjects.
Comparisons outline both similarities and differences between two subjects.
Demonstrates how one subject is superior in some way to the other.
Demonstrates how two subjects, which appear dissimilar, are actually similar.
Instead of judgmental, may be informational.

3. How do I prepare to write a comparison and contrast essay?
Brainstorm everything about two subjects.
Identify points that are relevant to both subjects.
Establish a dominant idea after examining points of similarity and difference. This is the basis of the comparison/contrast.
Select those traits to focus upon based upon the dominant idea.
Be sure these traits are subject to the purpose —desired accomplishment.

4. Writing the Thesis Statement

5. How do I write a thesis statement for a comparison and contrast essay?
Decide to what extent the similarities between subjects will be stressed, and to what extent their differences will be stressed.
Create a thesis statement that reflects that decision.
Your opinion about the two topics becomes your thesis statement.
Some teachers may ask for a specific thesis pattern and others may allow you to have some freedom in developing your thesis. Also, your ideas may not be completely balanced between comparison and contrast; you may have more similarities than differences or vice versa.

6. Examples: Weak Thesis Statements
Hitler and Stalin are somewhat alike and somewhat different.
I can see some similarities and some differences too between Hitler and Stalin.
Stalin and Hitler are both influential leaders.

7. Examples: Better Thesis Statements
Hitler and Stalin were powerful and strategic leader who greatly influenced World War II.
Although Hitler and Stalin were both powerful and strategic leaders, Hitler had a greater impact on World War II.
This pattern is more concise and directs the reader to the major similarity and the major difference. Your thesis does not need to be a list of the similarities and/or differences, but it should provide a point of departure for the reader.

8. Organizing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

9. Outline -- Alternating
I. Introduction
a) Hook
b) Thesis
c) Supporting Statements
II. Background
a) Hitler
b) Stalin
III. Leadership Style
IV. Impact on WW II
a) Hitler
b) Stalin
IV. Conclusion
a) Emphasize Major Ties
b) So What? Evaluate
c) Clincher
In this pattern AB, AB, AB, AB you provide details about both your subjects in each paragraph. You should follow the same order in each paragraph as well. For example if you begin by discussing the BMW each subsequent paragraph should begin with the details for the BMW. Another pattern, also known as Modified Block (AB, SSS, DDD, AB) introduces the two persons or things in the first paragraph, then focuses on their similarities in the second paragraph, then focus on their differences in the third paragraph, and finally returns to summarize the comparison and contrast. Choose a pattern that fits your topic and the length of the paper and stick with it.

10. Point by Point Comparison
Good for longer, more complex papers
Make a point about one subject, and then follow it with a comparable point about the other subject.
Alternating pattern
Be careful not to fall into a monotonous, back and forth movement between points. To avoid this problem, vary sentence structure as you move from point to point.

11. Paragraph Organization --Alternating--
2nd Paragraph
3rd Paragraph
4th Paragraph
Background
Leadership Strategies
Impact on WW II
Hitler ↓
Stalin
For the Point by Point Method, your second paragraph will include all of the details about the price of the car for both the BMW and the Honda Civic, your third paragraph will include the all the details about the mileage for both the BMW and the Honda Civic, the 4th paragraph will include the details about the insurance for both the BMW and the Honda Civic, and your conclusion will make some final analysis or evaluation about the cars based on the evidence provided in the body paragraphs.

12. Paragraph Organization --Alternating--
2nd Paragraph
3rd Paragraph
4th Paragraph
Background
Leadership Strategies
Impact on WW II
Hitler
Pt. 1 born
Pt. 2 parents
pt. 3 parent rel. ↓
Stalin
For the Point by Point Method, your second paragraph will include all of the details about the price of the car for both the BMW and the Honda Civic, your third paragraph will include the all the details about the mileage for both the BMW and the Honda Civic, the 4th paragraph will include the details about the insurance for both the BMW and the Honda Civic, and your conclusion will make some final analysis or evaluation about the cars based on the evidence provided in the body paragraphs.

13. Topic Sentence: The childhoods of Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin greatly impacted the men they grew up to be. Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, a town in Austria-Hungary, close to the border with the German Empire (Adolf Hitler”). Josef Stalin was born on December 18, 1878 in the small town of Gori, Georgia, then part of the Russian empire (“Stalin”). Both Hitler's parents came from poor peasant families. Stalin was born the son of Besarion Jughashvili, a cobbler, and Ketevan Geladze, a washerwoman (Smith 2). Hitler loved his mother very much, but he had a very difficult relationship with his father (Jones 3). Like Hitler, Stalin was fond of his mother and had a tumultuous relationship with his father, an alcoholic who savagely beat him (Smith 5).

14. What are the rules of thumb with comparison and contrast essays?
Be sure to discuss both subjects equally in terms of coverage.
Be sure to discuss the same elements for each subject; do not discuss one element for one subject and not do so for the other!
Have a clear purpose to achieve in the comparison/contrast.

15. Using Indicators/Transitions

16. Why do I need to use indicators/Transitions?
Good comparison or contrast essays feature the use of indicator words to convey to the reader at any given moment whether a comparison or contrast is being made and the nature of it.

17. Avoid Choppy Essays
You must use transitional phrases to ensure a smooth transition from one point to another and from one subject to another.
Without transitions, your argument will be difficult to follow and seem to jump back and forth without a clear point.
See compare/contrast transitions on the next slide.

18. Example Indicators/Transitions
To Contrast
-although
-but
-even though
-however
-on the other hand
-otherwise
-yet
-still
-conversely
-as opposed to
-different from
-whereas
- while
- nevertheless
- in contrast
To Compare
also as
in the same way
like
likewise
similarly
comparable
equally
in addition
-- both
-- too
These transitions words will help to guide your reader through your comparisons and contrasts.