To compare means to set two or more things side by side and observe the similar characteristics. To contrast means to set two or more things side by side and observe the differences. A comparison/contrast essay will describe the similarities and/or the differences about a topic. As in all other types of essay, a comparison/contrast follows the rules for organization and structure. The topic and main points are presented in the introduction. The details are presented in the body, and the writer has a choice of formats. In the final paragraph, the points are used to deduce a conclusion about the topic.
For a comparison/contrast essay, writers determine characteristics about the topic that can be observed. The characteristics become the points of discussion. For example, if I chose a topic to compare or contrast Miniature Poodles to Labradors, I would select the characteristics of size, coat, strength, and demeanor. If I want to compare houses, I would choose the characteristics of size, construction, neighborhood, and cost. The opening paragraph states the topic and the characteristics to be compared.
There are two schools of thought about how to write this type of essay. On one side are the writers who believe that we should describe the details of the similarities OR the differences. They claim that the alternative should be presented in the conclusion. In the body of the essay, they would compare the similarities and in the conclusion contrast the differences. On the other side are the writers who believe that it violates the structure rule because one should not present new topics in the conclusion. Those writers will interweave descriptions of differences and similarities. The final paragraph is then a place to summarize the characteristics and use them to state a conclusion that gives an overall judgment about the topic.
In the body of a comparison/contrast essay, a writer has a choice of formats: Block or Alternating. In block format, all of the characteristics for one subject are presented followed by all characteristics of the other subject. This format is often called subject-by-subject. In alternating format, also called point-by-point, the characteristics are described for both subjects. The bases of comparison or contrast come first. Each item is discussed BY its similarity or difference to the base being analyzed.
BLOCK FORMAT -
ALTERNATING BLOCK - Transition words are important in comparison/contrast writing. Without transitions, the points you are comparing/contrasting may blur into one another. Using a variety of transition words will prevent the essay from becoming monotonous (Delmar.edu).
For transitioning from comparisons, use words such as like, same, both, the same as, similar, in the same way, most important, similarly, as, too, have in common, as well as….
For transitioning contrasts, use words such as although, however, differ, unlike, even though, yet, but, instead, on the contrary, on the other hand, whereas, while, unless, contrary to, the reverse….
I agree with the writers who put differences with similarities and feel that one should not introduce a new topic in the conclusion. Essay conclusions are not the same as paragraph conclusions. The conclusion to a paragraph is a “nice sounding” ending that may also smooth the transition to the next paragraph. It ends the paragraph’s topic. An essay’s conclusion is a deduction based on the essay’s topics. When people hear a shrill alarm, see people running and smell smoke, they conclude there is a fire. In the final paragraph, the conclusion restates the topic as a deduction from the essay’s points. In the comparison/contrast essay, the conclusion is a good place to write about the subjects in an objective manner and make judgments about one subject over the other. For example, to conclude an essay comparing Miniature Poodles to Labradors, I would write, “While the Poodle is smaller and less prone to shed, the Labrador is stronger, calmer, and much less neurotic. Therefore, I am more inclined to favor the Labrador over the Poodle because its strength will be better for a guard dog.”
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Guide to Comparison/Contrast Essay
II. BODY
A. Subject One
1. Characteristic A
2. Characteristic B
3. Characteristic C
B. Subject Two
1. Characteristic A
2. Characteristic B
3. Characteristic C
II. BODY
A. Characteristic A
1. Subject One
2. Subject Two
B. Characteristic B
1. Subject One
2. Subject Two
C. Characteristic C
1. Subject One
2. Subject Two
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