1. If you compare two things you tell how they are alike. If you contrast two things you tell how they are different. If you compare and contrast two things you tell how they are alike and how they are different.<br />Compare and Contrast Essay Topics - First Approach<br />Below you can find the list of compare contrast essay topics which are based on the situational approach.<br />Your parents are going to buy a new car. They still have some doubts about their choice. There are two most acceptable options: Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee. You are willing to help your parents, as you can benefit from it to some extent. Compare and contrast these two cars by their price, size, performance and mileage.<br />You and your friend constantly surf through the Internet in search of the information, but use different search engines. You had a bet about what search engine proves to be better: Google or Yahoo. Compare and contrast these two search engines and show your friend the objective picture of how the things are.<br />You are about to enter the university. You've visited a lot of open days and you are not quite sure about your ultimate decision. There are two major universities you like most. Compare and contrast everything you've heard and everything you know about these two educational establishments.<br />You are going to your summer vacation. You've already chosen a gorgeous resort for your vacation, but hesitate about the kind of transport you'll take for your trip. You are not quite sure what way of traveling is more comfortable and suitable: a bus or an airplane. Compare and contrast these two means of transportation.<br />You are going to study in Germany. You don't know anything about the educational system in this country. You decide to approach to this question seriously, as your future depends directly on your choice. You try to get to know more about the educational system in Germany. You haven't decided yet whether you are ready to leave your native country. Compare and contrast educational systems in America and Germany.<br />You are working in the IT Company. Your company is going to make a purchase of new consignment of computers wholesale. You were assigned to be responsible for this, to make the analysis of the market, to detect what kind of processor is more reliable: Mackintosh or Intel. Compare and contrast characteristics of these two processors.<br />Your parents are going to move to the country. You strongly object to it. For this purpose you make the comparative and contrast analysis of living in the city with living in the country.<br />The following words can help you to write a good compare and contrast paragraph: <br />Helper Words: <br />SimilaritiesDifferencesis similar tothe other handbothhoweveralsobuttooin contrastas welldiffers from while unlike<br />Similarities <br />is similar toExample: Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in Halifax. <br />bothExample: Both Vancouver and Halifax have rain in the spring. <br />alsoExample: Halifax also has a rainy spring season. <br />tooExample: Halifax has a rainy spring season, too. <br />as wellExample: As well, Halifax has rainy spring season. <br />Differences <br />on the other handExample: On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax. <br />howeverExample: However, winter is much colder in Halifax. <br />butExample: Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one. <br />in contrast toExample: In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter. <br />differs fromExample: Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold winter. <br />whileExample: While Vancouver has a mild winter, Halifax has a cold winter. <br />