Compare and Contrast

1. Compare and Contrast Essays

2. “The purpose of writing a comparison
and contrast essay is not to state the
obvious but to illuminate subtle
differences or unexpected
similarities.”
From Tara Horkhoff’s Writing for Academic Success

3. Thesis
•What is being
compared
and/or
contrasted?
•Why?

4. Phrases of
Comparison
and Contrast
Comparison Contrast
one similarity one difference
another similarity another difference
both conversely
like in contrast
likewise unlike
similarly while
in a similar fashion whereas

5. Organized by Subject
Introduction
Subject 1
Subject 2
Conclusion
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3

6. Organized by Point
Introduction
Point 1
Point 3
Conclusion
Subject 1
Subject 2
Point 2
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 1
Subject 2