A Detailed Step-By-Step Plan For Writing Compare And Contrast Essays

The compare and contrast essays can be said to be simple forms of academic papers that assist the students in enhancing their critical evaluation, analysis, and writing skills. These essays include comparing two or more objects. In this manner, the students are able to develop their recognition of relations and consequently, their ability to distinguish similarities as well as differences, thus enhancing the understanding of the subjects involved.

As compared to basic descriptive essays that may only list the general characteristics of the two subjects, compare-and contrast essays are more complex and demand more effort. Writers must first determine what similarities and differences are present in subjects, and second, they must find the reason for such similarities and differences. For instance, one might compare two kinds of literary works to show how two different authors approached the same problem-solving process or examine the cultural background of both works.

The goal of this article will be to explain a compare-and-contrast essay in detail and give a step by step guide on how to write a good piece.

A compare and contrast essay is a kind of academic writing where students are expected to compare and contrast two subjects. These subjects can be a range of ideas, concepts, events, people, or works of literature or art. Respectively, the primary goal of the compare and contrast essay is to analyze and explain the similarities as well as differences of the subjects that are chosen carefully and logically. It is prospectively targeted at the fulfilment of several educational/cognitive goals.

Literary Analysis:

In literature writing, compare and contrast formats can work as a subject of the writing when comparing a theme, characters, or techniques of two authors or pieces of literature. That enhances the student’s understanding of the various literary genres and the historical background.

Historical Context

When used in history, these essays can be done in one of the compare and contrast formats focusing on various time periods, events or personalities. This makes the students contemplate and differentiate between causes of historical events and their outcomes and patterns that are likely to occur.

Scientific Exploration:

Categorization is equal to comparison, and the difference is equal to contrast. In science, to compare and contrast works to show relationships of ideas and processes between species, for example. This way improves the level of knowledge of students concerning scientific concepts and their practical use.

Cultural Studies:

Cultural studies compare and contrast essays can entail two or more practices, beliefs and/or artefacts in different cultures. This contributes to the enhancement of respect for cultural and global awareness and tolerance.

Comparing and contrasting is a kind of organization that is followed when developing a compare and contrast essay. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process effectively:

Step 1: Select Your Fields of Study and Delimitate Your Area

Choosing your subjects of comparison is the first and basic step in developing your essay. Select variables that are on similar topics so they bear enough resemblance and dissimilarity to allow for proper comparison. For example, while analyzing two novels, one may want to look at areas such as themes, characters, geographical location, mode of writing and cultural differences. Examining the objective entails identifying what aspects or criteria you will be addressing. It makes it easier to address your research and arrange your essay since the target is clear.

Step 2: Find information and Portray Information

Most of the subjects require peaceful and unhurried research in order to find reliable information about the subject. To gather information and ideas, create a list of relevant and credible books, journals, and websites. Develop detailed notes of the similarities and differences for purposes of comparison when doing your research. For instance, while analyzing two historical events, write down the dates, prominent characters, causes, consequences, and historians’ perspectives. This step can very much help in ensuring that your comparisons are substantiated and that they are based on facts.

Step 3: Prepare a Venn Diagram or Another Kind of Graphic Organizer

Another of the aids to studying that is helpful in arranging ideas and displaying connections between subjects is a Venn diagram. It is made up of numbers of circles (or more precisely, discs) that share some degree of overlap; each of the circles here can symbolize a subject. The inside the circle represents the similarities of the two concepts, while outside the circle represent the differences. This type of rude aids in the organization of the essay because it comes with a space where the subject zones intersect and where they differ.

For example, for the topic of Traditional Education vs. Online Education, the diagram can demonstrate that both approaches offer learning materials and tests. Traditional education involves full-body involvement, scheduled time for training, and knowledge straight from an instructor. Online education, on the other hand, is flexible and allows the student to practice self-paced learning. This diagram facilitates clearly distinction between the two educational learning types and comparing them when necessary.

Step 4: Formulate a Thesis

Developing a proper thesis statement is vital as it defines the overall outlook of the given paper. Your thesis should outline the area you intend to take and the idea or the side you are going to take. It should state whether you will focus on the similarities, differences, or both. A well-crafted thesis for a compare and contrast essay might be: However, the two novels share many aspects in common and are quite dissimilar at the same time, with regard to the presentation of the motives involving the search for identity.

Your thesis statement must kinda hint at what the comparison or the contrast between the things that you have chosen entails or means.

Step 5: Decide on the Organization structure

Decide on the organizational structure that best suits your analysis and the nature of your subjects: Decide on the organizational structure that best suits your analysis and the nature of your subjects:

Block Method-:

Here, all aspects of one subject are described in one block (paragraph or section); then, the next subject is discussed. This method is orderly and systematic in information presentation but may not give a side-by-side comparison as done in the point-against-point method.

Point-by-Point Method-:

On the other hand, the points of comparison or contrast with regard to each subject should be raised in the same paragraph or section. This method provides a opportunity of the simultaneous orientation in different criteria and makes it possible to compare subjects directly.

Select the approach that would be most suitable for the analysis you want to make and that allows presenting your reasons most suitably.

Step 6: Write Your Introduction

This informs the reader of the general information, objectives of the paper and general facts regarding the subjects. Use the first few sentences to engage the reader: quote, story, little-known fact. This hook should engage the readers on the subject and make them look forward to going through your analysis. Include brief information about the subjects to set the background to the article for the reader. The last thing you should do in the introduction is to articulate a thesis statement that guides the identification of similarities and differences.

Step 7: : Develop Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should be devoted to a single aspect of the comparison/contrast concept. Each paragraph should start with the statement which points to the discussed aspect (for example, a thematic similarity or a difference in the structure). Ensure that you back your arguments with evidence, illustrate with examples or use quotes from your findings. Explain how each piece of evidence will support your overall thesis and further the comparison and/or contrast of the subjects. Flow between paragraphs should be managed carefully, along with movement of ideas in such a way that transition is smooth and wary.

Step 8: Write Your Conclusion

This part restates of the major points you have talked about in your essay and restates your thesis statement. Concisely summarize the points that are common to the two subjects and again, those that make them different. Summarize your thesis statement and explain how the findings amplified it out of the evidence you have presented in the essay paper. Thus, do not present new information in the conclusion but present a thought or reflection that will linger in the reader’s mind. Who else might be affected, or what other related areas could be undertaken based on what has been concluded?

Step 9: Revise and Edit

Edit the essay and ensure that it is clear and coherent and that the writer has a logical way of presenting the ideas. Revising fixes the grammatical errors embellishes the punctuation, and makes the style correct as well as accurate to pass on an error-free message. Check the sources and the citations for accuracy and coherence with the required citation format (for example, APA, MLA). Revise your work to ensure that your essay conforms to the set assignment stipulations and instructions.

Step 10: Finalize Your Essay

Make sure you have complied with the general format of writing an essay as well as the additional format of either APA, MLA or Harvard format depending on the format prescribed by your instructor or the publication where your essay will appear. Final review in term of quality and accuracy before submission. Make sure that all the sources used are cited appropriately by observing all the guidelines of the citation style to be used.

Review the work based on the feedback received or other information that turns up in the revision process if any. If you get to that point of making the final draft, then you are sure of having a well organized essay, efficient research and comparing as well as contrasting of the selected subjects.

Compare And Contrast Essay Example 1 (Block method essay example)

SUVs vs. Sedans: Which Vehicle Is Better for Families?

Every time people over decide on a family car there is always a debate between the two main classes, the SUVs and the sedans. As in most things in life, each choice has its pros and cons and it is the desire of the family that will most likely be the deciding factor. This essay is going to compare and contrast SUVs and Sedans using block method and in the end try to analyze which amongst the two categories might be better used for family.

SUV stands for sport utility vehicles which are well known for their large interiors, flexibility and excellent for off-road use. Perhaps the primary benefit that people can enjoy when they drive an SUV is the capacity of the interior space, including the seats and the boot. This is especially good for families with many kids or those who have to transport bulky items from time to time.

SUVs have a higher ground clearance and sitting position, which allows the driver to have a clear vision of the road and a non-tiring driving style for long-distance trips. In fact, the majority of SUVs contain features like all-wheel drive, traction control and a heavy build, which, in a way, gives a kind of security.

Besides, SUVs are flexible in that they can handle different road conditions fairly well. Their additional clearance means a better off-road performance especially for those who engage in active recreation with their families or residents of regions subject to heavy snowfalls. The powerful engines in SUVs also play a role in the capacity to tow trailers, boats or campers and as a result is offers more recreational activity during family vacations.

However, there are some negatives you can associate with the use of SUVs. This mostly due to their size, which makes them difficult to manage and park particularly in the congested city areas. Furthermore, they get a poorer mileage rate than the standard sedans; thus, making them expensive vehicles in terms of the fuel costs. This is so because; They involve a lot of mechanical work and also their spare parts are relatively bigger compared to the sedans.

Sedans on the other hand are famous for their functionality, performance and nimble maneuverability. These vehicles usually provide a comfortable and a smooth ride hence are suitable for use in busy traffic areas. Sedans rely on better aerodynamics and this makes attaining better fuel efficiency possible. This can lead to a lot of savings on fuel costs especially for those families who for instance travel long distances in their daily lives.

On the safety aspect, today’s sedan cars come with enhanced features of safety including airbags, anti-locking brakes, and even driver safety assist systems. Of course sedans do not have the imposing build of SUVs but they are known to be stable and responsive on the roads. Since sedans sit lower to the ground, they are less likely to roll over; this is a great aspect especially for families.

Furthermore, sedans are known to be cheaper than other car types especially in the rates of acquiring them, insuring them, and maintaining them. They can be parked and navigated in most of the congested urban areas and this can prove to be very beneficial, especially if the owners of the car are a family residing in the big city. Although they may not have the heavy lifting of an SUV they do have fold-down rear seats to provide the needed space to make any sedan suitable for the needs of most families.

But, the sedans come with a smaller cabin than coupes and this may prove to be a disadvantage when transporting a large family or many items. Lower ride height and the absence of proper off-road suspensions also reduce the usability of the sedan than the SUV counterparts. Sedans may not appeal to families who are into camping and outdoor activities often.

Therefore, depending on one type of car as the family car has its drawbacks and pros, both when it comes to SUVs and sedans. SUVs bring spaciousness, flexibility, and protective measures that endow many children in large families or lifestyles with risks. On the other hand, sedans present practicality, efficiency, easy manoeuvrability, convenient city runabouts and relatively cheap family cars. Thus, it is worthy of noting that the use of SUVs or sedans has to do with the necessity, choice, and pattern of a certain family. Thus, taking into account the aforementioned factors, families will be able to select the appropriate automobile for them and even improve their driving experience.

Example 2 (Alternating method essay example)

Renewable Energy vs. Fossil Fuels: Which Is More Sustainable for the Future?

With the increasing effects of climate change and environmental hazards across the world, the fight between renewable energy and fossil energy sources has been quite relevant in the contemporary world. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages and contributes to the definition of its sustainability and its applicability in the future. This essay will compare and contrast renewable energy and fossil fuels in order to analyze which one is louder for the future, utilizing the method of alternation.

Wind, solar and hydroelectric power are commonly considered friendly to the environment since they release very little pollution. These sources virtually emit minimal green house gases during their operation as compared to fossil energy sources. For instance, photovoltaic cells of solar power convert light into electricity without emitting dangerous gases into the atmosphere.

On the other hand, fossil fuels such as coal, oil as well as natural gases are well known to cause several negative impacts in the environment. Burning of fossil fuels emits large quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which aggravate the globe’s temperature and the atmosphere. For example, thermal power plants that are fueled by coal expand the levels of CO and CO2 emissions causing the climate to change.

Renewable energy is energy that is produced from processes which can be replenished over and over again. Solar energy for instance uses sun light and we know that sun light is plentiful and never ends. Likewise, wind power and hydroelectric power use favorable sources of wind and water cycles that are renewable in the long run.

On the other hand, fossil fuels are depleted natural resources which are fast diminishing of the planet. Crude oil resources are being depleted at an uncompetitive rate compared to the formation of new resources. Hunt for and utilization of these natural resources are not sustainable in the long run, since they will soon run out causing energy crisis and economical disturbances.

Some of the early investment requirements towards renewable systems are quite huge. Putting up solar panels or wind turbines entails large capital expenditure but the variable costs pertinent to the operation of the power plant are considerably low because there are no fuels to be bought. Also, further improvement in the technological levels and bigger production scales have gradually decreased these initial costs.

On the other hand, fossil fuel infrastructure is already developed and has been promoted for many years receiving subsidies. This makes fossil fuels currently cheaper for the meet of the immediate demands in energy consumption. However, economic aspects of negative influence on the environment, people’s health, and resources which are scarce result from the using of fossil fuels contribute to the ineffectiveness of their usage in the future.

It is often the case that renewable sources of energy can be rather less reliable as they are sometimes unpredictable. The generation of solar power is subjected to sunlight whereas generation of wind power is depended on the wind and both of them are inconsistent. Here, there are issues are experienced with energy reliability, and this calls for the enhanced development of storage systems.

As for the fossil fuels, they are much more stable and reliable source of energy. The power plants that utilize coal, oil or natural gas as main energy sources are capable to work as baseload; that is, they can work uninterruptedly. This reliability is a virtue when it comes to satisfying the ever increasing demand for energy in today’s world.

In conclusion, even though both renewable energy and fossil fuels are resource with their advantages and disadvantages the latter is weaker than the first one and thus renewable energy is more sustainable for the future. Due to a small level of impact on the environment, availability of resources which is not likely to get depleted soon, and cost which is reducing with time, it can be embraced as a long term solution. While fossil fuels are immediately cost effective and dependable, they are however exhaustible and are infamous for their ill impacts to the environment.

Over time, growth of technology and enhancements of energy storage systems make the usage of renewable energy cheaper and thus available thus making the transition easier to the conventional method of using energy.

Example 3: (Similarities and Differences Method Essay Example)

Traditional Education vs. Online Education: Which Is More Effective?

Technology has rapidly developed, and this has affected education in a way that has produced new channels of learning. Two major forms of education can be defined, Traditional education that implies face-to-face lessons in a classroom and Online education that is based on technology with the students and the teacher being in different locations. This essay will compare and contrast these methods to identify which method is efficient using the similarities and differences method.

Conventional learning and online learning institutions have the same objective of passing knowledge and teaching skills to students. They use curriculum-based learning that entail a detailed curriculum to facilitate learning of different subjects. With regard to both paradigms, it is critical to stress the importance of the instructors’ role of a moderator and evaluator for the students.

Furthermore, both traditional education and online learning use formal tests and quizzes, assignments, and projects as methods of assessment of the students. Such methods try to assess the changes in knowledge and attitudes, as well as to develop critical thinking and the process of learning improvement. In addition, both of them allow interactions that may be class discussions or even through forums and other social media that enhance the communication between the students and instructors.

Traditional education is effective in providing direct/face-to-face contact which is fundamental to enhancing people’s communication skills, teamwork, and immediate positive reinforcement. Having instructors and fellow students around brings a tone of esteem with a high degree of interactivity. Furthermore, traditional classes offer more practical activities, which include experiments; group-work, among others that are crucial for the practical-oriented subjects.

On the other hand, flexibility and accessibility in the context of online education cannot be beaten; students attend classes and study whenever they want. This is relevant for working people, with families or any limitation to mobility, or those who have to live in remote areas. Online platforms contain multimedia features, for instance, videos, simulations, animations, or digital forms of books, which increase the interest in the course and the mode of delivery that suits every individual. Nevertheless, since the interaction between students in online education is significantly limited, it is rather problematic in regard to the development of social skills and socialization feelings.

Thus, traditional and online learning have their advantages and disadvantage and different difficulties. Based on the analysis of the options available in traditional education, it is evident that the practical face-to-face communication and learning enhances the level of social interaction. On the other hand, online learning brings convenience and availability; thus, it addresses the learners’ needs and allows for independent learning.

All of them are more or less useful, which depends on personalities, concerns, ways of perceiving the material, and certain conditions. Thus, by linking such approaches, one can ensure a more balanced and versatile approach to education that will help in achieving better learning outcomes for all learners.