Week 8 - Compare/Contrast Essay

This section will help you determine the purpose and structure of compare/contrast in writing.

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting:

Thesis Statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• • According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other

  • According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly different subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both, as well as state what can be learned from doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

In the body of the essay, you will also need to use source material to support your points. This is our first experience with incorporating sources into our writing, so you will be limited to a minimum of two sources and a maximum of four sources.

Finally, end the essay with a conclusion. After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis.

• • A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

  • The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.

  • The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so. (For example: In the sample thesis statement above, the reader will learn that organic vegetables are more expensive but worth it.)

  • There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays.

    • Organize by the subjects themselves, first one and then the other.

    • Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.

  • This essay will provide our first opportunity to use source material in our writing. Use the sources to help support your points. You are limited to a minimum of two sources and a maximum of four sources. These sources will be listed in a Works Cited at the end of the essay. You will also need to use a minimum of four in-text citations in the body of the essay to indicate where you are using the sources.

Now that you have a clearer idea of how how to write a compare/contrast essay, please take the quiz Compare/Contrast Essay. Details are in the "Activities" section below.

Before you start writing your own Compare/Contrast essay, we will read some Compare/Contrast essays so that we can get more familiar with this type of writing. This will give you a clearer idea of what your own essay could be like and make it easier for you to get started writing your essay. Please pay particular attention to the organizational structure of these two essays-- one is organized by subject and the other point-by-point.

The essays I would like you to read are “Comparing and Contrasting Washington D.C and London” and “Neat People vs. Sloppy People.”

After completing the reading, please do the Compare/Contrast Reading Reaction activity. Details are in the "Activities" section below and in Forums > Compare/Contrast > Reading Reaction.

Now that we have read about compare/contrast writing and read some compare/contrast essays, it’s time to start writing a compare/contrast essay. The first step is selecting a topic.

This is the essay prompt for the Compare/Contrast Essay:

For this essay, you will write a 1000-1250 word comparison and/or contrast essay by using three points of analysis. You can decide to compare two subjects, contrast two subjects, or both. You will need to use between 2 and 4 sources in the essay. These sources will be listed in a Works Cited at the end of the essay. You will also need to use a minimum of four in-text citations in the body of the essay to indicate where you are using the sources.

For this essay, you can use any prewriting strategy to find and develop a topic. Freewriting might be a good choice for this essay. Try writing for several minutes about a possible topic, including as many ways that you can think of to compare/contrast the topic.

For example, you may come up with the idea of comparing two internet browsers (please don’t use this in your own essay!). You will want to write in your freewrite about which browsers you will compare and what points you will use to compare them--for example, their design, their general features, and their compatibility with other operating systems.

You may want to choose several prospective topics and see which you have more to write about.

When you have completed prewriting, review your possible topics. About which of these do you care most? For which would you be able to find some research to support your ideas?

Choose that subject as the topic of your essay.

After completing the topic exercise, please do the Compare/Contrast Topic activity. Details are in the "Activities" section below and in Forums > Compare/Contrast > Topic.

These are the activities that you need to complete this week. All activities are due by 11:55 p.m. on their due dates.

• Compare/Contrast Essay Quiz. Read "What is Compare/Contrast Writing" and then take the quiz that covers that material.

  • Due by xx/xx.

  • Points: 15

• Compare/Contrast Reading Reaction Activity. After reading, "Comparing and Contrasting Washington D.C. and London" and "Neat People vs. Sloppy People," post a forum message in which you write a 250-word reaction (minimum) about your reading experience that focuses on the following questions: What did both of these essays teach you about Compare/Contrast writing? Were the essays good examples? Which did you think was the best example? Why? Which essay did you like the best? Why? Use quotations from the essays to back up your thoughts.

  • Initial post due by xx/xx.

  • Two replies due by xx/xx.

  • Points: 20

• Compare/Contrast Essay Topic Activity. Write a 2-3 sentence explanation of the topic you chose for your compare/contrast essay. What did you choose as your topic? Why did you choose it?

  • Initial post due by xx/xx.

  • Two replies due by xx/xx.

  • Points: 10