an introduction for a compare and contrast essay

When people think monster , they might recall blood-draining vampires, brain-hungry zombies, or boogeymen under the bed. Few might consider the terrors of an amphibious puppet and a lonely ogre. While these two strange creatures might not have much in common, Fremont the Toad and Gerf (from the animated film series of the same name) present interesting similarities that help to understand both of them as deeper characters and closer to human than the audience may realize.

Compare and Contrast Essay Body Paragraph Examples

Body paragraphs for compare and contrast essays will see a lot of variance, maybe more so than any other essay type. This comes down to how you frame your comparison, what you want to focus on with your subjects, and countless other factors. In general, you’ll be highlighting the similarities and why they matter and highlighting the differences and why they matter.

Fremont and Gerf have some significant differences that set them apart in both goals and personalities. Fremont is a musical toad with big show business aspirations. In contrast, Gerf is an ogre with a self-imposed isolationist view. Fremont’s aspirations mean that he is constantly in interaction with others, from strangers to friends, as a means of learning and making connections to further his dreams. On the other hand, Gerf possesses no such dreams and instead prefers keeping others away as both a safety measure and defense mechanism. In spite of their differences, Fremont and Gerf do share some similarities. Aside from both being a similar shade of chartreuse, Fremont and Gerf share a similar home environment: the swamp. This flooded, damp biome acts as a place of hiding and solitude for both of them. This might run counter to Fremont’s big dreams, but to this talented toad, the swamp is a space to get away from the spotlight, to find himself. Gerf, however, must venture outside the swamp to understand himself better.

Compare and Contrast Essay Conclusion Example

You should always make your conclusions matter. It’s your opportunity to get a little cheesy, draw on other questions, and consider the “why” of your entire essay. Even if it’s the “last part” of your essay, your conclusion can inform the rest of your essay, so give it some extra thought.

Both Fremont the Toad and Gerf the ogre are mysterious creatures with some distinctly different aspirations. However, they both have a deeper need to connect to themselves while connecting to others. In other words, these two strange creatures may be more human than what viewers initially think, creating a deeper reading of their characters beyond the superficial.

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Expert Tips on How To Write a Compare and Contrast Essay Successfully

three tips for what to do and two tips for what not to do in a compare and contrast essay restated from the article

Have you ever been at the grocery store, looked at the two bins of sweet potatoes and yams, and wondered, "What’s the difference?" Congratulations! You’ve done a mini version of the compare and contrast essay. Granted, compiling all those thoughts about starchy tubers into words poses its own challenge, but don’t worry. With a few simple tips, you’ll be comparing and contrasting with the best of them.

Understand What “Compare” and “Contrast” Even Mean

Before you even get to your starch-based analysis, it’s worth understanding what people (i.e., your instructors) even mean when they talk about comparing and contrasting.

Compare is a verb meaning “to speak of or represent as similar; to liken,” while contrast means “to set in opposition to show different qualities and characteristics.”

In layman’s terms , it’s analyzing the similarities and differences in two like subjects, though it’s also more than just that. For example, if you were to “compare” two people by saying:

They both have eyes. They have hair. They have skin. They require food, oxygen, and water. They have legs.

That’s not particularly interesting or incisive, nor is it much of an analysis. You just described two mammals.

A compare and contrast essay requires deeper thought. Physical features might factor into that, sure, but the more important thing to consider is “Why does it matter?” Consider how similarities or differences might have informed intent, artistry, or life journeys. Those considerations can hopefully deliver some sort of greater insight about life, humanity, and art. That’s the whole purpose of the compare and contrast essay.

Focus More on Framing, Less on “Like Subjects”

Figuring out “like subjects” to compare and contrast comes with its own challenges. You probably wouldn’t write an essay looking at the similarities and differences between your grandfather and a baked potato, but what about two artists who worked in different mediums? Or a video game character and a character from a movie?

In reality, you could compare and contrast whatever you wanted (maybe even Grandpa and a baked potato), but a lot of it comes down to framing. If you want to compare artists of different mediums, maybe they worked within the same movement or tradition, like retrofuturism. How do themes of retrofuturism influence the two artists?

If you want to compare a video game character to a film character, even if they’re from different mediums, consider how that difference affects how you interact with or interpret those characters.

Simplify Your Topic Selection

Thinking more about framing is definitely the key to figuring out how to get into your writing, but choosing a topic is understandably daunting. As you're choosing a topic, use the K.I.S.S. method and keep it simple.

The main things to consider:

Start With a Simple Brainstorm

Before you even think too hard about the overall structure of your compare and contrast essay, it's helpful to start with a good old-fashioned list. Take a sheet of paper; draw a vertical line down the center; and list the similarities and differences between the two subjects. This is basically a Venn diagram but in list form.

Venn diagram with tips for finding similarities and differences restated from the article

For example, if you’re writing an essay about two famous painters, start with their similarities. Perhaps they both painted with acrylics or were drawn to similar subjects. Once you've covered as many similarities as you can, move on to their differences. Monet started studying at an early age, while Van Gogh started in pastoral studies before developing an interest in art in his 20s.

Much like any part of your essay, you can change this, add new similarities and differences, and otherwise make this list useful to you.

Choose an Outline Structure Based on Your Subject and Assignment

Now that you’ve constructed a list of things to compare and contrast, you can start building out the structure of your essay with (you guessed it) an outline . The introduction and conclusion of your essay will largely be similar to other essays , but the body paragraphs are where compare and contrast essays really set themselves apart.

Obviously, the body is where you’ll do the actual comparing and contrasting, but there are a few different ways to actually approach that. None of these methods is wrong or “better,” but you might change your approach based on your topic or the amount of time that you have.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline: Quick and Focused

This is maybe the most basic structure for a compare and contrast essay. With this method, you write one body paragraph with all the similarities of your two subjects and one body paragraph covering all the differences.

Given our example about Van Gogh and Monet, that outline might look like:

It’s not the most ideal for in-depth analyses (unless you want extremely large, unwieldy paragraphs). However, if you’re focusing on a single comparison point or writing a timed essay , this can be an easy, effective, and succinct method to organize your thoughts.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline: The Block Method

The block method involves grouping all your points about your first subject together into a block of paragraphs and grouping all of your points about your second subject into a block of paragraphs (while analyzing similarities and differences).

This method of comparing and contrasting works better on shorter papers or more focused topics. With more in-depth analyses, things can easily get confusing. For example, if you’re talking about Van Gogh’s art, his most famous paintings, his legacy, and his importance to artistic canon, a reader might forget about Van Gogh’s biography by the time you even get to writing about Monet’s life.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline: The Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point method can give you a little more flexibility, whether you’re writing a five-paragraph essay or a longer paper with more in-depth comparisons. With this method, each body paragraph covers a specific point about both subjects, including the similarities and differences.

This method keeps things close together, so you know exactly what is being compared between your two subjects.

Follow the Evidence

Finding some credible sources to backup your essay points serves two important purposes. First, the evidence you find can inform new similarities and differences. Maybe it turns out that the two artists grew up in similar environments. Maybe new discoveries about Grandpa show that he has the same inner warmth as a baked potato. These are all things you might have overlooked without the right research.

Second, once you're comfortable with your topic and the direction of your essay, use evidence to support your points. In these types of informative or analytical essays , statistical evidence is helpful. This includes:

Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

The Purpose 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.

The Structure of a Compare/Contrast Essay

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:

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

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Writing an Compare/Contrast Essay

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate 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.

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

Compare/Contrast Essay Example

Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC

By Scott McLean in Writing for Success

Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer vastly different experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are.

Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines. London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium. It was not only one of the northernmost points of the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC, on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the 1790s. From that point onward to today, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global influence. Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, and continue to hold, significant social influence in the economic and cultural global spheres.

Both Washington, DC, and London offer a wide array of museums that harbor many of the world’s most prized treasures. While Washington, DC, has the National Gallery of Art and several other Smithsonian galleries, London’s art scene and galleries have a definite edge in this category. From the Tate Modern to the British National Gallery, London’s art ranks among the world’s best. This difference and advantage has much to do with London and Britain’s historical depth compared to that of the United States. London has a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts, but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and national chains. While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall.

Both cities also share and differ in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. A downtown one-bedroom apartment in DC can easily cost $1,800 per month, and a similar “flat” in London may double that amount. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents. Although both cities’ residents are predominantly wealthy, both have a significantly large population of poor and homeless. Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup. Washington, DC, is a “minority majority” city, which means the majority of its citizens are races other than white. In 2009, according to the US Census, 55 percent of DC residents were classified as “Black or African American” and 35 percent of its residents were classified as “white.” London, by contrast, has very few minorities—in 2006, 70 percent of its population was “white,” while only 10 percent was “black.” The racial demographic differences between the cities is drastic.

Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the Western world, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and socioeconomic disparity.

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While getting an education, students must complete different tasks and overcome various academic challenges. One of such challenges is the writing process of a comparison essay. If you are wondering how to start an introduction for a compare and contrast essay or just want to know how to write one well, you first need to understand its purpose. A compare and contrast essay is an academic paper that is used for analyzing two different subjects to determine their differences and similarities.

In a compare and contrast essay, students must think critically and look at topics from different perspectives. These types of papers can be comparative, where they show similarities between subjects. They can also only require students to contrast. In this paper, it is appropriate to use easily comparable subjects. This is so you don’t have to work too hard to find the similarities and differences between the two topics. Below, you will find methods to start writing your college-level compare and contrast essay.

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What Is A Compare And Contrast Essay?

These are complicated papers that have a task to compare two subjects or show the contrast between them. Keep in mind that these papers can show both at the same time. It is important to add that these essays must reveal small and not obvious differences between two subjects or must show similarities between the two subjects that are not obvious and not something you can see at first sight. Yes, you need to know how to write a compare and contrast essay in order to get the best grade due to the fact these papers are common in college.

You need to know that comparing means you will have to be focused on the similarities between the two. On the other hand, we have contrast, which is looking at the differences between the two subjects. For example, you may have to provide similarities and/or differences between college education and long-distance learning. As you can see, these two do have some same or similar results, but they are done in different ways, and the differences are massive. There is no need to add that compare and contrast essay introduction has a huge role in all of this.

Tips On How To Make Your A Compare And Contrast Essay Perfect

There is no need to tell you that compare and contrast essays are common, and you will have to work on a few of them during your education. What this means is that you need these tips. They can help you get a paper that is just perfect and the one that will have the best grade ensured. A good thing here is that all the tips are simple and straightforward. On the other hand, they do have a huge effect on your paper and on the outcome. Yes, you will have to use all of these tips for all papers of this kind you write, and there must be no exception.

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Steps In Writing A Compare And Contrast Essay

1. choose the topic of your text.

Before you start writing your compare and contrast essay, you need to compare and contrast essay ideas that can showcase your writing and analytical skills. Therefore, try to pick topics that are easy to compare.

2. Think of Your Text’s Structure

You must decide how many paragraphs your essay will have. This depends largely on the length of your text. If you are going to write about 4000 words, you need to create many paragraphs. However, if the text is going to be brief, you don’t need that many paragraphs in it. Your structure can vary widely.

The standard structure is to include an intro, a paragraph about one topic, a paragraph about another topic, and a conclusion paragraph. Alternatively, you could start with an intro, then write a paragraph that discusses the similarities between the two subjects, then a paragraph that explores the differences between the two subjects, and then finally end with a conclusion. While essay planning, you can freely modify this structure.

3. An Essay Introduction

You should begin your essay with a strong intro that catches the readers’ attention and clearly introduces your topic. When starting a compare and contrast essay, it is good to begin with a question you will answer in your work and a fact that will draw in your audience.

4. Be Creative

Try to be as original as possible in your work. For example, do not write "I’ll inform you about this and this in my work". Instead, pique your reader’s interest by asking two questions on each subject: "What draws people to travel? Why do some people prefer not to travel?”. You can also use this in your thesis statement within your intro; it is common here.

Build your thesis statement

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5. Add Some Facts or Humor

In the intro, you should provide a compare and contrast essay outline . This gives your readers a full understanding of the topic you are writing about. It is also a good idea to give a brief historical overview, to start with a story or a joke, or to use a provocative statement in your intro.

6. Body Paragraphs

Before you begin your essays, do research on your topic to become more knowledgeable about your writing topic. While researching, you need to gain a thorough understanding of your topics. A good strategy to use is to make two lists for the subjects and then write down the information in the correct categories. This graphic organizer will allow you to clearly see the similarities and differences between the two things you are comparing. It’s also important to utilize good transition words when writing your compare and contrast essay . While researching, search for uncommon knowledge so that your readers will want to read your compare-and-contrast essay with greater interest.

7. Conclusion

In your conclusion, you need to wrap up the text that you have written with a clear summary of your paper that emphasizes the main ideas.

A conclusion should not be too long. When you write it, you can repeat something from the compare and contrast introduction. However, it should not be repetitive and it should bring a new perspective on what you have initially discussed in your introduction. Other than the introduction for compare and contrast essay, your conclusion is the most important part of your paper.

8. Proofreading

After you have finished writing your paper, check for spelling and grammatical errors. You should also check to make sure that your paper flows nicely and that there are no awkward transitions or topics that come out of the blue. Be sure also to check the style and the format of your essay, since the text should be written in one style and format.

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9. Final Organization

Do not forget to organize your citations and references, in the end, to ensure that you have done your title page and other sections according to the academic standards that your professor or teacher expects you to follow.

10. The Final Review

It’s also a good idea to give yourself time to step back from your paper. This way, you can review it with a clearer head than if you are rushing to meet a deadline at the last second. These helpful hints and pieces of advice can help you to write a good essay at the college level. Comparative and contrast essays are often assigned to teach students how to think critically. Students learn to analyze information on two different subjects, allowing them to synthesize information and present an evidence-based argument.

By utilizing the tips, tricks, and hacks for writing essays in this article, you are sure to have a much easier time writing your compare and contrast essay.

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I am a proficient writer from the United States with over five years of experience in academic writing. I comfortably complete given assignments within stipulated deadlines and at the same time deliver high-quality work, which follows the guidelines provided.

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How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay

A compare-and-contrast essay is a style of essay that points out the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It’s ideal for showing what separates and unites related things or concepts, particularly if the subjects are often confused for each other or unjustly lumped together.

Compare-and-contrast essays have a lot in common with other essay types, but differ in many ways, too—and that’s the heart of comparing and contrasting! By seeing the differences and similarities, the reader better understands each of the subjects by using the other subject as a frame of reference.

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In this guide, we explain how to write a compare-and-contrast essay, including some advanced tips and examples. We discuss how to structure your essay and how to frame your thesis , but first, let’s take a broader look at why comparison essays are so useful.

Purpose of a compare-and-contrast essay

Let’s say you want to write an essay about how great renewable resources are, but you spend a lot of your time explaining how fossil fuels work. To truly understand why renewable resources are so amazing, your reader needs a little background on their alternative, fossil fuels—but the essay’s attention is divided so equally that it’s like there are two topics.

That’s when compare-and-contrast essays function at their best. If two topics relate to each other or define each other, you can better explain them both by showcasing their similarities and differences. That goes double for topics that are often conflated or confused for each other; it helps readers when someone points out exactly what’s the same about them and what’s different.

Unlike argumentative essays or persuasive essays , compare-and-contrast essays deal with multiple topics instead of focusing on one. The downside is that they don’t describe the individual subjects as much as single-topic essays. They’re also a common assignment for college essays since they show the instructor how well you grasp both subjects.

How to write a compare-and-contrast essay

When writing a compare-and-contrast essay, it helps to figure out two things: what your thesis is (the subject matter) and how you plan to structure it.

First things first: You need to choose which subjects you’re comparing. This isn’t always easy, especially if you have to pick the subjects on your own.

For inspiration, here are some compare-and-contrast essay example topics:

Once you’ve settled on your subjects, you can begin generating ideas. It helps to first list all the similarities and differences between your subjects . When you see them all written down, you can start formulating connections and decide what structure to use for your compare-and-contrast essay.

If you’re stuck, try making a Venn diagram . This is a visual aid that helps you understand which characteristics your subjects share, and which ones are exclusive.

Looking at your lists, you can then decide on the thesis. To do so, ask yourself a few questions: What are you trying to show in your compare-and-contrast essay? What do you want your reader to take away? For example, do you want to emphasize that Elon Musk is a modern-day Thomas Edison, or that they are tey two very distinct individuals?

Organization

Compare-and-contrast essays follow our own recommended essay structure . While the linked guide goes into more detail, in a nutshell, your compare-and-contrast essay should follow a simple format of beginning, middle, and end:

The introduction, usually one or two paragraphs, should include a thesis statement to show the reader what to expect for the rest of your essay. You can write your introduction following the same guidelines as other essay types, though be sure to mention all your subjects. Likewise, you can write an essay conclusion with the standard rules and best practices.

It’s the body where compare-and-contrast essays get tricky. Do you write about both subjects at the same time, or switch back and forth? Let’s talk deeper on this below.

How to structure a compare-and-contrast essay

The hardest part of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay is knowing when to talk about which subject. Essentially, you have three options:

No matter which option you choose, you have to pay particular attention to topic sentences . Paragraphs in compare-and-contrast essays can get complicated, so it’s crucial to have a good topic or introduction sentence for each paragraph to make the flow of ideas clear.

Block method (subject by subject)

The block method is usually divided into paragraphs: a paragraph about one subject and then a new paragraph about another subject. Take the compare-and-contrast essay example When Nothing Lies Beyond the Mask: Comparing Moby Dick and The Raven . In the first paragraph after the introduction, the author talks only about Ahab from Moby Dick , but in the next paragraph talks only about the narrator from The Raven . Each subject gets its own paragraph.

Using the block method, you can go back and forth like this for pages, covering as many topics as you need. This approach is best for giving each subject its own attention but tends to slightly weaken the connection between the two.

Alternating method (point by point)

As another option, you can break paragraphs up by a specific topic and issue, and in each paragraph discuss both or all subjects. Let’s look at another compare-and-contrast essay example, The Reality of Science Fiction: Comparing Clarke to Cruise . Here, both subjects are discussed in the same paragraph, one right after another.

This approach works best when you want to emphasize the connection between your subjects, or lack thereof. In our example above, the author wishes to highlight just how different the aliens of Arthur Clarke are from those of other authors, particularly H. G. Wells. To emphasize this, the essay author juxtaposes the two points right next to each other in the same paragraph.

Similarities and differences

The third option is quite similar to the alternating approach, with each subject being discussed side by side in the same paragraph. However, the paragraphs aren’t divided by different topics, but instead by what the subjects have in common and what they don’t.

Take a look at the compare-and-contrast essay example Government by the People, for the People has Perished from the Earth , which compares the dystopias of George Orwell’s 1984 and Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We . The first paragraph after the introduction discusses what the governments in the two books have in common, but the next paragraph explains how they differ.

This method works best if you want to focus on a particular similarity or difference between your subjects, or if you want to build up to a powerful conclusion or reveal at the end.

The writing process for compare-and-contrast essays

Want to know how to write a compare-and-contrast essay step by step? The writing process is the same as all essay writing, although adapted specifically for drawing comparisons:

1 Brainstorming — As mentioned above, brainstorming should involve listing all the similarities and difficulties; creating a Venn diagram is a useful method.

2 Preparation — Looking at your brainstorming lists, decide which structuring method would best get your point across: block, alternating, or similarities/differences.

3 Drafting — Here you write your rough draft ; this is the longest and toughest phase.

4 Revising — Does the structure you’ve chosen work? With the first draft finished, you can more easily identify any areas that need to be fixed, revised, or rewritten from scratch.

5 Proofreading — Finally, you want to make sure you corrected all the spelling and grammatical mistakes in your draft. With a writing assistant like Grammarly, this phase is a breeze.

If you want to learn more about this process, read our comprehensive guide on essay writing , which better explains the details.

Tips for writing compare-and-contrast essays

Beyond knowing the full process for crafting a compare-and-contrast essay, it helps to learn a few tips to ensure it shines.

Choose topics that are related

In other words, choose topics that have plenty in common, otherwise, your essay will be all contrasting and no comparing. Typically, subjects in compare-and-contrast essays share a strong connection, such as two people in the same profession or two products in the same category.

Without this unifying thread, the reader is left wondering, “What’s the point of comparing these two things?” Not only will it confound your audience, but you’ll also struggle more to come up with points when writing. Solve these problems before they start by smartly choosing your subjects at the beginning.

Write for clarity

Essays with only one subject can be confusing enough—imagine how complicated it gets with two or more subjects. One of the biggest obstacles with compare-and-contrast essays is communicating clearly so your reader knows which points relate to which subject, and what conclusion the entire essay is building toward.

But when you’re in the heat of a writing session, it can be difficult—and distracting—to stop and evaluate your work for clarity. Luckily, Grammarly offers suggestions to rewrite entire sentences in order to improve the clarity of your writing.

If the writing in your compare-and-contrast essay starts getting messy, Grammarly’s writing suggestions recommend alternative phrasings to clear things up. Just one click and your writing gets the professional editor treatment. Try Grammarly now and see how your writing improves.

How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been viewed 434,184 times.

Compare and contrast essays are often assigned to students because they promote critical thinking, analytical reasoning and organized writing. A compare and contrast essay should look at a subject in a new way, with fresh insight, using the similarities and the differences between two topics or two perspectives on one topic.

Sample Outline

Brainstorming Your Topic

Image titled Start a Compare and Contrast Essay Step 1

If your instructor has already given you your topic, you may be contrasting two things that could go into the same category, but are different from each other. For example, cats and dogs are both animals, but they are different from each other in many ways. The pro-life view on abortion, and the pro-choice view on abortion could both fit under the category of a human rights issue, but they are two very distinct views or positions.

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Your instructor may also ask for a discussion of more than one similarity and difference between the two topics or two perspectives. Identify any gaps in your knowledge and prepare to do research so you can better compare and contrast the two topics in your essay.

Creating an Outline

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Writing an Introduction

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The writing process can be an important way to organize your ideas, think through certain points, and refine your thoughts. Writing or revising the introduction once you are done your essay will ensure the introduction matches the body of your essay.

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Ask a friend, advisor or classmate to read your introduction and thesis. Having someone provide feedback before you get into the body of your compare and contrast essay can help you ensure you have a well written, thorough and purposeful start to your paper. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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To start a compare and contrast essay, start by making a list of similarities and differences between your subjects. Once you have a clearer idea of how your subjects work in relation to each other, you can work on your introduction. Think about ways to hook or grab your reader’s attention with your opening, like giving a surprising or interesting fact or a vivid anecdote. You can also ask a thought-provoking question or use a provocative quotation. Then, introduce your general topic. Once you give your reader a bit of context, you can discuss your two specific subjects in a bit more detail before stating your thesis. Your thesis should note the main similarities and differences between both subjects. For example, “Dogs and cats are both seen as ideal domestic pets, but their temperaments and breeding set them apart.” To learn how to organize your compare and contrast essay, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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COMMENTS

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
The standard compare and contrast essay format implies that the author should start a paper with a concise, to-the-point, and clear introduction
What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay? Simple Examples To Guide
A compare and contrast essay's introduction doesn't have much variance from intros in other essays, so don't skimp on the details here. Include a good hook and
Expert Tips on How To Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
Before you even think too hard about the overall structure of your compare and contrast essay, it's helpful to start with a good old-fashioned list. Take a
Compare and Contrast Essay
The introduction should give the reason for the comparison or contrast, for example to determine which is the more or less desirable of the two.
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
A good introductory paragraph sets the tone for your entire essay. The best introductions start with a hook—such as a rhetorical question or a
Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast
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
Guide How To Start Compare And Contrast Essay
You should begin your essay with a strong intro that catches the readers' attention and clearly introduces your topic. When starting a compare
How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay
The introduction, usually one or two paragraphs, should include a thesis statement to show the reader what to expect for the rest of your essay.
How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay: 11 Steps
If you're compare and contrasting two people, you may ask: Where is each person from? How old are they? What, if anything, are they known for? How do they
Introduction Paragraph
How to write a comparative thesis statement · Vocabulary for Compare and Contrast Essays · How to WRITE A HOOK for Your Essay: Easy Essay