How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay
A compare-and-contrast essay might seem like the easiest type of paper to write: just find things that are alike and then find things that are different. This task seems like an easy one, right? There’s a catch, however. It is up to you to argue why those similarities and differences matter; otherwise, you don’t have much of a paper. The following steps will guide you through the process of writing an effective compare-and-contrast essay that actually has something valuable to say.
1) So they’re alike and they’re different. SO WHAT?A good paper will not simply offer a summary of themes, characters, or plot. Your job is to think about how these comparisons and contrasts create meaningful connections to a larger issue.
2) Create an effective thesis statement. Again, you need to say why the comparison and contrast is worthy of note. Let’s say you want to compare and contrast the heroines of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. Your thesis might be this: “Although Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre are very different on the outside, their shared internal valuesconnects them in literary history and in the fight for women’s rights.” Now you have a reason for your efforts and a compelling case for your audience’s attention.
The Point-by-Point Method. Present one point about A, and then go to the parallel point about B. Move to the next point, and do the same thing. This pattern tends to work better for long papers and those with many subtopics.
First A: point 1 (plus support)
Then B: point 1 (plus support)
Then A: point 2 (plus support)
Then B: point 2 (plus support)
Then A: point 3 (plus support)
Then B: point 3 (plus support)
Point-by-Point Method Outline:
Point 1: Para. 1: Cats can clean themselves.
Para. 2: In contrast to cats, dogs need baths.
Point 2: Para. 3 Cats can exercise by themselves.
Para. 4 Unlike cats, dogs must be walked regularly.
Point 3: Para. 5 Cats do not require training.
Para. 6 Whereas cats need no training, dogs must be
trained.
Note that the transitions used in each outline (in contrast to; unlike; whereas)emphasize the distinction being made between cats and dogs. For a moredetailed list of transitions, see Transitions handout in the Writing section online.
Transition words and other tips
To help your reader keep track of where you are in the comparison/contrast, you'll want to be sure that your transitions and topic sentences are especially strong. Your thesis should already have given the reader an idea of the points you'll be making and the organization you'll be using, but you can help her/him out with some extra cues. The following words may be helpful to you in signaling your intentions:
like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.
THESIS:
While Batman and Supermanshare the same mission to defeat evil, they differ in terms of their superhero abilities and the villains they face.
FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
Topic Sentence 1: Batman and Superman both are on a mission to defeat evil..Specifically, Batman lives in ….. where he is confronted by ….
Transition or Topic Sentence 2: Similarly, Superman is also on a mission to defeat evil and desires to rid his city of…..
Concluding Sentence:Clearly, both Batman and Supermango to great lengths to vanquish evil from their midst and for this reason both are greatly appreciated by the residents of their towns.Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis AND answers the “So what?” question.
SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH:
Topic Sentence 3:Although Batman and Supermanboth spend their lives dedicated to fighting against the forces of evil, they differ in terms of their superhero capabilities. For example, Batman ….
Transition or Topic sentence 4:On the other hand, Superman….
Concluding sentence:Possessing differing superhero abilities signficantlyinfluences the way these heroesgo about completing their missions. Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis AND answers the “So what?” question.
THIRD BODY PARAGRAPH:
Topic Sentence 5:Finally, Batman and Superman differ in terms of the villains they face. Batman’s arch nemesis is______a villain who______.
Transition or Topic sentence 6: WhileBatman’sprimary enemy is ______Superman’s is ______.
Concluding sentence: Thankfully, both Batman and Supermanprevail in defeating these villainswhich enables them to restore order to their respective cities.Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis AND answers the “So what?” question.
Let’s review what we’ve just discussed:
1. First refer to both characters and the quality you are addressing in your topic sentence. Make sure your topic sentence reiterates part of the thesis.
2. Next, address the first character. Then use a transition and address the second character.
3. Last, end each paragraph with a concluding sentence that addresses both charactersand states why each point of comparison is signifcant. So what?
Include your own voice. One of the biggest challenges for a writer is to offer his or her own take on a topic. You may feel that everyone else has already said everything there is to say about your subject. Don’t be discouraged! Your own interpretation is what is most valuable in the end.
Sample essay written by an actual student (not mine).
Superman vs. Batman
Introductory Paragraph – From the general to the specific. Thesis =last sentence of the intro.
Not often in literary history do two characters contrast and match each other so well.Superman and Batman are the figure heads of DC comics and were the only characters keeping the comic giant above the rising waters of collapse. It is natural that the characters, both sixty plus years in print, have acquired a massive fan base. The fan base of the two juggernauts of comics have been known to attack one another with claims on who is superior or who is the most interesting. Thesis: With all of the fan "wars" the origins of the characters, their secret identities, and the style of justice they deliver have been the basis of determining who is trulythe best comic book character.
Point 1
The origin of each character is significant.First let's talk about the Man of Steel himself, Superman--or Clark Kent if you prefer. His comic book origin, oddly enough, has gone through some odd changes during his tenure. Essentially the various origin stories all have Superman coming from his home planet of Krypton in a rocket and narrowly escaping the apocalypse that shattered his world; he is sent to the planet Earthwhere he is found and raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent, a caring couple from Smallville longing for a child. (However, in some versions of the tale, Clark begins using his powers at a young age as the hero Superboy, but recently this version of the story was removed from history as it didn't make sense in the chronological time line.) Clark eventually leaves the city of Smallville to go to Metropolis. There he develops the Superman persona we have all come to recognize and begins to defend the world from the likes of Lex Luthor, Braniac, and various foes.
Batman, on the other hand, is a stark contrast to the Last Son of Krypton. For starters, Batman'soriginsare slightly differentfrom Superman’s. Unlike Superman, Batmanis born into a wealthy family as Bruce Wayne and lives a normal life until at a very young age his parents are killed at gunpoint during a back alley robbery. The murder of his parents is a pivotal moment that shapes young Bruce Wayne's life. As a result of losing his parents, he is raised until the age of eighteen by his loyal butler Alfred. At the age of eighteen, Bruce begins to travel the globe learning various martial arts and weapons training. After about six or seven years of globe hopping, Bruce returns to GothamCity and finds it corrupted beyond all belief. With crime lords ruling the streets and government offices, Bruce decides to take matters in his own hands. Using the bat--an image to strike fear in the crooks and villains of the city--Bruce develops the persona Batman. With all his newly acquired skills and technology courtesy of his own company Wayne Enterprises, Bruce wages an all out war against crime.Clearly, Superman and Batman’s originsdiffer from one another.
Point 2
Next,althoughSupermanandBatman possess different origins,they are both similar in that they each have createdsecret identities. Superman'ssecret identity is often a major topic of discussion when the nerds gather. One argument is that Superman is his real identity and Clark Kent is his alter ego since he was born with his powers instead of gaining them in life. Others argue that he is Clark Kent that just so happens to be Superman since he was raised to be human and later discovered he had powers. Either way both sides agree that Clark Kent purposefully behaves in a mild mannered way so as to seem different from“Superman” in every way. Clumsy, bumbling, and not “all there,” best describes Clark when compared to his Superman persona. It is amazing that the only thing hiding his real identity is a pair of glasses and a "spit-curl.” Clark goes so far out of his way to be different from Superman that he often fools those he is around all the time, both as Superman and as Clark. For example,Lois Lane, Clark's love interest, never figures out the identity of Superman despite being the one human, other than those of the superhero society, to be around Superman the most. Specifically,… . Lois’s inability to discover that Clark is Superman shows the lengths Clark goes to in order to change his personality.Superman’ssecret identity enables him to fight crime more effectively.
Like Superman, Bruceis also requiredto take up a secret identity in order to remain safe as he fights crime. Bruce did this by making Batman and Bruce fundamentally different. Bruce isseen primarily in the day and only out at night for mandatory public engagements to distract any possible ideas of him being Batman. In stark contrast,Batman is never seen in the day time (unless he is fighting with the Justice League) and never makes public appearances (again unless he is with the Justice League). Bruce is fun and outgoing: he tries anything and everything. He becomes a billionaire playboy spending outrageous amounts of money on lavish luxuries. By contrast,Batmanis brooding and often rude to those he is around (and yes even the Justice League). He never behaves outlandishly; his behavior is never over the top. Specifically, …. .Another question often asked is, "Is Batman the alter ego or is it Bruce Wayne?" Much like the Superman debate this issue of identity is highly disputed.Ultimately, however, Batman’ssecret identityaids Batman in completing his mission. Both SupermanandBatman are more effective in fighting crime on account of their secret identities.
Point 3
Moreover, SupermanandBatman’ssecret identities enable them todeliver their own brand of justice. Instead of hunting down villains, Supermanjust stands back and reacts to every crisis, threat, and emergency, always protecting the lives of the innocent--and sometimes the evil--from immediate danger. Only after everyone is safe will he take on the main threat that is at hand. For example,…
Batman, on the other hand, has a completely different style of fighting crime. His style of justice is like that of a cowboy in the western movies of old. He comes into a crime filled town and hunts down the cancer that is killing the city. While he is proactiveinstead of reactive, Batman is more of a detective. He uses his brains to hunt down his villains. While smarter than the average human, Batman is still only human and makes mistakes in his judgment, often plaguing him throughout his life. For example, … .While the differing styles of justice distinguish SupermanandBatmanfrom one another, what is most important is that they both share a mission to defeat evil.
Conclusion Conclusion draws a conclusion and answers the “So what” question. So why does this topic matter?
SupermanandBatmanare not the only superheroes who have made an impact on readers and moviegoers for several decades. Movies about superheroes seem to be on the rise. Americans flock to theaters to see Spiderman, Wolverine, The Hulk, and IronMan. In a world that seems precarious and beyond our control, we often admire individuals who possess the courage and strength to fight the evil many of us feel powerless to vanquish. Although superheroes with special powers are fictional characters, there are many unassuming heroes living among us. Acts of courage displayed byseemingly ordinarycitizensabound. TheNew York City firefighters who selflessly rushed in and sacrificed their own lives trying to save others in the strickenWorldTradeCenter on 9/11/01 and the rescue workers and doctors working around the clock to save victims of Haiti’s earthquakeare true heroes.
Posted by Jordan Jenningsat 8:58 PM Ms. Fishbein took liberties and made several changes to the essay for the purpose of providing you with a model.