WRITING A COMPARISON-

CONTRAST ESSAY

E N G L I SH I

PREWRITINGFinding the subjects: Comparison points out the

similarities between people, ideas, or things, while contrast points out the differences.

Good subjects have plenty of similar features. Good subjects are different enough to be

interesting. Do a little comparison shopping. Try something new.

NARROW YOUR SUBJECTSWhittle it Down: Make sure your topic is

not too broad. France VS the U.S is too big! Choose an aspect like school systems,

tourist attractions, or climate.

THINK ABOUT PURPOSE, AUDIENCE, AND TONEPurpose: to inform readers.Tone: Formal tone is best !Audience: Consider what your audience. Ask: Who are my readers? What do my readers already know about the

subjects I am comparing or contrasting? What information might help my readers

better understand?

GATHER INFO ABOUT YOUR SUBJECTSCollect data: In comparison and contrast

essays, you are not looking for just any kind of info- you are looking for similarities and differences.

Use a Venn diagram.

WRITE YOUR THESIS STATEMENTA thesis statement tells your audience what

your essay will be about. It should clearly state the main idea.

Examples: Mountain biking and road cycling each

involve two wheels, but beyond that, the two sports differ significantly in equipment, terrain, and technique.

Although Granny Smith apples are green and Red Delicious apples are bright red, they share many similar features.

WRITING YOUR THESIS (CONT.)1. Your thesis statement should be specific.2. The thesis statement usually appears at

the end of the first paragraph of a paper.3. The thesis statement answers a question.

Examples: In the film and the story, the butterfly effect is the same, however, the time lapse is very different.

FIND RELEVANT FEATURESRelevant features are the categories of

support that relate to and develop your thesis statement.

Thesis: Body language in France can be quite different from body language in the U.S.

The French Americans FeatureBegin counting on thumb.

Begin counting on index finger.

Hand signals

Pout when asked a question.

Smile when asked a question.

Facial expressions.

Kiss on cheeks or shake hands daily.

Shake hands mostly when first introduced.

Greetings

Say “merci” Say “thank you”

words to express thanks.

The last row should not be included because the information is verbal instead of non-verbal.

ARRANGE YOUR INFORMATI0NCreating Order: Block method: You discuss all the features

about your first subject. (Works best with shorter pieces)Block Method

Subject 1: The French• Feature 1: Hand signals-count on their fingers

starting with the thumb. • Feature 2: Facial expressions-pout when asked a

question.• Feature 3: Greetings-greet each other by kissing

on the cheeks or shaking hands every day.Subject 2: Americans• Feature 1: Hand signals-count on their fingers

starting with the index finger. • Feature 2: Facial expressions-smile when asked

a question. • Feature 3: Greetings- shake hands when first

introduced.

ARRANGE YOUR INFORMATIONPoint by Point Method: You present your

first feature for both subjects. Then you use another sentence or group of sentences to present the second feature. (Works best for longer papers).

Point by Point Method:Feature 1: Hand signals Subject 1: The French-count on their fingers

starting with the thumb. Subject 2: Americans-count on their fingers

starting with the index finger. Feature 2: Facial expressions Subject 1: The French-pout when asked a

question Subject 2: Americans-smile when asked a

questionFeature 3: Greetings Subject 1: The French-kiss on the cheeks or

shake hands daily. Subject 2: Americans-shake hands when first

introduced.

ESSAY FRAMEWORK

IntroductionCapture your reader’s attention.Provide background information.

State your thesis.Body

Organize your information using either the block or point by point method.

ConclusionSummarize how your support leads to your

thesis.Bring your essay to a close.

EVALUATE AND REVISESmooth out the bumps!Step 1: Read your paper aloud to yourself. Step 2: Have your partner read it aloud. Ask these questions: Do the first one or two sentences grab the

audience’s attention? Does the introduction clearly identify both

subjects and the thesis of the essay? Is the body organized by the block method

or the point by point method? Does the conclusion bring the essay to a

definite close by summarizing or evaluating the subjects?

EVALUATE AND REVISE (CONT)Tips Put a check above the interesting parts

of the first two sentences. Underline the thesis statement and draw

a squiggly line under each subject. Put a letter A above each point about the

first subject. Use a letter B for each point about the second subject. Write which method that is used at the top of the paper.

Underline the sentences that summarize and evaluate.

REVISIONTechniques if things are missing. Add an interesting statement. Add a sentence that clearly identifies both

subjects. Add a sentence that states the main idea.

Rearrange sentences into either block or point by point method.

Delete ineffective sentences. Add effective statements. Elaborate on existing statements.

Check sentence length with our “Varying sentence length “ worksheet.

Email your final and best copy!