Comparing and Contrasting,Quick Links
WebOct 12, · When you’re wondering how to how to begin a compare and contrast essay, you’re not even close to starting the introduction. The pre-writing stages matter more than most students realize. Step 1: Organization Before you start writing the paper, WebHow to Write a Comparative Analysis. Throughout your academic career, you'll be asked to write papers in which you compare and contrast two things: two texts, two theories, two WebFeb 2, · Organizing Your Essay. When organizing your essay, it is important to remember that there are two ways to approach the task of writing a compare and ... read more
Your introduction will include your frame of reference, grounds for comparison, and thesis. There are two basic ways to organize the body of your paper. If you think that B extends A, you'll probably use a text-by-text scheme; if you see A and B engaged in debate, a point-by-point scheme will draw attention to the conflict. Be aware, however, that the point-by- point scheme can come off as a ping-pong game. You can avoid this effect by grouping more than one point together, thereby cutting down on the number of times you alternate from A to B. But no matter which organizational scheme you choose, you need not give equal time to similarities and differences. In fact, your paper will be more interesting if you get to the heart of your argument as quickly as possible.
Thus, a paper on two evolutionary theorists' different interpretations of specific archaeological findings might have as few as two or three sentences in the introduction on similarities and at most a paragraph or two to set up the contrast between the theorists' positions. The rest of the paper, whether organized text- by-text or point-by-point, will treat the two theorists' differences. You can organize a classic compare-and-contrast paper either text-by-text or point-by-point. But in a "lens" comparison, in which you spend significantly less time on A the lens than on B the focal text , you almost always organize text-by-text.
That's because A and B are not strictly comparable: A is merely a tool for helping you discover whether or not B's nature is actually what expectations have led you to believe it is. Linking of A and B. All argumentative papers require you to link each point in the argument back to the thesis. Without such links, your reader will be unable to see how new sections logically and systematically advance your argument. In a compare-and contrast, you also need to make links between A and B in the body of your essay if you want your paper to hold together.
As a girl raised in the faded glory of the Old South, amid mystical tales of magnolias and moonlight, the mother remains part of a dying generation. Surrounded by hard times, racial conflict, and limited opportunities, Julian, on the other hand , feels repelled by the provincial nature of home, and represents a new Southerner, one who sees his native land through a condescending Northerner's eyes. Copyright , Kerry Walk, for the Writing Center at Harvard University. Skip to main content. Main Menu Utility Menu Search. A compare and contrast essay is a type of essay that looks at two or more topics usually two people, places, or things and attempts to point out their similarities and differences.
The purpose of this essay is to evaluate the main points of comparison between two topics and draw a meaningful conclusion from them. It is important to note that this essay does not simply list facts but also provides a thoughtful analysis that ties together all points of comparison. When organizing your essay, it is important to remember that there are two ways to approach the task of writing a compare and contrast essay: by discussing one topic in detail and then the other, or by discussing both topics simultaneously. Whichever approach you take, it is important to use relevant evidence to support your arguments and make sure to use appropriate transition words throughout the essay. Additionally, when comparing and contrasting two topics, it is important to make sure that each point of comparison is discussed thoroughly and objectively.
The conclusion of your compare and contrast essay should offer a meaningful conclusion that ties together all points of comparison between two topics. Make sure to restate the main points of comparison between two topics and summarize the main argument of the essay. Additionally, make sure to use an appropriate concluding sentence to draw the essay to a close. You may want to check out our handout on understanding assignments for additional tips. Making a Venn diagram or a chart can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more things or ideas. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common. To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items.
Along the left side of the page, list each of the criteria. Across the top, list the names of the items. As you generate points of comparison, consider the purpose and content of the assignment and the focus of the class. How does it fit with what you have been studying so far and with the other assignments in the course? Are there any clues about what to focus on in the assignment itself? Here are some general questions about different types of things you might have to compare. You may want to begin by using the questions reporters traditionally ask: Who?
A compare-and-contrast essay is a style of essay that points out the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. By seeing the differences and similarities, the reader better understands each of the subjects by using the other subject as a frame of reference. Give your essays extra polish Grammarly helps you write with confidence Write with Grammarly. In this guide, we explain how to write a compare-and-contrast essay, including some advanced tips and examples. If two topics relate to each other or define each other, you can better explain them both by showcasing their similarities and differences.
Unlike argumentative essays or persuasive essays , compare-and-contrast essays deal with multiple topics instead of focusing on one. 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. For inspiration, here are some compare-and-contrast essay example topics:. 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. 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? 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. Do you write about both subjects at the same time, or switch back and forth? 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. 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. As another option, you can break paragraphs up by a specific topic and issue, and in each paragraph discuss both or all subjects.
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. To emphasize this, the essay author juxtaposes the two points right next to each other in the same paragraph. The third option is quite similar to the alternating approach, with each subject being discussed side by side in the same paragraph. 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. 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:. With the first draft finished, you can more easily identify any areas that need to be fixed, revised, or rewritten from scratch. 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.
Beyond knowing the full process for crafting a compare-and-contrast essay, it helps to learn a few tips to ensure it shines. 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. Solve these problems before they start by smartly choosing your subjects at the beginning. 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.
Luckily, Grammarly offers suggestions to rewrite entire sentences in order to improve the clarity of your writing. Just one click and your writing gets the professional editor treatment. Try Grammarly now and see how your writing improves. How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay Matt Ellis. Give your essays extra polish. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox.
How To Start A Compare And Contrast Essay?,Organizing Your Essay
WebFeb 2, · Organizing Your Essay. When organizing your essay, it is important to remember that there are two ways to approach the task of writing a compare and WebOct 12, · When you’re wondering how to how to begin a compare and contrast essay, you’re not even close to starting the introduction. The pre-writing stages matter more than most students realize. Step 1: Organization Before you start writing the paper, WebHow to Write a Comparative Analysis. Throughout your academic career, you'll be asked to write papers in which you compare and contrast two things: two texts, two theories, two ... read more
How did the events occur, and what consequences did they have later in history? Christopher A. 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. The research process takes time. Your structure can vary widely. The block method is usually divided into paragraphs: a paragraph about one subject and then a new paragraph about another subject. I can help with things like sentence structure, grammar, flow, and finding your voice.
All argumentative papers require you to link each point in the argument back to the thesis. As in any argumentative paper, your thesis statement will convey the gist of your argument, which necessarily follows from your frame of reference. Apply these basic questions to your topic to get a sense of each topic or perspective. A vivid anecdote: An anecdote is a very short story that carries moral or symbolic weight. Compare and contrast essays are often assigned to students because they promote critical thinking, analytical reasoning and organized writing, how to start a comparing and contrasting essay.
No comments:
Post a Comment