Unless your instructor has told you otherwise, focus on just comparisons OR contrasts, not both.
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Step 1: Choose two items for discussion |
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Comparison Essay |
Contrast Essay |
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Compare means to show similarities.
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Contrast means to show differences. |
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Choose two seemingly different items and show how they are similar.
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Choose two seemingly similar items and show how they are different. |
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Examples: · Coffee and roller coasters · My husband and my cat · Bicycle and surfboard |
Examples: · Ford F150 and Dodge Ram trucks · Popeye’s and KFC · Twilight book and Twilight Movie
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Step 2: Brainstorm for three main points |
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Comparison Essay |
Contrast Essay |
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Write down as many ideas as you can about how the two items are similar.
Then, pick out the three best ideas to show the three main ways the two items are similar. |
Write down as many ideas as you can about how the two items are different.
Then, pick out the three best ideas to show the three main ways the two items are different.
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Step 3: Draft Thesis Statement |
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Comparison Essay |
Contrast Essay |
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Draft a thesis statement that mentions the two items being compared and the three main ways they are similar. For now just get something on paper; you can improve the statement later.
In a pinch, you can use this thesis statement template: Although item X and item Y seem different, they are actually similar in their 1, 2, and 3. |
Draft a thesis statement that mentions the two items being contrasted and the three main ways they are different. For now just get something on paper; you can improve the statement later.
In a pinch, you can use this thesis statement template: Although item X and item Y seem similar, they are actually different in their 1, 2, and 3.
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