1. In the lesson, you read about preparing to write a compare and contrast essay by free writing ideas and making lists. Another tool for planning an effective essay of this type is the use of a Venn diagram. Draw two large circles on a blank piece of unlined paper. The two circles should overlap so that the intersection gives you enough space in which to write. think of two options contained under a single topic, perhaps something like public school versus home school under the topic of education. List all the qualities of each in each of the two circles, with the qualities they have in common in the center area where the circles overlap.
2. Think of a topic that would work well for compare and contrast. You could use the same topic you used for item 1 if you like. Make an outline of two possible essays, one following the point by point format and one in block format. Which format would you choose to use if you were to actually write this essay?
1. Write a compare and contrast essay in which you take a position in favor of one of the elements being compared. Refer back to the lesson content to be reminded of the particular format of this type of essay. Remember to include a paragraph before the conclusion in which you acknowledge the value of the opposing view and then refute it.
2. Write an essay comparing two novels, two films, or the novel and the film versions of the same story. For this one, practice using the block format as explained in the lesson.
Students should have all the material they need to complete these activities from the lesson itself. Any of these activities will benefit from a thorough research process before writing. Examples of Venn diagrams used for planning an essay are available online.
Analyzing Mexican and Indian food is a good way to see how to compare and contrast. Both cuisines have a lot in common such as the heavy use of spices and certain ingredients, but they also differ greatly in flavor and regional influence.
First, you must determine how the essay needs to present information. The writer should determine whether the subjects will be compared, contrasted, or a combination of the two, and whether one is better than the other.
A compare and contrast essay is an essay where the author takes two subjects and analyzes their similarities and differences. This doesn't mean just listing traits, but rather exploring the similarities and differences between the subjects. Comparing means their likenesses are listed and explained. Contrasting means that the subjects' differences are described and weighed against each other. Topics suitable for this kind of essay include subjects which require a decision between them. For example, two movies in the same genre or two restaurants with a similar price range would make good subjects for an essay. In general, the subjects should be chosen because there is something legitimate to say between them.
The exact format for the essay varies from essay to essay depending on the subjects involved. A writer, however, needs to determine how to start a compare and contrast essay before writing to make sure paragraphs and analysis stay consistent throughout. Some essays focus on the differences between the subjects. Others focus on the similarities. If the subjects warrant it, however, an essay can find a balance between similarities and differences.
Like other essays, a compare and contrast essay should have paragraphs focused on individual topics. It should begin with an introduction explaining the essay's purpose and have a strong and clear thesis statement which will lay the foundation for the essay's body.
A thesis statement is a sentence, typically in the opening paragraph, which summarizes the essay's main topic and purpose for the reader. Thesis statements in longer essays, usually in excess of 3,000 words, can sometimes be more than one sentence if the essay's topic is complex. However, most essays in college and high school will require a single sentence, usually at the end of the introduction.
For a compare and contrast essay, the thesis must be very specific about the exact type of essay it is describing. It must clarify whether the essay is comparing, contrasting, or a combination of the two. It should also note if one of the subjects is better than the other, as it's possible one subject is superior in some significant way.
In general, introductions provide background information on the subject the essay will address. At the very least, they lay the general foundation so the reader will know what to expect. In a compare and contrast essay, the introduction should introduce the subjects which will be discussed in the following paragraphs. The introduction should explain everything required for the reader to understand the subjects enough to proceed, and any additional details which are only relevant to the compare and contrast section should be brought up as needed in the body paragraphs following the introduction.
The body in any essay is the primary text which provides any arguments, descriptions, or evidence required to address the thesis. In a compare and contrast essay, the body paragraphs will typically have individual topics and address specific elements of the subjects.
There are three general types of body paragraphs in a compare and contrast essay: the block pattern of development, and the point-by-point format, or the similarities and differences format.
Like most essays, the conclusion should restate the thesis for clarification and go over the major ideas in the essay. In a compare and contrast essay, the conclusion should mention the relevant information to reinforce to the reader the similarities, differences, or the combination of the two between the subjects. At the collegiate level, students are expected to also broaden the thesis to explain how the ideas discussed apply to other areas such as similar works or daily life.
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The following example of a compare and contrast essay will show four sample paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, each with a brief explanation as to why they are written in this particular way.
''International cuisine can offer a variety of new and exciting flavors. Sometimes, though, being familiar with one type of food can make trying a new style more accessible. Mexican and Indian cuisine, for example, are two types of cooking with their own styles and flavors. However, they also have many similarities which make them appealing to people already familiar with one or the other. Both Mexican and Indian cuisine make heavy use of spices and complex flavors while also differing greatly in their key ingredients and preparation.''
The introduction explains the basic premise: Mexican and Indian cuisines are similar yet also different. The thesis statement at the end explains the key differences and commonalities that the following paragraphs will explore so a reader will know what to expect.
''Both Mexico and India are known for their heavy use of spices and complex flavors. The foods in both countries were influenced by the large number of interactions with other countries and cultures. In India, food has been influenced by the Persians, the British, the Greeks, and various Middle Eastern nations which introduced potatoes, tomatoes, kabobs, and pilafs. Mexican cooking is likewise influenced by the centuries of colonial occupation from places like Spain and France which brought a variety of styles like the mellow flavors in the Yucatan and the Caribbean-inspired seafood in the Coast. Both countries make heavy use of elements like rice, and dishes from both countries are known for their heavy use of chilies to add heat to their food.''
Because the likenesses and differences between both types of food will be explained quickly, this sample essay uses the similarities and differences format. This first paragraph above lists some of the major similarities between both nations and how their food came about and what they have in common flavor-wise.
''Despite several similarities, however, Indian and Mexican cuisine have several noticeable differences. Some Indian cuisine, for example, is exclusively vegetarian or primarily vegetarian. While Mexican cuisine makes heavy use of fruits and vegetables, meat is always a staple in virtually any dish across various Mexican regions. Some of the core spices are also different. Indian cuisine is known for the breadth and variety of various curries, dishes made with a combination of spices that include coriander, cumin, and many other spices. While these are also used in Mexican cooking, the preparation is very different. Mexican cooking also uses achiote, a deep spice which gives some Mexican food its distinctive red color.''
This paragraph, like the previous one, focuses on one topic: differences. It notes major differences such as types of ingredients and the common spices and herbs used in both countries. While it very briefly mentions that both countries use some of the same spices, it does so in the context of quickly explaining how those spices are used differently.
''In the end, Mexico and India both have much in common. Both countries have been influenced by the nations around them and use complex spice mixtures in their cooking, but they also have vastly different flavor profiles and use unique ingredients. Being familiar with one or the other would make someone familiar with what to expect from the other. However, each is still different enough from the other to offer a unique experience to the uninitiated foodie.''
The conclusion restates the thesis statement while also returning to the introduction's hook: being experienced with one type of cuisine will help someone to try the other by introducing similarities between them.
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