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Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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Table of contents

When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

• Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
• Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

• Point of comparison A
• Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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127 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

13 December, 2020

13 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

Crafting a compare and contrast essay is typically much more interesting and fun than working on a dissertation. With this piece of writing, a student gets his chance to be creative. Besides, one doesn’t have to re-invent the bicycle: these essays already have a purpose and a topic. All you have to do is find similarities or differences between specific notions. And yes, there is one more problem to it.

Half of the success of a compare and contrast essay lies in a properly-chosen topic. Now, this can be tricky.

Just think about it: would want to read a piece on a beaten topic like “Books vs. Television”? Or would you rather give a read to an unusual compare and contrast Korean and Vietnam war essay? While you know everything about the first one, the second topic actually sounds interesting.

Choosing compare and contrast essay topics can be time-consuming and daunting. However, with the guide our  essay writer prepared, you will find a great title with no problem.

By the way, if you need a reminder of what such writing looks like and what components it consists of, don’t hesitate to read our guide on  how to write a compare and contrast essay . It will help you structure and organize your knowledge in this regard.

And here is a short introduction to what this type of academic writing should really look like.

How to write a compare and contrast essay

Depending on the task you received from your tutor, in this particular academic paper you are either to compare several things or notions or contrast them.

Here is what a structure of this type of writing looks like:

• An engaging opening with a “hook.”
• A thesis statement that explains what is the focus of your writing and whether you’ll be comparing or contrasting the notions.
• If you don’t know  how to write a thesis statement , here is a guide that will explain you all the details step by step.
• An argument #1 that supports the thesis statement.
• Evidence proving the author’s position.
• A short conclusion.
• A short reminder of a problem described in the essay.
• A brief overview of the similarities or differences (aka supporting arguments).
• A call to action or a interesting question to the audience.

Any A-grade essay would follow this structure. Thus, if you aim to receive better grades, consider taking this structure into account.

Meanwhile, as a student you get tons of other writing assignments. If you’re currently struggling with choosing good  argumentative essay topics , don’t hesitate to take a look at our recent guide!

Finally, let’s dive into the search. After all, this is a key to crafting an excellent piece.

What makes good compare and contrast essay topics

Several factors make some topics your best option compared to the rest.

No matter how great the topic of your choice is, the target audience can sense when you genuinely care about what you are writing, and when you’re simply following the structure with no personal interest in the subject. If you write yawning and find it hard to find any evidence to support your position, chances are you’ve chosen a wrong topic. A compare and contrast dog and cat essay might be a good topic for a person deeply loving these furry little creatures. But someone not that much into domestic animals won’t be able to write a single line of an essay comparing dogs and cats. So, choose your topic wisely.

Availability of trusted sources.

In some cases, you have to use trusted sources to prove your point. Otherwise, your position might seem biased and subjective. That is why we strongly recommend you to check whether the compare and contrast essay titles you opted can be supported by evidence found at the trusted sources.

Recommendation of a tutor.

Last but not least, ask for recommendations. With years of experience under his belt, your tutor might have an eye for great topics. So, why not using his experience for your own good? Besides, apart from good topics suggestions, he can also provide you with great sources to explore. So, don’t lose an opportunity to make your life easier with his assistance!

Proper formatting style.

Proper formatting is hard to overestimate when it comes to A-grade essay writing. A great deal of your grade depends on it. That is why we recommend you to check out our  essay format guide to figure out what your piece should look like.

These are the criteria that help you pick a good theme for your paper. But where should you look for theme to choose from in the first place? We know the answer.

If you aren’t sure you have the time and energy to craft a piece yourself, we’re here to help.  Handmade Writing is a reliable place to order your academic papers from.

Sources of interesting topics

Basically, there are six sources students can go to these days:

• Social media.
• Scientific journals.

Each one of them is filled with personalities, facts, events, and locations to contrast and compare. Therefore, don’t hesitate to explore these right sources.

By the way, if you are looking for ideas or inspiration on  how to write a scholarship essay , we’ve got something for you. We’ve gathered a guide that will walk you step by step through the process of composing a good essay that’ll get you college scholarship!

Easy compare and contrast essay topics for college students

• High school vs college.
• McDonalds and Burger King: Explain how these two fast food chains similar or different from each other.
• Public schools and homeschooling: Which do you prefer?
• Basketball and football: Popularity, speed of play, dependency on athleticism, personal preference, etc.
• Lamborgini vs. Bugatti.
• Virtual vs. Augmented reality: Which technology is the future?
• Star Wars vs. Star Trek: Which is better?
• Communism vs. Socialism: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
• American English vs British English.
• Conventional or E-learning: What would you choose?
• Computer and video games: Which is more fun?
• Inner beauty and outer beauty.
• Snapchat and Instagram: What makes them similar (different)?
• Stalin or Hitler: Which is a bigger evil? Or what in their management style was similar?
• Living in the big city or living in the country: What would you choose?
• Italian vs. Spanish cuisines.
• Active vacation in the mountains vs. passive rest by the sea.
• Facebook vs. Twitter.
• Windows vs. Linux.
• Android or iOS: Which is the future?

Funny compare and contrast essay topics

• Chandler, Joey and Ross: Which one of them is cooler?
• Pizza or pasta: If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, which of these would you choose?
• Batman vs. SuperMan;  Avengers vs. Justice League.
• Soccer vs football: How are they different apart from their name?
• Iron Man or Hulk: Which one is the best superhero of his time?
• Michael Jackson vs. Elvis Presley.
• George and Lennie.
• Harry Potter vs. Ronald Weasley: One is way cooler than the other.
• Simpsons or the South Park?
• Eternal summer or eternal winter: Which is the least of all evil?

Historical topics

• WW1 and WW2: Reasons, participants, number of dead and wounded, etc.
• Renaissance and Barocco.
• Roman and Greek mythology.
• Crusaders vs. Saracens.
• The European economics before and after WW2.
• Abolition of slavery in the USA and Europe.
• Japanese and European feudalism essay.
• Gender roles in the Roman Empire vs Ottoman Empire.
• British colonization and Spanish colonization.
• Lincoln and Kennedy.
• Reconstruction in America against the Industrial Age.
• Mongolian Empire and Persian Empire.
• Monaco vs Luxembourg: Countries’ history comparison.
• Worker unions history in the USA vs. Great Britain.
• Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great.

Compare and contrast essay between two jobs

• Marketer vs. Digital Marketer.
• Anthropologist vs. Philosopher vs. Psychologist
• Software Engineer vs. Software Architect.
• Film producer and a Film Director.
• Working from home and working at an office.
• Linguist and a Grammarian.
• Developer or a Coder?
• QA Specialist or a Test Engineer.
• Dean or a Principal.
• Accountant vs. Economist.
• Journalist vs. Reporter.
• Recruiter vs. HR Generalist.
• Copywriter vs. Content Marketer.

Compare and contrast essay between two cultures

• Egypt and Mesopotamia compare and contrast essay
• Modern European and American culture.
• Urbanism and ruralism.
• Vegetarianism vs. pescetarianism.
• Compare and contrast Mexico and United States essay.
• Emo culture and gothic.
• Compare and contrast Sparta and Athens essay.
• Bookworms vs. Film Buffs.
• Culture and ethnicity.
• Christianity, Islam and Judaism essay.

Interesting topics about literature

• Bible vs. Quran.
• 1984 vs. Fahrenheit 451.
• Chronicles of Narnia: Film or the book series?
• The Great Gatsby vs. The Catcher in the Rye.
• Fiction against non-fiction.
• Divine Comedy vs. Paradise Lost.
• Lord of the Rings: The book against the latest film production?
• Expository and Persuasive writing.
• Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings.
• Anne Frank’s Diary vs. I am Malala.
• Classic poetry against the modern one.
• Paper books against the e-books: The never-ending battle.
• Anne of Green Gables vs. Pollyanna.
• Pride and Prejudice vs. Bridget Jones’ Diary.
• Bronte sisters vs. Jane Austen.
• Drama and Comedy.
• To Kill a Mockingbird or The Help.
• Little Women vs. Little Men.
• Poetry and prose: What makes them different?

Topics related to movies and cinematography

• Wolf of Wall Street vs. Great Gatsby.
• Main differences between European and American films.
• Horror films and thrillers.
• House M.D. against Grey’s Anatomy.
• Sherlock Holmes: The old series or the new episodes?
• Polyanna: Which is better – a film or the book?
• Japanese horror films vs. American.
• Home Alone 1 vs. Home Alone 4.
• The Wizard of Oz against Gone With the Wind.
• The Sound of Music vs. Mary Poppins.
• Beverly Hills, 90210 or Melrose Place.
• Friends vs. The Office.
• Charlie Chaplin and Mr. Bean.
• The Pianist or Schindler’s List.
• Romeo and Juliet: 1968, 1996, and 2013 productions.
• Forrest Gump or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
• 300 or Gladiator.
• Lord of the Rings: extended edition vs. director’s cut.
• Ben-Hur (1959) vs. Ben-Hur (2016).
• Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) and Prince of Egypt.
• Dunkirk vs. Saving Private Ryan.
• The Green Mile vs. The Shawshank Redemption.
• Les Miserables (2012) vs. The Greatest Showman.

Music and arts-related topics

• Beyonce vs. Rihanna.
• Whitney Houston against Adele.
• Britney Spears against Madonna.
• Mona Lisa vs. Girl with a Pearl Earring.
• Van Gogh against Picasso.
• Impressionism against Expressionism.
• Opera and ballet.
• Spotify or Deezer.
• Records or Live concerts.
• Jazz or classical music.
• Musical theatre vs. Play with music.
• Renaissance and Enlightenment epochs in arts.
• African vs. Asian art.
• Rock music of the XX century vs. today.
• Religious hymns and secular songs about Christmas.
• Music people listened to in their twenties in the XX century and now.
• Protagonist of the modern pop music culture and that of the 1960s.

We guarantee that you can easily find a good title among the ones we suggested. If you find it hard to compose a good compare and contrast essay even after choosing one of our topics, don’t hesitate to us a line asking for help.

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Ethical Research Paper Topics

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Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

Compare And Contrast Essay Guide

Compare And Contrast Essay Topics

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: 100+ Fresh New Ideas

By: Barbara P.

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Mar 10, 2020

A compare and contrast essay revolves around finding and analyzing the similarities and differences between two subjects belonging to the same category.

If you have been assigned a compare and contrast essay, then you’re probably looking for interesting topics that you can write on, right?

Steer forward with us!

Following is the list of interesting topics for a compare and contrast essay that you can use for your essay assignments. As you proceed, you will notice that some of the topics are academic, and others are included for interest.

On this Page

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Students - 2022 Ideas

A compare and contrast essay is an important academic assignment for school or college students. An essential point that you must keep in mind when choosing a compare and contrast essay topic is to go for the subjects that belong to the same category. For instance, you can’t choose football and 19th-century art.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for University Students

At the university level, the essay topics are a little different and unique. Also, with a good essay topic, you will easily create the thesis statement and body paragraphs.

If you want to write on a great topic, you can choose from the below-mentioned essay topics.

• Salt vs. sugar
• Teacher vs. Doctor
• Prose vs. poetry
• Short vs. long hair
• Psychosis and antisocial disorder
• Between soft and hard drugs, which is more dangerous?
• Difference between lust and love
• Compare methods of normal and abnormal psychology
• Silver and gold
• Tennis vs. badminton

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for College Students

When students step into college from high school, they are still used to the concept of teachers assigning essay topics. Sometimes the teacher gives you the topic, but you will have to pick one yourself most of the time. So, be creative and challenge yourself to write on different essay topics.

Topics for college students can be difficult to manage at times because teachers can have higher expectations. In such a case, get help from an online writing service with your academic paper.

The compare and contrast essay topics in college are a bit less complicated than in high school. The following are the easy compare and contrast essay topics for college students.

• How does high school differ from college?
• Students with or without part-time jobs
• Essay Vs. Research Paper: What is more challenging?
• Homeschooling Vs. Traditional Schooling
• SAT Vs. GRE: What is more difficult?
• Masters Vs. PhD: What helps strengthen your career?
• Differences between Islam and Christianity
• Introverts Vs. Extroverts
• Real-life dating Vs. Online dating
• How do education and employment compare?

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for High School Students

Essay topics for high school students are much different than the topics for college students. The topics are a little less technical and difficult.

Here are some great compare and contrast essay topics for your ease.

• Friends Vs. Family
• Childhood friendship Vs. High school friendship
• Bikes vs. cars.
• Study abroad Vs. Studying in your country
• Living on your own Vs. At home with my parents.
• Facebook vs. Twitter In-house employees Vs. Freelance contractors
• Texting Vs. In-person conversations
• Working out or dieting
• Being in a relationship or being single

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Middle School Students

The topics for middle school students are quite interesting and creative. Therefore, the students enjoy the writing process.

We gathered some great compare and contrast essay topics for your help.

• Basketball Vs. Football
• Compare two plays written by Shakespeare
• Running Vs. Walking
• Reading vs. writing
• Doctor Vs. Nurse
• Breakdance Vs. Ballet: What is more difficult?
• World war I Vs. World War II
• Chocolate vs. Ice-cream
• Compare two of your favorite movies
• Reading books Vs. Watching movies

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for 6th Grade

The essay topics for grade 6 are very simple and easy. We collected some essay topics for grade 6 students; pick the one that you find interesting.

• School exams vs. college exams
• Winter holidays vs. summer holidays
• Comparative essay vs. argumentative essay
• Attending school vs. remote learning
• Driving a bike and driving a car
• Vegetables and fruits
• Christianity versus Judaism
• E-books versus textbooks
• An experience I agree to attend a party or stay at home.
• Steroids and boxing
• Handwriting or typing

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Psychology Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

There are certain pros and cons associated with psychology topics. The pros are that the possibilities are endless; one can write as much as possible. This fact is the con as well; since there is so much material to choose from for the essay topic.

• Anxiety vs. Depression
• Therapy vs. medication
• Agoraphobia Vs. Claustrophobia
• Compare suicide and homicide
• Autism Vs. Down syndrome
• B. F. Skinner theory Vs. John B. Watson theory
• Anorexia Vs. Bulimia
• Social anxiety or fear of public speaking
• Nature vs. nurture
• Ego Vs. Superego

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

The best part about the sports-related topic is the accurate data available online with practical examples. This fact can help you write an even more refined essay.

Take a look at these and topics and choose the best one for your essay.

• Women’s football team, Vs. Men’s
• Chess Vs. Checkers
• Football Vs. Cricket: Which is better?
• Sachin Tendulkar Vs. Ricky Ponting
• Roger Federer Vs. Rafael Nadal
• Rugby and Soccer
• Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi
• Ice climbing Vs. Traditional climbing
• Knicks Vs. Nets
• Aikido Vs. Judo

For all the students who are in sports, these are the best kind of topics. As they say, you write best about subjects you are most interested in.

Art & History Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Writing a compare and contrast essay has its challenges and especially when the topics are art or history-related. Always make sure to gather the necessary data before kick-starting the essay.

• Baroque Vs. Mycenaean Period
• Mosaic Vs. Raku
• Compare the 19th Century Art
• Brunelleschi and The Romans
• Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
• Roxanna and Dorian Gray
• Compare Kafka's Metamorphosis and Albert Camus’ The Stranger
• Macbeth and Othello
• Tapestry Vs. Fresco

Funny Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Funny topics not only refresh the mind of the students but help in the learning process as well. Below given are some great essay topics that you can use for your essay.

• Beyonce Vs. Rihanna
• Kim Kardashian Vs. Paris Hilton
• Ellen DeGeneres Vs. Oprah Winfrey
• Pet dogs Vs. Pet cats
• Pasta vs. pizza
• Lollipops Vs. Popsicles
• Drama Vs. Comedy
• Email Vs. Pigeon Post
• Credit card Vs. Cash
• Star Trek Vs. Star Wars

Medical Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

The medical students are sometimes stuck with selecting the essay topic for their essay assignment. For your help, we compiled some excellent topics that will help in your writing phase.

• Religions that are against traditional medical procedures.
• Vaccination or Medications.
• Operations vs. therapeutic cancer curing.
• Should vaccinations be made mandatory?
• Morning exercise vs. evening exercise.
• Medical history and privacy concerns.
• Wheat and corn grain.
• Chocolate or candies.
• Carrot and pumpkin.
• Rest or training.

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Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Movies

The compare and contrast essay on movies is an interesting type of essay. Look at these topics that will help in your topic-selection phase.

• Romeo and Juliet.
• Gandalf vs. Dumbledore.
• Comedy vs. horror.
• Harry Potter: book & movie.
• Thrillers and horror movies.
• Fantastic Four or Avengers.
• Bollywood Vs. Hollywood.
• DC or Marvel
• Superman vs. batman.
• Games of thrones vs. the witcher.

Are these topic ideas helpful? Did you get what you were looking for?

Now that you have chosen a topic for your essay, you can start composing it. For that, you have to follow a structured essay outline.

Do you still find it difficult to choose a topic or to write a compare and contrast essay step by step?

It is completely understandable, as essay writing can be tricky at times.

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Comparing and Contrasting: A Guide to Improve Your Essays

By Walter Akolo

Essays that require you to compare and contrast two or more subjects, ideas, places, or items are common.

They call for you to highlight the key similarities (compare) and differences (contrast) between them.

This guide contains all the information you need to become better at writing comparing and contrasting essays.

This includes: how to structure your essay, how to decide on the content, and some examples of essay questions.

Let’s dive in.

What Is Comparing and Contrasting?

Is compare and contrast the same as similarities and differences, what is the purpose of comparing and contrasting, can you compare and contrast any two items, how do you compare and contrast in writing, what are some comparing and contrasting techniques, how do you compare and contrast in college level writing, the four essentials of compare and contrast essays, what can you learn from a compare and contrast essay.

At their most basic, both comparing and contrasting base their evaluation on two or more subjects that share a connection.

The subjects could have similar characteristics, features, or foundations.

But while a comparison discusses the similarities of the two subjects, e.g. a banana and a watermelon are both fruit, contrasting highlights how the subjects or items differ from each other, e.g. a watermelon is around 10 times larger than a banana.

Any question that you are asked in education will have a variety of interesting comparisons and deductions that you can make.

Compare is the same as similarities.

Contrast is the same as differences.

This is because comparing identifies the likeness between two subjects, items, or categories, while contrasting recognizes disparities between them.

When you compare things, you represent them regarding their similarity, but when you contrast things, you define them in reference to their differences.

As a result, if you are asked to discuss the similarities and differences between two subjects, you can take an identical approach to if you are writing a compare and contrast essay.

In writing, the purpose of comparing and contrasting is to highlight subtle but important differences or similarities that might not be immediately obvious.

By illustrating the differences between elements in a similar category, you help heighten readers’ understanding of the subject or topic of discussion.

For instance, you might choose to compare and contrast red wine and white wine by pointing out the subtle differences. One of these differences is that red wine is best served at room temperature while white is best served chilled.

Also, comparing and contrasting helps to make abstract ideas more definite and minimizes the confusion that might exist between two related concepts.

Can Comparing and Contrasting Be Useful Outside of Academia?

Comparing enables you to see the pros and cons, allowing you to have a better understanding of the things under discussion. In an essay, this helps you demonstrate that you understand the nuances of your topic enough to draw meaningful conclusions from them.

Let's use a real-word example to see the benefits. Imagine you're contrasting two dresses you could buy. You might think:

• Dress A is purple, my favorite color, but it has a difficult zip and is practically impossible to match a jacket to.
• Dress B is more expensive but I already have a suitable pair of shoes and jacket and it is easier to move in.

You're linking the qualities of each dress to the context of the decision you're making. This is the same for your essay. Your comparison and contrast points will be in relation to the question you need to answer.

Comparing and contrasting is only a useful technique when applied to two related concepts.

To effectively compare two or more things, they must feature characteristics similar enough to warrant comparison.

In addition to this they must also feature a similarity that generates an interesting discussion. But what do I mean by “interesting” here?

Let’s look at two concepts, the Magna Carta and my third grade poetry competition entry.

They are both text, written on paper by a person so they fulfil the first requirement, they have a similarity. But this comparison clearly would not fulfil the second requirement, you would not be able to draw any interesting conclusions.

However, if we compare the Magna Carta to the Bill of Rights, you would be able to come to some very interesting conclusions concerning the history of world politics.

To write a good compare and contrast essay, it’s best to pick two or more topics that share a meaningful connection .

The aim of the essay would be to show the subtle differences or unforeseen similarities.

By highlighting the distinctions between elements in a similar category you can increase your readers’ understanding.

Alternatively, you could choose to focus on a comparison between two subjects that initially appear unrelated.

The more dissimilar they seem, the more interesting the comparison essay will turn out.

For instance, you could compare and contrast professional rugby players with marathon runners.

Can You Compare and Contrast in an Essay That Does Not Specifically Require It?

As a writer, you can employ comparing and contrasting techniques in your writing, particularly when looking for ideas you can later apply in your argument.

You can do this even when the comparison or contrast is not a requirement for the topic or argument you are presenting. Doing so could enable you to build your evaluation and develop a stronger argument.

Note that the similarities and differences you come up with might not even show up in the final draft.

While the use of compare and contrast can be neutral, you can also use it to highlight one option under discussion. When used this way, you can influence the perceived advantages of your preferred option.

As a writing style, comparing and contrasting can encompass an entire essay. However, it could also appear in some select paragraphs within the essay, where making some comparisons serves to better illustrate a point.

What Should You Do First?

Before you compare two things, always start by deciding on the reason for your comparison, then outline the criteria you will use to compare them.

Words and phrases commonly used for comparison include:

In writing, these words and phrases are called transitions . They help readers to understand or make the connection between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas.

Without transition words writing can feel clumsy and disjointed making it difficult to read. ProWritingAid’s transition report highlights all of a documents transitions and suggests that 25% of any sentences in a piece include a transition.

Sign up for a free ProWritingAid account to use the Transitions Report.

So, how do you form all of this into a coherent essay? It's a good idea to plan first, then decide what your paragraph layout will look like.

Venn diagrams are useful tool to start generating ideas. The, for your essay, you need to choose between going idea by idea and going point by point.

Using a Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram helps you to clearly see the similarities and differences between multiple objects, things, or subjects.

The writing tool comprises two, or more, simple, overlapping circles in which you list down the things that are alike (within the overlapping area) and those that differ (outside the overlapping area).

It’s great for brainstorming ideas and for creating your essay’s outline. You could even use it in an exam setting because it is quick and simple.

Going Subject by Subject

Going subject by subject is a structural choice for your essay.

Start by saying all you have to say on the first subject, then proceed to do the same about the second subject.

Depending on the length of your essay, you can fit the points about each subject into one paragraph or have several sections per each subject, ending with a conclusion.

This method is best for short essays on simple topics. Most university-level essays will go point by point instead.

Going Point by Point

Going point by point, or alternating, is the opposite essay structure from going subject by subject. This is ideal when you want to do more direct comparing and contrasting. It entails discussing one comparison point at a time. It allows you to use a paragraph to talk about how a certain comparing/contrasting point relates to the subjects or items you are discussing.

Alternatively, if you have lots of details about the subject, you might decide to use a paragraph for each point.

An academic compare and contrast essay looks at two or more subjects, ideas, people, or objects, compares their likeness, and contrasts their differences.

It’s an informative essay that provides insights on what is similar and different between the two items.

Depending on the essay’s instructions, you can focus solely on comparing or contrasting, or a combination of the two.

Examples of College Level Compare and Contrast Essay Questions

Here are eleven examples of compare and contrast essay questions that you might encounter at university:

• Archaeology: Compare and contrast the skulls of homo habilis, homo erectus, and homo sapiens.
• Art: Compare and contrast the working styles of any two Neoclassic artists.
• Astrophysics: Compare and contrast the chemical composition of Venus and Neptune.
• Biology: Compare and contrast the theories of Lamarck and Darwin.
• Business: Compare and contrast 2 or more business models within the agricultural industry.
• Creative writing: Compare and contrast free indirect discourse with epistolary styles.
• English Literature: Compare and contrast William Wordsworth with Robert Browning.
• Geography: Compare and contrast the benefit of solar panels with the benefit of wind turbines.
• History: Compare and contrast WWI to WWII with specific reference to the causes and outcomes.
• Medicine: Compare and contrast England’s health service with America’s health service.
• Psychology: Compare and contrast the behaviorist theory with the psychodynamic theory.

So, the key takeaways to keep in mind are:

Have a basis for comparison. The two things need to have enough in common to justify a discussion about their similarities and disparities.

Don’t go back and forth when using the block method. The best way to write your essay is to begin with a paragraph discussing all the facets of the first topic. Then, move on to another paragraph and talk through all the aspects of the second subject.

You can use both alternating and blocking techniques. Combining the two approaches is also an option. You can apply the alternating method in some paragraphs, then switch and use the block method. This method will help you offer a much deeper analysis of the subjects.

Have a reason for comparing the two things. Only select the points of comparison that resonate with your purpose.

Comparing and contrasting are essential analytical skills in academic writing. When your professor issues you with such an essay, their primary goal is to teach you how to:

• Engage in critical thinking
• See and make connections between words or ideas
• Move beyond mere descriptions or summaries to developing interesting analysis
• Get a deeper understanding of the subjects or items under comparison, their key features, and their interrelationships with each other.

Ultimately, your essay should enlighten readers by providing useful information.

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Comparing and Contrasting

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you first to determine whether a particular assignment is asking for comparison/contrast and then to generate a list of similarities and differences, decide which similarities and differences to focus on, and organize your paper so that it will be clear and effective. It will also explain how you can (and why you should) develop a thesis that goes beyond “Thing A and Thing B are similar in many ways but different in others.”

Introduction

In your career as a student, you’ll encounter many different kinds of writing assignments, each with its own requirements. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, engage in critical thinking, and go beyond mere description or summary to generate interesting analysis: when you reflect on similarities and differences, you gain a deeper understanding of the items you are comparing, their relationship to each other, and what is most important about them.

Recognizing comparison/contrast in assignments

Some assignments use words—like compare, contrast, similarities, and differences—that make it easy for you to see that they are asking you to compare and/or contrast. Here are a few hypothetical examples:

• Compare and contrast Frye’s and Bartky’s accounts of oppression.
• Compare WWI to WWII, identifying similarities in the causes, development, and outcomes of the wars.
• Contrast Wordsworth and Coleridge; what are the major differences in their poetry?

Notice that some topics ask only for comparison, others only for contrast, and others for both.

But it’s not always so easy to tell whether an assignment is asking you to include comparison/contrast. And in some cases, comparison/contrast is only part of the essay—you begin by comparing and/or contrasting two or more things and then use what you’ve learned to construct an argument or evaluation. Consider these examples, noticing the language that is used to ask for the comparison/contrast and whether the comparison/contrast is only one part of a larger assignment:

• Choose a particular idea or theme, such as romantic love, death, or nature, and consider how it is treated in two Romantic poems.
• How do the different authors we have studied so far define and describe oppression?
• Compare Frye’s and Bartky’s accounts of oppression. What does each imply about women’s collusion in their own oppression? Which is more accurate?
• In the texts we’ve studied, soldiers who served in different wars offer differing accounts of their experiences and feelings both during and after the fighting. What commonalities are there in these accounts? What factors do you think are responsible for their differences?

You may want to check out our handout on understanding assignments for additional tips.

Using comparison/contrast for all kinds of writing projects

Sometimes you may want to use comparison/contrast techniques in your own pre-writing work to get ideas that you can later use for an argument, even if comparison/contrast isn’t an official requirement for the paper you’re writing. For example, if you wanted to argue that Frye’s account of oppression is better than both de Beauvoir’s and Bartky’s, comparing and contrasting the main arguments of those three authors might help you construct your evaluation—even though the topic may not have asked for comparison/contrast and the lists of similarities and differences you generate may not appear anywhere in the final draft of your paper.

Discovering similarities and differences

Making a Venn diagram or a chart can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more things or ideas. To make a Venn diagram, simply draw some overlapping circles, one circle for each item you’re considering. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common. Assign each one of the areas that doesn’t overlap; in those areas, you can list the traits that make the things different. Here’s a very simple example, using two pizza places:

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. You should then have a box per item for each criterion; you can fill the boxes in and then survey what you’ve discovered.

Here’s an example, this time using three pizza places:

As you generate points of comparison, consider the purpose and content of the assignment and the focus of the class. What do you think the professor wants you to learn by doing this comparison/contrast? 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. These are by no means complete or definitive lists; they’re just here to give you some ideas—you can generate your own questions for these and other types of comparison. You may want to begin by using the questions reporters traditionally ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? If you’re talking about objects, you might also consider general properties like size, shape, color, sound, weight, taste, texture, smell, number, duration, and location.

Two historical periods or events

• When did they occur—do you know the date(s) and duration? What happened or changed during each? Why are they significant?
• What kinds of work did people do? What kinds of relationships did they have? What did they value?
• What kinds of governments were there? Who were important people involved?
• What caused events in these periods, and what consequences did they have later on?

Two ideas or theories

• What are they about?
• Did they originate at some particular time?
• Who created them? Who uses or defends them?
• What is the central focus, claim, or goal of each? What conclusions do they offer?
• How are they applied to situations/people/things/etc.?
• Which seems more plausible to you, and why? How broad is their scope?
• What kind of evidence is usually offered for them?

Two pieces of writing or art

• What are their titles? What do they describe or depict?
• What is their tone or mood? What is their form?
• Who created them? When were they created? Why do you think they were created as they were? What themes do they address?
• Do you think one is of higher quality or greater merit than the other(s)—and if so, why?
• For writing: what plot, characterization, setting, theme, tone, and type of narration are used?
• Where are they from? How old are they? What is the gender, race, class, etc. of each?
• What, if anything, are they known for? Do they have any relationship to each other?
• What are they like? What did/do they do? What do they believe? Why are they interesting?
• What stands out most about each of them?

Deciding what to focus on

By now you have probably generated a huge list of similarities and differences—congratulations! Next you must decide which of them are interesting, important, and relevant enough to be included in your paper. Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s relevant to the assignment?
• What’s relevant to the course?
• What’s interesting and informative?
• What matters to the argument you are going to make?
• What’s basic or central (and needs to be mentioned even if obvious)?
• Overall, what’s more important—the similarities or the differences?

Suppose that you are writing a paper comparing two novels. For most literature classes, the fact that they both use Caslon type (a kind of typeface, like the fonts you may use in your writing) is not going to be relevant, nor is the fact that one of them has a few illustrations and the other has none; literature classes are more likely to focus on subjects like characterization, plot, setting, the writer’s style and intentions, language, central themes, and so forth. However, if you were writing a paper for a class on typesetting or on how illustrations are used to enhance novels, the typeface and presence or absence of illustrations might be absolutely critical to include in your final paper.

Sometimes a particular point of comparison or contrast might be relevant but not terribly revealing or interesting. For example, if you are writing a paper about Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” and Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight,” pointing out that they both have nature as a central theme is relevant (comparisons of poetry often talk about themes) but not terribly interesting; your class has probably already had many discussions about the Romantic poets’ fondness for nature. Talking about the different ways nature is depicted or the different aspects of nature that are emphasized might be more interesting and show a more sophisticated understanding of the poems.

Your thesis

The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so they don’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for example, “This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference”) with something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, “Pepper’s and Amante have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.”

Be careful, though—although this thesis is fairly specific and does propose a simple argument (that atmosphere and delivery make the two pizza places different), your instructor will often be looking for a bit more analysis. In this case, the obvious question is “So what? Why should anyone care that Pepper’s and Amante are different in this way?” One might also wonder why the writer chose those two particular pizza places to compare—why not Papa John’s, Dominos, or Pizza Hut? Again, thinking about the context the class provides may help you answer such questions and make a stronger argument. Here’s a revision of the thesis mentioned earlier:

Pepper’s and Amante both offer a greater variety of ingredients than other Chapel Hill/Carrboro pizza places (and than any of the national chains), but the funky, lively atmosphere at Pepper’s makes it a better place to give visiting friends and family a taste of local culture.

You may find our handout on constructing thesis statements useful at this stage.

Organizing your paper

There are many different ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. Here are two:

Subject-by-subject

Begin by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then move on and make all the points you want to make about the second subject (and after that, the third, and so on, if you’re comparing/contrasting more than two things). If the paper is short, you might be able to fit all of your points about each item into a single paragraph, but it’s more likely that you’d have several paragraphs per item. Using our pizza place comparison/contrast as an example, after the introduction, you might have a paragraph about the ingredients available at Pepper’s, a paragraph about its location, and a paragraph about its ambience. Then you’d have three similar paragraphs about Amante, followed by your conclusion.

The danger of this subject-by-subject organization is that your paper will simply be a list of points: a certain number of points (in my example, three) about one subject, then a certain number of points about another. This is usually not what college instructors are looking for in a paper—generally they want you to compare or contrast two or more things very directly, rather than just listing the traits the things have and leaving it up to the reader to reflect on how those traits are similar or different and why those similarities or differences matter. Thus, if you use the subject-by-subject form, you will probably want to have a very strong, analytical thesis and at least one body paragraph that ties all of your different points together.

A subject-by-subject structure can be a logical choice if you are writing what is sometimes called a “lens” comparison, in which you use one subject or item (which isn’t really your main topic) to better understand another item (which is). For example, you might be asked to compare a poem you’ve already covered thoroughly in class with one you are reading on your own. It might make sense to give a brief summary of your main ideas about the first poem (this would be your first subject, the “lens”), and then spend most of your paper discussing how those points are similar to or different from your ideas about the second.

Point-by-point

Rather than addressing things one subject at a time, you may wish to talk about one point of comparison at a time. There are two main ways this might play out, depending on how much you have to say about each of the things you are comparing. If you have just a little, you might, in a single paragraph, discuss how a certain point of comparison/contrast relates to all the items you are discussing. For example, I might describe, in one paragraph, what the prices are like at both Pepper’s and Amante; in the next paragraph, I might compare the ingredients available; in a third, I might contrast the atmospheres of the two restaurants.

If I had a bit more to say about the items I was comparing/contrasting, I might devote a whole paragraph to how each point relates to each item. For example, I might have a whole paragraph about the clientele at Pepper’s, followed by a whole paragraph about the clientele at Amante; then I would move on and do two more paragraphs discussing my next point of comparison/contrast—like the ingredients available at each restaurant.

There are no hard and fast rules about organizing a comparison/contrast paper, of course. Just be sure that your reader can easily tell what’s going on! Be aware, too, of the placement of your different points. If you are writing a comparison/contrast in service of an argument, keep in mind that the last point you make is the one you are leaving your reader with. For example, if I am trying to argue that Amante is better than Pepper’s, I should end with a contrast that leaves Amante sounding good, rather than with a point of comparison that I have to admit makes Pepper’s look better. If you’ve decided that the differences between the items you’re comparing/contrasting are most important, you’ll want to end with the differences—and vice versa, if the similarities seem most important to you.

Our handout on organization can help you write good topic sentences and transitions and make sure that you have a good overall structure in place for your paper.

Cue 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 them 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.

For example, you might have a topic sentence like one of these:

• Compared to Pepper’s, Amante is quiet.
• Like Amante, Pepper’s offers fresh garlic as a topping.
• Despite their different locations (downtown Chapel Hill and downtown Carrboro), Pepper’s and Amante are both fairly easy to get to.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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• Writing Tips

Tips for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

5-minute read

• 19th August 2022

Compare and contrast essays are a specific form of academic essay with unique requirements, so if you’re a student , it’s important that you to know how to write one. Luckily, we’ve pieced together this guide to help you plan, structure, and put together your essay, complete with tips for comparing and contrasting.

Let’s begin.

1. What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

As you may have guessed, when writing a compare and contrast essay, you’ll need to do two things:

• Compare the similarities between two or more given subjects.
• Contrast their differences.

Compare and contrast essays are a common essay style because they allow your teacher or lecturer to assess your understanding of two theories, research methods, literary techniques, or other subjects. These subjects are usually related and may sometimes be confused with one another or are in conflict with each other.

By comparing and contrasting the subjects, you can also improve your analysis skills .

Some examples of compare and contrast essay titles include:

Compare and contrast a Shakespearean sonnet with a Petrarchan sonnet. What are the similarities and differences between anabolic and catabolic reactions? How were Nehru’s political beliefs similar to Gandhi’s? How did they differ?

2. Planning a Compare and Contrast Essay

As with any essay, before you begin writing, you should have a plan . In this case, you’ll first need to identify the similarities and differences between your subjects.

You can do this by writing out a list of all the qualities each subject possesses. Then, you can pick out any similar qualities that show up in both lists, and any qualities that are unique to just one of them. If you’re a visual learner, you might want to draw this as a Venn diagram .

Once you have all the similarities and differences prepared, consider which of them will be the most useful to include in your essay. Ask yourself:

• How much can you write about each point?
• What will your conclusion be, and which points support it?
• How will each point fit into your essay’s structure?

To answer that last question, let’s take a look at some ways to structure your essay.

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3. Structuring a Compare and Contrast Essay

Now that you’ve got a plan for your essay, it’s time to organize it. There are three main structures you can follow when writing a compare and contrast essay: 

• The block structure: All of the information about one subject (e.g., Shakespearean sonnets) is presented in the first few paragraphs, followed by the subject it’s being compared and contrasted with (e.g., Petrarchan sonnets).
• The alternating structure: One similarity or difference between both subjects (e.g., rhyme scheme) is explored in one paragraph, followed by a paragraph on another similarity or difference (e.g., use of imagery), and so on.
• The similarities and differences structure: All the similarities between both subjects are presented, followed by the differences.

There are benefits to each of these structures. The block structure, for example, can be easier to write, while the alternating structure presents each similarity and difference clearly, and the similarities and differences structure focuses on those points rather than the subjects themselves. 

So, when deciding which structure to use, consider what would work best for your essay. If you intend to cover each subject in detail, for example, you might want to choose the block structure. 

On the other hand, if you want to emphasize the connections between each subject, the alternating structure might be best. 

Finally, if you want to conclude that the subjects are either overwhelmingly similar or different to each other, the similarities and differences structure may work in your favor.

Whichever structure you follow, though, you’ll need to include a strong introduction and conclusion.

Your introduction should:

• Establish the subjects you will be comparing and contrasting.
• Provide some background about their connection (e.g., “Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets are poetic forms common in the 14th to 19th centuries”).
• Explain what you aim to achieve with your essay.

Meanwhile, your conclusion should:

• Summarize the main similarities and differences you have identified.
• Make a point regarding the relationship between your subjects.

4. Things to Remember

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when writing your compare and contrast essay:

• Ensure you are comparing or contrasting the same criteria between each subject. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to compare the line length of a Shakespearean sonnet with the rhyme scheme of a Petrarchan sonnet, as these are two separate categories.
• Always address both subjects of your essay in any introductions, conclusions, and topic sentences.
• Use comparison words and phrases such as “similarly,” “like,” and “in the same way” when comparing subjects.
• Use contrast words and phrases such as “in contrast,” “however,” and “whereas” when contrasting subjects.
• As with any essay, make sure to back up any arguments you make with evidence and credible sources .

Expert Academic Proofreading

Once you’ve written your compare and contrast essay, don’t forget to have it proofread. Our dedicated essay editing team is available 24/7 to help polish your paper. Try us out with a free proofreading and editing sample .

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Writing effective comparison/contrast essays.

1. Brainstorming and Prewriting

Recall that a comparison/contrast essay serves the purpose of examining the similarities and/or differences between two subjects. When you compare things, you show their similarities; when you contrast things, you show their differences.

The first step in writing a comparison/contrast essay is to brainstorm ideas and decide upon a topic. It's important that you find two things that have enough similarities or differences in order to be able to effectively compare or contrast them. If you choose two things that are too similar, you’ll struggle to find meaningful differences. If you choose two things that are too different, you’ll struggle to find meaningful comparisons.

During the brainstorming stage of the writing process, you can use a variety of activities to help you generate ideas for your topic. It can be helpful to make a list of similarities and differences between your two subjects, then choose the ones that are most important to use in your comparison/contrast essay.

This will help you to see the multitude of similarities and differences, and then focus in on the most important ones to use in your essay:

Clustering, or mapping, is another way to generate ideas using words, shapes, and lines that show the connections between those ideas.

• There are unending things that you can compare/contrast, and choosing two might seem overwhelming. Some common themes for a comparison/contrast essay may include events (Battle of Fort Sumter versus Battle of Sewell’s Point), situations (riding the bus versus driving to work), people (a CEO versus a CFO of a company), and places (London versus Tokyo).
• A good approach for beginner writers can be to pick two things that are in the same overarching category (foods, animals, locations, people, events, etc.) but differ in some significant ways. This can make it easier to see the similarities as well as the differences.
• Don’t forget to consider the "So what?" question when deciding on your topic. Why are you choosing this topic? Why should anyone care? Is it at all meaningful? You should be able to explain to your readers why it is useful that they understand the similarities or differences between these two topics.
• Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. (historical figures)
• The 1960s and today (two eras in time)
• Pop music and country music (genres of music)
• Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres (talk show hosts)
• Online college courses and in-person college courses (ways to take college courses)
• Communism and socialism (belief systems)
• Solar power and wind energy (energy types)

As you narrow your focus, you will need to determine which points of comparison or contrast are most important. The number of points of comparison or contrast that you settle on will be driven by the topic you choose. However, for the comparison/contrast essay you’ll be writing for this course, you will need to focus in on two or three main points of comparison or contrast.

As you know, an outline can be a useful tool during prewriting to help you further develop the ideas and organization of your essay. Creating an outline will help you plan the way in which you want to organize your body paragraphs, and which details you want to include in each. This will help you to produce a sort of roadmap for your essay.

2. Drafting a Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement is the cornerstone of any academic essay. During the brainstorming and prewriting steps, you will have selected a topic and chosen your strongest main points to either compare or contrast within your essay. This will help you further develop your thesis statement.

A good thesis statement should convey the main points of your essay and should avoid being overly generic.

Instead, a good thesis statement should provide more information on which points of comparison or contrast will be discussed in the essay. Below are some templates you can consider as you begin to draft your thesis statement. A good thesis statement is not required to follow one of these patterns, but as a beginning writer, you may find that they provide a helpful starting point.

For an essay contrasting two subjects, your thesis statement may look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} may appear similar, but they differ in {first point of contrast}, {second point of contrast}, and {third point of contrast}.

Or, if you are comparing two subjects, your thesis statement might look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} do not appear to have a lot in common, but they are very similar in {first point of comparison}, {second point of comparison}, and {third point of comparison}.

A thesis statement might meaningfully contrast two subjects using the template above, like this:

Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses.

Notice how the primary emphasis in the above thesis is about how the two cities differ based on the three points the author chose to focus on: job opportunities, income, and living expenses. This thesis statement gives the reader a clear idea of the specific points of contrast that will be covered within the body of the essay.

3. Methods of Organization

Now that you have your working thesis statement, you’re ready to begin thinking about how to organize the body paragraphs within your essay.

• The point-by-point method
• The block method

You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other.

3a. Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point method, also known as the alternating format method, is one method of paragraph development and organization for a comparison/contrast essay.

When you use the point-by-point method, you are choosing one point of comparison and then writing one paragraph about each of your subjects that shows how they are similar or different.

IN CONTEXT If you are comparing two fast-food restaurants, McDonalds and Burger King, you would first determine your points of comparison. Let’s say you're going to focus on similarities in costs, menus, and taste. Your first body paragraph would consider the costs at McDonalds, and your second body paragraph would consider the costs at Burger King. Your third and fourth body paragraphs would consider the menus at McDonalds and Burger King, and your final two body paragraphs would consider the taste of the food at both restaurants.

This method of organizing is usually easier for the reader to follow, as the main points of the body paragraphs alternate in sequence between subjects.

To demonstrate this method, let’s take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses." In this case, the author is focusing on the differences between the two cities in regard to three main points.

• Introduction + thesis statement
• Body paragraph 1: Job opportunities in Paris
• Body paragraph 2: Job opportunities in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 3: Average income in Paris
• Body paragraph 4: Average income in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 5: Living expenses in Paris
• Body paragraph 6: Living expenses in Tokyo

3b. Block Method

The block method, also known as the subject-by-subject method, is another method of paragraph development and organization in a comparison/contrast essay.

As the name implies, if you choose the block method, you will consider all of your points of comparison or contrast for one subject in the first two or three body paragraphs of your essay, and then discuss the same main points for the second subject in the remaining body paragraphs.

IN CONTEXT If you're contrasting your local grocery store with the giant superstore outside of town, you would first determine your points for contrast. You might choose to focus on the differences in prices, convenience, and atmosphere. You would begin the body of the essay by devoting one paragraph each to these three points about your local grocery store; then, you would write three paragraphs that show how the superstore is different according to those same points.

hint If you choose this method, pay special attention to transition use to help guide your reader.

To demonstrate this method, let’s again take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses."

• Body paragraph 2: Average income in Paris
• Body paragraph 3: Living expenses in Paris
• Body paragraph 4: Job opportunities in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 5: Average income in Tokyo

4. Using Transitions

Given that comparison/contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is also helpful to have some transitions on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

These words and phrases help to highlight the points you are trying to make by signaling the relationships between the subjects in a clear way.

Below are some sample transitional words and phrases that you may use to indicate a comparison or contrast.

summary In this lesson, you learned how to begin putting your comparison/contrast essay together by first starting with brainstorming and prewriting, then moving on to drafting a thesis statement . There are two methods of organization for the body of a comparison/contrast essay that you can choose from: the point-by-point method and the block method . The specific way in which you organize your body paragraphs will be largely determined by your topic and subjects, your audience, and your purpose. Whichever method you choose, using transitions effectively can help readers follow along with your main points. Best of luck in your learning!

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5 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples (Full Text)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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A compare and contrast essay selects two or more items that are critically analyzed to demonstrate their differences and similarities. Here is a template for you that provides the general structure:

A range of example essays is presented below.

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

#1 jean piaget vs lev vygotsky essay.

1480 Words | 5 Pages | 10 References

(Level: University Undergraduate)

Thesis Statement: “This essay will critically examine and compare the developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, focusing on their differing views on cognitive development in children and their influence on educational psychology, through an exploration of key concepts such as the role of culture and environment, scaffolding, equilibration, and their overall implications for educational practices..”

#2 Democracy vs Authoritarianism Essay

Thesis Statement: “The thesis of this analysis is that, despite the efficiency and control offered by authoritarian regimes, democratic systems, with their emphasis on individual freedoms, participatory governance, and social welfare, present a more balanced and ethically sound approach to governance, better aligned with the ideals of a just and progressive society.”

#3 Apples vs Oranges Essay

1190 Words | 5 Pages | 0 References

(Level: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade)

Thesis Statement: “While apples and oranges are both popular and nutritious fruits, they differ significantly in their taste profiles, nutritional benefits, cultural symbolism, and culinary applications.”

#4 Nature vs Nurture Essay

1525 Words | 5 Pages | 11 References

(Level: High School and College)

Thesis Statement: “The purpose of this essay is to examine and elucidate the complex and interconnected roles of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental influences (nurture) in shaping human development across various domains such as physical traits, personality, behavior, intelligence, and abilities.”

#5 Dogs vs Cats Essay

1095 Words | 5 Pages | 7 Bibliographic Sources

(Level: 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade)

Thesis Statement: “This essay explores the distinctive characteristics, emotional connections, and lifestyle considerations associated with owning dogs and cats, aiming to illuminate the unique joys and benefits each pet brings to their human companions.”

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

I’ve recorded a full video for you on how to write a compare and contrast essay:

Get the Compare and Contrast Templates with AI Prompts Here

In the video, I outline the steps to writing your essay. Here they are explained below:

1. Essay Planning

First, I recommend using my compare and contrast worksheet, which acts like a Venn Diagram, walking you through the steps of comparing the similarities and differences of the concepts or items you’re comparing.

I recommend selecting 3-5 features that can be compared, as shown in the worksheet:

Grab the Worksheet as Part of the Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Pack

2. Writing the Essay

Once you’ve completed the worksheet, you’re ready to start writing. Go systematically through each feature you are comparing and discuss the similarities and differences, then make an evaluative statement after showing your depth of knowledge:

Get the Rest of the Premium Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Pack (With AI Prompts) Here

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement

Compare and contrast thesis statements can either:

• Remain neutral in an expository tone.
• Prosecute an argument about which of the items you’re comparing is overall best.

To write an argumentative thesis statement for a compare and contrast essay, try this AI Prompts:

💡 AI Prompt to Generate Ideas I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that pass a reasonable judgement.

Ready to Write your Essay?

Take action! Choose one of the following options to start writing your compare and contrast essay now:

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A compare and contrast essay, as the name suggests, is used to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more congruent topics. Contrary to popular belief, a compare and contrast essay doesn’t simply list out the similarities and distinctions between two subjects. Rather, it analyzes these similarities or distinctions and explains their significance. 

Do you have difficulty writing a compare and contrast essay? In this article, we will walk you through the basics of this essay and how to write it. To give you a gist of how these essays are written, we will also provide plenty of compare and contrast essay formats and examples. 

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Let’s start with the basics: What is a compare and contrast essay?

What is a compare and contrast essay?

A compare and contrast essay is a type of essay in which the similarities and differences between two or more corresponding subjects are highlighted and analyzed. The main goal of this essay is to come up with an original argument based on the breakdown of two or more topics.

1. Comparing two subjects that can be better analyzed as a pair.

A compare and contrast essay can be used to highlight the similarities or differences between two subjects that cannot be explained on their own. For instance, comparing the marketing strategies of two competing fast-food chains can uncover similarities in their advertising techniques and consumer appeal. In this way, a compare and contrast essay can help you analyze two subjects that cannot be explained on their own.

2. Highlighting differences between two seemingly identical subjects.

You can use this essay to highlight the distinction between two subjects that are often confused. For instance, poisonous and venomous are two terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and implications. Your compare and contrast essay could highlight the differences between these two kinds of organisms. 

3. Highlighting similarities between two seemingly unrelated subjects.

You can also use the compare and contrast essay to point out similarities between seemingly dissimilar subjects. For instance, the 1970s and the 2020s are separated by several decades and have distinct characteristics. However, both these eras have been marked by significant sociopolitical activism. 

To guide you further, we’ve included additional topics for compare and contrast essays.

Compare and contrast essay topics

While choosing an essay topic, it is important enough to pick topics that are comparable yet not too similar. The goal is to find dissimilarities to analyze the assets and drawbacks of each subject. However, the subjects should still be analogous enough to be compared. 

To better understand this let’s take a look at a few good compare and contrast essay topics:

• Traditional education vs. online education
• Ancient Greek vs. Roman civilization
• Examining the similarities between the American and French Revolution
• Eastern philosophies vs. Western philosophies 
• Capitalism vs. socialism
• Examining the differences between Romanticism and Realism in Literature
• Traditional medicine vs. alternative medicine
• Comprehensive analysis of dystopian societies in George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.”
• Examining the similarities and differences between classical and operant conditioning.
• Psychiatry vs. Psychology

Now that we’ve got the gist of standard compare and contrast essay topics, let’s move on to the tricky part of actually writing compare and contrast essays.

How to write a compare and contrast essay

Before you begin writing your compare and contrast essay, it is important to make sure that you are using the same metrics to compare both your subjects. For instance, you cannot make a comparison by stating that an apple is red or green while a papaya produces a large number of seeds!

You must use identical metrics for comparison. For instance:

• An apple is red or green in color while a papaya is yellow or orange.
• The apple is a winter fruit, whereas the papaya grows in a tropical climate.
• Both apples and papayas are seed-bearing fruits.

Let’s take a look at writing a comparative essay in a bit more detail:

1. Establish similarities and differences between the two subjects

If you’re still debating how to start a compare and contrast essay, you can follow this simple step. You can create two or more columns for your subjects and note down their major characteristics. You can then compare their characteristics and note down any similarities or differences. 

Here’s an example:

Now that we’ve listed the characteristics of each bird, let’s note down the similarities and differences between the two:

• Both sparrows and hummingbirds feed on nectar.
• The sparrow is much larger in size as compared to the hummingbird. The average sparrow measures 15–18cm. whereas the average hummingbird only measures 7–13cm.
• The sparrows are much more adaptable and can be found in grasslands, woodlands as well as urban areas. However, the hummingbird is confined to the Americas, generally residing in subtropical regions. 

If you are more of a visual learner, you can also make use of a Venn diagram. You can simply draw two circles with an overlapping portion. Note down the characteristics unique to each subject in the portion that does not overlap, and note down the similarities in the overlapping portion. Here’s an example:

2. Create a meaningful argument and thesis statement

A thesis statement explains the reason why two subjects need to be compared. It establishes the significance of their comparison. Although developing a meaningful thesis statement can be tricky, you can figure it out by asking yourself “So what?”.

For instance, if you’re comparing the lifestyle of the royal families in the Eastern and Western civilizations, you must have a reason to choose those particular subjects. One reason could be to study the impact of these civilizations on modern-day society. Here’s an example thesis statement based on this premise: 

The contrasting lifestyles of royal families in Eastern and Western civilizations, rooted in cultural traditions and historical developments, have shaped their roles as figureheads and influencers, impacting modern-day society through ceremonial symbolism, media presence, cultural preservation, and fashion trends.

3. Create an essay outline

If you’re still contemplating how to start a compare and contrast essay, you can create a flow for all your ideas with the help of an essay structure. This structure or outline divides your essay into three basic sections:

• Introduction
• Body paragraphs

Most school and college essays consist of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. You can certainly extend the number of body paragraphs of your essay depending on the topic and complexity of your essay. However, the number of paragraphs in the introduction and conclusion remains the same.

An essay introduction consists of an opening line, relevant background information, and the thesis statement. The body paragraphs are arranged according to different topic sentences. Relevant explanations, facts, and statistics are provided to substantiate the claims made in these topic sentences. The conclusion, like the introduction, also consists of three facets. It includes an updated version of your thesis statement, a summary of the main points of your essay, and a conclusion.

The outline for your compare and contrast essay serves as a base you can build upon. You can use it as a guide while writing your essay. We will take a closer look at compare and contrast essay outlines in the next section of the article. 

4. Begin writing your first draft

After constructing a well-structured outline, you can start building your essay with the help of the key points that you’ve jotted down. The comparisons that you’ve noted down earlier can provide the talking points in your essay. Each paragraph consists of three main aspects:

• Topic sentence : The aspect paragraph revolves around
• Explanation : For compare and contrast essays this may include the characteristics of both your subjects and how they relate to each other
• Transition statement : A connecting link to the subject of the next topic sentence

Since you’ve already created a rough outline, your job becomes much easier. You can elaborate on the main talking points of your essay by data collated from various reputed sources. This can include facts, statistics, experiments/studies conducted, or even expert opinions. To make your argument stronger, you can also include tables, figures, or diagrams. 

Here’s an example of how you can build on your basic outline:

Topic sentence : A comparison of the Aztecs and Mayans reveals distinct differences in their social structures shedding light on the unique characteristics of these two Mesoamerican civilizations.

Explanation: The Aztecs and Mayans, two prominent Mesoamerican civilizations, displayed striking disparities in their social structures, religious beliefs, and artistic expressions. The Aztecs established a centralized empire with a powerful government headed by an emperor, wielding supreme authority. This hierarchical society comprised nobles, commoners, and slaves, offering limited social mobility. In contrast, the Mayans organized themselves into independent city-states, each with its own ruler and governing system. Their social structure encompassed rulers, nobles, priests, merchants, farmers, and artisans, allowing for some degree of social mobility.

Translation statement: Along with the social structure, the Mayans and Aztecs also had very different everyday routines.

5. Revise and edit

After completing the first draft of your essay, take a break for a day or two before getting back to it. This not only helps you look at your work from an objective point of view but also makes room for new ideas. 

In case you notice an abundance of errors while revising your essay, don’t fret, it’s a part of the process. You may need two or three revisions, but make sure to tweak and revise your essay until it is up to the mark. If required, you can also get help from friends, seniors, or even family members.

Once you’re satisfied with the structure and content of your essay, you can start with the editing process. The editing process involves everything from making major structural adjustments for the sake of clarity to correcting mechanical and typesetting errors for the sake of readability.

If the deadline is drawing closer and there’s not enough time, you can also consider working with an essay editing service . These services help you avoid the convoluted and time-consuming process of editing your essay.

Compare and contrast essay outline

Although the introduction and conclusion paragraphs of a compare and contrast essay format remain the same, there are three main methods by which body paragraphs can be arranged. They are:

• Block method: Discussing one subject in its entirety before moving on to the other
• Alternating method: Discussing the stance of both the subjects on one metric, before moving on to the other.
• Similarities and differences: Discussing all the similarities between the two subjects before moving on to the differences.

Depending on the purpose and topic of your essay, you can make use of any of the three formats. Let’s take a closer look at the outlines of each of these compare and contrast essay formats:

Block outline

In the block outline, the analysis of the characteristics of one subject is completed before moving on to the next. Although this method discusses a subject in its entirety and creates a flow, it’s often difficult to draw parallels between the two subjects. 

Let’s understand this outline with the help of an example. The following comparative essay block outline example analyzes the positive effects of the color green and the drawbacks of the color red on the human mind.

The Impact of Colors on Your State of Mind

I. Introduction

A. Engaging opening statement about the impact of colors on human perception

B. The significance of colors and their effects on emotions

C. Main argument stating that green is more soothing to the eye than red and should be implemented more often

A. Discussion of Green

1. Characteristics of green and its association with nature and tranquility

2. Examples, statistics, or research findings that demonstrate the soothing effects of green on the human eye

3. Positive impact of green on mental well-being and stress reduction

B. Discussion of Red

1. Characteristics of red and its association with intensity and stimulation

2. Examples, statistics, or research findings that show the potentially overwhelming or agitating effects of red on the human eye

3. Negative impact of red on mental state and a potential increase in stress levels as a result

C. Comparison of Green and Red

1. Visual contrast between the calming effect of green and the stimulating effect of red

2. Emotional responses elicited by green and red, that emphasize the soothing nature of green and the potentially disruptive nature of red

3. Surveys or studies that indicate a higher preference for green in various settings

III. Conclusion

A. Updated main argument: Green is more soothing to the eye than red and should be implemented more often

B. Summary of the key points from the body paragraphs: The benefits of green and the drawbacks of red

C. Using green in various environments, such as interior design, healthcare facilities, and urban planning, to promote a soothing visual experience for individuals

D. Impactful ending sentence: The importance of color choices for a harmonious environment

Alternating outline

If you want to establish a stronger connection between your different points of comparison, consider using the alternating outline. In this type of outline, the comparison between subjects is much more blatant as both of the subjects are evaluated against a particular metric. However, the alternating outline can result in two disjointed sections. 

Each body paragraph consists of a single metric against which both subjects are measured. Let’s better understand the alternating essay outline with the help of the same example: 

A. Captivating hook about the influence of colors on human perception

B. Overview of the significance of colors and their impact on emotions

C. Thesis statement stating that green is more soothing to the eye than red and should be implemented more often

II. Body Paragraph 1: Comparison of Green and Red

A. Visual Characteristics

1. Green: Associated with nature, calmness, and tranquility

2. Red: Associated with intensity, excitement, and stimulation

B. Emotional Impact

1. Green: Elicits feelings of relaxation, harmony, and rejuvenation

2. Red: Evokes emotions like passion, energy, and even agitation or stress

C. Effects on Eye Fatigue

1. Green: More restful for the eyes due to its position in the color spectrum

2. Red: Prolonged exposure to red can strain the eyes and potentially lead to eye fatigue

III.  Body Paragraph 2: Benefits of Implementing Green

A. Psychological Well-being

1. Green: Promotes a sense of calmness, reduces stress, and improves overall mental well-being

2. Red: Excessive exposure to red can potentially increase stress levels and negatively impact psychological health

B. Environmental Impact

1. Green: Incorporating green elements in urban environments, interior design, and healthcare facilities can create a soothing atmosphere

2. Red: Potential disruptive effects of excessive red usage in certain settings and its contrasting impact on visual comfort

IV. Conclusion

A. Updated thesis statement: Green is more soothing to the eye than red and should be implemented more often

B. Summary of key points in body paragraphs:  Difference between green and red, emphasizing the soothing qualities of green and the potential drawbacks of red

C. Implementation of green in various contexts, and its positive impact on well-being and creating visually comfortable environments

D. Impactful concluding statement: The significance of color choices and their influence on our daily lives

Similarities and differences outline

If you want the focus to be on the comparison between the two topics, it is a good idea to implement the similarities and differences outline. This format bears a resemblance to the alternating outline. 

However, the metrics of comparison are the similarities and differences between the two subjects, as opposed to certain characteristics. A single paragraph lists all the similarities between the two topics, followed by a paragraph that lists all the distinctions. 

Here’s an example outline for a compare and contrast essay using the similarities and differences method: 

A. Intriguing statement about the impact of colors on visual perception

B. Brief overview of the significance of colors and their effects on emotions

II. Body Paragraph 1: Similarities between Green and Red

1. Green: Visual characteristics of green, such as its association with nature and tranquility

2. Red: Visual characteristics of red, such as its association with intensity and stimulation

1. Green: Both green and red can evoke emotional responses, such as calmness or excitement, albeit to different degrees

2. Red: Both green and red can elicit emotions, but red tends to evoke more intense and stimulating feelings

III. Body Paragraph 2: Differences between Green and Red

A. Soothing Qualities

1. Green: Green is inherently soothing to the eye due to its position in the color spectrum and its association with nature

2. Red: Red, on the other hand, can be visually intense and potentially overwhelming, making it less soothing

B. Psychological Effects

1. Green: Green promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances mental well-being

2. Red: Prolonged exposure to red can potentially increase stress levels and negatively impact psychological health

C. Eye Fatigue

1. Green: Green is considered more restful for the eyes, as it requires less eye strain and can reduce eye fatigue

2. Red: Excessive exposure to red can strain the eyes and potentially lead to eye fatigue

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Benefits of Implementing Green

A. Environmental Impact

1. Incorporating green elements in various environments, such as interior design, urban planning, and healthcare facilities, can create a soothing atmosphere

2. Potential positive effects on mental well-being and overall quality of life

V. Conclusion

B. Summary of key points in body paragraphs: Similarities and differences between green and red, that emphasize the soothing qualities of green and the potential drawbacks of red

C. Need for the implementation of green in different settings, and its positive impact on visual comfort and well-being

D. Thought-provoking statement: Significance of color choices and their influence on our daily lives

Now that we’ve understood the three basic outlines for compare and contrast essays let’s take a look at compare and contrast essay examples for these three formats. 

Compare and contrast essay examples

There are three main formats that you can use to write a compare and contrast essay. You can select one of these formats depending on what you’d like to convey to the reader. We will provide example essays for all three formats and pick a topic best suited for each essay format. 

Let’s take a look:

Block method essay example

The following compare and contrast essay example is based on the comparative analysis of two of Edgar Allan Poe’s greatest works. 

A Comparative Analysis of The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart

Edgar Allan Poe, a master of Gothic literature, created two captivating and chilling tales, The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart . While both stories delve into the realms of madness, guilt, and obsession, they differ in their narrative structures, character portrayals, and themes. Take a closer look at and uncover the unique elements that make these literary masterpieces enduring classics in the world of dark fiction.

The Raven is a narrative poem composed of eighteen stanzas, employing a rhyming scheme of ABCBBB. It follows a straightforward linear progression, recounting the narrator’s interaction with the mysterious raven, which repeatedly utters the word “nevermore.” The narrator is a grieving man consumed by sorrow and melancholy, haunted by the loss of his beloved Lenore. The raven assumes a symbolic role, representing an otherworldly and ominous presence that fuels the narrator’s descent into madness. The poem primarily explores themes of grief, loss, and the inability to escape from painful memories, while also delving into the supernatural, the macabre, and the fragility of the human mind when faced with the unknown.

On the other hand, The Tell-Tale Heart is a short story narrated in the first person by an unnamed protagonist who is determined to prove their sanity. The story follows a non-linear structure, with the narrator recounting the events leading up to and after the murder of the old man with a “vulture eye.” The protagonist is an unnamed and unreliable narrator whose intense obsession with the old man’s eye leads to murder. The old man, with his “vulture eye,” becomes a symbol of the narrator’s guilt and paranoia, fueling the story’s suspense. The Tell-Tale Heart explores themes of guilt, paranoia, and the dark recesses of the human mind. It delves into the thin line between sanity and insanity, highlighting the overwhelming power of a guilty conscience.

The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart , both masterpieces by Edgar Allan Poe, showcase his profound understanding of the human psyche. While The Raven takes the form of a narrative poem and focuses on grief, loss, and the supernatural, The Tell-Tale Heart is a short story with an unreliable narrator, delving into guilt, paranoia, and the blurred boundaries of sanity. Despite their structural and thematic differences, both works captivate readers with their exploration of the darkest aspects of the human soul. Through their masterful storytelling, Poe leaves an indelible mark on literature, inviting readers to confront their own fears and delve into the depths of the human psyche.

Alternating method essay example

The following compare and contrast essay example highlights the stark contrast between life during the 1800s and the present day. 

Contrasting Life During the 1800s and Life Today

Society during the 1800s and present-day society are characterized by stark differences in technological advancements, societal norms, and overall quality of life. There have been significant developments areas of communication, transportation, healthcare, and social dynamics between the two eras. By examining the contrasting aspects of life during the 1800s and present-day life, we can gain a deeper insight into how society has evolved.

In the 1800s people relied primarily on written letters, which often took weeks or even months to reach their destination. The introduction of the telegraph provided a faster means of long-distance communication but remained limited in accessibility. Today, communication is instant and global, thanks to the widespread use of smartphones, social media platforms, and the internet. People can connect through video calls, messaging apps, and social networking sites, bridging distances and facilitating real-time conversations.

People in the 1800s primarily relied on horse-drawn carriages, ships, and railways as modes of transportation. Long-distance travel was slow and arduous, often taking weeks or even months to complete, while local transportation was limited to walking or horseback riding. In contrast, modern transportation is characterized by the advent of automobiles, airplanes, and high-speed trains. These advancements enable swift and efficient travel across the globe. Air travel has become commonplace, allowing people to reach distant locations in a matter of hours, while cars provide individual mobility and flexibility.

Healthcare in the 1800s was marked by rudimentary medical knowledge and practices. There was often a lack of scientific understanding and proper sanitation measures, resulting in limited and ineffective medical treatments. This led to high mortality rates for common illnesses and diseases. In recent times, advances in medical science, technology, and research have revolutionized healthcare. Cutting-edge treatments, vaccines, and surgical procedures have significantly increased life expectancy and improved overall well-being.

The 1800s were characterized by strict social hierarchies, class divisions, and limited opportunities for social mobility. Gender roles were rigidly defined, with limited rights and opportunities for women. However, contemporary society has made significant strides toward equality and inclusivity. Movements advocating for gender, racial, and LGBTQ+ rights have pushed for social progress. Social mobility and opportunities for personal and professional growth have expanded, promoting a more diverse and inclusive society.

In conclusion, life during the 1800s and life today differ significantly in terms of communication, transportation, healthcare, and social dynamics. Technological advancements, scientific progress, and societal changes have transformed the way we live and interact with the world. While the 1800s were marked by limitations and hardships, the modern era offers unprecedented convenience, connectivity, and opportunities for personal growth. By examining these contrasting aspects, we gain a deeper appreciation for the advancements that have shaped our lives today and a better understanding of the progress humanity has made over time.

Similarities and differences method essay example

The following example of a compare and contrast essay studies the similarities and differences between amphibians and reptiles.

Exploring the Fascinating Worlds of Amphibians and Reptiles 

Amphibians and reptiles are two distinct groups of animals that belong to the larger classification of vertebrates. While they share some similarities, they also exhibit significant differences in their physical characteristics, life cycles, habitats, and reproductive strategies. Let’s take a closer look at both these species by highlighting their unique features and adaptations to their respective environments.

Although different species, amphibians, and reptiles share several similarities. Both groups are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, which means their body temperatures are regulated by the environment. This characteristic influences their behavior and activity levels, as they rely on external heat sources to warm their bodies. Both species also lay eggs for reproduction. The eggs of both groups are covered by protective membranes, which provide a suitable environment for development outside the parent’s body. Additionally, amphibians and reptiles have a similar general body plan, characterized by a backbone, four limbs (or remnants of limbs), and a well-developed skull.

Despite these similarities, there are notable differences between the two species. Amphibians have a dual life cycle, which involves an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage. They typically lay their eggs in water and undergo metamorphosis from aquatic larvae, into terrestrial adults with lungs. A frog is one classic example of an amphibian. In contrast, reptiles have a direct life cycle, with offspring hatching from eggs that are laid on land. They bypass the aquatic larval stage and are born as miniature versions of the adults, equipped for a terrestrial existence. Alligators and crocodiles are the most commonly known reptiles.

Another significant difference lies in their respective habitats. Amphibians are often associated with moist environments, such as swamps, rivers, and ponds, as they require 

water for breeding and maintaining skin moisture. They are highly adapted to live in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Reptiles, on the other hand, have evolved to inhabit a wider range of environments. They can be found in various habitats, including deserts, forests, grasslands, and even oceans. Reptiles have developed strategies to conserve water, such as the ability to excrete uric acid instead of urea, allowing them to thrive in arid conditions.

Physiologically, amphibians and reptiles differ in their skin structure and respiration. Amphibians have moist and permeable skin that serves multiple functions, including gas exchange and water absorption. This unique characteristic allows them to respire through their skin, particularly during their larval stage. In contrast, reptiles have dry and scaly skin that acts as a protective barrier against water loss. They rely on lungs for respiration and have more efficient respiratory systems compared to amphibians.

In conclusion, while amphibians and reptiles share some similarities, such as being ectothermic and laying eggs, they have distinct differences in their life cycles, habitats, and physiological characteristics. Amphibians undergo metamorphosis and have a dual life cycle, adapting to both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Reptiles, on the other hand, have a direct life cycle and are adapted to a wide range of habitats. Understanding these similarities and differences helps us appreciate the diverse adaptations that have allowed these fascinating creatures to thrive in different ecosystems across the world.

We hope that these examples of compare and contrast essays guide you in acing your essay assignment! As editing and proofreading experts, we realize the importance of submitting error-free essays. 

To help you minimize errors, we have created detailed resources about several important aspects of essay writing. Go through the following resources to enhance your essay-writing skills! 

• Guide to Essay Editing: Methods, Tips, & Examples
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Compare And Contrast Essay

Compare and Contrast Essay - An Ultimate Guide

18 min read

Published on: Feb 18, 2020

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

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Best Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Students

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline - Step by Step Guide

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Are you a student facing the challenge of writing a compare and contrast essay? 

This type of essay can be challenging, as it requires them to evaluate, analyze, and differentiate between various subjects. However, don't let this task intimidate you! 

In this blog, we will provide you with a step-by-step process for writing a compare and contrast essay. Our expert advice and practical tips will help you gain the confidence and skills needed to craft a compelling and well-organized essay.

So, let's get started!

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What is Compare and Contrast Essay?

According to the compare and contrast essay definition it is written to observe and evaluate the similarities and differences between two objects or subjects.

We compare things in our daily life to make choices. Hypothetically, if a person has a limited budget and goes shopping, he would compare things and make choices that will best suit him. 

To write a compare and contrast essay, you can combine two things, compare them, and form a claim.

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Purpose of a Compare and Contrast Essay

The purpose of the compare and contrast essay is:

• To analyze similarities and differences between two or more subjects
• To showcase your ability to critically examine and evaluate different aspects of the subjects
• To enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills
• To demonstrate your understanding of the subjects and their characteristics
• To provide insights and draw meaningful conclusions from the comparisons
• To engage readers by presenting thought-provoking comparisons and contrasts
• To fulfill academic requirements and demonstrate your knowledge on the given topic.

A successful comparison paper will provide facts about both the subjects that the essay is about.

Want to learn more about this type of essay? Check out this informative video!

Types of Compare and Contrast Essay

When it comes to writing a compare and contrast essay, there are several types you can choose from. Each type has its unique approach and structure that will help you present your ideas effectively. 

Here are the most common types of compare and contrast essays.

Point-by-Point Comparison

The point-by-point comparison, also known as the alternating method, is where you compare and contrast the two subjects point by point. This method is effective when the subjects being compared have several similarities and differences. 

With this method, you can easily show how the two subjects are similar or different on a specific aspect. For instance, if you were comparing two cities, you can compare their climate, transportation, and lifestyle using this method.

Example:   Here's an example using this structure:

Block Comparison

The block comparison, also known as the subject-by-subject method, is where you present all the information about one subject and then move to the next subject. This method is effective when the subjects being compared have several significant differences. 

This method is often used for longer essays, and it can help you present your ideas in a clear and organized manner.

Example:  Here's an example using this block comparison:

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

The outline shapes and provides meaning to the entire essay. It keeps the writer focused and on the right track throughout the writing process.

Here is the traditional compare and contrast essay outline:

Check out this link if you need in depth compare and contrast essay outline ? 

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?

Here are the steps to write a compare and contrast essay;

• Picasso and Goya
• Vegans and meat lovers
• Extroverts and introverts
• Catholicism and Protestantism
• Generation X and Generation Y
• Brainstorming - Brainstorm the similarities and differences between the chosen topics. Use a Venn diagram for your ease. It has overlapping circles that include the differences and similarities between both subjects.
• Choosing the Structure -  Decide which structure will you use to present your ideas; alternating, blocking, or similarities and differences.
• Create the Outline -  Before beginning with the writing process, create the outline for your essay.

The introduction is the first thing that a reader reads. The introduction informs the readers of what is discussed in the essay. The introductory paragraphs have three elements:

• A hook -  is a statement used to grab the reader's attention. It can be a sentence or two, which will be strictly related to the topic and kind of essay.
• The major similarity or difference -  This is added to help the readers understand what is discussed in the essay. But everything is presented briefly.

Thesis statements can be difficult to write. It is important to have an understanding of a  thesis statement  and how to write it easily.

The main body of an essay is the section where all the gathered information is presented in a structured way. The body paragraphs are written to prove the thesis statement and the stance that a writer made about the topic.

Usually, this section has three paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that will work as a preview of what is going to be discussed in that particular paragraph.

In a compare and contrast essay, body paragraphs are connected by transition words. Words such as "similarly, in contrast to, however, both," etc., are frequently used to combine the entire content, giving a logical flow to it.

The conclusion of a compare and contrast essay is the summed up final verdict of the writer. The major points are summarized in the concluding paragraph of an essay, and the thesis statement is restated. Make sure that you stick to the discussed ideas and do not add any new information here.

The last part of the writing process of an essay is its proofreading and revision. In this step, you go through your essay one more time to see if there are any mistakes and errors.

Make sure the vocabulary, grammar, spellings, citation, facts, syntax, format are accurate and appropriate. Also, check if the objects are carefully compared, contrasted, and written.

If you come across some errors, correct them before submitting the essay to your instructor.

Compare and Contrast Structure Words

Here are some examples of compare and contrast words:

Compare and Contrast Essay Example

To give you a better understanding of compare and contrast essay concepts, we have gathered some useful examples.

Compare and Contrast Essay Template

Compare And Contrast Essay On City And Village Life

Compare And Contrast Essay On Cricket And Football

Compare And Contrast Essay On Summer And Winter

Compare And Contrast Essay About Traditional And Online Education

Thesis Statement For Compare And Contrast Essay

Learning through examples is a sure short way of learning effectively and in less time. Good  compare and contrast essay examples  will help you understand everything more quickly.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Here are some compare and contrast essay topics:

• Online learning vs. traditional classroom learning: Which is more effective?
• Vegetarianism vs. meat-eating: Which is better for your health?
• High school vs. college: How are they different and similar?
• Living in the city vs. living in the countryside: Which is better for your lifestyle?
• Democracy vs. dictatorship: Which form of government is better for the people?
• Public schools vs. private schools: Which offers a better education?
• Traditional book reading vs. e-book reading: Which is more enjoyable and effective?
• Online shopping vs. in-store shopping: Which is more convenient and cost-effective?
• Dogs vs. cats: Which make better pets?
• Working from home vs. working in an office: Which is more productive and efficient?

These are some good compare and contrast essay topics that will help you draft an amazing essay. 

 Visit this link if you need more amazing compare and contrast essay topics !

Tips to Write a Good Compare and Contrast Essay

When writing a compare and contrast essay, it's important to keep some tips in mind to ensure that your essay is effective and engaging. Here are some tips to help you:

• Avoid generalizations: While it can be tempting to make sweeping generalizations about the subjects you're comparing, it's important to provide specific examples and evidence to support your claims.
• Keep the focus on the subjects being compared: Your essay should be focused on the two (or more) subjects you are comparing and contrasting. Avoid going off on tangents or discussing unrelated topics.
• Provide evidence to support your claims: Whether you are arguing that one subject is better than the other, it's important to use evidence to back up your claims. This could include examples, statistics, quotes, or other types of evidence.
• Use transitional phrases: When moving from one subject to the other, use transitional phrases to make the connections clear. Examples of transitional phrases include "on the other hand," "in contrast," and "similarly."
• Organize your essay effectively: Depending on the type of compare and contrast essay you're writing, you may need to use a point-by-point or block structure. Be sure to choose a structure that works for your topic, and use clear headings and subheadings to help organize your essay.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your essay is well-written and effective in communicating your ideas to your reader.

Mistakes to Avoid While Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

Let's take a look at some potential pitfalls to avoid while writing your essay:

• Not clearly identifying the basis for comparison - Without a clear basis for comparison, the essay may lack coherence and direction.
• Not providing enough details - These essays require a level of detail that is sufficient to illustrate similarities and differences between the subjects being compared.
• Choosing subjects that are too different - It can be challenging to compare and contrast subjects that are too dissimilar, leading to a weak essay.
• Focusing only on differences - While it is important to highlight differences between the subjects, ignoring similarities can lead to an imbalanced essay.
• Failing to use transitions - Without transitional phrases, the essay may seem disjointed and difficult to follow.
• Not using a consistent structure - Compare and contrast essays require a consistent structure, such as point-by-point or block method, to maintain clarity and organization.
• Being too subjective - While it is important to express your opinion, be sure to present objective evidence to support your claims.
• Ignoring formatting and citation guidelines - Failure to adhere to formatting and citation guidelines can result in plagiarism or lower grades.
• Not proofreading carefully - Typos, grammar errors, and spelling mistakes can detract from the overall quality of the essay.

Here's a compare and contrast essay checklist:

The Bottom Line!

We hope that this guide has provided you with valuable insights and techniques for writing a successful compare and contrast essay. With the right approach, this type of essay can be an exciting opportunity to explore similarities and differences between two subjects.

If you need further assistance or want to ensure that your essay meets the highest standards, don't hesitate to reach out to us at CollegeEssay.org . 

Our compare and contrast essay writing service makes academic life easier for students by providing the best essays written by skilled professionals. 

We offer the best professional essay writing service to students and provide them with expert guidance to help them achieve academic success. 

Contact our essay writing service today and let our college essay writer help you take the first step towards acing your compare and contrast essay! However, if you are on a budget and don't have time to hire a writer, we have just the solution for that. Use our AI essay writer to get plagiarism-free content within a few minutes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good example of compare and contrast.

A good example of a compare and contrast essay is to compare and contrast two different types of pets, such as dogs and cats. Both pets are popular but have distinct differences in behavior, care, and interaction with their owners.

How do you start a compare and contrast essay example?

To start a compare and contrast essay, begin by choosing two subjects to compare and contrast. Then, brainstorm similarities and differences between the two subjects and create a thesis statement that outlines the main points of comparison and contrast.

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80 Intriguing Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

Android vs. iPhone? Capitalism vs. communism? Hot dog vs. taco?

In compare and contrast essays , writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. Remind students that in this type of writing, they’re not necessarily trying to sway the reader to one opinion or another—they’re just presenting and analyzing facts. These compare and contrast essay topics will give them plenty of practice.

• School and Life Essay Topics
• Entertainment Essay Topics
• History and Politics Essay Topics
• Just for Fun Essay Topics

School and Life Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Public and private schools
• Online school and in-person school
• Any two schools or colleges
• Going to college vs. starting work full-time

• Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
• Parents and grandparents
• Elementary school and high school
• Learning to read vs. learning to write
• The importance of any two school subjects
• Wearing glasses vs. having braces
• You and your best friend
• Friendship vs. romantic love

• Group work and individual work
• Only child vs. having siblings
• Nature vs. nurture
• Anxiety and depression
• Old friends and new friends
• Your teacher vs. your parent/guardian
• Car ownership and public transportation

• Learning to ride a bike vs. learning to drive a car

Entertainment Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• iPhone vs. Android
• Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)
• Xbox vs. PlayStation

• Any two sports, like American football vs. soccer
• Cooking at home and dining out
• A movie based on a book and the book it was based on
• Reading and watching TV
• Opera music and pop music (or any two music genres)
• Vegetarian and vegan

• Giving and receiving gifts
• Going to a play vs. going to a movie
• Playing a video game and watching a movie
• Horse racing vs. NASCAR
• Laptop vs. tablet
• Sprint vs. marathon
• Poetry and rap music
• Ping-Pong vs. tennis
• DC vs. Marvel
• Netflix and YouTube
• Shopping online and shopping in person

History and Politics Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Capitalism vs. communism
• Socialism vs. communism
• Monarchy/dictatorship and democracy
• Two political candidates in a current race

• Spanish flu pandemic vs. COVID-19 pandemic
• World War I and World War II
• American pioneers vs. first space explorers
• Gen X vs. Gen Z
• Abraham Lincoln vs. Barack Obama (or any other two presidents)
• Any two U.S. states

• Any two historic eras
• Queen Elizabeth I vs. Queen Elizabeth II
• Republicans and Democrats
• Hitler and Stalin
• The first airplane flight vs. the first manned spaceflight
• American president vs. U.K. prime minister

• Fox News vs. CNN
• Legislative branch and executive branch and/or judicial branch
• Equality and equity
• Elected politicians vs. lobbyists

Just for Fun Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Dogs vs. cats as pets

• Paper books or e-books
• Hot dogs vs. tacos
• Summer and winter
• Fall and spring
• Big Mac vs. Whopper
• Coke vs. Pepsi
• Chocolate shake vs. hot chocolate
• Any two superheroes or villains
• Mondays and Fridays
• Mornings vs. evenings

• First day of school vs. last day of school
• Christmas vs. birthdays
• Hurricane vs. tornado
• Birthday as a kid and birthday as an adult
• Going barefoot vs. wearing shoes
• Appetizers and desserts

• Phone calls and texting
• Pants vs. skirts
• Electric cars vs. gas-powered cars

What are some of your favorite compare and contrast essay topics? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the big list of essay topics for high school (100+ ideas).

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34 Compelling Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

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How to Write a Comparison Essay

• Introduction
• Essay Outline
• Expressions For Comparison Essays
• Sample Comparison 1
• Sample Comparison 2
• Guides & Handouts Home
• Writing Centre Home

A comparison essay compares and contrasts two things. That is, it points out the similarities and differences (mostly focusing on the differences) of those two things. The two things usually belong to the same class (ex. two cities, two politicians, two sports, etc.). Relatively equal attention is given to the two subjects being compared. The essay may treat the two things objectively and impartially. Or it may be partial, favoring one thing over the other (ex. "American football is a sissy's game compared to rugby").

The important thing in any comparison essay is that the criteria for comparison should remain the same; that is,  the same attributes should be compared . For example, if you are comparing an electric bulb lamp with a gas lamp, compare them both according to their physical characteristics, their history of development, and their operation.

Narrow Your Focus (in this essay, as in any essay). For example, if you compare two religions, focus on  one  particular aspect which you can discuss in depth and detail, e.g., sin in Buddhism vs. sin in Christianity, or salvation in two religions. Or if your topic is political, you might compare the Conservative attitude to old growth logging vs. the Green Party's attitude to old growth logging, or the Conservative attitude to the Persian Gulf War vs. the NDP attitude to the same war.

Each paragraph should deal with only  one idea  and deal with it  thoroughly . Give  adequate explanation  and  specific examples  to support each idea. The first paragraph introduces the topic, captures the reader's attention, and provides a definite summary of the essay. It may be wise to end the first paragraph with a thesis statement that summarizes the main points of difference (or similarity). For example, "Submarines and warships differ not only in construction, but in their style of weapons and method of attack." This gives the reader a brief outline of your essay, allowing him to anticipate what's to come. Each middle paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main idea of that paragraph (ex. "The musical styles of Van Halen and Steely Dan are as differing in texture as are broken glass and clear water"). An opening sentence like this that uses a  metaphor  or  simile  not only summarizes the paragraph but captures the reader's attention, making him want to read on. Avoid a topic sentence that is too dull and too broad (ex. "There are many differences in the musical styles of Van Halen and Steely Dan").

VARY THE STRUCTURE

The  structure  of the comparison essay may vary. You may use  simultaneous comparison structure  in which the two things are compared together, feature by feature, point by point. For example, "The electric light bulb lasts 80 hours, while the gas lamp lasts only 20 hours . . . ." Or as in this example (comparing two American presidents):

Consider how perfectly Harding met the requirements for president. Wilson was a visionary who liked to identify himself with "forward-looking men"; Harding was as old-fashioned as those wooden Indians which used to stand in front of cigar stores, "a flower of the period before safety razors." Harding believed that statemanship had come to its apogee in the days of McKinley and Foraker. Wilson was cold. Harding was an affable small-town man, at ease with "folks"; he was an ideal companion to play poker with all Saturday night. Wilson had always been difficult of access; Harding was accessible to the last degree. etc.

Don't use simultaneous structure all the way through the essay, however. It becomes monotonous. Use it sparingly. For most of the essay, use  parallel order structure .

In  parallel order structure  you compare the two things separately but take up the same points in the same order. For example, you may spend half a paragraph on "thing A" and the other half of the paragraph on the corresponding characteristics of "thing B." Or, if you have enough material, devote one paragraph to the physical characteristics of an electric bulb lamp, and the next paragraph to the physical characteristics of the gas lamp.

Or say everything there is to say about the electric bulb lamp (its physical characteristics, history of development and operation), followed by everything there is to say about the gas lamp.

For the sake of variety  you may switch to simultaneous comparison at one point  in the essay, and then switch back to parallel order structure for the rest of the essay. In fact, there are many ways to structure a comparison essay; use whichever organization works best for your particular paper. Here are a few sample organizational methods. "A" stands for "thing A" (ex. electric lamp) and "B" stands for "thing B" (ex. gas lamp). Each number (1,2,3, etc.) stands for a different aspect of that thing (ex. physical characteristics, operation, history of development).

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• Last Updated: Aug 19, 2019 3:34 PM
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How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

Last Updated: May 12, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 29 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,107,157 times.

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyze the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects. A good compare/contrast essay doesn’t only point out how the subjects are similar or different (or even both!). It uses those points to make a meaningful argument about the subjects. While it can be a little intimidating to approach this type of essay at first, with a little work and practice, you can write a great compare-and-contrast essay!

Formulating Your Argument

• You could pick two subjects that are in the same “category” but have differences that are significant in some way. For example, you could choose “homemade pizza vs. frozen grocery store pizza.”
• You could pick two subjects that don’t appear to have anything in common but that have a surprising similarity. For example, you could choose to compare bats and whales. (One is tiny and flies, and the other is huge and swims, but they both use sonar to hunt.)
• You could pick two subjects that might appear to be the same but are actually different. For example, you could choose "The Hunger Games movie vs. the book."

• For example, ask yourself: What can we learn by thinking about “The Hunger Games” and “Battle Royale” together that we would miss out on if we thought about them separately?
• It can be helpful to consider the “So what?” question when deciding whether your subjects have meaningful comparisons and contrasts to be made. If you say “The Hunger Games and Battle Royale are both similar and different,” and your friend asked you “So what?” what would your answer be? In other words, why bother putting these two things together?

• A “Venn diagram” can often be helpful when brainstorming. This set of overlapping circles can help you visualize where your subjects are similar and where they differ. In the outer edges of the circle, you write what is different; in the overlapping middle area, you write what’s similar. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
• You can also just draw out a list of all of the qualities or characteristics of each subject. Once you’ve done that, start looking through the list for traits that both subjects share. Major points of difference are also good to note.

• For example, if you are comparing and contrasting cats and dogs, you might notice that both are common household pets, fairly easy to adopt, and don’t usually have many special care needs. These are points of comparison (ways they are similar).
• You might also note that cats are usually more independent than dogs, that dogs may not provoke allergies as much as cats do, and that cats don’t get as big as many dogs do. These are points of contrast (ways they are different).
• These points of contrast can often be good places to start thinking about your thesis, or argument. Do these differences make one animal a superior type of pet? Or a better pet choice for a specific living situation (e.g., an apartment, a farm, etc.)?

• Show readers why one subject is more desirable than the other. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable."
• Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions."
• Show readers how two subjects are similar and different. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class."
• In middle school and high school, the standard format for essays is often the “5-paragraph form,” with an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. If your teacher recommends this form, go for it. However, you should be aware that especially in college, teachers and professors tend to want students to break out of this limited mode. Don’t get so locked into having “three main points” that you forget to fully explore your topic.

Organizing Your Essay

• Subject by subject. This organization deals with all of the points about Topic A, then all of the points of Topic B. For example, you could discuss all your points about frozen pizza (in as many paragraphs as necessary), then all your points about homemade pizza. The strength of this form is that you don’t jump back and forth as much between topics, which can help your essay read more smoothly. It can also be helpful if you are using one subject as a “lens” through which to examine the other. The major disadvantage is that the comparisons and contrasts don’t really become evident until much further into the essay, and it can end up reading like a list of “points” rather than a cohesive essay. [4] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
• Point by point. This type of organization switches back and forth between points. For example, you could first discuss the prices of frozen pizza vs. homemade pizza, then the quality of ingredients, then the convenience factor. The advantage of this form is that it’s very clear what you’re comparing and contrasting. The disadvantage is that you do switch back and forth between topics, so you need to make sure that you use transitions and signposts to lead your reader through your argument.
• Compare then contrast. This organization presents all the comparisons first, then all the contrasts. It’s a pretty common way of organizing an essay, and it can be helpful if you really want to emphasize how your subjects are different. Putting the contrasts last places the emphasis on them. However, it can be more difficult for your readers to immediately see why these two subjects are being contrasted if all the similarities are first.

• Introduction. This paragraph comes first and presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted. It should present your thesis and the direction of your essay (i.e., what you will discuss and why your readers should care).
• Body Paragraphs. These are the meat of your essay, where you provide the details and evidence that support your claims. Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof. It should provide and analyze evidence in order to connect those proofs to your thesis and support your thesis. Many middle-school and high-school essays may only require three body paragraphs, but use as many as is necessary to fully convey your argument.
• Acknowledgement of Competitive Arguments/Concession. This paragraph acknowledges that other counter-arguments exist, but discusses how those arguments are flawed or do not apply.
• Conclusion. This paragraph summarizes the evidence presented. It will restate the thesis, but usually in a way that offers more information or sophistication than the introduction could. Remember: your audience now has all the information you gave them about why your argument is solid. They don’t need you to just reword your original thesis. Take it to the next level!

• Introduction: state your intent to discuss the differences between camping in the woods or on the beach.
• Body Paragraph 1 (Woods): Climate/Weather
• Body Paragraph 2 (Woods): Types of Activities and Facilities
• Body Paragraph 3 (Beach): Climate/Weather
• Body Paragraph 4 (Beach): Types of Activities and Facilities

• Introduction

• Body Paragraph 1: Similarity between woods and beaches (both are places with a wide variety of things to do)
• Body Paragraph 2: First difference between woods and beaches (they have different climates)
• Body Paragraph 3: Second difference between woods and beaches (there are more easily accessible woods than beaches in most parts of the country)
• Body Paragraph 4: Emphasis on the superiority of the woods to the beach

• Topic sentence: This sentence introduces the main idea and subject of the paragraph. It can also provide a transition from the ideas in the previous paragraph.
• Body: These sentences provide concrete evidence that support the topic sentence and main idea.
• Conclusion: this sentence wraps up the ideas in the paragraph. It may also provide a link to the next paragraph’s ideas.

Putting It All Together

• If you are having trouble finding evidence to support your argument, go back to your original texts and try the brainstorming process again. It could be that your argument is evolving past where it started, which is good! You just need to go back and look for further evidence.

• For example, in a body paragraph about the quality of ingredients in frozen vs. homemade pizza, you could close with an assertion like this: “Because you actively control the quality of the ingredients in pizza you make at home, it can be healthier for you than frozen pizza. It can also let you express your imagination. Pineapple and peanut butter pizza? Go for it! Pickles and parmesan? Do it! Using your own ingredients lets you have fun with your food.” This type of comment helps your reader understand why the ability to choose your own ingredients makes homemade pizza better.

• Reading your essay aloud can also help you find problem spots. Often, when you’re writing you get so used to what you meant to say that you don’t read what you actually said.

• Avoid bias. Don't use overly negative or defamatory language to show why a subject is unfavorable; use solid evidence to prove your points instead.
• Avoid first-person pronouns unless told otherwise. In some cases, your teacher may encourage you to use “I” and “you” in your essay. However, if the assignment or your teacher doesn’t mention it, stick with third-person instead, like “one may see” or “people may enjoy.” This is common practice for formal academic essays.
• Proofread! Spelling and punctuation errors happen to everyone, but not catching them can make you seem lazy. Go over your essay carefully, and ask a friend to help if you’re not confident in your own proofreading skills.

Sample Body Paragraphs

• "When one is deciding whether to go to the beach or the woods, the type of activities that each location offers are an important point to consider. At the beach, one can enjoy the water by swimming, surfing, or even building a sandcastle with a moat that will fill with water. When one is in the woods, one may be able to go fishing or swimming in a nearby lake, or one may not be near water at all. At the beach, one can keep one's kids entertained by burying them in sand or kicking around a soccer ball; if one is in the woods, one can entertain one's kids by showing them different plans or animals. Both the beach and the woods offer a variety of activities for adults and kids alike."

• "The beach has a wonderful climate, many activities, and great facilities for any visitor's everyday use. If a person goes to the beach during the right day or time of year, he or she can enjoy warm, yet refreshing water, a cool breeze, and a relatively hot climate. At the beach, one can go swimming, sunbathe, or build sandcastles. There are also great facilities at the beach, such as a changing room, umbrellas, and conveniently-located restaurants and changing facilities. The climate, activities, and facilities are important points to consider when deciding between the beach and the woods."

Sample Essay Outline

Community Q&A

• Collect your sources. Mark page numbers in books, authors, titles, dates, or other applicable information. This will help you cite your sources later on in the writing process. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
• Don't rush through your writing. If you have a deadline, start early. If you rush, the writing won't not be as good as it could be. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Use reputable sources. While Wikipedia may be an easy way to start off, try to go to more specific websites afterwards. Many schools refuse to accept Wikipedia as a valid source of information, and prefer sources with more expertise and credibility. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• If you have external sources, make sure you always cite them. Otherwise, you may be guilty of plagiarism. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/
• ↑ http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/compcontrast/

About This Article

To write a compare and contrast essay, try organizing your essay so you're comparing and contrasting one aspect of your subjects in each paragraph. Or, if you don't want to jump back and forth between subjects, structure your essay so the first half is about one subject and the second half is about the other. You could also write your essay so the first few paragraphs introduce all of the comparisons and the last few paragraphs introduce all of the contrasts, which can help emphasize your subjects' differences and similarities. To learn how to choose subjects to compare and come up with a thesis statement, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

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• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Before you begin to draft a compare and contrast essay, you should brainstorm by creating a Venn diagram or a chart to list the ​pros and cons of each subject you are comparing to another.

The first paragraph of your compare and contrast essay should contain references to both sides of your comparison. This paragraph should end with a thesis sentence that sums up your overall purpose or results, like this:

While city life brings many social opportunities, country life can provide the best of both worlds.

Comparison essays can be constructed in two ways. You can focus on one side of your comparison at a time, describing the pros and cons of one topic first and then moving on to the next topic, like the example here:

• Cities have lots of great restaurants.
• City life offers culturally diverse populations.
• Cities contain theaters, sporting events, and other activities.
• Country life brings fresh produce within easy reach.
• Country life is quiet living with the opportunity to travel into cities for cultural exposure.
• Entertainment opportunities exist in the country, as well.
• Summary paragraph

You could instead alternate your focus, covering one after the other in a back-and-forth pattern.

• On the other hand, country life brings fresh produce within easy reach.
• But entertainment opportunities exist in the country, as well.
• However, country life is quiet living with the opportunity to travel into cities for cultural exposure.

Make sure that each paragraph contains a smooth transition statement , and end your essay with a sound conclusion.

Country Life or City Life?

Some ideas for your compare and contrast essay might make your work easier. Think about the following topics and see if one feels right for you.

• middle school and high school experience
• pizza and spaghetti
• doing household chores or doing homework
• private school and public school
• attending big university and attending small college
• comparing two games
• comparing two types of phones
• laptops to tablets
• comparing two teaching styles
• comparing English to Spanish
• owning a dog and owning a cat
• travel abroad and domestic travel
• growing up rich and growing up poor
• talking to dad and talking to mom
• having a sister and having a brother

If the list above doesn't appeal to you, it may spark an original idea that fits your situation. This type of essay can be a lot of fun!

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Tips for crafting effective compare and contrast essays.

Comparing and contrasting is a common method used in academic writing to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Whether you are a student working on an assignment or a professional writing a research paper, mastering the art of compare and contrast essays can greatly enhance your writing skills.

In this article, we will explore useful tips and provide examples to help you create compelling and well-structured compare and contrast essays. From understanding the purpose of the essay to organizing your thoughts and arguments effectively, we’ll cover key strategies to ensure your essay is clear, concise, and engaging.

Guide to Writing Successful Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays can be a challenging but rewarding type of academic writing. By comparing and contrasting two or more subjects, you can deepen your understanding of complex topics and improve your critical thinking skills. To help you write effective compare and contrast essays, follow these tips:

1. Choose an appropriate topic: Select two or more subjects that have some similarities and differences. This will make it easier to compare and contrast them effectively.

2. Develop a clear thesis statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state the purpose of your essay and the main points you will be comparing and contrasting.

3. Create a structure: Organize your essay in a way that makes it easy for the reader to follow. You can use a point-by-point or block structure, depending on your preference.

4. Provide evidence: Support your comparisons with evidence from the subjects you are analyzing. This could include quotes, statistics, or examples.

5. Use transitions: Transition words and phrases help to guide the reader through your essay and make it easier to follow your arguments.

6. Revise and edit: After you have written your essay, be sure to revise and edit it carefully. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as clarity and coherence.

By following these tips, you can write successful compare and contrast essays that impress your readers and demonstrate your understanding of the subjects you are analyzing.

Understanding the Essay Structure

When writing a compare and contrast essay, it is crucial to follow a clear structure to ensure that your arguments are presented effectively. The basic structure of this type of essay typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction: This section provides an overview of the topics being compared and contrasted. It should also include a thesis statement that highlights the main point of the essay.

Body Paragraphs: The body of the essay is where you provide detailed comparisons and contrasts between the two subjects. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point of comparison and include evidence to support your arguments.

Conclusion: In the conclusion, you should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis. This section should also provide a final thought or insight to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

By following this structure, you can ensure that your compare and contrast essay is well-organized and easy for readers to follow.

Choosing the Right Topics

When it comes to writing a compare and contrast essay, choosing the right topics is crucial. The topics you select will determine the focus of your essay and set the tone for the rest of your writing. Here are some tips for choosing the right topics:

• Choose topics that have a clear connection: Make sure the topics you choose have some similarities and differences that you can explore in your essay. This will help you create a meaningful comparison.
• Opt for topics that interest you: Select topics that you find engaging and meaningful. This will make the writing process more enjoyable and will help you stay motivated throughout.
• Consider your audience: Think about who will be reading your essay and choose topics that will resonate with them. Consider their interests and preferences when selecting your topics.
• Avoid overly broad topics: Make sure the topics you choose are specific enough to allow for a focused comparison. Overly broad topics can lead to a lack of depth in your analysis.
• Look for unique angles: Try to find topics that offer a fresh perspective or unique angle for comparison. This will make your essay more interesting and engaging to your readers.

Gathering and Organizing Information

Before you start writing a compare and contrast essay, it is essential to gather and organize all the necessary information. Begin by selecting the subjects you want to compare and contrast. Make sure they have enough similarities and differences to make your essay informative and engaging.

Once you have chosen your topics, gather relevant information from credible sources. This can include books, academic journals, articles, and reputable websites. Take detailed notes and highlight key points that you can use in your essay. Organize your information in a systematic way to make it easier to reference and use while writing.

Consider creating a T-chart or Venn diagram to visually map out the similarities and differences between your subjects. This can help you see the relationships between the two topics more clearly and guide your essay structure.

By effectively gathering and organizing information, you will set a strong foundation for your compare and contrast essay and ensure that your arguments are well-supported and coherent.

Developing a Strong Thesis Statement

One of the key elements of a successful compare and contrast essay is a strong thesis statement. Your thesis statement should clearly outline the main points you will compare and contrast in your essay. It should also convey your overall argument and the significance of the comparison. Here are some tips for developing a strong thesis statement:

By following these tips, you can develop a strong thesis statement that sets the foundation for a well-organized and effective compare and contrast essay.

Writing the Essay: Tips and Tricks

When writing a compare and contrast essay, it’s important to keep in mind a few tips and tricks to make your essay effective and engaging. Here are some strategies to help you craft a compelling piece:

1. Begin with a Strong Thesis Statement:

Start your essay with a clear and concise thesis statement that highlights the main points of comparison and contrast. This will help guide your reader through the rest of the essay and provide a roadmap for your argument.

2. Organize Your Essay Carefully:

Structure your essay in a logical and coherent manner. You can choose to arrange your points by subject or point-by-point, but make sure your essay flows smoothly from one section to the next.

3. Use Transition Words:

Transition words and phrases like “similarly,” “in contrast,” and “however” can help signal the relationship between different ideas and improve the overall coherence of your essay.

4. Provide Concrete Examples:

To illustrate your points effectively, include specific examples and evidence to support your comparisons. This will add depth and credibility to your argument.

5. Revise and Edit:

Finally, don’t forget to revise and edit your essay before submitting it. Check for spelling and grammar errors, ensure your ideas are clear and well-supported, and make any necessary adjustments to improve the overall quality of your writing.

By following these tips and tricks, you can write an effective compare and contrast essay that engages your reader and effectively communicates your ideas.

Examples of Compare and Contrast Essays

1. Online Learning vs. Traditional Classroom Learning

This essay compares and contrasts the benefits and drawbacks of online learning and traditional classroom learning. It discusses factors such as convenience, interaction with instructors, and learning outcomes.

2. iOS vs. Android: A Comparison of Smartphone Operating Systems

This essay delves into the differences between iOS and Android operating systems, comparing their user interface, app availability, customization options, and overall performance. It aims to help readers make informed decisions when choosing a smartphone.

3. Vegetarianism vs. Veganism: Contrasting Plant-Based Diets

This essay explores the distinctions between vegetarianism and veganism, focusing on their dietary restrictions, ethical considerations, environmental impact, and health benefits. It aims to assist individuals in understanding the differences and choosing the diet that aligns with their values and goals.

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Swift Equatable vs. Identifiable: Understanding the Key Differences

Saurabh Patel

Frequently asked questions, when to use equatable in swift, what is the difference between identifiable and hashable in swift, what is the difference between equatable and comparable in swift.

In Swift development, understanding how to effectively compare and identify objects is crucial for writing clean and efficient code. Two powerful protocols that facilitate these tasks are Equatable and Identifiable .

The Equatable protocol allows you to determine if two instances of a type are equal by comparing their property values. On the other hand, the Identifiable protocol ensures that each instance has a unique identifier, which is particularly useful in managing dynamic data within collections or user interfaces like SwiftUI.

This blog post will dive deep into "Swift Equatable vs. Identifiable," exploring their definitions, purposes, and use cases. Whether you're filtering data in an array or managing a list of items in SwiftUI, knowing when and how to use these protocols can significantly enhance your coding efficiency and effectiveness.

Introduction to Equatable and Identifiable Protocols

The Equatable protocol allows you to compare instances of a type to determine if they are equal, which is vital for tasks like filtering arrays or sorting data. On the other hand, the Identifiable protocol is designed to provide a stable identity to an object, ensuring that each instance can be uniquely identified, which is particularly useful in SwiftUI when managing views in a list.

These protocols are part of the Swift Standard Library and are widely used to enhance the functionality and reliability of Swift applications by providing clear, consistent ways to compare and identify objects. By understanding and utilizing these protocols effectively, you can write more efficient and maintainable Swift code.

For instance, if you define a struct Employee in Swift, you might want to compare two instances of this struct to see if they represent the same person, or you might want to give each instance a unique id to track it across your application. Implementing Equatable conformance and Identifiable conformance in your types allows you to achieve these goals seamlessly.

These concepts are crucial in many areas of Swift programming, including building user interfaces with SwiftUI, managing data with Core Data, or performing complex data manipulations. By mastering these protocols, you'll be well-equipped to handle a wide range of development challenges in Swift.

Understanding Equatable

The Equatable protocol is a key part of the Swift Standard Library, allowing instances of a type to be compared for equality. It requires the implementation of the == operator, which checks if two instances of a type are equal based on their property values.

This protocol is fundamental in ensuring that different types can support equality comparison, which is vital for tasks such as filtering, searching, and comparing objects in Swift.

Purpose of Equatable in Swift

The primary role of the Equatable protocol in Swift is to enable value equality checks between instances of the same type. This is essential in scenarios where you need to:

• Filter or search within collections.

• Compare objects to determine if they represent the same entity.

• Ensure unique elements in a collection by removing duplicates.

Conforming to Equatable enhances the functionality of custom types and integrates them seamlessly with Swift's collection types like arrays and sets.

How to Conform to Equatable

Implementing the == operator.

To conform to the Equatable protocol , you need to implement the static func == method in your type. This method compares the property values of two instances and returns true if they are considered equal.

For example:

In this struct Employee, two instances are equal if both the name and age properties match.

Examples of Equatable in Use

Comparing custom structs or classes.

Consider a scenario where you have two instances of the Employee struct and want to compare them:

Here, the == operator determines that employee1 and employee2 are equal based on their name and age properties.

Using Equatable in Array Operations like contains

One of the powerful uses of Equatable is within array operations. For instance, to check if a particular employee exists in an array:

Because Employee conforms to Equatable , Swift can automatically use the == operator to compare newEmployee with each element in the employees array.

Understanding Identifiable

Definition of identifiable protocol.

The Identifiable protocol is a part of the Swift Standard Library that ensures each instance of a type has a unique identity, which can be used to distinguish it from other instances. This protocol is particularly useful when working with collections of data where you need to uniquely identify each element.

The protocol is defined as follows:

In this definition, ID is an associated type that conforms to the Hashable protocol, meaning the identifier must be unique and capable of being hashed. The id property represents the unique identifier for each instance.

Purpose of Identifiable in Swift

The Identifiable protocol serves an essential role in Swift, especially when dealing with user interfaces and data management. Its primary purpose is to provide a unique identifier for each instance, ensuring that each element in a collection can be tracked and manipulated individually. This protocol is heavily used in SwiftUI, where views need to manage dynamic data lists efficiently.

By conforming to Identifiable , you allow Swift to distinguish between different instances of a type, which is crucial in scenarios such as:

• Building dynamic lists where each item must be uniquely identified (e.g., in a ForEach loop in SwiftUI).

• Managing data in collections where items may be added, removed, or updated frequently.

Requirements for Conforming to Identifiable

The id property.

To conform to the Identifiable protocol , a type must implement an id property, which acts as the unique identifier for each instance. This id must conform to the Hashable protocol, ensuring that it can be used reliably in hash-based collections like dictionaries or sets.

For example, a basic implementation of the Identifiable protocol might look like this:

In this example, each Employee has a unique id of type UUID, ensuring that no two employees are mistaken for one another in a collection.

Examples of Identifiable in Use

Unique identification in foreach in swiftui.

One of the most common uses of the Identifiable protocol is within SwiftUI’s ForEach construct. SwiftUI uses the id property to keep track of individual views when displaying a list of dynamic data.

Here’s an example:

In this example, each Employee in the list must conform to Identifiable to ensure that SwiftUI can uniquely identify and manage each view within the list.

Managing Data in Lists or Collections

Beyond SwiftUI, the Identifiable protocol is also useful in any context where you need to manage a collection of items. For instance, when tracking changes in a data set where each item must be uniquely identified, conforming to Identifiable allows you to efficiently update, remove, or access specific elements.

By implementing the Identifiable protocol , you gain the ability to uniquely manage and manipulate instances within collections, ensuring data integrity and smooth user interface updates.

Comparing Equatable and Identifiable

Key differences between equatable and identifiable.

The Equatable and Identifiable protocols in Swift serve different purposes, even though they may seem related at first glance. Understanding their key differences is essential for implementing them correctly in your Swift code.

• Purpose : The Equatable protocol is used to compare two instances of the same type to check if they are equal. This involves comparing the property values of the instances to determine equality.

• Method : The key method in Equatable is static func ==(lhs: Self, rhs: Self) -> Bool, which must be implemented to define what it means for two instances to be considered equal.

• Use Case : You would use Equatable when you need to determine if two objects or instances are identical in terms of their data (e.g., checking if two Employee instances have the same name and age).

Identifiable:

• Purpose : The Identifiable protocol ensures that each instance of a type has a unique identifier. This identifier is used primarily in collections or user interfaces to uniquely track each instance.

• Property : The main requirement is an id property, which must be unique and conform to the Hashable protocol.

• Use Case : You would use Identifiable when you need to manage collections of data where each item must have a unique identity, such as in SwiftUI’s ForEach or when working with databases.

When to Use Equatable vs. When to Use Identifiable

The choice between Equatable and Identifiable depends on what you need to achieve with your type:

• Use Equatable when:

• Use Identifiable when:

Can a Type Be Both Equatable and Identifiable?

Yes, a type can conform to both Equatable and Identifiable . This is often necessary when you need both to compare instances for equality and to uniquely identify each instance.

For example, consider the following Employee struct:

In this example, Employee can be both compared for equality based on the name and age properties and identified uniquely using the id property. This dual conformance is useful in many practical scenarios, such as in UI development with SwiftUI, where you might need to both identify and compare list items.

In summary, Equatable is for value comparison, and Identifiable is for unique identification. Both can be implemented together when a type needs to be compared and uniquely identified within your Swift application.

Wrapping up

In this article, we've explored the critical differences and use cases between Swift Equatable vs. Identifiable . While Equatable is essential for comparing objects to determine equality, Identifiable provides each instance with a unique identifier, crucial for managing dynamic collections. Understanding when and how to use these protocols will significantly enhance your Swift development, ensuring your code is both efficient and reliable. By applying the concepts discussed, you can better handle object comparison and identification in your Swift projects.

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