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Writing Academic Essays

A guide to writing five types of essays: argumentative, cause and effect, classification, process, and compare and contrast.

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What is a compare and contrast essay?

A compare and contrast essay focuses on the similarities and differences between two things. It is not simply a description of the two things, but an analysis of the two objects or ideas, which clearly lays out the ways the two are related and dissonant from one another.

Compare and Contrast Essays (4:21)
 

Brainstorming: Venn diagram

A useful starting point for a compare and contrast essay is to brainstorm using a Venn diagram. A Venn diagram is a visual method, using overlapping shapes (usually circles) to show relationships between two or more things.  

Example:

Example of Venn Diagram on the topic of computer options for students. PCS: cheaper, more customizable, most CIT instructions assume students are using a PC, and windows as its interface. MACS: more expensive, better security (hackers tend to target systems that are more widely used.), course VCC 150 must use a Mac, MacOS as its interface. Properties of both: user friendly and allows students to attend class digitally.

Start by drawing two circles that partially overlap. Label each circle with one of the things you are comparing and contrasting. In each circle, list all the properties of that item. Do the same for the second item. Anything that applies to both things should be listed where the circles intersect. Use the Venn diagram process to compare and contrast any of the suggested essay topics listed here:

  • Online vs. in-person
  • Film vs. literature
  • Public vs. private transportation
  • Apple vs. android
  • Two vs. four-year colleges

Structure of a compare and contrast essay

Compare and contrast essays can be structured in three ways:

  • Aspect Model: In this model the writer discusses all the ways the two items or ideas are similar first. Then, the writer examines all the differences. This creates two separate sections within the essay.
    • Example:
      • Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their lower price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
      • Similarities between PCs and Macs
        • Point 1
        • Point 2
        • Point 3
      • Differences between PCs and Macs
        • Point 1
        • Point 2
        • Point 3
      • Conclusion
  • Itemized (Point-by-Point) Model: In this model the writer discusses a certain aspect of the two items, comparing and contrasting their similarities and differences. Then the writer moves to the next aspect. This model creates an essay that intermingles similarities and differences.
    • Example:
      • Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
      • Point 1: Price
        • PC prices
        • Mac prices
      • Point 2: Modifiable nature
        • PC modifiable nature
        • Mac modifiable nature
      • Point 3: Campus support
        • PC campus support
        • Mac campus support
      • Conclusion
  • Block Model: In this model the writer discusses all of one item first and then the second one.
    • Example:
      • Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
      • PCs
        • Price
        • Modifiable nature
        • Campus support
      • Macs
        • Price
        • Modifiable nature
        • Campus support
      • Conclusion