How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

In a compare and contrast essay, you are discussing the similarities and differences of two things. The following is an example of how you might proceed if I asked you to compare and contrast Athens and Sparta. Before writing an essay, it is important to organize your thoughts. In a compare and contrast essay, a !enn diagram works "est for this. #ut similarities in the o$erlapping part of the diagram and difference on the edges. %ere is an example& Sparta aristocracy military education more freedom for women women ha$e almost no rights religion language 'lympics democracy Athens

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Before you write your essay, remem"er that all formal essays should include a "rief introduction and a conclusion. %ere is an example of an essay comparing and contrasting Athens and Sparta& Athens and Sparta were both city-states in ancient Greece. Since they were both in Greece, they shared a lot of similarities. Still, they were very different in many ways. The strongest similarity between the people of the two city-states was the Greek language. The people were able to speak to one another. Also, the people of Athens and Sparta shared a religion. They were polytheistic and worshipped gods like Zeus, era, Aphrodite, and Athena. !inally, both Athens and Sparta participated in the "lympic games. #t would be a mistake to assume the two city-states were too alike. "ne ma$or difference was form of government. The people of Athens developed a democracy in the fifth century %&, while Sparta was a military aristocracy. Another difference was education. #n Sparta, boys were educated and trained to serve as soldiers. #n Athens, boys were educated to take part in the government as citi'ens. !inally, the most interesting difference that # found was the role of women in each city-state. #n Athens, women had almost no rights. #n Sparta, women could own some property, take part in athletic events, and receive and education. Their education was not as detailed as the education boys received, but it was better than nothing. These differences make me believe Sparta and Athens were very different places to live. # think # would rather live in Sparta because women had more rights.