Compare and Contrast Essay

What Exactly Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

Simply put, it is an essay evaluating the similarities and differences between two subjects. These
subjects will be in the same category, but different. You might compare and contrast two different
kinds of pets, or two novels from the same historical time period.

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements
that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them,
contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a
meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but
rather to illustrate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on
contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare
and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example,
Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between
elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the
purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Compare and contrast is a rhetorical style that discusses the similarities and differences of two or more
things: ideas, concepts, items, places, etc. This rhetorical style is one that you’ll see often as a complete
essay, but you may also use it quite a lot within paragraphs of any kind of essay in which you need to
make some kind of comparison to help illustrate a point.

A compare and contrast essay does two things: It discusses the similarities and differences of at least
two different things. First, you must find a basis of comparison to be sure that the two things have
enough in common. After that, you identify their differences. You may structure the compare and
contrast essay using either the alternating method (stating one aspect of one thing and immediately
discussing the same aspect of the other item and how they are similar or different) or the block method
(discussing all of the aspects of one thing and then discussing all of the aspects of another).

The Structure of a Compare/Contrast Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be
compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward
comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide
useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward
contrasting:

Thesis Statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but
when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional
vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

1. According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other

2. According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your
audience.

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to
have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

Writing an Compare/Contrast Essay

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly different subjects, contrast seemingly similar
subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an
engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should
establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from
doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The
organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. 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. Make sure to use
comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the
relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the
essay and reinforces your thesis.
Formulating Your Argument
1.Pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted. The first step to writing a successful compare
and contrast essay is to pick two subjects that are different enough to be compared. There are several
things to consider when choosing your subjects:

 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."
2. Make sure that your subjects can be discussed in a meaningful way. “Meaningful” comparisons and
contrasts do more than simply point out that “Topic A and Topic B are both similar and different.” A
good compare and contrast essay will help your readers understand why it’s useful or interesting to put
these two subjects together.

 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?
3. Brainstorm your topic. You probably won’t be able to jump straight from deciding on your topic to
having a thesis, and that’s okay. Take a little time to brainstorm about how your chosen subjects are
similar and different. This will help you see which points are the major ones you want to focus on, and
can help guide you when you formulate your thesis.

 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.
 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.
 4. Consider your main points. You won’t be able to provide a list of every single way in which your
subjects are similar and/or different in your essay. (And that’s not the goal, anyway.) Instead, choose a
few points that seem to be particularly important.
 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.)?
5. Develop your thesis. There are many directions a compare-and-contrast thesis can take, but it should
always make an argument that explains why it’s useful to put these two subjects together in the first
place. For example:
 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

1. Decide on a structure. There are several ways to organize a compare-and-contrast essay. Which one
you choose depends on what works best for your ideas. Remember, you can change your organization
later if you decide it isn’t working.
  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.
 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.
2.

2. Outline your essay. Outlining your essay will help you work out the main organizational structure
and will give you a template to follow as you develop your ideas. No matter how you decided to
organize your essay, you will still need to have the following types of paragraphs:
 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 counterarguments exist but discusses how those arguments are inconsistent 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!
3. Outline your body paragraphs based on subject-to-subject comparison. Let's say you're working with
the following statement: "When deciding between whether to go camping in the woods or spend a day
at the beach, one should consider the following points: the weather, the types of activities each
location offers, and the facilities at each location. " A subject-by-subject comparison would deal first
with the woods, and then with the beach. This method of organization can be unmanageable, so if you
choose it, be sure not to let your paragraphs become page-long lists of points about each subject. You
can still have a paragraph per point about each subject; you’ll just put all the paragraphs about each
subject together. A subject-to-subject body paragraph outline could look like this:

 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
 Conclusion

4. Outline your body paragraphs based on point-by-point comparison. This is the more common
method used in the comparison and contrast essay. You can write a paragraph about each characteristic
of both locations, comparing the locations in the same paragraph. For example, in this case, you could
write one paragraph describing the weather in both the woods and the beach, one paragraph
describing the activities in each location, and a third describing the facilities in both. Here's how the
essay could look:

 Introduction
 Body Paragraph 1: Discuss first difference between woods and beaches: climate/weather.
 Woods
 Beach
 Body Paragraph 2: Discuss second difference between woods and beaches: types of activities.
 Woods
 Beach
 Body Paragraph 3: Discuss third difference between woods and beaches: available facilities.
  Woods
 Beach
 Conclusion

5. Outline your body paragraphs based on compare then contrast. This type of organization works best
for when you want to emphasize the contrasts between your subjects. First, you discuss how your
subjects are similar. Then, you end with how they’re different (and, usually, how one is superior).
Here’s how your essay could look with this organization:
 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
 Conclusion

6. Organize your individual body paragraphs. Once you've chosen an organizational method for your
body paragraphs, you'll need to have an internal organization for the body paragraphs themselves.
Each of your body paragraphs will need to have the three following elements:
 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.

Sample Body Paragraphs

1. Write a body paragraph for a point-by-point compare and contrast essay. Here is a sample paragraph
for a body paragraph that uses point-by-point comparison:
 "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."

2. Write a body paragraph for a subject-by-subject compare and contrast essay. Here is a sample
paragraph for a body paragraph that uses subject-by-subject comparison:
 "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."

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

The traditional essay tips won't work with compare and contrast paper. We have gathered the best
ideas online to share with students. If you write such assignment for the first time in your school or
college life, read information from us.

You need to keep in mind the most common writing mistakes school and college students make to
avoid them.

Start with the type of your compare and contrast essay topic. The topics are divided into 4 different
groups:

 Events (point to the differences and similarities of some historical events or episodes from the
book)
 Situations (choose to compare two different cases or episodes from your life)
 People or fiction characters (choose the story)
 Places (describe different locations)

No matter what comparison and contrast topics you write on, you need to keep to the traditional
structure of the academic paper.

 Intro (background)
Start with a capturing and interesting hook. Outline what your topic is. Point to the main argument of
your topic known as a thesis statement. This sentence or two usually come in the last sentence of your
first paragraph.

 Developing your arguments

You need to research your topic to choose three claims. Include evidence with the supporting points
next to each argument. There should be up to three supporting points in each body paragraphs.

 Disproving opponent's arguments

This time, you need to research the topic to view the facts that contradict your thesis. It is important to
choose at least one example and develop a paragraph with the counter-argument as well. Write down
maximum two opposing views followed by a couple of your refutations.

 Conclusion

Restate your thesis statement and stress why your side is right once again.

You can learn more information on the structure of five-paragraph paper online.

Writing Tips Used by Smart American College Students

Moreover, use such helpful words as "because," "for example," "the writer mentioned...," "according to
the book/movie," "from the given reading, we know that...," "on the following page, I have found..."

Examples:

"Why do you believe Americans will win the next Olympic games?"

"According to the reading I have found in my college library, their team showed better results than
Canadians during the last games."

1. Check possible examples of compare and contrast essays when working in your hook sentence.
It has a great influence on the reader's decision whether to read your text on a specific topic or
not. You may add numbers, figures, facts - whatever to make your reader interested. On the
whole, there are many types of hooks:

 Anecdotes and jokes

 Literary quotes
 Quotes of famous people
 Lines from poetry
 Setting scenes
 Scientific facts
  Questions and rhetorical questions
 Metaphors and similes
 Thesis statements

We think it is better to write a thesis statement in the last sentence of the argumentative essay’s
introduction to conclude.

2. Brainstorm all the time. The best way to decide on two good compare and contrast topics to
analyze is to brainstorm and write down possible versions on a blank paper. Once you choose
the subjects, you have to organize your thoughts. Prepare a table where you will mention both
similarities and differences between the two subjects.
3. Get professional help and examples. Find online educational services which help to choose
some good sources on the given topic. Those can be movies, books, articles, etc. It is the last
pre-writing stage which is known as a literature review. School and college students conduct
in-depth research to enrich their compare and contrast essay drafts with important details. If
you miss any words to finish your essay, a literature review is a brilliant way to reach the
necessary word count.

4. Don't forget about the formatting and in-text citations. Apply direct and indirect quotes to
make your text longer and more persuasive. Citations will serve as the strong evidence to
support your compare and contrast topics.

It was just a short preview of every section of your compare and contrast paper in English. Selecting
the proper topics might take a while if you don't have a list of sample topics in front of you. We are
ready to share the best compare and contrast essay subjects with you right now. You may use any
example as the subject for your comparative essay when the theme is not assigned to you.

COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY EXAMPLE

Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC

Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer
vastly different experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities
based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are.
Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines.
London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman
Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium. It was not only one of the northernmost points of
the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global
influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC,
on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native
Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as
the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the 1790s. From
that point onward to today, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global
influence. Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, and continue to hold,
significant social influence in the economic and cultural global spheres.
Both Washington, DC, and London offer a wide array of museums that harbor many of the world’s
most prized treasures. While Washington, DC, has the National Gallery of Art and several other
Smithsonian galleries, London’s art scene and galleries have a definite edge in this category. From the
Tate Modern to the British National Gallery, London’s art ranks among the world’s best. This
difference and advantage has much to do with London and Britain’s historical depth compared to that
of the United States. London has a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot
more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts,
but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With
regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both
have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and
national chains. While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a
different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British
counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall.
Both cities also share and differ in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very
expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. A downtown one-bedroom
apartment in DC can easily cost $1,800 per month, and a similar “flat” in London may double that
amount. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents. Although both cities’
residents are predominantly wealthy, both have a significantly large population of poor and homeless.
Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup.
Washington, DC, is a “minority majority” city, which means the majority of its citizens are races other
than white. In 2009, according to the US Census, 55 percent of DC residents were classified as “Black
or African American” and 35 percent of its residents were classified as “white.” London, by contrast,
has very few minorities—in 2006, 70 percent of its population was “white,” while only 10 percent was
“black.” The racial demographic differences between the cities is drastic.
Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the
Western world, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different
histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and
socioeconomic disparity.

Differences Between Good and Bad Bosses

Everyone knows how important it is to have favorable conditions at the workplace. Starting from
trivial things such as air conditioners or coolers with fresh water, and ending up with flexible
schedules and good relationships with colleagues—all this, as well as many other factors, impact
employees’ productivity and quality of work. In this regard, one of the most important factors is the
manager, or the boss, who directs the working process. It is not a secret that bosses are often a category
of people difficult to deal with: many of them are unfairly demanding, tyrannic, prone to shifting their
responsibilities to other workers, and so on. At the same time, there are many bosses who not only
manage to maintain their staff’s productivity at high levels, but also treat them nicely, fairly, with
understanding, and are pleasant to work with. Let us try to figure out the differences between good
and bad managers, or bosses.

There are numerous cases when a boss sees his or her staff as personal attendants. The scales of this
attitude can vary: some bosses may from time to time ask an employee to bring them a cup of coffee—
this is tolerable, and in many cases this can be evaluated as a friendly favor a coworker would do for
another coworker without feeling inferior or exploited. However, there are managers whose personal
demands go far beyond friendly requests. Highly qualified workers sometimes have to face humiliating
demands; for example, Jennifer (the name is changed)—a finance executive in a big company—had to
dress up like a Japanese woman, because her boss demanded her to do so. Or, another victim of unfair
chief-subordinate relationships, Marisa, had to stay in the office late after work, because her boss
required her to (attention!) trim his ear hair (Everwise).

A “good” boss would obviously not treat his or her subordinates like this. Respecting their feelings,
dignity, and personal space, such a boss would not demand colleagues to do personal favors, making
use of a higher position in a company’s hierarchy. As it has been mentioned before, asking for a cup of
coffee or some other small favor can be tolerable if it does not harm a worker’s productivity and/or
somehow infringes upon their dignity. Such favors are often made by subordinate employees for each
other, and probably cannot be evaluated as exploitation. Things like those described in the previous
paragraph, however, go far beyond a friendly attitude, and feel more like exploitation.

There are bosses who are typical “emotional vampires.” These people are extremely difficult to work
with, and even though they may possess traits necessary for performing their duties excellently, their
subordinates usually suffer severe stress because of their bosses’ psychological peculiarities. According
to the clinical psychologist Albert Bernstein, vampires fall under four categories: anti-socials, who
pursue excitement in all of its forms; obsessive-compulsives, who meticulously seek for the slightest
flaws in their subordinates’ work and micromanage everything; histrionics, who need other people’s
attention, and narcissists, who believe they are the most spectacular, valuable, and professional
employees in the company (Everwise). Each of these types can be emotionally dangerous for
employees. For example, anti-social bosses may provoke conflicts within the office environment, and
then enjoy the emotional dramas following up; narcissists will criticize everything and everyone, never
satisfied with the work their subordinates do, but never “stooping low enough” to organize it in such a
way that benefits everyone; obsessive-compulsive bosses can drive employees crazy with trying to
handle and regulate every little detail of the working process—implementing rules for ridiculous
things like how sharp should pencils be, or what angle monitors should be. It does not mean that
emotional vampires do it on purpose: rather often, such traits are subconscious behavioral patterns, but
this still does not make employees’ lives easier.

A “good boss,” on the contrary, does not try to regulate everything, or put himself or herself on a
pedestal. Such a person is supportive, knows the weak and the strong professional traits of each of his
or her subordinates, listens to what staff has to say (and not just listens, but cares about implementing
good ideas), encourages personnel, and cares not just about the work done but also about the team in
general and about each of the team’s members. “Bad” bosses may be highly competent in the latest
theories regarding their field of work, but it is the skill to manage personnel, to inspire rather than to
enforce, which makes yet another difference between the good and the bad boss (Developing People).
And even though it is important for a manager to care about the tasks his or her team must accomplish,
a good manager will always consider the capabilities and skills of his or her team, instead of blatantly
demanding results without regarding how people in the team feel.

All this does not mean that a good boss is one who is nice and tender to his or her subordinates, and a
bad boss is one who demands too much, though. In fact, a “good” boss can possess all the traits of a
“bad” one: he or she can criticize, yell, or force people to do a lot of work within a short period of time,
for example. However, it is the sense of limits that makes the difference. Robert Sutton, a professor of
management at Stanford University, says that: “The best bosses have that ability to sort of turn up the
volume, to be pushy, to get in people’s faces when they need it, maybe to give them some negative
feedback, and to back off when it’s the right time to do that as well. We want people leading us who
are confident, who are competent, who act like they’re in charge, who make firm decisions, but we
don’t want to work for arrogant, pigheaded bastards who can’t take input. And so what you end up
with is sort of this challenge—what great bosses do is find a way to walk the line between these two
things” (Business Insider). In other words, many of the “nasty” things “bad” bosses do can be done by
“good” bosses as well, but a “good” boss uses such tactics only when it is necessary and knows when to
stop being pushy—unlike “bad” bosses, who know no other manner of management.

The relationships between bosses and their employees greatly affect the productivity and the quality of
work within any company—this is why it is important that these relationships are, if not friendly, then
at least constructive and respectful. Unfortunately, not all managers know how to treat their personnel
well. There are traits that indicate a bad boss with almost 100% accuracy: such bosses often treat their
subordinates as personal attendants, are demanding, pushy, and offensive for no real reason, or may let
their negative traits of character loose, turning the life of regular employees into psychological hell (as
in the case of emotional vampires). On the contrary, good bosses treat their subordinates with respect,
consider their emotions and professional capabilities, care about teamwork, try to inspire employees
instead of forcing them to do something, and even when they need to be pushy and harsh, such bosses
always know when to stop.
Major Differences in Hospitals Today and 100 Years Ago
Medicine has a history spanning many thousands of years and specialized establishments for treating
the sick have also existed for eons. Despite the fact that function of hospitals have not changed much
during the last century, technological and scientific progress has made possible treatment approaches
that could not have been implemented a hundred years ago and made a large contribution to health
care. The main differences between hospitals today and a century ago are improved surgical
techniques, the safer use of anesthesia, and safer childbirth procedures.

Today, many people take anesthesia for granted and cannot imagine surgery without local or complete
analgesia. Anesthetics are widely-used, and oftentimes, even minor surgery is done with the
mandatory application of these drugs. They have become significantly less dangerous, and the control
over their usage is applied effectively. This can be attributed to the invention of the re-breathing
circuit by Ralph Waters, which facilitated the application of artificial ventilation during surgery
(Stephen 24).

Another significant achievement of modern hospitals is quality supervision over pregnancy. Today, a
woman giving birth can reasonably presume both she and her child will undergo a healthy process
from pregnancy to birth. This has become possible due to the new and progressive ways of monitoring
the status of a mother and her fetus. For instance, most modern hospitals, with the help of electronic
means, can survey a baby’s heartbeats using an internal device positioned directly on the fetus’s head
which measures the electrical current produced by the heart (Stephen 26). The cesarean section rate
today is approximately 30% in the United States and some birth procedures used in the past century
have been revealed as ineffective and have ceased (Berkowitz 210). The adoption of new childbirth
technology not only mitigates any risk that might have led to loss of life or disability a century ago, but
assures an almost perfect outcome.

These positive changes can be attributed to numerous scientific innovations, economic developments,
and better administration policies. Also, decreased levels of illiteracy both of medical staff and patients
should also be considered. Modern hospitals are exceptionally scientific and complex institutions and
have introduced complex diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Many hospitals have also broadened
their services and have transformed into institutions offering health education, research, training, and
disease surveillance (Haagen 193). Still, this does not mean modern hospitals do not face challenges.
For example, hospitals, especially those in developing countries, continue to be plagued with shortages
of hospital beds and other necessities (Haagen 201).

At the same time, a hundred years ago, health care had faced difficulties caused by the imperfection of
treatment methods and drugs. Thus, using anesthesia during surgery a century ago was linked with
danger, sometimes even greater than the surgical procedure itself. The most popular anesthetics were
chloroform and ether, both administered over the patient’s mouth. This led them to fall into a
condition of deep unconsciousness and many patients lost their lives as a result of overdose (Haagen
193).

Giving birth to a child a hundred years ago was a challenge as difficult as today, but the situation was
even more complicated due to the absence of modern painkillers and technologies. A lot of women
underwent childbirth with trepidation, since they were aware of a mother, or baby, who had died
during this process. Back then, the status of the fetus could be surveyed and monitored only by the
means of a specially designed fetal stethoscope. Thus, it was difficult to predict how the fetus would
develop, as well as prevent possible dangers for mother and child. Lots of women preferred to give
birth at home, or just had no access to hospitals where they could have been taken care of. Although
cesarean sections were used early in the twentieth century, the rate of recurrence was low.

In addition, it is important to remember that a hundred years ago, hospitals were far worse equipped
and the presence of many diseases as well as the reasons that caused them were unknown to science.
Illnesses that are now successfully cured with several injections of an appropriate drug could kill a
person living a hundred years ago. Besides, sanitary conditions in cities and villages sometimes were
awful and the methods of preventing and treating epidemics were less effective than today. On the
other hand, diseases that would be resistant to drugs never, or rarely occurred and various types of
viruses did not mutate at the rates they do today.

It should be emphasized that there has been a radical transformation in the way hospitals operate
today compared to a century ago. Improvements in anesthetics administration has made surgery safer
and new birth techniques employed by hospitals have facilitated a smooth child delivery procedure.
Most of this can be attributed to new scientific innovations. Modern hospitals are not yet in the clear.
They still face challenges, like the emergence of new diseases and a lack of adequate facilities, which
hamper their efforts. When compared to hospitals that existed a hundred years ago though, modern
hospitals have transformed greatly in how they deliver their services.

Topics for Compare and Contrast Essay

1. School vs. College: What's New?
2. Students Who Work and Unemployed Students: Who Takes the Best of This Life?
3. Research Paper and Essay: What Is More Responsible?
4. American English vs. British English: Major Differences
5. What Makes Education and Employment Similar?
6. SAT and TOEFL: Differences and Similarities
7. How Are Master Degree and Ph.D. different?
8. Persuasive and Argumentative Paper: Different or the Same
9. Traditional Education or Remote Learning?

History and Political Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

10. Comparison of Lincoln's and Washington' Ideas

11. Renaissance vs. Baroque Epoch
12. Anthropology vs. Religious Studies
13. American Government vs. Soviet Government
14. US President vs. UK Prime Minister
15. North and South Before the Civil War in the US
16. Henry VIII vs. King Louis XIV
17. Fascism and Nazism: Different or the Same?
18. World War I and World War II: Difference in Events

Compare and Contrast Topics (for Beginners)

19. Compare Apple and Orange

20. Night Time and Day Time: Advantages Each Period Has
21. What Makes People Completely Different from Animals
22. Living in Poverty and Being Rich
23. Coffee and Tea: The Effects of Both
24. Living in Big City or Staying in Village
25. Feeling Sad against Feeling Lonely
26. Differences and Similarities between American and British Traditional Dishes
27. Camping in the Woods or Resting by the Sea?

Opposite Things to Compare and Contrast

28. Females and Males

29. Coke vs. Pepsi
30. Red vs. White
31. Country in War Compared to Country in Peace
32. Driving a Car or Riding a Bus
33. Love and Hatred
34. Bad and Good Aspects of Overwork
35. Moon and Sun
36. Dolls or Soft Toys: What Should Parents Buy to Their Children?
Ideas Teenagers May Use in Their Papers

37. Childhood vs. Adulthood

38. Living at Home or Living on Campus
39. Reading or Watching Screened Versions: What Teens Prefer
40. Working in Office or Being a Freelancer?
41. Academic Writing vs. Scientific Writing
42. TV Shows and Radio Shows: What Is More Trendy?
43. Education or Professional Career: What Is Easier and What Is More Difficult?
44. Greek and Roman Culture: Differences and Similarities
45. Comparing Art and Science Classes

IT & Social Media Compare & Contrast Ideas

46. E-mail or Traditional Mailing: What Will Happen in the Future?

47. Online vs. Traditional Commerce
48. Online Dating vs. Real-Life Relations
49. Computer Games, Video Games, or Smartphone Games
50. Choosing between New York Times and Forbes
51. FaceBook or MySpace: Which Social Network Offers More Opportunities?
52. Searching for Job Online or Traditionally?
53. Using Online Writing Services against Traditional Writing Services
54. Benefits Marketing Specialists Get from Using Online Advertising vs. Traditional One

Movie & Music Compare and Contrast Themes

55. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer or Charmed?

56. Books against Movies: Why Reading Is Preferred
57. Jazz vs. Rock
58. Sam vs. Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings)
59. Gandalf vs. Dumbledore
60. American Cinematography vs. Soviet Union Cinematography
61. Thor and Loki: Friends or Enemies According to Movie of 2009?
62. Horror Films and Thrillers: What's in Common?
63. Harry Potter or Draco Malfoy?

Literature Compare & Contrast Ideas

64. Comedy vs. Drama

65. Greek vs. Roman Mythology
66. Beauty and the Beast: Lessons Learned
67. Prose or Lyrics: What People Prefer More and Why?
68. Poetry of XIII Century and Nowadays Lyrics
69. Shakespeare's Othello Compared to Hamlet
70. Fiction or Non-Fiction Literature: When You May Need Different Types?
71. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter: Which Fantasy Book Is Better?
72. Literature of the Past against Literature of the Future

Scientific Compare & Contrast Ideas

73. Oven vs. Microwave

74. Physics vs. Chemistry
75. Our Galaxy, Milky Way, and Andromeda, the Closest
76. What Makes Earth Different from Mars
77. First Mission to Moon and Second Visit: What Are the Differences and Similarities?
78. Thomas Jefferson or DaVinci: Whose Innovations Matter More?
79. Earthquakes or Tsunami: Which Consequences Are Worse?
80. Limited Control Tools or Software with Fool Access to Navigation
81. Formulas of Two Different Chemical Reactions

Popular Compare & Contrast Ideas

82. Soccer vs. Football

83. Chinese vs. Korean
84. Public Opinion vs. Personal Point of View: Discuss Subjectivity & Objectivity
85. Juice and Water
86. Light Beer vs. Dark Beer: Which One Is More Popular?
87. Anorexia Nervosa and Obesity: What Is More Dangerous?
88. Marriage and Divorce: Two Sides of the Coin
89. Windows or Linux: Paid vs. Free OS
90. Marxism vs. Other Ideas of Capitalism

Philosophy Compare & Contrast Ideas

91. Is Home Really a Better Place Than Miami Beach?

92. Life and Death: Various Philosophical Views
93. Living in Your Dreams or Living in Reality: Pros and Cons
94. Friends and ... Where Is the Edge?
95. Physical & Mental Needs of Human Beings
96. Reality or Fantasy World?
97. Main Philosophical Ideas of Macbeth against the Main Ideas of Hamlet
98. Dogs and Humans: They Are More Similar Than We Think
99. Sources with Free Access and Rights Reserved: Should We Protect Intellectual Property?
100. Greek Philosophers vs. Roman Philosophers