Writing the Comparison and

Contrast Essay
 What is the purpose of
comparison and contrast?
Contrasts draw out differences between two
subjects.
Comparisons outline both similarities and
differences between two subjects.
Demonstrates how one subject is superior in
some way to the other.
Demonstrates how two subjects, which appear
dissimilar, are actually similar.
Instead of judgmental, may be informational.
How do I prepare to write a comparison
and contrast essay?
Brainstorm everything about two subjects.
Identify points that are relevant to both subjects.
Establish a dominant idea after examining points
of similarity and difference. This is the basis of
the comparison/contrast.
Select those traits to focus upon based upon the
dominant idea.
Be sure these traits are subject to the purpose —
desired accomplishment.
Writing the Thesis Statement
How do I write a thesis statement for a
comparison and contrast essay?
Decide to what extent the similarities
between subjects will be stressed, and to
what extent their differences will be
stressed.
Create a thesis statement that reflects that
decision.
Your opinion about the two topics
becomes your thesis statement.
Examples: Weak Thesis Statements

Hitler and Stalin are somewhat alike and

somewhat different.
I can see some similarities and some
differences too between Hitler and Stalin.
Stalin and Hitler are both influential
leaders.
Examples: Better Thesis Statements

Hitler and Stalin were powerful and

strategic leader who greatly influenced
World War II.
Although Hitler and Stalin were both
powerful and strategic leaders, Hitler had a
greater impact on World War II.
Organizing a Comparison and
Contrast Essay
 Outline -- Alternating
I. Introduction IV. Impact on WW II
a) Hook a) Hitler
b) Thesis b) Stalin
c) Supporting Statements
IV. Conclusion
II. Background
a) Emphasize Major Ties
a) Hitler
b) So What? Evaluate
b) Stalin c) Clincher
III. Leadership Style
a) Hitler
b) Stalin
 Point by Point Comparison

Good for longer, more complex papers

Make a point about one subject, and then follow it
with a comparable point about the other subject.
Alternating pattern
Be careful not to fall into a monotonous, back and
forth movement between points. To avoid this
problem, vary sentence structure as you move from
point to point.
 Paragraph Organization
--Alternating--
2nd Paragraph 3rd Paragraph 4th Paragraph

Impact on
Background Leadership WW II
Strategies
Hitler ↓ ↓ ↓
↓ ↓ ↓
Stalin ↓ ↓ ↓
↓ ↓ ↓
 Paragraph Organization
--Alternating--
2nd Paragraph 3rd Paragraph 4th Paragraph

Leadership Impact on
Background Strategies WW II
Hitler Pt. 1 born ↓ ↓
Pt. 2 parents ↓ ↓
pt. 3 parent
rel.
Stalin Pt. 1 born ↓ ↓
Pt. 2 parents ↓ ↓
pt. 3 parent
rel.
 Topic Sentence: The childhoods of Adolf Hitler and
Josef Stalin greatly impacted the men they grew up to be.
Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, a
town in Austria-Hungary, close to the border with the
German Empire (Adolf Hitler”). Josef Stalin was born
on December 18, 1878 in the small town of Gori, Georgia,
then part of the Russian empire (“Stalin”). Both
Hitler's parents came from poor peasant families. Stalin was
born the son of Besarion Jughashvili, a cobbler, and Ketevan
Geladze, a washerwoman (Smith 2). Hitler loved his mother
very much, but he had a very difficult relationship with his
father (Jones 3). Like Hitler, Stalin was fond of his mother
and had a tumultuous relationship with his father, an
alcoholic who savagely beat him (Smith 5).
What are the rules of thumb with
comparison and contrast essays?
Be sure to discuss both subjects equally in
terms of coverage.
Be sure to discuss the same elements for each
subject; do not discuss one element for one
subject and not do so for the other!
Have a clear purpose to achieve in the
comparison/contrast.
Using Indicators/Transitions
 Why do I need to use
indicators/Transitions?
Good comparison or contrast essays feature the
use of indicator words to convey to the reader
at any given moment whether a comparison or
contrast is being made and the nature of it.
 Avoid Choppy Essays

• You must use transitional phrases to ensure a

smooth transition from one point to another and
from one subject to another.
• Without transitions, your argument will be
difficult to follow and seem to jump back and
forth without a clear point.
• See compare/contrast transitions on the next
slide.
Example Indicators/Transitions
To Contrast
To Compare -although
– also -but
– as -even though
-however
– in the same way
-on the other hand
– like -otherwise
– likewise -yet
– similarly -still
– comparable -conversely
– equally -as opposed to
-different from
– in addition
-whereas
-- both - while
-- too - nevertheless
- in contrast