Compare and

Contrast
Essays

Definitions

Comparison discusses
similarities (common properties)

Contrast discusses differences

(properties each have that the

other lacks)

Be certain which action is being

requested.

Is it either/or or both?

What is the purpose of the

assignment?
It is not enough to merely list
what is the same and what is
different. Why is it important
to see what is the same and
what is the different?
Compare and contrast essays
promote critical thinking,
which is why this kind of
essay is so popular.

What is the overall pattern in the

similarities and why does it
matter?
How does the comparison of the
novel and the movie enhance our
understanding
What is the cause of the
differences and why does it
matter?
What unique and new insights
come from the contrasting the
novel to the movie?

The answer to these

questions will form your
thesis statement or claim.
The thesis statement must
make a claim that goes
beyond simply listing the
similarities and differences
and creates a new
understanding.

Thesis Statement
Is there something important,
interesting or significant in the
similarities or differences on my
list?
What have I discovered about my
two topics?

Your
Assignment
Your assignment is to compare a
book and movie based on that
book. To merely list the similarities
and differences could be done by
anyone.
You need to come up with your own
analysis which only you can do!

Ask questions (?)

1. Why were certain plot items,
characters, conflicts chosen
and others omitted?
2. Why is something completely
different in the movie?
Something added?
3. What does that say about the
strengths and weaknesses of
the novel or the movie?

Why do we care about any of this

anyway?
1. Ask yourself so what for every
similar and different item you
have found.
2.The answer to so what is the
analysis or reasoning that the
essay needs.

Step 1: Use a graphic

organizer

1. Venn Diagram
2. Two Column List
3. Table or Chart

Organization #1
Paragraph 1: Introduction

The introduction of your essay

should mention both topics in a
clearly defined thesis statement.

Organization #2
There are two ways to
organize your comparison
and contrast essay

The Divided Pattern

The Alternating Pattern

The Divided Pattern

Paragraph 1: Introduction and
Thesis Statement
Paragraph 2: Discuss and give
supporting details and
explanations for topic 1
Paragraph 3: Discuss and give
supporting details and
explanations for topic 2
Paragraph 4: Conclusion

The Alternating Pattern

Paragraph 1: Introduction of
topics and Thesis Statement
Paragraph 2: Discuss and explain
and similarities between both
topics.
Paragraph 3: Discuss and explain
all the differences between both
topics.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Organization
Order points from least to most
important.
If the similarities are more
important, list the differences
first.
If the differences are more
important, list the similarities
first.

The Conclusion
The conclusion of your essay
should include final insights
into your two topics and a
restatement of your thesis.