How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

1- Research and classify. In order to effectively write a compare / contrast essay, the writer must first decide what the similarities and difference between the topics are. Some research can be done over internet using Wikipedia, wikiuncle, e-journals,e-books, etc. A Venn diagram can also be of great use to visualize and organize the structure of the paper.
2-Address each argument separately. There are two distinct strategies in writing such an essay. The first is to use each paragraph to address both topics. The second is to address one topic first, then the other topic. This will then be followed by a period of analysis that addresses both topics. In either case, it is important for the writer to decide ahead of time and structure the writing and research accordingly.

3-You can use this pre-defined outline to build your compare/contrast essay on:

• Introduction
  • Present the basic information about the topics to be compared and contrasted
  • Narrows the focus to allow the writer to easily present information on the topics
  • Provides a thesis statement that allows the reader to understand, in a general sense, the information that will be presented on the topics
• Body Paragraphs
  • Depending on the chosen structure, either addresses both topics in the same paragraph or addresses a specific topic
  • Falling in line with the thesis, shows how the topics are similar
  • Also shows how the topics are different
  • Evidence will be provided to back up the writer’s suppositions
• Conclusion
  • Summary of the evidence presented
  • Restatement of the thesis
  • Address the significance of the two topics being compared and contrasted