Comparison and Contrast Essay Organization Definition A comparison

Comparison and Contrast Essay Organization

Definition A comparison and contrast essay discusses the similarity, difference, or both between two or more subjects. A comparison focuses on what the subjects have in common. A contrast focuses on how the subjects are different from each other.

Points for Discussion After selecting your subjects (in our case the novel & the movie), you then need to decide your points for discussion. The points for discussion are the areas of focus. Example: If comparing/contrasting apples and oranges, points of discussion may be texture, taste, and color.

Writing A Thesis Statement A thesis statement for a compare and contrast essay should: Identify the subjects of your essay. Provide the point you will making by comparing and contrasting. Make clear if you are focusing on the similarities, differences, or both. List the points for comparison you are using.

Organizing When organizing a compare and contrast essay you should follow one of the following patterns: A subject-by-subject pattern organizes your essay by your subjects. You would discuss the same points for each subject, but you talk about each subject separately. A point-by-point pattern organizes your essay by each point for discussion you are making. You would talk about both subjects under each point.

Subject to Subject Org SUBJECT-TO-SUBJECT OPTION Topic sentence: State the main idea Subject A Support point 1 and specific details Support point 2 and specific details Support point 3 and specific details Subject B Support point 1 and specific details Support point 2 and specific details Support point 3 and specific details

Point by Point Org Topic sentence: State the main idea Support point 1 Subject A Subject B Support point 2 Subject A Subject B Support point 3 Subject A Subject B

TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES COMMONLY USED IN A COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY FOR COMPARISON And In the same way Also Just as Both Each of Neither In addition similarly FOR CONTRAST Although in contrast But on the other hand Conversely Unlike Despite Whereas However While, yet