The first step to writing a comparison and contrast essay is choosing the topic. You want to choose two things to compare/contrast that have both similarities and differences. Some students make the mistake of writing about only similarities or only differences because they forget to look at the larger picture. One has to be careful about choosing the topic because some things really don't have similarities.

Once you've chosen the topic, you'll next want to make a list of all the similarities you feel are important to point out and all the differences. You'll also want to take your analysis one step further and figure out why it is important for the reader to know about these similarities and differences. What further thing are you trying to convey with this analysis? Once you have a list of comparisons and contrasts and know exactly what you want to argue, you are now ready to compose the most important part of your essay, the thesis. A good formula to use for a comparison and contrast thesis is:

While both X and Y (strong verb, e.g. share) A, on the other hand, X is B while Y is C, showing us that (thesis assertion).

Once you have written your thesis and know the details of your argument, you can then decide how best to organize your analysis, and there are a couple of ways to organize a comparison and contrast essay.

The first way is Point-by-Point. Each paragraph will analyze one specific point and both compare and contrast the one point. If, for example, you were analyzing the quality of Mac vs. PC, one body paragraph could analyze software, comparing and contrasting both PC and Mac software.

The second method of organization is Block-by-Block. In this method, you will develop one paragraph that will be devoted to explaining one topic. The next paragraph will explain the same topic for the opposing side. Finally a third paragraph will be devoted to comparing and contrasting both sides of the topic. If we went back to our PC vs. Mac software example, the first paragraph would describe PC software, the second paragraph would describe Mac software, and the third would compare and contrast both types of software.

How do I write a compare and contrast essay?

A compare and contrast essay is used to show how two or more subjects are similar and how they are different. When you compare, you are highlighting similarities; to contrast means to explain the differences.

To organize a compare and contrast essay, you need to decide your approach. You could decide to explain all the similarities first, then review all the differences between your subject items. For example, if you were writing about cats and dogs, similarities would include both being mammals, having four legs, and being popular domestic pets. Differences could be that dogs are generally larger, that cats have better night vision, and that dogs are more easily trained to do tricks than are cats.

Another approach would be to take one idea and show how your subjects are the same or different regarding this one aspect, then move on to another aspect and explain the similarity or difference for that part of your subjects. For example, you could start by explaining that both cats and dogs were mammals; next you could state that both are popular pets; then you could write about the breeds of omesticated dogs that are much larger than pet cats; followed by the better night vision possessed by cats as opposed to the superior sense of smell possessed by dogs.

How do you write a direct comparison analysis for a compare and contrast essay?

Writing a "Compare and Contrast" essay requires you to:

1. Choose two subjects to compare
2. Identify a topic to focus on for your comparison
3. Argue that the subjects are either similar or different with regard to that topic

Note: The following is an outline for a "point-by-point" comparison essay, which works best for a 5-paragraph essay. Another option is a "subject-by-subject" comparison essay, which works best for longer essays. 

For an assignment, you likely had the subjects chosen for you but still need to find a focus for your comparison. 

To do that, think about all the similarities and differences between the two subjects, then select a theme that interests you most or you think you can argue best. 

If I were asked to write a comparison paper about dogs and cats, I might consider the differences and similarities in their anatomy, hunting behavior, temperaments and their relationships with humans. 

I chose the topic of their relationships with humans for my (imaginary) essay: Having a dog as a pet is different from having a cat. My purpose is not to prove that owning one kind of pet is better than owning another kind of pet; it is to prove that they are different experiences by showing how they are different. 

The thesis statement should touch on the topics that you will cover in your essay. For example, the thesis for mine might read, "Both dogs and cats make great pets, but they are very different experiences: owning a dog requires more responsibility, is often more expensive, and provides more interaction than owning a cat."

Your introduction gives you a chance to explain why you've chosen the subjects you have. Here's an example of how that might look: 

• Hook: Give a frame of reference for the topic that will pique the reader's interest and let them know why you've chosen this topic. Perhaps I would start with saying how many people in the United States own a pet and name a few universal benefits to pet ownership, like improved emotional and physical health.
• Grounds for comparison: Tell the reader why you've chosen to compare the topics that you have. I might use a statistic to show that dogs and cats are, overwhelmingly, the most popular pets in the country.
• Thesis: Make your argument about why the two subjects you've chosen are either similar or different. (In my case, different.)  

In a five-paragraph essay, the three body paragraphs in the middle will elaborate on the claims you've made in your thesis and give evidence for those claims.

The first body paragraph corresponds to the first topic touched on in the intro: In my case, "Owning a dog requires more responsibility than owning a cat."

Restate that argument in a topic sentence and then give two well-cited examples that prove the topic sentence to be true, giving equal attention to each subject. Link the subjects using "transitional expressions" that show comparison. From the Harvard College Writing Center:

To make these links, use transitional expressions of comparison and contrast (similarly, moreover, likewise, on the contrary, conversely, on the other hand) and contrastive vocabulary (in the example below, Southerner/Northerner).

For my essay, the evidence might show that:

• Dogs need to be walked or let out several times a day. Cats, on the other hand, can use a litter box that only needs cleaning every few days and never need to be walked. 
• Dogs need a lot of attention and become distressed when they do not receive it, while cats prefer solitude much of the time. 

For each of these bullet points, I would include an expert quote or a statistic from an academic study to prove that the evidence is solid. 

The end of the paragraph should draw a conclusion based on the evidence, linking the topic sentence back to the paper's thesis, and lead into the next paragraph. 

Follow this same structure for the other topics you named in the thesis. In my case, I would write a body paragraph giving evidence for each of these two topic sentences:

• Dogs are often more expensive to own than cats.
• Owning a dog provides more interaction than owning a cat.

Finally, write a conclusion that follows the reverse structure of the introduction paragraph.

• Summarize: Restate your thesis and the basics of your argument. ("Restate," of course, doesn't mean "copy and paste.")
• Evaluate: What does your conclusion mean in a broader context? My essay comparing dogs and cats might help people choose which pet is best for them, so I might say, "Either a dog or a cat might be an ideal pet for someone, depending on their lifestyles and needs. Considering the responsibilities and benefits of each type of pet can help people make the best choice for themselves and the animal." 
• Show significance: Why does it matter? In my case, I might cite numbers of dogs and cats currently living in shelters to conclude my essay and say, "Whether they choose a dog or cat, a person can make a big difference by giving a home to an animal in need." 

When you read over your essay, you should see a strong argument for either the similarity or difference between your two subjects, with evidence provided for all the claims you have made. You should be able to identify a thesis at the end of the introduction and a topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph.

What is a compare and contrast essay?

In a compare and contrast essay, your job as the writer is to discuss and analyze the ways in which two (or more) texts, characters, settings, and so forth, are similar (this is the "compare" part) as well as different (this is the "contrast" part). It is not enough to simply point out that similarities and differences exist between your subjects; you must go beyond description and summary. You should use this "data"—your list of similarities and differences—to make some compelling argument about your subjects. If you get this type of assignment, often your teacher is hoping that you will draw connections between the two subjects, develop an understanding of their relationship to one another, and discover what is most important about each.