Compare-and-contrast essays

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Hi all,

We've moved to a different topic about compare-and-contrast essays. Before we started, we looked at the differences between comparison and contrast as follows:

Compare vs. Contrast

1. To compare is…

to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and difference.

E.g.) Compare two pieces of cloth; compare the governments of two nations.

2. To contrast is…

to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc.

E.g.) Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.

Also, you can frequently see the following words in the compare-and-contrast essays:

like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.

Like transitional expressions, the words above give readers a direction about what you're doing in a paper, so do some practice to use those words in an appropriate way.

We're going to continue to work on compare-and-contrast essays next week, so get prepared in advance. See you!

Joy