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CompARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAYS

pROCESS OF WRITING

EXAMPLES

dEFINITION

RECOMMENDATIONS

Helpful tips fror writing a Comparison and Contrast essay

DEFINITION

CONTRAST

COMPARISON

• To contrast is to see how they differ

• To compare is to examine how things are similar

Therefore...

DEFINITION

• A compare and contrast essay is an essay that defines and makes a point about the similarities or differences between two topics. In compare and contrast essays, to compare is to highlight similarities, while to contrast is to highlight differences.

PROCESS OF WRITING

ORGANIZATION

THESIS

Structure Plan

The subject matter

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examples

1. Computers can be used to communicate easily, for example via email. Similarly/Likewise, the mobile phone is a convenient tool for communication.
2. Both computers and mobile phones can be used to communicate easily with other people.

structure Words

Compare and contrast structure words are transition signals which show the similarities or differences. Below are some common examples.

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examples

• Computers, although increasingly small, are not always easy to carry from one place to another. However, the mobile phone can be carried with ease.
• Computers are generally not very portable, whereas the mobile phone is
• Computers are unlike mobile phones in their lack of portability.

structure Words

Compare and contrast structure words are transition signals which show the similarities or differences. Below are some common examples.

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examples

Harry Potter vs. Draco Malfoy

Can a hero and a villain ever be alike? Strangely, it would seem like the answer to that question would be no. However, when it comes to Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, the two are more alike than you realize. Comparing and contrasting these two unique characters based on their destinies, families, and friends can show you how Harry and Draco have more in common than one might think.

Body

You can’t control your fate. The truth of these words for Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy drive the paths of their lives. However, how each different boy’s fate unfolds is what makes one considered the hero and the other a villain. Harry Potter is destined to be the “Chosen One”. He did not choose this destiny, but it was thrown on him as a child because of how events unfolded for his family. On the other hand, Draco Malfoy has family expectations of siding with and supporting the death eaters because of his father’s affiliation. Failure to follow Voldemort could lead to not only his death but that of his family.

body

While fate is important, their families are what set their fate into stone. It’s true that both boys had parents that loved them. However, the fact that Harry’s parents died when he was just a child and he was raised by the Dursley prepared him for the hardships to come. He had a thick skin from suffering ridicule and emotional abuse for years. Therefore, when it came to right and wrong, he was prepared to stand up and fight for what was right. This was not true for Draco. Coddled by his mother Narcissa, Draco lacked the backbone to stand up to his family or Voldemort. He simply accepted his fate.

body - conclusion

Another factor to drive their characters were their friends. Both boys had a very close-knit group of friends they relied on. For Draco, his friends were the thugs, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. However, the scope of their friendship was more of a leader and subordinate relationship. Contrarily, Harry had a close relationship with Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. Their friendship became as close as a family through the series. They were also pivotal to helping Harry to defeat Voldemort.When you compare and contrast Draco and Harry, it’s easy to see the boys are not as different as it seems. If their family or friends had been different, then their fates could have easily been changed. So it begs to question, are a hero and a villain defined by good and evil?

recommendations

• The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities.

recommendations

In a comparison/contrast essay, a writer must do the following: 1) Identify and explain three or more key points that two or more subjects have in common. 2) Show the similarities and differences between these points. 3) Develop a thesis, indicating his or her position regarding the two subjects.

recommendations

How to structure Compare and Contrast Essay

• The hardest part of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay is knowing when to talk about which subject. Essentially, you have three options:

• Block method (subject by subject): You discuss one subject in full and then move on to the next subject.

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recommendations

How to structure Compare and Contrast Essay

• Alternating method (point by point): You discuss one subject’s take on a certain aspect and then another subject’s take immediately afterward, followed by a new aspect.

• Similarities and Differences: You discuss all the similarities between your subjects and then all the differences, or vice versa (differences first and then similarities).

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