literary analysis compare and contrast essay examples

Compare And Contrast Essay

Compare And Contrast Essay Examples

Interesting Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

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Published on: Mar 7, 2020

Last updated on: Oct 26, 2024

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Compare and Contrast Essay - An Ultimate Guide

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Compare and Contrast Essay Outline - Step by Step Guide

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Are you struggling to effectively analyze and present comparisons and contrasts in your essays?

Writing a compare and contrast essay can be a daunting task. It requires a keen eye for detail, a deep understanding of the subjects, and the ability to draw meaningful connections.

Many students find themselves overwhelmed with the challenge of navigating through the complexities of this essay type.

In this blog post, we will provide you with examples and valuable tips to master the art of writing a compare and contrast essay .

With our tips and examples, you'll develop the skills to produce a top-notch essay that engages and impresses your readers.

So, let's dive in!

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Good Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

If you are writing it for the first time, you need good examples to understand how to write a compare and contrast essay.   Following are the best free compare and contrast essay examples that can be categorized for different levels.

Take help from these examples of contrasting two subjects to write an outstanding essay.  

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for University

As university students, the demand for critical analysis and comparison becomes more rigorous.

By studying these examples, students will gain invaluable insights into effective comparative analysis.

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples University

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for College

When writing the compare and contrast essay for a college assignment, the students may see it as the most difficult task. Don’t worry; here are some good college-level compare and contrast essay examples.

Free Compare and Contrast Essay Example PDF

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for High School

When writing the example for the essay, make sure that you can easily write the similarities and differences. The compare and contrast essay for high school is different from a college essay.

It does not require professional logical skills, but it is a good way to develop logical analysis skills.

Compare and Contrast Essay Example for High School Students

Compare And Contrast Essay Example High School vs College

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for Middle School

Following are good compare and contrast essay examples for middle school students:

Compare and Contrast Essay Example for Middle School Students

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for 6th Grade

Compare And Contrast Essay Examples 7th grade

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for Elementary Students

Elementary school students also have to write essays to compare and contrast two things. This can help them learn how to write better.

Here are some example essays for kids at the elementary level that make their academic writing process easy.

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for 4th Grade

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples 5th Grade

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for 3rd Grade Students

Thesis for Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

A  thesis statement  highlights the main points of your essay and what two objects or topics you will be further discussing in your essay.

Here is an example that will help you to understand better how to write a great thesis statement for an essay.

Thesis for Compare and Contrast Essay Example

Literary Analysis Compare and Contrast Essay Examples 

When it comes to literary analysis, one effective approach is to explore the similarities and differences between different literary works. 

To illustrate the process and provide you with a clearer understanding, let's consider a few examples of compare and contrast essays in the realm of literary analysis:

Literary Analysis Compare and Contrast Essay Examples PDF

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?

To write a great compare and contrast essay, you need to plan well and execute properly. When you are given this type of essay to write, it is best not to start writing it right away.  The prewriting steps for starting a compare and contrast essay are below:

• Select a Good Topic: Choose a unique and interesting compare and contrast essay topic that is neither too broad nor too specific.
• Brainstorm Similarities and Differences: Engage in brainstorming to generate fresh perspectives and ideas on the topic.
• Do Some Research: Conduct thorough research on the chosen topic to gather relevant information and insights.
• Create a Thesis Statement: Summarize your argument in a concise thesis statement, which should reflect the main focus of your essay.

Here is an example for your better understanding:

How To Start Off A Compare And Contrast Essay Examples (PDF)

Once you are done with the prewriting process, you can create an outline that will serve as your template for the essay.  The outline should have three components:

Introduction

Body paragraphs.

Below is a compare and contrast essay outline template that you can use for your help.  

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

Let’s discuss these parts in detail. 

An attention-grabbing introduction attracts the reader’s attention and will glue readers to your essay until the last words in it.

The  essay introduction part starts with a strong hook statement, and it should be interesting. The hook statement can be a quotation, story, or anything that captures the audience’s attention.

The thesis statement is also stated in the introduction, and it is the main writer’s argument. It should be included at the end of the introductory part.

Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction Examples

The body paragraphs should include 5-paragraphs. The writer presents their evidence and analyzes how the objects are similar and different.

The body paragraphs can be written using two methods.

Point by Point:  In this method, the writer lists the similarities and differences of both subjects.

Here is an example of point by point approach:

Block Method:  In the block method, the writer organizes the information. Firstly, define the first object's details and then describe the information about the second object.

Here is an example of the block method approach:

Writing a conclusion for a compare and contrast essay is crucial as it brings closure to the discussion and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. Avoid introducing new information and instead focus on reinforcing the main ideas presented throughout the essay.

In the end, leave the reader with a sense of reflection and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Compare and Contrast Essay Conclusion Example (PDF)

Need guidance to create a compare and contrast essay outline? Check out our compare and contrast essay outline blog!

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples on Different Subjects

As students progress in their academic journey, the ability to compare and contrast becomes increasingly important.

In this section, we will delve into a variety of compare-and-contrast essay examples for effective writing.

Education and Parenting Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Technology Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Pop Culture Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Historical and Political Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Lifestyle Choices Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Healthcare Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Animals Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Tips

Writing a compare and contrast essay can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, you can craft a compelling and insightful piece of writing.

Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate the process effectively:

• Understand the purpose: Know that a compare and contrast essay analyzes similarities and differences between subjects.
• Choose appropriate subjects: Select topics that share similarities but also have distinct differences for meaningful analysis.
• Conduct in-depth research: Gather information about the subjects to provide a comprehensive essay.
• Create a clear structure: Use an introduction, clear topic sentences , and consider point-by-point or block method organization.
• Support with evidence: Use quotes , examples, or data to back up your comparisons.
• Analyze and interpret: Go beyond listing and explore the significance and implications of the comparisons.
• Use clear and cohesive language: Use transitional words, be precise, and balance academic rigor with accessibility.
• Revise and edit: Check for errors, review the logical flow, and seek feedback to improve your essay.

Summing up, now you have got good compare and contrast essay examples for your academic assignment, making your writing process easy. Read these carefully and try to learn from them. Also, you can come back whenever you need more inspiration.

Need a more specific example on a particular topic? No problem! Generate your own complete compare and contrast essay in seconds with our AI essay writing tool .

In addition, our professional writers can craft an excellent essay based on your personal requirements. Our compare and contrast essay writing service provides 24/7 assistance and original human-written essays in affordable prices. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are compare and contrast words.

The most common compare-and-contrast words are:

• Nevertheless

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Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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compare and contrast essay

What is compare and contrast essay definition, usage, and literary examples, compare and contrast essay definition, compare and contrast essay criteria, compare and contrast essay structure, compare and contrast essay usage, examples of compare and contrast essays, further resources on compare and contrast essays, related terms.

A compare and contrast essay (kuhm-PAIR and kuhn-TRAST ESS-ey) is a composition that points out the similarities and differences of two or more things.

In academia, educators assign compare and contrast essays to evaluate students’ knowledge of the subjects and encourage critical thinking. Outside of academia, compare and contrast essays or articles compare things like products and forms of media to assist in the reader’s decision-making process.

It’s important that a compare and contrast essay’s subjects are somewhat alike. Like the adage about apples to oranges, there’s no logical point in comparing two things that are obviously dissimilar. Instead, a compare and contrast essay should consider two subjects whose similarities and differences aren’t immediately evident. For example, it’s better to compare two breeds of dogs (like a Labrador vs. a German Shepherd) rather than a giraffe and a dog, as the former serves the logical purpose of offering insight into the best option for a family pet.

Then, essayists must compare the subjects based on similar criteria. For example, a sentence like “The Labrador never barks; however, a German Shepherd is expensive” isn’t comparing the dogs with the same criteria. Instead, the essayist would say “The Labrador never barks; however, German Shepherds are a more vocal breed.”

The style of essay begins with a thesis statement that identifies the two or more subjects to be discussed. Using the Labrador vs. German Shepherd example, the thesis statement might be “While Labradors are often considered the quintessential family dog, German Shepherds are just as trainable and have many qualities that make them a more desirable family pet.”

Body of the Essay

From the thesis statement, there are two ways to organize a compare and contrast essay: the subject method or the point-by-point method.

Subject Method

With the subject method, the essayist focuses on each subject individually. They would fully examine the first subject’s negatives and positives in the first few paragraphs, the second subject’s negatives and positives in the next few paragraphs, and then reexamine their thesis in a concluding paragraph. If the essay comparing Labradors and German Shepherds was written with the subject method, it would analyze the traits of Labradors, then the traits of German Shepherds, and conclude with the essayist’s findings.

Point-by-Point Method

When using the point-by-point method, the essayist examines the subjects by each individual similarity or difference before reaching a conclusion. For example, the first paragraph might compare the price of purebred Labradors vs. purebred German Shepherds, and the second paragraph might compare the two breeds’ temperaments when in a family environment.

The conclusion of an essay readdresses the thesis and outlines the essayist’s main arguments. A conclusion to the Labradors vs. German Shepherds essay might be: “While both Labradors and German Shepherds have their positive qualities, a German Shepherd’s trainability and exceptional health outweigh the issue of costliness, making it the superior choice for a family.”

Transition Signals

Throughout this style of essay, the essayist uses certain phrases, called transition signals, to indicate they’re making a comparison. Comparison signals are phrases like similarly , also , both , and likewise ; contrast signals are phrases like conversely , in contrast , and unlike .

Compare and contrast essays are used largely in academia to assess the student’s knowledge of two subjects. An educator might have a student compare works of literature, authors, genres, time periods, characters, or ideological concepts.

Some semblance of the form also appears in print and online, usually to aid in the decision-making process. In the workplace, for example, a presentation might compare two strategies to help the company decide on a certain direction. Many periodicals feature articles that compare products, movies, and literature so that consumers can make better buying decisions.

1. Timandra Harkness, “Nature and Nurture, Then and Now”

Harkness compares the treatment of the nature vs. nurture question in two films: the 2011 documentary Project Nim, which is about a chimpanzee learning sign language, and the 1970 feature film L’Enfant Sauvage , about a doctor’s encounters with a feral child. Here, she points out similarities between the films’ subjects:

At first, there are many parallels in the behaviour of the boy, whom the doctor names “Victor,” and that of Nim. Both show instinctive fear and resistance, bite their captors, and have to be restrained with a rope from running away. Both learn table manners and to ask for food and drink.

Harkness uses transition signals in her essay ( parallels , both ) and chooses a point-by-point structure to compare the two characters.

2. Nicholas Klacsanzky, “Parenting Styles”

In this essay, Nicholas Klacsanzky compares four different parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, and authoritative:

Not too different from the authoritarian style, authoritative parenting combines responsiveness with demands. It is commonly the most recommended parenting style, as it sets limits for children, while offering them support.

Klacsanzky organized his essay by subject and spends a paragraph on each of the different styles. In this excerpt, he transitions into the authoritative style paragraph by comparing it to the authoritarian style. Unlike Harkness’s essay, Klacsanzky clearly favors one of his subjects over the others.

The Academic Help website offers several complete compare and contrast essay examples.

The University of Minnesota website has compare and contrast essay writing exercises.

• Argumentative Essay
• Expository Essay