Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay

frog and toad

A compare-contrast essay compares what is alike and different between two subjects that typically have something in common.

Beginning

Make Your Introduction Interesting!

Tell your reader right away the two things you are comparing. Make your comparison interesting by bringing in an interesting fact, a story or a question.

Example:

Have you ever seen something hop near a leaf and wondered if it was a frog or a toad?

Middle

Balance Your Points

Whenever you talk about one item, talk about the other too.

Or, spend one paragraph on one item and one paragraph on the other.

Either way you organize your paper, spend the same amount of time talking about each subject.

Check Your Paragraphs

Build strong paragraphs by using these ideas.

Put each paragraph's main point in a topic sentence.
Put details in the other sentences.
All sentences in a paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

Conclusion

Sum up your ideas in an interesting way.

Example:

Although frogs and toads are similar in many ways, knowing their differences can help you find them in nature and enjoy them even more!

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Compare and contrast essays help us see learn more about both items being compared.

Image adapted from wikihow