Compare and contrast essays

Compare and contrast essays

a The Contrast essay
Contrast or distinguish between questions usually present you with two or more terms, instruments, concepts or procedures that are closely connected, and sometimes confused. The purpose of the essay is to explain the differences between them. The question may be of the form:

Contrast ....Distinguish between ...
What is the difference between....
What are the differences between....
How are ... and ... different?


A suitable answer structure would be:
Introduction to differences between A and B

Contrast A & B in terms of first difference

Contrast A & B in terms of second difference

Contrast A & B in terms of third difference


etc


Conclusion


b. The Compare essay
Compare questions usually present you with two or more terms, instruments, concepts or procedures that are closely connected, and sometimes confused. The purpose of the essay is to explain the similarities between them. Words used are:

Compare ....
What features do ... and ... have in common?
What are the similarities between....
How are ... and ... similar?


A suitable answer structure would be:
Introduction to similarities between A and B

Compare A & B
in terms of first similarity

Compare A & B
in terms of second similarity

Compare A & B
in terms of third similarity


etc.


Conclusion


c. The compare and contrast essay
Compare and contrast essays require you to indicate areas in which the things to be compared are similar and different.
Compare and contrast....

There are two main ways to answer such questions:
i.
Introduction to differences and similarities between A and B


Difference 1


Difference 2


Difference 3


etc.


Transition


Similarity 1


Similarity 2


Similarity 3


etc.


Conclusion
ii.
Introduction to differences and similarities between A and B


Aspect 1 - similarities


Aspect 1 - differences


Aspect 2 - similarities


Aspect 2 - differences


Aspect 3 - similarities


Aspect 3 - differences


etc


Conclusion