Comparison/Contrast

The comparison/contrast essay is one of the most common essays students will write. Unfortunately, many students fail to see that it is not enough just to select two items to compare or contrast. There must be a significant, important, valuable, or relevant reason for making the comparison/contrast. Generally, the reason for making the comparison/contrast is established in the introduction and reiterated in the conclusion.

The body of the comparison/contrast essay may be organized around the objects to be compared/contrasted or around the points of comparison/contrast. The first approach is referred to as block organization and works best for essays comparing/contrasting fairly unsophisticated topics with broad points of comparison. The second approach is referred to as point-by-point and works best for detailed comparison/contrast essays. The more points to be compared in the essay, the more likely the essay will need to be organized as point-by-point.

Analogy
One special type of comparison/contrast essay is the analogy. An analogy is an extended metaphor that makes associations between two unrelated subjects, usually for the purpose of making something abstract understandable. For instance, science frequently uses analogy to describe forces and objects in nature. A common scientific analogy that most people are familiar with is the analogy that views the structure of the atom as a tiny solar system. This analogy makes some of the basic characteristics and behaviors of atoms that can normally only be expressed in scientific or mathematical terms accessible by providing a familiar comparison. One danger of analogies lies in pushing the comparison too far. While an atom may in some respects be like a solar system, it is not a solar system.

Method of Support
The comparison/contrast mode can easily be used as the essay's main purpose; however, it is another mode that lends itself to be used as a method of support or explanation for a writer's argument or as a part of research. The writer could compare/contrast two historical periods in order to support a thesis about the setting of a play. Another writer might compare/contrast career options for those with a college degree to career options for those without a college degree in order to support a thesis arguing that a college education is important to future success. In this way, the comparison/contrast mode can help develop or clarify the writer's purpose for the essay.

ENGL1010 Composition I