# How to write a compare and contrast essay

Canonical: https://duckyhelper.com/learn/essay-writing/compare-and-contrast-essay/
Updated: 2026-10-01

A compare and contrast essay shows how two things are alike and different and makes a point about what that reveals. Choose two subjects with a real basis for comparison, list similarities and differences, then write a thesis that says what the comparison shows. Organize by subject (all of A, then all of B) or point by point (one feature per paragraph, both subjects). Point by point is usually clearer.

## Two ways to organize

| Method | How it works | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Block (subject by subject) | Paragraph on subject A, then paragraph on subject B, then a paragraph that compares | Short essays, or subjects with few points of comparison |
| Point by point | Each paragraph takes one feature and discusses both subjects | Most school essays; keeps the comparison in front of the reader |

> **Tip: Use a two-column list first**
>
> Before writing, make a table with your two subjects as columns and features as rows (cost, ease of use, what you learn). Gaps and patterns show up fast, and the rows become your body paragraphs.

## The thesis must make a point

| Weak | Strong | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| *E-readers and printed books are alike in some ways and different in others.* | *Both e-readers and printed books let you read anywhere, but printed books are better for studying because they are easier to mark up and flip through.* | The weak one is true of any two things. The strong one says what the comparison shows. |
| *This essay compares two coming-of-age novels.* | *Both novels follow a teenager leaving home, but one treats leaving as escape and the other as loss, which changes what growing up means in each.* | An announcement is not a claim. |
| Five similarities and five differences, no thesis | A claim the similarities and differences support | Without a point, the essay is just a list. |

## Signal words

- **Similarity:** *both, likewise, similarly, also, in the same way, like*
- **Difference:** *however, whereas, while, in contrast, unlike, on the other hand*

## Worked examples

**Example 1: plan a point-by-point essay**

Problem: Topic: printed textbooks vs digital textbooks.

1. List features: cost, weight, note-taking, access without internet.
2. Find the point: digital is cheaper and lighter, but printed is better for taking notes and works without Wi-Fi.
3. Write the thesis: *Digital textbooks win on cost and weight, but printed books are still better for deep studying, so schools should offer both.*
4. Make each feature a body paragraph that discusses both types.

Answer: Thesis plus three point-by-point paragraphs: cost and weight, note-taking, offline access.

**Example 2: write one point-by-point paragraph**

Problem: Feature: taking notes.

1. Topic sentence that names both: *The biggest difference shows up when students take notes.*
2. Subject A with a detail: *In a printed book, students can underline, write in the margins, and flip back to a marked page in seconds.*
3. Subject B with a contrast word: *Digital textbooks offer highlighting too, whereas finding an old note often means scrolling or searching.*
4. Explain the point: *For studying before a test, that speed matters.*

Answer: One feature, both subjects, a contrast word, and a sentence that says why it matters.

## Common mistakes and fixes

| Mistake | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| No thesis, just a list of similarities and differences | Ask *so what?* and write a claim about what the comparison shows. |
| Block essay with no comparing at all | Add a section, or sentences in the B paragraph, that link back to A. |
| Comparing different features for each subject | Use the same features for both so the comparison is fair. |
| Choosing subjects with no real connection | Pick two things that share a category or a purpose. |

## Practice

**Five compare and contrast questions**

1. Which thesis makes a point about a comparison?
   A. E-readers and printed books are similar and different.
   B. This essay compares e-readers and printed books.
   C. E-readers were invented after printed books.
   D. Both e-readers and printed books let you read anywhere, but printed books are better for studying because they are easier to mark up.

   Answer: Both e-readers and printed books let you read anywhere, but printed books are better for studying because they are easier to mark up.. It names a similarity and a difference and says what they show. *Similar and different* is true of any two things, *This essay compares* is an announcement, and the invention date is a fact with no comparison point.

2. In point-by-point organization, how is each body paragraph built?
   A. Around one subject only
   B. Around one feature, discussing both subjects
   C. Around one quotation
   D. Around the conclusion

   Answer: Around one feature, discussing both subjects. Point by point means each paragraph compares the two subjects on one feature. Covering one subject per paragraph is the block method.

3. Which word signals a contrast?
   A. whereas
   B. similarly
   C. likewise
   D. also

   Answer: whereas. *Whereas* introduces a difference. *Likewise*, *similarly* and *also* signal that two things are alike or add a point.

4. Which pair gives the best basis for a compare and contrast essay?
   A. A novel and the year 1492
   B. Two novels that both tell a coming-of-age story
   C. Photosynthesis and a bicycle
   D. One novel and nothing else

   Answer: Two novels that both tell a coming-of-age story. They share a category and a theme, so their differences mean something. The other pairs share no clear basis, and one subject alone cannot be compared.

5. An essay lists five similarities and five differences between two cities but never says what they show. What is its main weakness?
   A. It has no thesis that explains why the comparison matters.
   B. It is too short.
   C. It uses transition words.
   D. It discusses two subjects.

   Answer: It has no thesis that explains why the comparison matters.. Without a claim, a comparison is just a list. Length, transitions and having two subjects are not problems; they are expected.

## Frequently asked questions

### Should I use block or point-by-point organization?

Point by point is usually clearer, because the reader sees both subjects side by side on each feature. Block works for short essays or when each subject needs a lot of background. If your teacher names a method, use that one.

### Do I need equal space for both subjects?

Roughly, yes. If one subject gets most of the essay, the comparison feels one-sided. Use the same features for both, and give each a similar amount of evidence, even if your thesis favors one.

### Can a compare and contrast essay focus only on differences?

Yes, if the assignment allows it. Many essays mention a key similarity first, because it shows the two subjects belong together, and then focus on the differences that support the thesis. Check whether your prompt asks for both.

## Sources

- [Purdue OWL, Writing Essays for Exams (comparison/contrast)](https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/essays_for_exams.html), accessed 2026-10-01
- [Purdue OWL, Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips](https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html), accessed 2026-10-01

## Related

- [How to write a thesis statement](https://duckyhelper.com/learn/essay-writing/thesis-statement/)
- [Transition words for essays](https://duckyhelper.com/learn/essay-writing/transition-words/)
- [How to outline an essay](https://duckyhelper.com/learn/essay-writing/essay-outline/)
- [Essay Writing study guides](https://duckyhelper.com/learn/essay-writing/)

## Try asking Ducky

- "Help me fill in a two-column table for my two subjects before I write."
- "Does my compare and contrast thesis actually make a point?"
- "Check whether each of my paragraphs talks about both subjects."

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