The Compare and Contrast Essay

1. The Compare and Contrast Essay

2. Checklist of What You Need • Thesis that is last sentence of intro, and that states specific similarities and differences • Write about specific similarities and differences throughout essay, providing specific info to explain them • Explain reasons for the similarity or difference • Add global context – what else was going on the world that was related to the issue being asked

4. The Thesis • Have a 1 sentence thesis (should be clear, and not be a run-on sentence) • The thesis is the last sentence of the introduction.

5. The Thesis Your thesis must demonstrate knowledge. Don’t just rearrange the words of the question. Example: There are many similarities and differences between…. (This is no good, too vague) Example:There are more similarities than differences between…. (This is no good, too vague) You must show knowledge of the subject in the thesis.

6. The Thesis • Thesis must address all aspects of the question • Thesis must address BOTH similarities AND differences • Following formulas are good for your thesis: • State 2 similarities and 1 difference (be specific) • OR • State 2 differences and 1 similarity (be specific)

7. The Thesis Let’s look at some sample theses using the essay prompt below:Essay Question: Compare and contrast the political and economic effects of Mongol rule on TWO of the following regions: China, Middle East, Russia

8. Bad Theses • The Mongols affected China and Russia similarly and differently. • This is too vague and shows no knowledge • The Mongols greatly affected China and the Middle East. • This shows some knowledge (very little) but the question doesn’t ask how big an affect the Mongols had, it asked to compare how the Mongols affected 2 societies (this doesn’t answer that, your thesis must) • The Mongols affected the Middle East and Russia in similar ways. They both benefitted from Silk Road trade and both were politically subordinate to Mongol rule. • Definitely shows knowledge. But it only talks about similarities. To get credit, you must discuss both similarities and differences.

9. Acceptable But Not Great Thesis • There were economic similarities but political differences to the Mongols’ effects in the Middle East and Russia. • This is kind of broad, but at least shows some knowledge and discusses both similarities and differences

10. Great Theses – Extra Points Possible • While the Mongols’ political influence in China was more dramatic in the short term, the Mongols actually influenced China less than they did Russia, which labored under a longer (if less obvious) Mongol influence for centuries. Economically though, the Mongols had a far reaching impact on both Russia and China. • Although the Mongols’ military domination was near absolute, they inadvertently contributed to Middle Eastern political and Chinese economic autonomy.

11. Body Paragraphs • The Comparative essay is the essay that you need to go into the most detail and show your knowledge of the subject. • DO NOT write an essay where you tell everything you know about topic A and then tell everything you know about topic B. • It is called the Comparative essay because you are expected to compare. You can know a lot about a topic, but if it only provides description without specific comparative analysis, you will not score well on this question. • For example, if writing about women’s rights in India v. the U.S., and are discussing women’s suffrage in U.S., compare and/or contrast it with women’s suffrage in India

12. Body Paragraphs Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is a direct comparison or contrast. This means that both subjects must be addressed and specific similarities or differences must identified.

13. Body Paragraphs • Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is a direct comparison or contrast • Both subjects must be addressed and specific similarities or differences must identified • For example: Women’s voting rights in India and the United States are similar in that by mid 20th century, women in both could legally vote, but differed in that the American government passed an amendment granting women suffrage, while in India it was under British rule that women were granted suffrage.

14. Good Topic Sentences • Han China and Imperial Rome relied on massive public works projects to demonstrate imperial power. • OR • Although medieval Europe had a chivalric code based in religious teachings, the code of bushido in Japan was secular in focus. • _________________________________________ • These make it clear whether you are addressing a similarity or a difference, and have specific info

15. Body Paragraphs • After the topic sentence, the rest of the paragraph must use historical evidence to support that topic sentence • Close each body paragraph with an explanation of why the similarity or difference exists.

16. Conclusion • You can earn a top score on this essay without a conclusion, so do not waste time on it. • The conclusion can be very significant in earning expanded core points, so write one if you have time. • You can restate your thesis (use different words) as the first sentence of your conclusion.

17. Global Context • Try to establish a global context in your into and conclusion. This is a way to get expanded core points (those extra 2 points to get to a 9) • Global context= What else was going on in the world that impacted or was impacted by the topics of this essay.

18. Click here to see sample rubric with explanation of how points scored

19. Checklist of What You Need • Thesis that is last sentence of intro, and that states specific similarities and differences • Write about specific similarities and differences throughout essay, providing specific info to explain them • Explain reasons for the similarity or difference • Add global context – what else was going on the world that was related to the issue being asked