Compare and contrast essay (Essay Example/instructions
The point is to build a list of possible items to compare. You then go through the list and find at least 3 Items you consider most important to discuss. For our sake, let’s suppose we pick Cost, Size, and Teachers. (some points in your brainstorming could be combined under one item. For example, as we look at tuition and scholarship, that could all go under the item of Cost. Teacher attitudes and student/teacher ratio could go under the item of Teachers) On your knowledge of your topics, you will know what items will work best.
Now that we have our Topics (Community Colleges and Universities) and our Items (Cost, Size and Teachers), here is how we build the outline to organize the essay:
I. Introduction-we start with an introduction that has four main points (the points don’t have to follow the order below):
A. Topic-tell the reader what topics will be compared and contrasted
B. Thesis-if the essay is deductive give the thesis, in this case, it might be “Community Colleges are a better choice than Universities for students undecided on a major.” If the essay is inductive, you do not give the thesis here. I will explain some tips for what you can do instead of later. (Unit 3 has notes on Deductive and Inductive)
C. Attention Grabber-Somehow creates something that will make the reader interested in the essay and want to read on. For example, I could start this essay by saying, “How would you like to save over $25,000over the next 4 years?” A statement like that would cause me to read on and find out how to save money.
D. Signposting-this is that sentence that tells readers the main points in the essay. In this case, we tell the readers we will be examining cost, size, and location between the schools.
All put together, the Introduction might look like this:
“How would you like to save over $25,000 during the next four years? You can potentially save this much money by choosing the right school for your needs. When looking at the cost, size, and teachers between community colleges and universities, students who are undecided on a major can benefit and save money by choosing to go at least two years to a community college.”
II. Community Colleges-this part of the essay is devoted to community colleges and the above points.
A. Cost- we give details about the costs in a community college
B. Size-we discuss the size of community colleges
C. Teachers- we discuss teachers at community colleges
(This section may be all in one paragraph, or it may be at least 3 separate paragraphs. It just depends on how much detail you have to give)
III. Universities-Now we discuss details about universities.
A. Cost- here are the details about costs in a university
B. Size- the details about the size of a university are stated here
C. Teachers- here we discuss the teachers at universities
IV. Conclusion-In our conclusion we analyze and discuss the details given above. We might conclude that based on the above information, students would be better to choose the community college because it will be cheaper for them for at least two years, and they may do better in classes because the small class size allows for more one on one attention…….
Sometimes the writer might spend several paragraphs building the conclusion as he or she evaluates the information that came out in the comparison. The next page will give an example.
This outline for comparing and contrasting is known as “Topic-by-Topic.” (Some may refer to it as Subject-by-Subject) Another outline pattern that is also possible is called “Item-by-Item.” (It may also be referred to as Point-by-Point). Here is how this other outline for a compare and contrast is set up:
I. Introduction- which has the same points as the above introduction
II.Cost
A. Cost of Community Colleges
B. Cost of Universities
This could be one paragraph, or at least two. It just depends on how much detail you are giving.
III. Size
A.Size of Community Colleges
B.Size of Universities
IV.Teachers
A.Teachers at Community Colleges
B.Teachers at Universities
V. Conclusion
You may use either the Topic-by-Topic pattern or the Item-by-Item pattern. Our minds process information differently. Some see one pattern being more organized than the other. It just depends on how your mind works, and sometimes the topics will determine which pattern you see working more effectively. Unless a teacher tells you to use one or the other, it seems to work best to use whichever one you are most comfortable with. Many times your topics will help determine which one you are most comfortable with.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]