5 paragraph comparative essay
A comparison essay or a Compare and Contrast essay is a commonly used type of writing assignment in various classes of high school and college, from art to science. Depending on your assignment, such essays can be comparative only looking only at similarities , contrasting only pointing out the differences or both comparative and contrasting. In order to write a good essay, first you need to have a good topic for it, i. What does that mean specifically regarding the comparison essay? For example:. Considering the right structure for your essay is one of the key points of success.
Comparing and Contrasting
Show AWL words on this page. Show sorted lists of these words. Any words you don't know? Use the website's built-in dictionary to look them up! Choose a dictionary. Compare and contrast is a common form of academic writing, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs which compare or contrast. There is also an example compare and contrast essay on the topic of communication technology, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.
To compare is to examine how things are similar, while to contrast is to see how they differ. A compare and contrast essay therefore looks at the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences. This essay type is common at university, where lecturers frequently test your understanding by asking you to compare and contrast two theories, two methods, two historical periods, two characters in a novel, etc.
Sometimes the whole essay will compare and contrast, though sometimes the comparison or contrast may be only part of the essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the similarities or the differences, not both, will be discussed.
See the examples below. There are two main ways to structure a compare and contrast essay, namely using a block or a point-by-point structure. This type of structure is similar to the block structure used for cause and effect and problem-solution essays. For the point-by-point structure, each similarity or difference for one object is followed immediately by the similarity or difference for the other.
Both types of structure have their merits. The two types of structure, block and point-by-point , are shown in the diagram below. Compare and contrast structure words are transition signals which show the similarities or differences. Below are some common examples.
When making comparisons or contrasts, it is important to be clear what criteria you are using. Study the following example, which contrasts two people. Here the criteria are unclear. Although this sentence has a contrast transition , the criteria for contrasting are not the same.
The criteria used for Aaron are height tall and strength strong. We would expect similar criteria to be used for Bruce maybe he is short and weak , but instead we have new criteria, namely appearance handsome and intelligence intelligent. This is a common mistake for students when writing this type of paragraph or essay.
Compare the following, which has much clearer criteria contrast structure words shown in bold. Below is a compare and contrast essay. This essay uses the point-by-point structure. Click on the different areas in the shaded boxes to the right to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the comparisons and contrasts contained in the main body.
Title: There have been many advances in technology over the past fifty years. These have revolutionised the way we communicate with people who are far away. Compare and contrast methods of communication used today with those which were used in the past. Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over long distances used traditional means such as letters and the telephone. Nowadays we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging from email to instant messaging and video calls.
While the present and previous means of communication are similar in their general form , they differ in regard to their speed and the range of tools available. One similarity between current and previous methods of communication relates to the form of communication.
In the past, both written forms such as letters were frequently used, in addition to oral forms such as telephone calls. Similarly , people nowadays use both of these forms. Just as in the past, written forms of communication are prevalent, for example via email and text messaging.
In addition, oral forms are still used, including the telephone, mobile phone, and voice messages via instant messaging services. However , there are clearly many differences in the way we communicate over long distances, the most notable of which is speed. This is most evident in relation to written forms of communication.
In the past, letters would take days to arrive at their destination. In contrast , an email arrives almost instantaneously and can be read seconds after it was sent. In the past, if it was necessary to send a short message, for example at work, a memo could be passed around the office, which would take some time to circulate. This is different from the current situation, in which a text message can be sent immediately. Another significant difference is the range of communication methods.
Fifty years ago, the tools available for communicating over long distances were primarily the telephone and the letter. By comparison , there are a vast array of communication methods available today. These include not only the telephone, letter, email and text messages already mentioned, but also video conferences via software such as Skype or mobile phone apps such as WeChat, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
In conclusion, methods of communication have greatly advanced over the past fifty years. While there are some similarities, such as the forms of communication , there are significant differences, chiefly in relation to the speed of communication and the range of communication tools available.
There is no doubt that technology will continue to progress in future, and the advanced tools which we use today may one day also become outdated. Like the website? Try the books.
Below is a checklist for compare and contrast essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer another student to help you. There is a downloadable graphic organiser for brainstorming ideas for compare and contrast essays in the writing resources section. Go back to the previous section about persuasion essays.
You need to login to view the exercises. If you do not already have an account, you can register for free. Scroll to Top. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn.
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour. Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited. The writing process What is the writing process? Subscribe to the newsletter. AWL Words on this page from the academic word list. Dictionary Look it up. Podcast is loading. Too slow? This message will disappear when then podcast has fully loaded. Block Introduction. Point-by-point Introduction. Compare Similarly Likewise also both Both computers and mobile phones can be used to communicate easily with other people.
Just like the computer, the mobile phone can be used to communicate easily with other people. The computer is similar to the mobile phone in the way it can be used for easy communication. Contrast However In contrast In comparison By comparison On the other hand while whereas but to differ from to be different from to be dissimilar to to be unlike Examples Computers, although increasingly small, are not always easy to carry from one place to another. However , the mobile phone can be carried with ease.
Computers are generally not very portable, whereas the mobile phone is. Computers differ from mobile phones in their lack of portability. Computers are unlike mobile phones in their lack of portability.
Compare transitions. Contrast transitions. Popular pages in the writing section Most viewed pages. An appropriate structure is used, either block or point-by-point. Compare and contrast structure words are used accurately.
The essay has clear thesis statement. Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence. The conclusion includes a summary of the main points.
A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. A, Paragraph 5 in body, administrative system and the French Revolution. A comparative essay is a composition made of many paragraphs that try to explain how two subjects are either similar or different. These essays are mainly about.
By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, engage in critical thinking, and go beyond mere description or summary to generate interesting analysis: when you reflect on similarities and differences, you gain a deeper understanding of the items you are comparing, their relationship to each other, and what is most important about them. Here are a few hypothetical examples:. You may want to check out our handout on Understanding Assignments for additional tips. Making a Venn diagram or a chart can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more things or ideas.
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Simply put, it is an essay evaluating the similarities and differences between two subjects. These subjects will be in the same category, but different. You might compare and contrast two different kinds of pets, or two novels from the same historical time period.
10 Comparative Essay Samples
Perhaps you have been assigned a comparative essay in class, or need to write a comprehensive comparative report for work. In order to write a stellar comparative essay, you have to start off by picking two subjects that have enough similarities and differences to be compared in a meaningful way, such as two sports teams or two systems of government. Once you have that, then you have to find at least two or three points of comparison and use research, facts, and well-organized paragraphs to impress and captivate your readers. Writing the comparative essay is an important skill that you will use many times throughout your scholastic career. Christopher Taylor, PhD.
How do you write a 5-paragraph compare and contrast essay?
She decided to attend Georgia Tech, where she will be majoring in chemical engineering. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month. As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID resources : our directory of virtual campus tours , our directory of extended deadlines , as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall. Master replies threads Member. February edited February in High School Life. February edited February Post edited by Master on February Replies to: How do you write a 5-paragraph compare and contrast essay? February
Throughout your academic career, you'll be asked to write papers in which you compare and contrast two things: two texts, two theories, two historical figures, two scientific processes, and so on.
You should definitely know what is a comparative essay before you get to writing. A comparative essay is a composition made of many paragraphs that try to explain how two subjects are either similar or different. These essays are mainly about comparing and contrasting various aspects of the subjects in question.
How to Write an A+ Comparison Essay on any Topic
The essay that consists of five paragraphs is a standard way to teach students on the standard format. It is a format that can be followed by everyone, even the youngest. Of course, that there are other ways of presenting your arguments, comments and contrasts, but it is a good way to introduce students with writing. Students learn the arrangement of a paper, presenting their arguments, evidence according to a logical manner. As the same format says, there are five paragraphs in the it: introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. Even though it sounds a little boring to write in the same style all the time, but until you learn to adapt it to your personal style you must follow the format. Expert admission essay writing service - get your essays written by professional application essay writer. Looking for help with your essay? All rights reserved. XXI Seaweed Symposium step to a creative essay writing. How to write five-paragraph essay After you get familiar with it, you have to try and write one. First, you have to brainstorm for ideas on the given topic.
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Log in or Sign up. Have you ever been accused of comparing apples to oranges and wondered what that meant? Rachel has, and now her English teacher is asking for a compare and contrast essay. Understanding what a compare and contrast essay is makes it much easier to write one! A compare and contrast essay is an essay in which at least two subjects characters, themes, movies are discussed in terms of their similarities and differences in order to describe a relationship among them. Rachel could write a compare and contrast essay describing the similarities and differences between two rival sports teams, or two fictional characters, or two books. She could, theoretically, write a compare and contrast essay about a pencil and Thor, but compare and contrast essays work out best when the two subjects belong to the same broader category. Let's briefly review general essay structure, then discuss what is specific to a compare and contrast essay.
