Compare and Contrast Essay Examples for College Students
– Compare and Contrast Essay –
This type of essay can be confusing, as balancing between comparing and contrasting can be rather difficult. Check out this compare and contrast essay sample to see how to write essays of this type on your own.
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 that includes one or more paragraphs that compare or contrast.
This page gives information on what a compare and contrast essay is, how to structure this type of essay, how to use compare and contrast structure words, and how to make sure you use appropriate criteria for comparison/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.
Compare and Contrast Essay: What does it Mean?
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.
1. Compare and contrast Newton’s ideas of gravity with those proposed by Einstein [‘compare and contrast essay]
2. Examine how the economies of Spain and China are similar [‘compare’ only essay]
3. Explain the differences between the Achaemenid Empire and the Parthian Empire [‘contrast’ only essay]
Compare and Contrast Essay Samples
Below is a compare and contrast essay. This essay uses the point-by-point structure.
Title: There have been many advances in technology over the past fifty years. These have revolutionized 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.
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.
Hopefully, I helped you get inspired on how to pick a topic and develop a strong argument for your compare and contrast essay.
Remember: if you struggle with this format, you can always leave a comment for a professional writer or editor to help.
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CSN Team.
