Compare/Contrast Essay

You can write an essay using block style or point by point. Please indicate which one you are using.

Here are some possible topics for your comparison/contrast essay:

1. Two cultures, or one aspect of two cultures, such as family life, schools, child-raising practices, courtship, and marriage customs.

Possible thesis: There are several important differences between marriage customs in the U.S. and in my country.

2. Living at home and living away from home.

3. High school and college (or university)

4. Two authors whose books you have read

5. Two products (for example, digital/film cameras, gas-powered car/hybrid cars, Apple computers/PCs (have you seen the commercials comparing the Macs with the PCs, by the way?)

6. Two cities

Possible thesis: There are 3 important differences between Houston and Istanbul.

7. Two cars

8. Two diets

9. Two classes

10. Two movies

11. Petroleum engineering and electrical engineering

12. Teaching math or teaching English

13. Or you can compare and contrast another subject of your choice.


Remember that you must have enough general points to compare. IF your topic sentence is too specific, then you won't have anything to say about it

(ie., The first difference between an apple and an orange is the color. It's not a good topic sentence because there isn't much to say about it. However, if you choose to compare the APPEARANCE of the apple, then you could discuss the size, color, texture, and skin of the apple in one paragraph.)

Remember to use a variety of comparison/contrast indicators. I want to see good style in your papers this time, which means you will use a variety of conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, subordinate conjunctions, and other transitional words and phrases (YES, you do know what these terms mean!). Look at pages 119-120 in WAE. You can also look at the corresponding grammar sections in UAE.


Please bring your first draft on Friday. Final draft will be due on Monday.

Questions or comments? Please post them!