Whenever you look at two or more similar "things," there is a strong chance that you will compare them in some way. Statements such as "This rattlesnake meat sure is similar to chicken" or "This ice storm isn't as bad as the ice storm in '98" are the beginnings of comparison & contrast. These types of statements are usually followed by reasons that have led to the conclusions drawn. For example, you could focus on flavor, texture, and appearance in the case of the rattlesnake meat, and power loss, monetary damage, and inconvenience in the case of the ice storm. Any time two or more similar "things" are placed side by side and observed, focusing on the same characteristics in each, comparison & contrast takes place.
There are two goals you may have in choosing to present an essay in comparison & contrast form. The first may be to inform, and the second may be to inform in order to evaluate. After choosing your topic, but while determining who your audience will be, you should focus on one of these two goals.
Before you begin to compare or contrast two or more things, you must first determine if they are comparable. Foreign and domestic cars can be compared. Apples and oranges can be compared. High school and college life can be compared. Why? Each pair of "things" can be compared because each belongs to the same genus (the larger class, category, or group of similar items). Foreign and domestic cars are both forms of transportation powered by internal-combustion engines, apples and oranges are both fruits, and high school and college both have lifestyles associated with them--since they belong to the same genus, they can be compared. Keep in mind that when you compare, you are then able to focus on the contrasts between things. You must bring things together before you can set them apart; hence, the name "Comparison & Contrast."
Keep in mind that this style of writing has a clearly-worded thesis statement. It is usually--but not always--found in the introduction, and it should focus on your claim of similarity/difference between things, or the superiority of one thing vs. the other.
There are two ways that a comparison & contrast essay can be constructed: subject-by-subject or point-by-point.
A subject-by-subject comparison & contrast usually focuses on a smaller number of "things," based upon a study of their shared characteristics. Since there may only be a few things compared, the reader will probably not become confused as to which thing is being explored, so each "subject" can be explored individually before moving on to the next. After the subjects are introduced and their shared characteristics determined, the first subject can be completely explored through its shared characteristics. Next, the second subject can be explored through its shared characteristics. The last subject can then be completely explored through its shared characteristics. Finally, a conclusion to wrap up the comparison & contrast.
A point-by-point comparison & contrast usually focuses on a larger number of "things," based upon a study of their shared characteristics. Rather than comparing each thing separately, a comparison is instead made by focusing on each thing's shared characteristics. If three shared characteristics were studied for each thing, they would be presented characteristic by characteristic for each thing. After introducing the things and their shared characteristics, the first characteristic of each thing can be studied. Next, the second characteristic of each thing can be studied. The last characteristic can then be studied, followed by a conclusion wrapping up the comparison & contrast.
Let's say, for example, you want to compare cats and dogs as pets (this is an easy topic, used simply for illustration). You know that they belong to the same genus (domesticated animals), so you can begin to determine which characteristics they share. They both have some sense of loyalty, they both are trainable, and they both cost a certain amount to keep, so these can be the criteria you compare them by.
In a subject-by-subject comparison, you could look at cats first, followed by dogs, based on their shared characteristics. The essay could look like this:
A point-by-point comparison of cats and dogs as pets, using the same criteria, could appear like this:
Notice how the examples of comparison & contrast are symmetrical, or evenly weighted. While you want to strive for balance, each section/unit of your essay does not have to be perfectly equal in length or content. You do want to represent each characteristic equally, but as writing is fluid and malleable, let your topic help guide and shape the words you choose and how you present them.
The conclusion of a comparison & contrast essay can and should focus again on the main points made in the essay, but if your goal was to inform in order to evaluate, this evaluation should appear here.
Reminder!
When constructing a comparison & contrast essay, you must carefully consider your
and