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How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

Last Updated: May 12, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 29 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,099,689 times.

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyze the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects. A good compare/contrast essay doesn’t only point out how the subjects are similar or different (or even both!). It uses those points to make a meaningful argument about the subjects. While it can be a little intimidating to approach this type of essay at first, with a little work and practice, you can write a great compare-and-contrast essay!

Formulating Your Argument

Step 1 Pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted.

  • You could pick two subjects that are in the same “category” but have differences that are significant in some way. For example, you could choose “homemade pizza vs. frozen grocery store pizza.”
  • You could pick two subjects that don’t appear to have anything in common but that have a surprising similarity. For example, you could choose to compare bats and whales. (One is tiny and flies, and the other is huge and swims, but they both use sonar to hunt.)
  • You could pick two subjects that might appear to be the same but are actually different. For example, you could choose "The Hunger Games movie vs. the book."

Step 2 Make sure that your subjects can be discussed in a meaningful way.

  • For example, ask yourself: What can we learn by thinking about “The Hunger Games” and “Battle Royale” together that we would miss out on if we thought about them separately?
  • It can be helpful to consider the “So what?” question when deciding whether your subjects have meaningful comparisons and contrasts to be made. If you say “The Hunger Games and Battle Royale are both similar and different,” and your friend asked you “So what?” what would your answer be? In other words, why bother putting these two things together?

Step 3 Brainstorm your topic.

  • A “Venn diagram” can often be helpful when brainstorming. This set of overlapping circles can help you visualize where your subjects are similar and where they differ. In the outer edges of the circle, you write what is different; in the overlapping middle area, you write what’s similar. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
  • You can also just draw out a list of all of the qualities or characteristics of each subject. Once you’ve done that, start looking through the list for traits that both subjects share. Major points of difference are also good to note.

Step 4 Consider your main points.

  • For example, if you are comparing and contrasting cats and dogs, you might notice that both are common household pets, fairly easy to adopt, and don’t usually have many special care needs. These are points of comparison (ways they are similar).
  • You might also note that cats are usually more independent than dogs, that dogs may not provoke allergies as much as cats do, and that cats don’t get as big as many dogs do. These are points of contrast (ways they are different).
  • These points of contrast can often be good places to start thinking about your thesis, or argument. Do these differences make one animal a superior type of pet? Or a better pet choice for a specific living situation (e.g., an apartment, a farm, etc.)?

Step 5 Develop your thesis.

  • Show readers why one subject is more desirable than the other. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable."
  • Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions."
  • Show readers how two subjects are similar and different. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class."
  • In middle school and high school, the standard format for essays is often the “5-paragraph form,” with an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. If your teacher recommends this form, go for it. However, you should be aware that especially in college, teachers and professors tend to want students to break out of this limited mode. Don’t get so locked into having “three main points” that you forget to fully explore your topic.

Organizing Your Essay

Step 1 Decide on a structure.

  • Subject by subject. This organization deals with all of the points about Topic A, then all of the points of Topic B. For example, you could discuss all your points about frozen pizza (in as many paragraphs as necessary), then all your points about homemade pizza. The strength of this form is that you don’t jump back and forth as much between topics, which can help your essay read more smoothly. It can also be helpful if you are using one subject as a “lens” through which to examine the other. The major disadvantage is that the comparisons and contrasts don’t really become evident until much further into the essay, and it can end up reading like a list of “points” rather than a cohesive essay. [4] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
  • Point by point. This type of organization switches back and forth between points. For example, you could first discuss the prices of frozen pizza vs. homemade pizza, then the quality of ingredients, then the convenience factor. The advantage of this form is that it’s very clear what you’re comparing and contrasting. The disadvantage is that you do switch back and forth between topics, so you need to make sure that you use transitions and signposts to lead your reader through your argument.
  • Compare then contrast. This organization presents all the comparisons first, then all the contrasts. It’s a pretty common way of organizing an essay, and it can be helpful if you really want to emphasize how your subjects are different. Putting the contrasts last places the emphasis on them. However, it can be more difficult for your readers to immediately see why these two subjects are being contrasted if all the similarities are first.

Step 2 Outline your essay.

  • Introduction. This paragraph comes first and presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted. It should present your thesis and the direction of your essay (i.e., what you will discuss and why your readers should care).
  • Body Paragraphs. These are the meat of your essay, where you provide the details and evidence that support your claims. Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof. It should provide and analyze evidence in order to connect those proofs to your thesis and support your thesis. Many middle-school and high-school essays may only require three body paragraphs, but use as many as is necessary to fully convey your argument.
  • Acknowledgement of Competitive Arguments/Concession. This paragraph acknowledges that other counter-arguments exist, but discusses how those arguments are flawed or do not apply.
  • Conclusion. This paragraph summarizes the evidence presented. It will restate the thesis, but usually in a way that offers more information or sophistication than the introduction could. Remember: your audience now has all the information you gave them about why your argument is solid. They don’t need you to just reword your original thesis. Take it to the next level!

Step 3 Outline your body paragraphs based on subject-to-subject comparison.

  • Introduction: state your intent to discuss the differences between camping in the woods or on the beach.
  • Body Paragraph 1 (Woods): Climate/Weather
  • Body Paragraph 2 (Woods): Types of Activities and Facilities
  • Body Paragraph 3 (Beach): Climate/Weather
  • Body Paragraph 4 (Beach): Types of Activities and Facilities

Step 4 Outline your body paragraphs based on point-by-point comparison.

  • Introduction

Step 5 Outline your body paragraphs based on compare then contrast.

  • Body Paragraph 1: Similarity between woods and beaches (both are places with a wide variety of things to do)
  • Body Paragraph 2: First difference between woods and beaches (they have different climates)
  • Body Paragraph 3: Second difference between woods and beaches (there are more easily accessible woods than beaches in most parts of the country)
  • Body Paragraph 4: Emphasis on the superiority of the woods to the beach

Step 6 Organize your individual body paragraphs.

  • Topic sentence: This sentence introduces the main idea and subject of the paragraph. It can also provide a transition from the ideas in the previous paragraph.
  • Body: These sentences provide concrete evidence that support the topic sentence and main idea.
  • Conclusion: this sentence wraps up the ideas in the paragraph. It may also provide a link to the next paragraph’s ideas.

Putting It All Together

Step 1 Use your brainstorming ideas to fill in your outline.

  • If you are having trouble finding evidence to support your argument, go back to your original texts and try the brainstorming process again. It could be that your argument is evolving past where it started, which is good! You just need to go back and look for further evidence.

Step 2 Remember to explain the “why.”

  • For example, in a body paragraph about the quality of ingredients in frozen vs. homemade pizza, you could close with an assertion like this: “Because you actively control the quality of the ingredients in pizza you make at home, it can be healthier for you than frozen pizza. It can also let you express your imagination. Pineapple and peanut butter pizza? Go for it! Pickles and parmesan? Do it! Using your own ingredients lets you have fun with your food.” This type of comment helps your reader understand why the ability to choose your own ingredients makes homemade pizza better.

Step 3 Come up with a title.

  • Reading your essay aloud can also help you find problem spots. Often, when you’re writing you get so used to what you meant to say that you don’t read what you actually said.

Step 5 Review your essay.

  • Avoid bias. Don't use overly negative or defamatory language to show why a subject is unfavorable; use solid evidence to prove your points instead.
  • Avoid first-person pronouns unless told otherwise. In some cases, your teacher may encourage you to use “I” and “you” in your essay. However, if the assignment or your teacher doesn’t mention it, stick with third-person instead, like “one may see” or “people may enjoy.” This is common practice for formal academic essays.
  • Proofread! Spelling and punctuation errors happen to everyone, but not catching them can make you seem lazy. Go over your essay carefully, and ask a friend to help if you’re not confident in your own proofreading skills.

Sample Body Paragraphs

Step 1 Write a body paragraph for a point-by-point compare and contrast essay.

  • "When one is deciding whether to go to the beach or the woods, the type of activities that each location offers are an important point to consider. At the beach, one can enjoy the water by swimming, surfing, or even building a sandcastle with a moat that will fill with water. When one is in the woods, one may be able to go fishing or swimming in a nearby lake, or one may not be near water at all. At the beach, one can keep one's kids entertained by burying them in sand or kicking around a soccer ball; if one is in the woods, one can entertain one's kids by showing them different plans or animals. Both the beach and the woods offer a variety of activities for adults and kids alike."

Step 2 Write a body paragraph for a subject-by-subject compare and contrast essay.

  • "The beach has a wonderful climate, many activities, and great facilities for any visitor's everyday use. If a person goes to the beach during the right day or time of year, he or she can enjoy warm, yet refreshing water, a cool breeze, and a relatively hot climate. At the beach, one can go swimming, sunbathe, or build sandcastles. There are also great facilities at the beach, such as a changing room, umbrellas, and conveniently-located restaurants and changing facilities. The climate, activities, and facilities are important points to consider when deciding between the beach and the woods."

Sample Essay Outline

how to write a compare contrast essay middle school

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Collect your sources. Mark page numbers in books, authors, titles, dates, or other applicable information. This will help you cite your sources later on in the writing process. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
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  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/
  • ↑ http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/compcontrast/

About This Article

Megan Morgan, PhD

To write a compare and contrast essay, try organizing your essay so you're comparing and contrasting one aspect of your subjects in each paragraph. Or, if you don't want to jump back and forth between subjects, structure your essay so the first half is about one subject and the second half is about the other. You could also write your essay so the first few paragraphs introduce all of the comparisons and the last few paragraphs introduce all of the contrasts, which can help emphasize your subjects' differences and similarities. To learn how to choose subjects to compare and come up with a thesis statement, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to teach compare and contrast essays.

Discover a step-by-step approach to teaching compare and contrast essay writing to students using engaging visuals and paired passages.

Sometimes, you have to slow down to speed up. When it comes to teaching, compare and contrast essay writing to students, that saying definitely applies.

I’ve learned that spending meaningful time upfront instructing students on organizing their thoughts and words pays off. 

Explicitly teach writing

I’ve learned that students can easily explain verbally how two objects are alike and different. However, these same students often struggle with writing.

I can tell you that simply assigning more and more writing practice is  not  the answer.

Instead, students need:

  • each step explained clearly
  • a way to organize their thoughts
  • a structure to guide them
  • examples of essays – the good and the bad – to model their writing and provide direction.

Here are the steps and scaffolding I use when teaching students to write compare-and-contrast essays.

Explain the definitions to ensure understanding

First, students need to understand what the words  compare  and  contrast  mean.

Compare  means to recognize and examine how two things are similar.

Contrast  means to recognize and examine how two things are different.

Teaching students how to compare and contrast

Compare and contrast familiar objects and pictures

I plan at least two days for this activity.

On the first day, practice by comparing two similar items that are familiar to students. Use items they can see and touch, such as earbuds vs. headphones or markers vs. crayons.

You can also use pictures of two items, such as a bus vs. a car or a cardinal vs. an eagle.

At this point, comparing and contrasting should be intentionally easy in order to build students’ confidence and skills.

Students should identify important points or characteristics of each item or picture. Depending on your students’ abilities, this can be done together as a group or individually with sticky notes.

Next, create a big Venn diagram using an interactive whiteboard, a chalkboard, or chart paper. Discuss the important points students identified and decide where they should be categorized on the Venn diagram. Try to find at least three similarities and three differences for each section of the organizers.

large group modeling of how to write a compare and contrast essay

On the second day, follow the same plan but scaffold the activities to provide more independent practice. For example, students can independently practice comparing and contrasting by completing a Venn diagram. For students who might struggle with independent work, meet with a small group while the others work independently.

Venn diagram comparing and contrasting paired passages

Compare and contrast text

The next step is to compare and contrast text, such as stories and passages. Choose two texts that are related in some way, such as similar topics, genres, subject matter, etc.

Moving from comparing and contrasting objects or pictures to paired passages is a big step. This move generally takes a few practice sessions before students feel ready to begin writing an essay. They’ll need more time to compare and contrast the passages and to learn to balance the differences between the passages.

Important Point  – Many students tell only how the two things are the same or only how they’re different. Students need to explain both similarities and differences. They also need to balance the differences. For example, if students compare animals and a key point from passage A is size; then size should also be listed for passage B on the Venn diagram as a point being contrasted.

For beginners,

the general plan for comparing and contrasting paired readings is:

  • Read the two texts together as a group. 
  • Compare and contrast together as a group or individually. 
  • Finally, model and write the paragraph or essay together as a group the first time through.

Begin scaffolding the lessons by providing opportunities for independent work. Begin doing a bit less as a group and allow students to take more steps by themselves. 

For example, read the texts together but allow students to independently explore and identify similar and different points.

Continue to use gradual release until students are completing the work independently.

Worth trying  – Consider choosing passages right at students’ ability levels or slightly below their ability levels for the first independent practice.

Step-by-step plan to compare and contrast text

The following steps outline the plan I use each year to teach students to compare and contrast using paired passages successfully. I typically introduce the process in January and continue fine-tuning it through the spring.

1. Break down questions and prompts

Model reading and rereading the question or prompt several times. Students must understand  exactly  what the question is asking them to do. 

Take the time to break down every word. Explicitly teach the meanings of words like  evaluate ,  list ,  explore ,  explain , etc.

Students should highlight, underline, or circle  important keywords  from the question. They should then use those keywords to turn the question into a statement. This statement becomes the topic sentence for the essay.

2. Highlight the passages

I instruct students to read paired passages through the first time without marking them up. The second reading is the time for highlighting, underlining, and circling. 

Using paired passages to teach compare and contrast essay writing

As you begin scaffolding, students can experiment using one color to highlight similarities and another color for differences.

Advanced students can try marking each important point in a different color. For example, if students compare and contrast two animals, they might underline the size of the animals in pink. They can underline the prey in yellow, etc.

3. Organizing students’ thinking

Now that students have identified the important details, they need to organize them.

Organizers are perfect for compare and contrast questions. Students can practice with Venn diagrams, lists, or other types of organizers. 

I’ve debated with other teachers about the merits of having students write complete sentences on organizers versus jotting notes, abbreviations, and ideas. Some teachers feel that students need to get their ideas down on paper quickly and that complete sentences can wait. Other teachers want the organizers to include the hard part of developing complete sentences.

Think it over and decide what’s best for your class based on your students and their abilities. 

4. Developing sentences with sentence starters

The topic sentence can and should be developed using the keywords from the question or writing prompt.

The body sentences can follow a basic formula or recipe. I model writing the body sentences using sentence starters or sentence stems.

Point out to students that everyone’s writing will be worded differently, and that’s perfectly fine. With writing, there are many ways their thoughts can be expressed.

Here are some basic sentence starters:

The first way ______ and _______ are alike is _______ .

Another similarity between ______ and _______ is _______ .

However, a difference between ______ and _______ is _______ .

bulletin board for sentence starters

Important Point  – In the beginning, students will rely heavily on these sentence stems. With practice, they’ll gradually begin to trust themselves and their own way of expressing ideas. The sentence stems are an important scaffold for beginning and struggling writers. They may need help wording their sentences and understanding how to fill in the blanks.

5. Developing paragraphs

I’ve found that beginning and struggling writers have an easier time writing separate paragraphs for similarities and differences. For example, after the introduction, focus on a paragraph describing similarities followed by a paragraph or two focusing on differences. This structure is called a block format.

Here’s a typical block format:

  • Introduction to items being compared/contrasted
  • Body paragraph #1: similarities of items/topics being compared
  • Body paragraph #2: differences of item/topic #1
  • Body paragraph #3: differences of item/topic #2
  • Closing/Conclusion paragraph

The other structure is to compare and contrast the details by alternating point-by-point.

Here’s a typical alternating format:

  • Body paragraph #1: similarities and differences of point #1
  • Body paragraph #2: similarities and differences of point #2
  • Body paragraph #3: similarities and differences of point #3

Decide how you want the paragraphs structured and teach students to follow that structure each and every time. Less sophisticated writers may become confused if you try teaching both structures or giving them a choice.

6. Remember to use transitions

Finally, I encourage students to use transitions to move from one sentence or point to another. 

Transition words help the essay flow and signal to the reader the direction the essay is heading. 

Discuss the meanings of transition words with students. I’ve found that many students don’t fully grasp the connotation of transitions. Students also need to learn why one particular transition word may be better suited for a sentence than another. 

Final thoughts about comparing and contrasting

Remember – practice makes permanent!  The more students practice these skills, the better they’ll become. The gradual release method works very well for this type of writing.

Looking for compare and contrast activities?

Would your students benefit from practicing these skills? You can save time by using my Compare and Contrast Paired Passages Set. This bundle, geared towards grades 2-4, will save you time spent planning. It includes both printable and digital versions!

cover of Compare and Contrast Paired Passages Bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers

Compare and Contrast Paired Passages and Writing Set – Students learn and practice comparing and contrasting informational texts through pictures and paired text passages with posters for support. These passages can be printed or assigned through Google Drive or Google Classroom. 

sentence stems poster set

Sentence Starters for Writing and Citing Text Evidence  – Sentence stems are the beginnings of sentences. They help students develop high-quality answers when responding to text questions. This mini-poster set is a terrific reference for classroom bulletin boards.

Related articles to learn more:

Prepare for Testing with Writing Stems   – Writing stems help students answer constructed response questions as they cite evidence from the text. Learn how to use writing stems in your classroom. 

How to Teach Students to Cite Text Evidence   – This article offers a step-by-step guide for teaching students to identify textual evidence and support answers to text-based questions with text evidence from passages.

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If you found this article useful, please follow me at my  Teachers Pay Teachers Store ,  Pinterest ,  and  Facebook !

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Teaching students how to write compare and contrast essays

Teaching the Compare and Contrast Essay through Modeling

how to write a compare contrast essay middle school

  • Resources & Preparation
  • Instructional Plan
  • Related Resources

Together, students and teacher use charts and Venn diagrams to brainstorm and organize similarities and differences between two objects. The teacher then models the beginning of the first draft, inviting students to help rephrase, clarify, and revise as the draft is written. Finally, students take what they have learned to complete the draft independently.

Featured Resources

Comparison and Contrast Guide : This student-centered online guide provides a thorough introduction to the compare and contrast essay format, including definitions, transitions, graphic organizers, checklists, and examples.

Venn Diagram : Use this online tool during prewriting to organize ideas for a compare and contrast essay.

From Theory to Practice

Rick VanDeWeghe writes of modeling: "teachers show how they go about the processes of reading and writing-drawing students' attention to the ways readers and writers think and the real decisions they make, especially when they themselves are challenged." In her book Conversations , Regie Routman explains why this modeling process is so successful: "It has always been our job to teach directly and explicitly in response to students' needs-carefully demonstrating, specifically showing how, clearly explaining. Whatever we want our students to do well, we first have to show them how. Of all the changes I have made in my teaching, adding explicit demonstration to everything I teach has been the single most important factor in increasing students' literacy" (24).

Further, writing out loud with students gives me an opportunity to show my enjoyment for the writing process. Students see that revision and editing are part of the fun, and that even teachers don't get it correct the first time. As an added bonus, students are frequently more eager to share personal writings with me for feedback once they see this process modeled.

Further Reading

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

  • 3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
  • 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
  • 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
  • 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.

Materials and Technology

  • LCD Projector hooked to a computer with a word processor, or an overhead projector
  • Word processor software
  • General classroom supplies (pencils, paper, etc.)
  • Compare and Contrast Chart Graphic Organizer (optional)
  • Comparison and Contrast Rubric (optional)

Preparation

  • Set the projector up so that the teacher is facing the class and able to type the text (or write easily on the overhead) and the class is able to follow along.
  • Familiarize yourself with the basic commands of the word processor on the computer that you're using.
  • Test the Venn Diagram student interactive, Comparison and Contrast Guide , and Compare and Contrast Map on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tools and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page.
  • Prior to this lesson, students should have learned how to write introductions and conclusions. The ReadWriteThink lesson Leading to Great Places in the Elementary Classroom can be a useful resource for exploring introductory sentences.
  • (optional) For background information on the compare and contrast essay format, see Literacy Education Online's Comparison/Contrast Essays .

Student Objectives

Students will

  • define the characteristics of a comparison/contrast essay.
  • generate ideas for the group composition and their own essays as the process is modeled.
  • develop a final copy of a comparison/contrast paper.

Session One

  • Hold up or display two different objects for students to focus on as they explore the meaning of the terms compare and contrast. You might choose two different beverage options (juice versus milk), two candy bars (Milky Way versus Reese's Cups), or two different television programs ( SpongeBob SquarePants versus The Rugrats ). Be sure to choose items which students are familiar with so that the process of comparing the objects will be clearer to them.
  • Make two columns on the board or chart paper and invite students to brainstorm characteristics of first one of the objects (e.g., juice) and then the other object (e.g., milk). Invite students to add and revise information as they work, moving between the two columns.
  • If students need help building the lists of characteristics, ask leading questions such as "How do you decide which beverage you want to drink?" or "How do you decide which candy bar to buy?"
  • Ask students to identify characteristics that are included in both of the columns. Either mark these similarities using a different colored pen, or create a new chart with the column headings of "Comparison" and "Contrast."
  • Based on the information in the lists, lead a class discussion on the definitions of the words compare and contrast . Refer to examples on the charts to clarify the difference between the two terms.
  • As a class, brainstorm other ways students compare and contrast in their daily lives (sports teams, restaurants, toys, books, etc.). You can do this by pairing students in groups or 2-4 having them compose a list as a group and then as a coming together as a class to share ideas.
  • From there, you will brainstorm and generate a class definition of compare and contrast making sure they understand why comparing and contrasting is important by using examples as needed.

Sessions Two and Three

  • Use the Comparison and Contrast Guide to review information from the first class session as needed.
  • You can decide or allow the class to help you decide two things to compare and contrast for the class essay.
  • Use the "Graphic Organizer" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide to introduce the Venn Diagram. Alternately, you can use the Compare and Contrast Chart Graphic Organizer if you prefer.
  • Open the Venn Diagram Student Interactive . Alternately, you can draw a simple graphic organizer on the chalkboard of a Venn diagram (two overlapping circles).
  • Label the circles and brainstorm as a class what is different about your topics and drag the ideas to the appropriate circle and what is the same about your topic and drag those ideas to the overlapping part of the circles.
  • Print out the Venn Diagram, and make copies for students to use in later sessions.
  • Use the "Organizing a Paper" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide and the Compare and Contrast Map to introduce the Similarities-to-Differences structure.
  • Open a new word processor file, where you'll compose the first sections of the essay as a group.
  • Brainstorm an interesting lead with the class. Have several people give ideas and model for the class how to rearrange ideas and thoughts to come up with the best and most interesting beginning and continue writing as a class from there.
  • Demonstrate cut, copy, and paste commands for your word processor software.
  • As you write with your class, feel free to delete ideas and change them as better ones come up and reread what has been written before asking for the next idea to be sure that the thoughts flow nicely. Refer back to the Venn Diagram as necessary.
  • Use the "Transitions" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide to introduce the use of transitional words to increase coherence.
  • Save your class draft of the introduction and the section on similarities. If possible, share the file with students, so that they can continue writing the text in their own copy of the file. Alternately, print the file and makes copies for students.
  • Ask the students to continue the essay using the beginning that you've written together. They can add the section on differences and the conclusion in class or as homework.
  • Use the Comparison and Contrast Guide to review information as needed. Use the "Checklist" tab to explain the requirements for the finished essay. If desired, share the Comparison and Contrast Rubric with students as well.
  • Show students how to access the Comparison and Contrast Guide so that they can refer to the resource as they like while writing.
  • If students work in class, circulate among students, giving ideas and help.
  • Write another comparison and contrast essay, using the whole-to-whole or point-by-point organization explained in the "Organizing a Paper" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide .
History historical figures, maps of different time periods, states, time periods, books on the same historical subject Science scientists, weather patterns, plants in habitats Art paintings, artists' lives, different techniques Reading two different authors, two stories by the same author, books on the same topic by different authors, a book and the movie made from it

Student Assessment / Reflections

If possible, it is great to read the essay with the student individually and provide direct feedback. When this option is not available, constructive written comments are helpful. As you read the essays, keep notes on the aspects to review and share with the class later. For more structured feedback, use the Comparison and Contrast Rubric . After you have finished responding to the essays, review them with the class, adding advice as needed. You might go back and model an area where students needed more practice. Alternately, you can use the Compare and Contrast Guide to review the area.

This interactive tool allows students to create Venn diagrams that contain two or three overlapping circles, enabling them to organize their information logically.

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how to write a compare contrast essay middle school

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

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Middle school and high school students often receive assignments that explicitly require a compare and contrast essay. In college, the professors ask for comparisons more obliquely, posing questions like, “How do Jane Austen’s and Charles Dickens’ descriptions of gender differ?” or “Choose a theme, such as time, charity, or bravery, and describe how it is treated in two French novels.” Whether a teacher asks for a compare and contrast essay directly or indirectly, it’s helpful for students to understand how to write one. A good compare and contrast essay usually consists of an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Typically, the body paragraphs follow either a block structure or a point-by-point structure. No matter which structure you choose, you can use the following steps to write a comparison essay.

how to write a compare contrast essay middle school

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Step One: Brainstorming

Begin by creating a Venn diagram with two (or three) overlapping circles. Label each circle as one of your subjects, then mark the area where the circles overlap as the similarities between the subjects. Try to fill the circles with as many descriptions as possible. The following questions may help you to brainstorm:

  • What is the time period for the two subjects?
  • How does language differ between Subject 1 and Subject 2?
  • What tools do the subjects rely on?
  • Are there more similarities or differences?
  • How do the subjects differ in terms of class, race, ethnicity, social status, or goals?
  • What are obvious differences and similarities in terms of form, structure, length, size, or tone?

These are just a few examples, and you would obviously adjust the descriptions, depending on whether you’re comparing people, paintings, wars, musical recordings, or authors. Nevertheless, before you begin, it’s important to brainstorm as many similarities and differences as you can during the planning phase.

how to write a compare contrast essay middle school

Step Two: Select an Organizational Structure

Next, look over your Venn diagram and decide what structure you want to use. Decide whether you plan to argue that the subjects have more in common or more that divides them. Edit your list of descriptions and decide which ones suit your argument best. If you opt to write a compare and contrast paper with a block structure, also known as a subject-by-subject structure, you’ll discuss one subject at a time in your body paragraphs. You may include multiple paragraphs about your first subject before moving on to the second subject. Then, you could move on to an optional analysis in which you compare (or contrast) the two, or you may introduce a third subject for comparison. 

On the other hand, in an essay with a point-by-point structure, you would address each point of similarity or difference before moving on to the next. Point-by-point structure generally works well for longer essays, since it’s hard to address more than three points of comparison in a five paragraph essay. As an example, in a college essay, it’s common to use the point-by-point structure in such a way that each point of comparison receives two paragraphs. So, you might write a paragraph about how Author 1 uses diction, then follow it with a paragraph about how Author 2 uses diction differently. 

As you decide which structure to use, keep the ideal length of your finished essay in mind. Before you begin your outline, you’ll also want to think about what argument you plan to use for your thesis statement. In academic writing, a thesis statement provides the framework for your essay, letting the reader know what opinion you plan to share and how you’ve structured your argument. 

Step Three: Write an Outline

Now that you’ve chosen a structure, you can write an essay outline with your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Be sure to include your thesis statement in the introduction. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that explains the main point you’re trying to make. In your outline, it can be helpful to include your entire topic sentence for each body paragraph. 

Let’s assume you’ve chosen the block method for your essay structure. An outline for a five paragraph essay might look like this:

  • Introduction Thesis statement: Compared to Charles Dickens, Jane Austen wrote more about women’s lives and gave a more complex picture of gender dynamics.
  • Body Paragraph One: Charles Dickens Topic sentence: Charles Dickens wrote many popular novels, but he mainly wrote about male protagonists.
  • Body Paragraph Two: Jane Austen Jane Austen featured a number of well-rounded, rich female characters in her body of work. 
  • Body Paragraph Three: Comparison Although both authors wrote novels about similar themes, Jane Austen gave female characters more of a voice in her novels, including richer female characters and a greater quantity of female characters.
  • Conclusion Restated thesis: While both Charles Dickens and Jane Austen wrote about the relationships between men and women, the authors handled the subject of gender differently in their works. 

Draft the Essay

After completing your outline, you’ll need to flesh out each paragraph. Usually, each body paragraph should include at least five sentences, giving evidence to support the topic sentence. Evidence may involve quotations, paraphrases, examples, statistics, and more. In addition, you should add transition words at the beginning of the body paragraphs and the conclusion. Transition words help a reader to follow your logic as you move from one topic to the next. As with all good essay writing, make sure to begin your introduction with a sentence that will capture the reader’s interest and end your arguments with your most compelling evidence. 

When you complete a first draft of your comparative essay, the next step in the writing process requires spell-checking and grammar-checking. You should also read your essay aloud to see whether you’ve made your important points clearly and tied it all together with a strong conclusion. As you read aloud, mark any places where you may be able to improve the essay. At this phase, you may want to ensure that the transitions to the next paragraphs sound smooth. If you find that your evidence is weak, you can add more examples. On the other hand, you may want to improve your analysis with some critical thinking. Be sure to describe the complex relationship between Topic A and Topic B for your reader. 

Ask for Help

Many schools offer writing services to help students with research papers and essays when they get stuck. No matter what kind of essay you are writing, be sure to take advantage of all the tools your professor and school have offered, such as office hours and tutoring centers. Your teacher or professor needs to see that you’ve mastered the class material, and, usually, that matters more than your essay-writing prowess. 

Avoid plagiarism. It’s much more important to write an original essay than a perfect essay. Most schools have a zero tolerance policy for anyone who submits an academic paper with unoriginal content. As long as you can make a Venn diagram, you have the skills needed to master the compare and contrast essay. 

  • https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-compare-and-contrast-essay#how-to-write-a-compare-and-contrast-essay
  • https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/comparing-and-contrasting/
  • https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/essays/candc/

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I’m an award-winning playwright with a penchant for wordplay. After earning a perfect score on the Writing SAT, I worked my way through Brown University by moonlighting as a Kaplan Test Prep tutor. I received a BA with honors in Literary Arts (Playwriting)—which gave me the opportunity to study under Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel. In my previous roles as new media producer with Rosetta Stone, director of marketing for global ventures with The Juilliard School, and vice president of digital strategy with Up & Coming Media, I helped develop the voice for international brands. From my home office in Maui, Hawaii, I currently work on freelance and ghostwriting projects.

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helping students be successful writing a compare and contrast essay in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Scaffolding a Compare and Contrast Essay With Frames and Templates

helping students be successful writing a compare and contrast essay in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Writing can be hard and frustrating for upper elementary students; writing a compare and contrast essay can be even harder and more frustrating.

Often, this skill gets pushed to the back burner.  It is a lot easier to practice comparing and contrasting with things that take less time - like by using a Venn Diagram.  

However, teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to compare and contrast topics within their writing is an important skill. Scaffolding student writing through sentence or paragraph frames and essay templates can minimize the frustration of students, save valuable time, and help your students become better writers.  Providing structure helps focus yoru students.

Below, find ideas for scaffolding so that your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students can be successful with comparing and contrasting in their writing - and eventually writing a compare and contrast essay!

Start Small - With Compare and Contrast Sentence Starters or Frames

Students don't have to write an entire essay every time you want them to practice comparing and contrasting within their writing - they can practice this skill by simply writing a sentence that compares or contrasts two things.

Providing students with sentence starters is a great way to ease them into using compare and contrast language in their writing.  This is especially beneficial for your ELL and low language students, but ALL of your students will benefit from this strategy.

Example Sentence Starters

1. __________ and __________ are different because __________.

2. __________ and __________ are alike because __________.

3. The most important difference between __________ and __________ is __________.

4. An important similarity between __________ and __________ is __________.

5.  While __________ and __________ are alike because __________, they have different __________.

Using a Paragraph Template or Frame

After students have been successful at writing sentences that compare and contrast, expand to short paragraphs. Provide scaffolding similar to the sentence frames to help your 3rd grade, 4th grade, or 5th grade students be successful.

Using scaffolding like this will not only help them with comparing and contrasting language, but will improve their overall writing as well.

(You might find some of these other writing tips and ideas helpful.)

Example Paragraph Frames

1. __________ and __________ have many differences. The most important difference is _________________________. Another difference is _________________________. Finally, _________________________.

2. __________ and __________ are similar in many ways. For example, ____________________. Furthermore, they both ____________________. A final similarity is ____________________.

3.  __________ and __________ are similar in some ways, but different in others.  For example, they both ____________________.  Despite this similarity, they are different because ____________________.  This difference is important because ____________________.

comparing and contrasting scaffolded essay template / outline for upper elementary

Compare and Contrast Essay Template / Structure / Outline

Writing an essay can be overwhelming.  Teachers often try to support students by modeling good essay writing - which is an essential step.  But having students go straight from having a compare and contrast essay modeled for them to writing their own independently can be a huge jump for some.  They are going straight from "I do" to "You do."

A scaffolded essay outline makes a good "we do" for upper elementary students.  Provide students with a scaffolded template that clearly lays out the structure of a good compare and contrast essay.  This helps students stay on topic and reminds them what a good compare and contrast essay should look like.

Eventually, you will take this scaffolding away.  Or, you can use the scaffolding to differentiate.  Provide more scaffolding for students that needed, while students have a good grasp might only have topic students scaffolded for them - or maybe even no scaffolding at all.

no prep scaffolded compare and contrast essay to help your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students be successful writers

If you know your students would benefit from this type of scaffolding, but don’t have the time to create it yourself, check out my Compare and Contrast Writing Resource.

It walks students through the writing process with scaffolding each step of the way. This resource also provides a model essay so that you can model expectations for your students. Plus, it can be used over and over again with different topics.

You might also like these other ideas for scaffolding your instruction, or these compare and contrast activities and ideas.  

Want a Compare and Contrast Freebie?

Free reading comprehension practice for third, fourth, and fifth graders - paired passages about Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin

Download these reading passages with a compare and contrast activity for free and use it to today!

I will try the strategy, seems easy to follow

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  • Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

  • Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
  • Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

A Venn diagram showing the similarities and differences between World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

  • Point of comparison A
  • Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

  • The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
  • The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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80 Intriguing Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

Android vs. iPhone? Capitalism vs. communism? Hot dog vs. taco?

First day of school vs. the last day of school.

In compare and contrast essays , writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. Remind students that in this type of writing, they’re not necessarily trying to sway the reader to one opinion or another—they’re just presenting and analyzing facts. These compare and contrast essay topics will give them plenty of practice.

  • School and Life Essay Topics
  • Entertainment Essay Topics
  • History and Politics Essay Topics
  • Just for Fun Essay Topics

School and Life Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

  • Public and private schools
  • Online school and in-person school
  • Any two schools or colleges
  • Going to college vs. starting work full-time

Going to college vs. starting work full-time

  • Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
  • Parents and grandparents
  • Elementary school and high school
  • Learning to read vs. learning to write
  • The importance of any two school subjects
  • Wearing glasses vs. having braces
  • You and your best friend
  • Friendship vs. romantic love

Friendship vs. romantic love

  • Group work and individual work
  • Only child vs. having siblings
  • Nature vs. nurture
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Old friends and new friends
  • Your teacher vs. your parent/guardian
  • Car ownership and public transportation

Car ownership and public transportation

  • Learning to ride a bike vs. learning to drive a car

Entertainment Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

  • iPhone vs. Android
  • Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)
  • Xbox vs. PlayStation

Xbox vs. PlayStation

  • Any two sports, like American football vs. soccer
  • Cooking at home and dining out
  • A movie based on a book and the book it was based on
  • Reading and watching TV
  • Opera music and pop music (or any two music genres)
  • Vegetarian and vegan

Vegetarian and vegan

  • Giving and receiving gifts
  • Going to a play vs. going to a movie
  • Playing a video game and watching a movie
  • Horse racing vs. NASCAR
  • Laptop vs. tablet
  • Sprint vs. marathon
  • Poetry and rap music
  • Ping-Pong vs. tennis
  • DC vs. Marvel
  • Netflix and YouTube
  • Shopping online and shopping in person

Shopping online and shopping in person

History and Politics Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

  • Capitalism vs. communism
  • Socialism vs. communism
  • Monarchy/dictatorship and democracy
  • Two political candidates in a current race

Two political candidates in a current race

  • Spanish flu pandemic vs. COVID-19 pandemic
  • World War I and World War II
  • American pioneers vs. first space explorers
  • Gen X vs. Gen Z
  • Abraham Lincoln vs. Barack Obama (or any other two presidents)
  • Any two U.S. states

Any two U.S. states

  • Any two historic eras
  • Queen Elizabeth I vs. Queen Elizabeth II
  • Republicans and Democrats
  • Hitler and Stalin
  • The first airplane flight vs. the first manned spaceflight
  • American president vs. U.K. prime minister

American president vs. U.K. prime minister

  • Fox News vs. CNN
  • Legislative branch and executive branch and/or judicial branch
  • Equality and equity
  • Elected politicians vs. lobbyists

Just for Fun Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

  • Dogs vs. cats as pets

Dogs vs. cats as pets

  • Paper books or e-books
  • Hot dogs vs. tacos
  • Summer and winter
  • Fall and spring
  • Big Mac vs. Whopper
  • Coke vs. Pepsi
  • Chocolate shake vs. hot chocolate
  • Any two superheroes or villains
  • Mondays and Fridays
  • Mornings vs. evenings

Mornings vs. evenings

  • First day of school vs. last day of school
  • Christmas vs. birthdays
  • Hurricane vs. tornado
  • Birthday as a kid and birthday as an adult
  • Going barefoot vs. wearing shoes
  • Appetizers and desserts

Appetizers and desserts

  • Phone calls and texting
  • Pants vs. skirts
  • Electric cars vs. gas-powered cars

What are some of your favorite compare and contrast essay topics? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the big list of essay topics for high school (100+ ideas).

80 Intriguing Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

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101 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Great Ideas for Essays

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Compare and contrast essays are taught in school for many reasons. For one thing, they are relatively easy to teach, understand, and format. Students can typically understand the structure with just a short amount of instruction. In addition, these essays allow students develop critical thinking skills to approach a variety of topics.

Brainstorming Tip

One fun way to get students started brainstorming their compare and contrast essays is to create a Venn diagram , where the overlapping sections of the circle contain similarities and the non-overlapping areas contain the differing traits.

Following is a list of 101 topics for compare and contrast essays that you are welcome to use in your classroom. As you look through the list you will see that some items are academic in nature while others are included for interest-building and fun writing activities.

  • Apple vs. Microsoft
  • Coke vs. Pepsi
  • Renaissance Art vs. Baroque Art
  • Antebellum Era vs. Reconstruction Era in American History
  • Childhood vs. Adulthood
  • Star Wars vs. Star Trek
  • Biology vs. Chemistry
  • Astrology vs. Astronomy
  • American Government vs. British Government (or any world government)
  • Fruits vs. Vegetables
  • Dogs vs. Cats
  • Ego vs. Superego
  • Christianity vs. Judaism (or any world religion )
  • Republican vs. Democrat
  • Monarchy vs. Presidency
  • US President vs. UK Prime Minister
  • Jazz vs. Classical Music
  • Red vs. White (or any two colors)
  • Soccer vs. Football
  • North vs. South Before the Civil War
  • New England Colonies vs. Middle Colonies OR vs. Southern Colonies
  • Cash vs. Credit Cards
  • Sam vs. Frodo Baggins
  • Gandalf vs. Dumbledore
  • Fred vs. Shaggy
  • Rap vs. Pop
  • Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution
  • Henry VIII vs. King Louis XIV
  • Stocks vs. Bonds
  • Monopolies vs. Oligopolies
  • Communism vs. Capitalism
  • Socialism vs. Capitalism
  • Diesel vs. Petroleum
  • Nuclear Power vs. Solar Power
  • Saltwater Fish vs. Freshwater Fish
  • Squids vs. Octopus
  • Mammals vs. Reptiles
  • Baleen vs. Toothed Whales
  • Seals vs. Sea Lions
  • Crocodiles vs. Alligators
  • Bats vs. Birds
  • Oven vs. Microwave
  • Greek vs. Roman Mythology
  • Chinese vs. Japanese
  • Comedy vs. Drama
  • Renting vs. Owning
  • Mozart vs. Beethoven
  • Online vs. Traditional Education
  • North vs. South Pole
  • Watercolor vs. Oil
  • 1984 vs. Fahrenheit 451
  • Emily Dickinson vs. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
  • W.E.B. DuBois vs. Booker T. Washington
  • Strawberries vs. Apples
  • Airplanes vs. Helicopters
  • Hitler vs. Napoleon
  • Roman Empire vs. British Empire
  • Paper vs. Plastic
  • Italy vs. Spain
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20 Compare and Contrast Activities for Middle Schoolers

June 29, 2022 //  by  Morgan Brownlee

Compare and contrast activities are excellent for helping students see the differences between two seemingly similar ideas or events, or the similarities in ideas or events which may seem completely contradictory. They help students visualize complexities and build a deeper sense of understanding.

By including these compare and contrast activities for middle school in your lesson plans across curricula, teachers can help students make connections that last a lifetime.

English Language Arts (ELA) Compare and Contrast Activities

1. books and movies venn diagram.

Once in middle school, students begin to read more complex novels with deeper meanings. Many of these impactful books have been made into movies. Through the use of a Venn Diagram, students can analyze how movies capture the important elements of the books they portray.

Learn More: Pinterest

2. Signal Words

To have students practice linguistic skills behind comparing and contrasting, have them write a journal entry comparing/contrasting two things they are interested in. Provide them with a list of signal words to use, such as “also”, “similarly”, and “whereas”. This list is beneficial for all learners, from elementary students to college students!

Learn More: Easy Teaching

3. Compare/Contrast Essay for Stories

This is one that’s vitally important for the advancement of literacy skills. Being able to craft a written essay about what students know is a skill that’ll continue to benefit them not only academically but as global citizens.

Learn More: Thought Co.

4. Aesop’s Fables

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Using free online reading passages , students can compare and contrast how stories are told and why details matter. You can even assign a variety of tasks to help students sort out similarities and differences according to student learning styles!

Learn More: UMass

5. Four Corners

Label each corner of the room with A, B, C, or D. Have 3/4 of students be “players” while a secret 1/4 are “fibbers”. Read different prompting questions or statements about comparing and contrasting and have students move to which corner they think represents the correct answer. The “fibbers” can move to any corner to try to fool other students and sway their thinking!

Learn More:  WikiHow

Math Compare and Contrast Activities

6. peer review.

Comparing answers and methods in mathematical operations can help students see where they might have gone wrong. Before revealing the correct answer to a problem, have students pair up with their shoulder partner to compare their processes and results. If they have different answers, they may need to review to see where someone went wrong.

Learn More:  Algebra And Beyond

7. Compare/Contrast Methods

Sometimes there are multiple ways to reach a conclusion. Try teaching different methods to students, then have them compare the techniques and decide which one they think is more natural for them.

Learn More: Minds In Bloom

8. In All Shapes & Sizes

Compare and contrast different shapes (2D or 3D) with objects around you. This is perfect for younger students and students who are still working on mastering the basics. You can even try this using specific molds of food or play materials, like play-doh.

Learn More: Dreams Time

9. Monster Cards

Using monsters printed on cards, have students compare different elements of the monsters. This combines the knowledge from ELA lessons about signal words with the mathematics of counting and shape identification!

Learn More:  Twinkl

Learning how to plot points on a chart can really assist students in learning how to notice differences in trends or data, especially if they’re visual learners! Start by giving them 2 different sets of statistics, then have them plot the points on a line chart. Then, compare and contrast the two lines!

Learn More: Study

Science Compare and Contrast Activities 

Similar to the chart activity for math, using graphs can show students in the science classroom the differences in data collection. The New York Times has a massive list of charts for free that you can use to help students learn how to decipher their meanings.

Learn More: NY Times

12. Different Sources for Data

Have students compile a list of sources for a given topic, then compare/contrast that information using a graphic organizer. This can help them sort out fact from opinion, and what’s been proven versus what may just be speculation on the subject.

Learn More:  Study Lib

13. Task Cards

Students can compare and contrast using task cards. These task cards can be virtual or hard copy and they cue the students to sort out what is the same and what is different. Just make your cards according to your topic, or use some pre-made ones!

Learn More: Boom Learning

14. Different DNA

Compare/Contrast at home with the differences amongst family members! Have students compile a list of similarities and differences between them and their relatives. Even if they’re not blood-related, they may be surprised to realize just how many qualities they have that are the same, as all humans are 99% identical genetically! Have them put it in a Venn Diagram or other graphic organizer for easy comparing.

Learn More: Family Locket

15. Latin Root

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Studying the Latin roots of scientific names can help kids realize patterns of similarities within the terms. This can even be collected through an anchor chart that you add to all year long to help keep students reminded of what they’ve already learned.

Learn More:  Rock In Resources

History and Social Studies Compare and Contrast Activities

16. venn diagrams.

Once again, a Venn Diagram may be the most efficient way to organize information for learners when it comes to historical events and leaders. Simply take the two subjects you’re learning about and see where they’re the same and where they’re different.

17. 2 Sides to Every Story

Divide the classroom in half. Read a prompt and have students move to one side of the room or the other according to what they think is true, then give 1 student from each side a chance to make a plea to try to convince members of the other side to flip. Not only is this comparing/contrasting 2 ideas, but it also has students think critically and logically about their options, and it’s fun for students to get to move.

Learn More:  Strictly Positive Teaching

18. Historical Figure Charts for Students

Teaching students about different historical figures can get confusing, so by having them create a chart about different people in history you can help them organize their thoughts and facts to later be able to compare.

19. Compare/Contrast Essay

Another cross-curricular activity that’s great for middle school student literacy growth is a historical compare and contrast essay! Give them some freedom in topic choice to promote interest.

Learn More: iUniversity Prep

20. Piktochart

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An online tool students may find engaging is Piktochart! The teacher can make the Piktochart teach with or allow students to create one according to different aspects of history you’re studying in class.

Learn More: Pikto Chart

Compare And Contrast Essay Guide

Compare And Contrast Essay Topics

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: 100+ Fresh New Ideas

By: Barbara P.

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Mar 10, 2020

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

A compare and contrast essay revolves around finding and analyzing the similarities and differences between two subjects belonging to the same category.

If you have been assigned a compare and contrast essay, then you’re probably looking for interesting topics that you can write on, right?

Steer forward with us!

Following is the list of interesting topics for a compare and contrast essay that you can use for your essay assignments. As you proceed, you will notice that some of the topics are academic, and others are included for interest.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

On this Page

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Students - 2022 Ideas

A compare and contrast essay is an important academic assignment for school or college students. An essential point that you must keep in mind when choosing a compare and contrast essay topic is to go for the subjects that belong to the same category. For instance, you can’t choose football and 19th-century art.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for University Students

At the university level, the essay topics are a little different and unique. Also, with a good essay topic, you will easily create the thesis statement and body paragraphs.

If you want to write on a great topic, you can choose from the below-mentioned essay topics.

  • Salt vs. sugar
  • Teacher vs. Doctor
  • Prose vs. poetry
  • Short vs. long hair
  • Psychosis and antisocial disorder
  • Between soft and hard drugs, which is more dangerous?
  • Difference between lust and love
  • Compare methods of normal and abnormal psychology
  • Silver and gold
  • Tennis vs. badminton

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for College Students

When students step into college from high school, they are still used to the concept of teachers assigning essay topics. Sometimes the teacher gives you the topic, but you will have to pick one yourself most of the time. So, be creative and challenge yourself to write on different essay topics.

Topics for college students can be difficult to manage at times because teachers can have higher expectations. In such a case, get help from an online writing service with your academic paper.

The compare and contrast essay topics in college are a bit less complicated than in high school. The following are the easy compare and contrast essay topics for college students.

  • How does high school differ from college?
  • Students with or without part-time jobs
  • Essay Vs. Research Paper: What is more challenging?
  • Homeschooling Vs. Traditional Schooling
  • SAT Vs. GRE: What is more difficult?
  • Masters Vs. PhD: What helps strengthen your career?
  • Differences between Islam and Christianity
  • Introverts Vs. Extroverts
  • Real-life dating Vs. Online dating
  • How do education and employment compare?

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for High School Students

Essay topics for high school students are much different than the topics for college students. The topics are a little less technical and difficult.

Here are some great compare and contrast essay topics for your ease.

  • Friends Vs. Family
  • Childhood friendship Vs. High school friendship
  • Bikes vs. cars.
  • Study abroad Vs. Studying in your country
  • Living on your own Vs. At home with my parents.
  • Facebook vs. Twitter In-house employees Vs. Freelance contractors
  • Texting Vs. In-person conversations
  • Working out or dieting
  • Being in a relationship or being single

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Middle School Students

The topics for middle school students are quite interesting and creative. Therefore, the students enjoy the writing process.

We gathered some great compare and contrast essay topics for your help.

  • Basketball Vs. Football
  • Compare two plays written by Shakespeare
  • Running Vs. Walking
  • Reading vs. writing
  • Doctor Vs. Nurse
  • Breakdance Vs. Ballet: What is more difficult?
  • World war I Vs. World War II
  • Chocolate vs. Ice-cream
  • Compare two of your favorite movies
  • Reading books Vs. Watching movies

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for 6th Grade

The essay topics for grade 6 are very simple and easy. We collected some essay topics for grade 6 students; pick the one that you find interesting.

  • School exams vs. college exams
  • Winter holidays vs. summer holidays
  • Comparative essay vs. argumentative essay
  • Attending school vs. remote learning
  • Driving a bike and driving a car
  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Christianity versus Judaism
  • E-books versus textbooks
  • An experience I agree to attend a party or stay at home.
  • Steroids and boxing
  • Handwriting or typing

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Psychology Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

There are certain pros and cons associated with psychology topics. The pros are that the possibilities are endless; one can write as much as possible. This fact is the con as well; since there is so much material to choose from for the essay topic.

  • Anxiety vs. Depression
  • Therapy vs. medication
  • Agoraphobia Vs. Claustrophobia
  • Compare suicide and homicide
  • Autism Vs. Down syndrome
  • B. F. Skinner theory Vs. John B. Watson theory
  • Anorexia Vs. Bulimia
  • Social anxiety or fear of public speaking
  • Nature vs. nurture
  • Ego Vs. Superego

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

The best part about the sports-related topic is the accurate data available online with practical examples. This fact can help you write an even more refined essay.

Take a look at these and topics and choose the best one for your essay.

  • Women’s football team, Vs. Men’s
  • Chess Vs. Checkers
  • Football Vs. Cricket: Which is better?
  • Sachin Tendulkar Vs. Ricky Ponting
  • Roger Federer Vs. Rafael Nadal
  • Rugby and Soccer
  • Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi
  • Ice climbing Vs. Traditional climbing
  • Knicks Vs. Nets
  • Aikido Vs. Judo

For all the students who are in sports, these are the best kind of topics. As they say, you write best about subjects you are most interested in.

Art & History Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Writing a compare and contrast essay has its challenges and especially when the topics are art or history-related. Always make sure to gather the necessary data before kick-starting the essay.

  • Baroque Vs. Mycenaean Period
  • Mosaic Vs. Raku
  • Compare the 19th Century Art
  • Brunelleschi and The Romans
  • Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
  • Roxanna and Dorian Gray
  • Compare Kafka's Metamorphosis and Albert Camus’ The Stranger
  • Macbeth and Othello
  • Tapestry Vs. Fresco

Funny Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Funny topics not only refresh the mind of the students but help in the learning process as well. Below given are some great essay topics that you can use for your essay.

  • Beyonce Vs. Rihanna
  • Kim Kardashian Vs. Paris Hilton
  • Ellen DeGeneres Vs. Oprah Winfrey
  • Pet dogs Vs. Pet cats
  • Pasta vs. pizza
  • Lollipops Vs. Popsicles
  • Drama Vs. Comedy
  • Email Vs. Pigeon Post
  • Credit card Vs. Cash
  • Star Trek Vs. Star Wars

Medical Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

The medical students are sometimes stuck with selecting the essay topic for their essay assignment. For your help, we compiled some excellent topics that will help in your writing phase.

  • Religions that are against traditional medical procedures.
  • Vaccination or Medications.
  • Operations vs. therapeutic cancer curing.
  • Should vaccinations be made mandatory?
  • Morning exercise vs. evening exercise.
  • Medical history and privacy concerns.
  • Wheat and corn grain.
  • Chocolate or candies.
  • Carrot and pumpkin.
  • Rest or training.

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Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Movies

The compare and contrast essay on movies is an interesting type of essay. Look at these topics that will help in your topic-selection phase.

  • Romeo and Juliet.
  • Gandalf vs. Dumbledore.
  • Comedy vs. horror.
  • Harry Potter: book & movie.
  • Thrillers and horror movies.
  • Fantastic Four or Avengers.
  • Bollywood Vs. Hollywood.
  • DC or Marvel
  • Superman vs. batman.
  • Games of thrones vs. the witcher.

Are these topic ideas helpful? Did you get what you were looking for?

Now that you have chosen a topic for your essay, you can start composing it. For that, you have to follow a structured essay outline.

Do you still find it difficult to choose a topic or to write a compare and contrast essay step by step?

It is completely understandable, as essay writing can be tricky at times.

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Barbara P.

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

    This kind of essay, often assigned in middle school and high school, teaches students about the analytical writing process and prepares them for more advanced forms of academic writing. Compare and contrast essays are relatively easy to write if you follow a simple step-by-step approach. Compare and contrast essays examine topics from multiple ...

  2. Comparison and Contrast Guide

    This interactive guide provides an introduction to the basic characteristics and resources that are typically used when students compose comparison and contrast essays. The Comparison and Contrast Guide includes an overview, definitions and examples. The Organizing a Paper section includes details on whole-to-whole (block), point-by-point, and ...

  3. 34 Compelling Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

    Next, the body includes paragraphs that explore the similarities and differences. Finally, a concluding paragraph restates the thesis, draws any necessary inferences, and asks any remaining questions. A compare and contrast essay example can be an opinion piece comparing two things and making a conclusion about which is better. For example ...

  4. How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay (with Pictures)

    In middle school and high school, the standard format for essays is often the "5-paragraph form," with an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. ... To write a compare and contrast essay, try organizing your essay so you're comparing and contrasting one aspect of your subjects in each paragraph. Or, if you don't want to jump ...

  5. Compare & Contrast Essay Rubric for Middle School

    The core of the compare/contrast essay for students is, of course, comparing and contrasting. So when setting up the rubric for your students, you need to start with these skills. Whether students ...

  6. How to Teach Compare and Contrast Essays

    Step-by-step plan to compare and contrast text. The following steps outline the plan I use each year to teach students to compare and contrast using paired passages successfully. I typically introduce the process in January and continue fine-tuning it through the spring. 1. Break down questions and prompts.

  7. Compare and Contrast Rubric

    Teaching with this printout. When assigning a compare and contrast writing assignment, students need to be aware of what makes an outstanding written work. This rubric is a great tool to show students what is expected of them in a concrete way. Additionally, this rubric will help teachers assess this student writing and inform further instruction.

  8. Compare & Contrast Essay

    Compare and Contrast Essay Outline. The point-by-point method uses a standard five-paragraph essay structure: Introduction (contains the attention-getter, preview of main points, and thesis) Body ...

  9. Teaching the Compare and Contrast Essay through Modeling

    Use the Comparison and Contrast Guide to review information from the first class session as needed.; You can decide or allow the class to help you decide two things to compare and contrast for the class essay. Use the "Graphic Organizer" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide to introduce the Venn Diagram. Alternately, you can use the Compare and Contrast Chart Graphic Organizer if you prefer.

  10. How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

    Middle school and high school students often receive assignments that explicitly require a compare and contrast essay. In college, the professors ask for comparisons more obliquely, posing questions like, "How do Jane Austen's and Charles Dickens' descriptions of gender differ?" or "Choose a theme, such as time, charity, or bravery, and describe how it is treated in two French novels."

  11. Scaffolding a Compare and Contrast Essay With Frames and Templates

    Provide students with a scaffolded template that clearly lays out the structure of a good compare and contrast essay. This helps students stay on topic and reminds them what a good compare and contrast essay should look like. Eventually, you will take this scaffolding away. Or, you can use the scaffolding to differentiate.

  12. Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

    In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you're comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you've already said about the first. Your text is structured like this: Subject 1. Point of comparison A.

  13. Compare & Contrast Essay Topics for Middle School

    Compare & Contrast Essay Topics for Middle School. Clio has taught education courses at the college level and has a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. Middle school students can be deep and ...

  14. 6.5

    A classroom ready 3 day lesson, using a compare & contrast thinking strategy. Part of the 6th grade strand.

  15. 80 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

    Learning to read vs. learning to write. The importance of any two school subjects. Wearing glasses vs. having braces. You and your best friend. Friendship vs. romantic love. Group work and individual work. Only child vs. having siblings. Nature vs. nurture. Anxiety and depression.

  16. PDF Middle School Writing Stylebook

    The Howard County Middle School Writing Stylebook is designed to guide and standardize basic writing expectations and stylistic elements across all middle schools for students and teachers. This publication is intended to be a resource for students and to supplement classroom instruction. The stylebook incorporates strategies from 6+1 Traits of ...

  17. PDF Compare and contrast essays 2

    Students then read a point-by-point compare and contrast essay and scan it, listing the four points of comparison, which form the main idea of each body paragraph. Exercise B - Answer key. 1. reliability. 3. reputation for safety. 2. driving experience. 4. customers they appeal to.

  18. 15+ Outstanding Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

    Compare and Contrast Essay Examples Middle school. In middle school, students have the opportunity to write a compare-and-contrast essay. It does not require an expert level of skills, but it is still a way to improve writing skills. Middle school students can easily write a compare-and-contrast essay with a little help from examples.

  19. 101 Compare and Contrast Essay Ideas for Students

    Recycling vs. Landfill. Motorcycle vs. Bicycle. Halogen vs. Incandescent. Newton vs. Einstein. Go on vacation vs. Staycation. Rock vs. Scissors. Cite this Article. These compare and contrast essay topics provide teachers and students with great and fun ideas for home and class work.

  20. PDF Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Template

    Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Template A. Introduction a. Introduction to the broad topic b. Specific topic c. Thesis statement B. Body Paragraphs a. Body paragraph #1—First aspect that's similar or different i. Subject #1 1. Detail #1 2. Detail #2 ii. Subject #2 1. Detail #1 2. Detail #2 b.

  21. 20 Compare and Contrast Activities for Middle Schoolers

    1. Books and Movies Venn Diagram. Once in middle school, students begin to read more complex novels with deeper meanings. Many of these impactful books have been made into movies. Through the use of a Venn Diagram, students can analyze how movies capture the important elements of the books they portray. 2.

  22. 100+ Interesting Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

    The topics for middle school students are quite interesting and creative. Therefore, the students enjoy the writing process. ... Writing a compare and contrast essay has its challenges and especially when the topics are art or history-related. Always make sure to gather the necessary data before kick-starting the essay.