Writing A Strong University Compare And Contrast Essay: Basic Tips

Oh no! Do you have to write a compare and contrast essay and yet you don’t know where to begin? Perhaps you’re uncertain as to what this type of paper actually is. Well, have no fear! Relax, remember that studying can be fun, and take a look at my basic tips:

  • What is it?
  • Compare and contrast essays are asking you to select (usually) two things and to examine their similarities and differences. The similarities are the comparisons and the differences are the contrasts. Take two ice cream sellers as an example. One has a shop and the other a van. So although they are essentially running the same business, the static nature and mobility differences of the two companies will obviously have an effect on how lucrative it is. A compare and contrast essay would select two businesses to research and compare and contrast them in an unbiased manner, citing as many references as possible before coming to any summation in the conclusion of the essay.

  • Find some samples.
  • It’s always worth looking at other examples before you begin. You can find plenty of essays in your campus library and on the internet. Study the content and the structure to see how successful papers are written, and you are bound to write a masterpiece yourself!

  • Planning is the key!
  • Before you actually start writing your paper, you need to get yourself organized. Planning is the key to success! Once you have researched your topic and come up with a suitable timetable, your first task is to make lists of the similarities and differences of your chosen subject, to be sure you will have a balanced argument with some well thought out points.

  • How can it be a really good essay?
  • In this kind of paper, you should go beyond information and descriptions. You should use a critical thinking approach by making connections between the two subjects at hand. Use thought out insights, comments and arguments. Reflect on the similarities and differences of your subjects in detail and from a fresh viewpoint and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your topic, which is good for you and the teacher marking it!

  • Check, check and check again!
  • Double check all spelling, grammar and so on. It might sound obvious, but you don’t want to be marked down on simple oversights.

    Once you have written a first draft, read it again and again, making any changes and notes as you go. You shouldn’t stop editing until you’re certain it is ready- so remember to allow enough time in your timetable to do this, as the last thing you want is to be cramming things in at the last moment!

 

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