How to Write a Compare
Contrast Thesis
How to Write a Compare Contrast Thesis
• The following are some crucial points in writing a
clear and analytic thesis for Compare Contrast
essays
• Note the key words in this essay prompt:
compare and contrast. This means you must
write a thesis that expresses what Egypt and
Mesopotamia had in common and where they
were different.
• In short, your thesis must address the
comparison and the contrast
• Your thesis (and essay) should stay within the
parameters of the question or prompt
• Next, your thesis should state an opinion. Be
bold. Do not merely restate the question or
one of its assumptions. To argue a point, you
must first of all have one.
• Do not do this:
– Egypt and Mesopotamia had similarities and
differences – bad
• Your thesis should contain the categories that
you will use in the essay as historical evidence
- PERSIA
• Better - When the ancient civilizations of
Egypt and Mesopotamia advanced they
developed similarly politically and religiously,
but they differed in their cultural goals and
religious goals
• This thesis is getting there. It declares in
general categories how the paths of Egypt and
Mesopotamia different and how they were
similar in their development .
• It has broken down (analyzed) these things
into categories that lend themselves to a well
defined essay.
• While both Egypt and Mesopotamia built
strong centralized governments and religions,
Egypt’s isolation was built upon its own
foundations while Mesopotamia culture,
religion and government was influenced by
other cultures.
• Write a thesis statement on C and C on
Confucianism and Hinduism