The Compare and
Contrast Essay
Checklist of What You Need
• Thesis that is last sentence of intro, and that states
specific similarities and differences
• Write about specific similarities and differences
throughout essay, providing specific info to explain
them
• Explain reasons for the similarity or difference
• Add global context – what else was going on the
world that was related to the issue being asked
The Thesis
• Have a 1 sentence thesis (should be clear, and not
be a run-on sentence)
• The thesis is the last sentence of the introduction.
The Thesis
Your thesis must demonstrate knowledge. Don’t
just rearrange the words of the question.
Example: There are many similarities and
differences between…. (This is no good, too vague)
Example: There are more similarities than
differences between…. (This is no good, too vague)
You must show knowledge of the subject in the
thesis.
The Thesis
• Thesis must address all aspects of the question
• Thesis must address BOTH similarities AND differences
• Following formulas are good for your thesis:
- State 2 similarities and 1 difference (be specific)
OR
- State 2 differences and 1 similarity (be specific)
The Thesis
Let’s look at some sample theses using the essay
prompt below:
Essay Question: Compare and contrast the
political and economic effects of Mongol rule on
TWO of the following regions: China, Middle East,
Russia
Bad Theses
The Mongols affected China and Russia similarly and differently.
•This is too vague and shows no knowledge
The Mongols greatly affected China and the Middle East.
•This shows some knowledge (very little) but the question doesn’t ask how big an
affect the Mongols had, it asked to compare how the Mongols affected 2 societies (this
doesn’t answer that, your thesis must)
The Mongols affected the Middle East and Russia in similar ways.
They both benefitted from Silk Road trade and both were politically
subordinate to Mongol rule.
•Definitely shows knowledge. But it only talks about similarities. To get credit, you
must discuss both similarities and differences.
Acceptable But Not Great Thesis
•There were economic similarities but political
differences to the Mongols’ effects in the Middle East
and Russia.
•This is kind of broad, but at least shows some knowledge and discusses both
similarities and differences
Great Theses – Extra Points Possible
While the Mongols’ political influence in China was more
dramatic in the short term, the Mongols actually
influenced China less than they did Russia, which labored
under a longer (if less obvious) Mongol influence for
centuries. Economically though, the Mongols had a far
reaching impact on both Russia and China.
Although the Mongols’ military domination was near
absolute, they inadvertently contributed to Middle Eastern
political and Chinese economic autonomy.
Body Paragraphs
• The Comparative essay is the essay that you need to go into
the most detail and show your knowledge of the subject.
• DO NOT write an essay where you tell everything you know
about topic A and then tell everything you know about topic B.
• It is called the Comparative essay because you are expected to
compare. You can know a lot about a topic, but if it only
provides description without specific comparative analysis, you
will not score well on this question.
• For example, if writing about women’s rights in India v. the
U.S., and are discussing women’s suffrage in U.S., compare
and/or contrast it with women’s suffrage in India
Body Paragraphs
Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence
that is a direct comparison or contrast. This means
that both subjects must be addressed and specific
similarities or differences must identified.
Body Paragraphs
• Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that is a
direct comparison or contrast
• Both subjects must be addressed and specific similarities
or differences must identified
• For example: Women’s voting rights in India and the
United States are similar in that by mid 20th century,
women in both could legally vote, but differed in that the
American government passed an amendment granting
women suffrage, while in India it was under British rule
that women were granted suffrage.
Good Topic Sentences
Han China and Imperial Rome relied on massive
public works projects to demonstrate imperial
power.
OR
Although medieval Europe had a chivalric code
based in religious teachings, the code of bushido in
Japan was secular in focus.
_________________________________________
These make it clear whether you are addressing a
similarity or a difference, and have specific info
Body Paragraphs
• After the topic sentence, the rest of the
paragraph must use historical evidence to
support that topic sentence
• Close each body paragraph with an explanation
of why the similarity or difference exists.
Conclusion
• You can earn a top score on this essay without a
conclusion, so do not waste time on it.
• The conclusion can be very significant in earning
expanded core points, so write one if you have
time.
• You can restate your thesis (use different words)
as the first sentence of your conclusion.
Global Context
• Try to establish a global context in your into and
conclusion. This is a way to get expanded core
points (those extra 2 points to get to a 9)
• Global context = What else was going on in the
world that impacted or was impacted by the
topics of this essay.
Click here to see sample rubric with explanation
of how points scored
Checklist of What You Need
• Thesis that is last sentence of intro, and that states
specific similarities and differences
• Write about specific similarities and differences
throughout essay, providing specific info to explain
them
• Explain reasons for the similarity or difference
• Add global context – what else was going on the
world that was related to the issue being asked