Compare and Contrast Essay
In a comparison and contrast essay, to compare means to explore
similarities, whereas to contrast means to explore differences. An
essay can focus no both or either of these.
Guidelines:
 Choose your topic carefully. A topic that is too narrow will
make it difficult for you to say anything beyond the obvious,
whereas a topic that is too broad will be impossible to explore
satisfactorily. Also, ensure that your comparison is
meaningful. Be wary of the “so what” factor. You need to
think about why you are comparing/contrasting the things
that you are. Also still need to have a thesis.
 Clearly define the points you are going to compare and
contrast. Choose what you believe are the most important
points to compare and contrast, and limit your discussion to
these points.
 Choose an appropriate essay structure. There are two
different ways of approaching the comparison and contrast
essay: Point-by-point method and the Block or Chunk method.
Point-by-Point Method
In this method, your compare and contrast one aspect of Object
A with the same aspect of Object B and then move on to the next
aspect. Also can be referred to as the “Ping-pong” method.
Sample Structure:
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Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
Paragraph
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
Introduction (with Thesis)
Comparison a (Topic 1&2)
Comparison b (Topic 1&2)
Comparison c (Topic 1&2)
Contrast a (Topic 1&2)
Contrast b (Topic 1&2)
Contrast c (Topic 1&2)
Conclusion
Block or Chunk Method
In this method, you discuss all aspects of Object A and then move
on to all aspects of Object B. Essentially, you are writing two
separate essays where you bring them together in the
introduction and conclusion.
Sample Structure:
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Paragraph 1: Introduction (with Thesis)
Paragraph 2: Topic 1 (Comparison a)
Paragraph 3: Topic 1 (Comparison b)
Paragraph 4: Topic 1 (Comparison c)
Paragraph 5: Topic 2 (Contrast a)
Paragraph 6: Topic 2 (Contrast b)
Paragraph 7: Topic 2 (Contrast c)
Paragraph 8: (Optional) — Comparisons/Contrasts
together (any topic)
 Paragraph 8: Conclusion
In the world of entertainment, TV talk shows have undoubtedly
flooded every inch of space on daytime television. Many of us have
seen and heard the often recycled topics found on such veteran
shows as Geraldo and Sally Jessy Raphael. And anyone who watches
talk shows on a regular basis knows that each one varies in style and
format. One might enjoy watching the sometimes trashy subject
matter found on Jenny Jones, while someone else might prefer the
more serious and light hearted feel of the Maury Povich show. But
no two shows are more profoundly opposite in content, while at the
same time standing out above the rest, than the Jerry Springer and
the Oprah Winfrey show.
Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of "trash
talk." The topics on his show are as shocking as they get. For
example, the show takes the ever common talk show themes of
love, lust, sex, sexuality, adultery, cheating, guilt, hate,
conflict and morality to a different level. In a vintage Springer
show, one finds women who cheated on their boyfriends and are
ready to confess.
But the boyfriends are in for a bigger surprise. As it turns out that
all the women haven't been secretly seeing other guys, but seeing
other women, who also happen to be waiting backstage. Another
episode tells of a John Wayne Bobbit type case, but with a more
twisted plot. A male cuts off his own manhood because he claimed
that his homosexual neighbor was stalking him. Shocking, indeed,
but the list of talk material goes on from
dangerous love triangles, broken homes, pregnant strippers,
teenage prostitutes, adult film stars, devil worshippers and the ever
popular talk show regulars, the members of the Ku Klux Klan.
Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is a display and exploitation of
societies moral catastrophes, yet people are willing to eat up the
intriguing predicaments of other peoples lives.
Oprah Winfrey was once a follower of the trash TV format, but her
long running popular TV talk show has since been reformed. Like
Jerry Springer, the Oprah Winfrey show takes talk TV to its
extreme, but Oprah goes in the opposite direction. Oprah is
probably the most immaculate talk show there is. It is unlikely that
you will find guest on Oprah that have committed adultery, have
sold their souls to the devil, or are part of a racist hate group.
Instead, the show focuses on the improvement of society
and an individuals quality of life. Topics range from teaching your
children responsibility, managing your work week, proper etiquette,
getting to know your neighbors and entertaining interviews with
celebrities. Not many talk shows are interested in taking time to
teach children right from wrong, or give techniques to get along
with people better, but it seems that the Oprah shows top priority
is to educate first, and then entertain.
Compared to Oprah, the Jerry Springer show looks like toxic waste
being dumped on society. Still, there are times when Jerry Springer
has made an effort to help the troubled people on his show. The
most notable is when he has helped extremely obese people get to
the hospital and help them turn their lives around. The entire
process is still taped for its entertainment value, but at least
something good came out of it. Jerry also ends every show with a
"final word." He makes a small speech that
sums up the entire moral of the show. Hopefully, this is the part
where most people will learn something very valuable.
Even if Oprah is as squeaky clean as it is, the show is not for
everyone. The shows main target audience is working middle-class
Americans. A vast majority of these people usually have the time,
money, and stability to deal with life's tougher problems. Jerry
Springer, on the other hand, has more of an association with the
young adults of society. These are your 18 -21 year-olds whose main
troubles in life involve love, relationship, sex, pregnancy, money,
peers and influence. They are the ones who see some value and
lessons to be learned underneath the show's exploitation.
While these two talk shows are as different as night and day, both
have ruled the talk show circuit for many years now. Each one
caters to a different audience while both have a strong following
from legions of fans. Ironically, both could also be considered
pioneers in the talk show world. Jerry Springer's crude and vulgar
topics may be looked down upon, but no other talk show comes
close to the raw exposure of its guest. Oprah Winfrey was able to
break away from the pack and create a unique and highly successful
talk show. Only time will tell if anyone follow in her footsteps. Even
as these two talk shows stand on opposite sides of the spectrum,
both have managed to stand alone to their highest extremes and
are considered the best at what they are.
"Talk Shows: Compare and contrast." 123HelpMe.com. 29 Apr 2008
<http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=41078>.