How to Write a Compare/Contrast Essay (Part C/ #3)
Compare: Examine the topics for the purpose of noting similarities and differences, focusing more on
similarities.
Contrast: Compare the topics to show unlikeness or points of difference. Think about points of conflict or
points of disagreement!
The General Steps:
1. Read the prompt, and identify the topics and time periods to be compared. If specific information is
given in the prompt, you must include this in your thesis and essay. Think about developments that
occurred during the time period (periodization).
2. Determine the categories you could use as a source of comparison. Think of your PERSIAN categories
or the sub-topics under PERSIAN to see if those will work. Choose three! If PERSIAN won’t work for
you, then create other categories – just keep them broad!
3. Plan your essay by creating a comparison chart for each topic/area. Make sure you include similarities
as well as differences!!! See the sample layout below.
4. Conclusion: Wrap up the essay and explain the impact of the topic. How does the topic compare to
other regions or civilizations/empires? What are its effects later on? Or, restate your main ideas.
Sample Compare & Contrast Chart: (kind of like a Venn diagram)
Categories
Topic #1 Differences
Similarities
Topic #2 Differences
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Essay Organization:
Thesis
Body Paragraph – Category 1 (could be similarities, differences, or a combination of both)
Body Paragraph – Category 2 (could be similarities, differences, or a combination of both)
Body Paragraph – Category 3 (could be similarities, differences, or a combination of both)
Conclusion
Compare/Contrast Essay Formula: You must follow the essay formula!
Thesis: Pattern your thesis for the C&C essay after this example!!!
During the (time period), (all exact key words from the prompt) ________ and ________ were similar/different
in (category – broad idea/topic) and (category – broad idea/topic); however they are similar/different (category
– broad topic/topic).
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No evidence in the thesis! No exceptions! No double-dipping allowed…ever!
No more than two sentences for the thesis. No exceptions!
Include all important/key words from prompt.
Prompt: Compare and contrast political and economic characteristics of Mesopotamia and Egypt from 2,000
B.C.E. to 600 B.C.E.
Sample: During the time 2000 BCE to 600 BCE, political and economic characteristics of Egypt and
Mesopotamia were similar in their rulers and in trade; however they are different in their empires.
Copyright Allen ISD 2014
Body Paragraphs:
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You need at least one similarity and one difference, a total of three. Follow the structures for both
below. However, your body paragraphs may contain both similarities and differences.
Use transition words, such as similar, like, unlike, different, whereas, however, although…
Evidence includes examples, key vocabulary, dates, historical events, persons, trends, and occurrences.
Analysis must explain the reasons why something is similar or different.
If the prompt gives you regions to discuss, put the regions in the first sentence of each body paragraph.
However, your evidence can be from specific countries or civilizations. If the prompt gives you
countries or civilizations to discuss, put the countries or civilizations in the first sentence of each body
paragraph.
Similarities: (Sentence 1, 2, & 3)
_______ and _______ were similar in (theme/topic from prompt) because (explain category more in depth than
the thesis). _______ had (historical evidence/examples of the category). (Similarly, _________ had (historical
evidence of the category). The reason for this similarity is because (analysis/give reasoning).
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Repeat this structure for each similarity.
Every time you introduce a new similarity, repeat the structure (topic sentence included) even if it is in
the same paragraph.
Sample: Egypt and Mesopotamia were similar in their economic characteristics because both practiced transregional trade. Egypt traded trans-regionally with Mesopotamia and had some maritime trade in the
Mediterranean, as well as with regional kingdoms such as Nubia. Similarly, Mesopotamia traded regionally
between city-states but also trans-regionally overland with Egypt and used maritime trade with the Indus. The
reason for this similarity was because early civilizations needed crops and goods that weren’t available in their
region to support their growing population, so they relied heavily on merchants and trade to sustain their
economy.
Differences: (Sentence 1, 2, & 3)
_______ and _______ were different in (theme/topic from prompt) because
had (explain category more
in depth than the thesis) while
had (explain category more in depth than the thesis). _______ had
(historical evidence/examples of the category) whereas _______ had (historical evidence of the category). The
reason for this difference is because (analysis/give reasoning).
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Repeat this structure for each difference.
Every time you introduce a new difference, repeat the structure (topic sentence included) even if it is in
the same paragraph.
Sample: Egypt and Mesopotamia were different in their political characteristics because Egypt had one durable
empire, while Mesopotamia consisted of many city-states that developed into multiple empires. Egypt had
dynasties of pharaohs ruling over an empire that lasted hundreds of years whereas Mesopotamia had empires
such as Babylonia and Assyria that developed from powerful city-states or invaders. The reason for this
difference is the lack of geographic barriers in Mesopotamia, making it vulnerable to outside invasions, unlike
Egypt who had many barriers allowing for a stable empire.
Follow the formula! This is what will earn points on the AP exams!
Copyright Allen ISD 2014