UNIQUE COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY TOPICS: HOW TO PICK A TOPIC

Table of contents

• Writing Compare and Contrast Essays
• Topics for Compare and Contrast Essays
• Research Sources of Compare and Contrast Essays
• Structure and Format of Compare Contrast Essays
• Examples of Compare and Contrast Essays

Writing Compare and Contrast Essays

Writing compare and contrast essays tackles the similarities in aspects of two items as well as their differences. They aim to better the analytical skills of a student. You are required to give an in-depth analysis of two themes or topics using critical thinking. The compare and contrast essays usually reflect on your beliefs, character, and opinion.

Be sure to tackle both sides of the topics; advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons, benefits, and drawbacks. Make use of the relevant structure and use the most significant point to build your argument. Using transitional words will also help in creating cohesion in your writing.

Topics for Compare and Contrast Essays

When writing compare and contrast essays, you should choose fascinating and exciting items that you are comfortable with, and you like. Doing so will help you in coming up with the most attention-grabbing paper. You can explore various situations, places, historical events, investigate past events, or the lives of fictional or real people. Listed down are some of the compare and contrast essay topics you can choose to write about in your paper:

General life topics: best compare and contrast essay topics

1. Living in a city vs. living in rural areas. Advantages and disadvantages of each
2. Life as a male human being and a female human being. Similarities and differences
3. Working during the day vs. working at night
4. Being rich vs. poor
5. When are you most happy? Childhood vs. adulthood

Pop culture: interesting compare and contrast essay topics

1. Marvel cinematic universe vs. DC comics; movies and series
2. Pop music and blues
3. Facebook vs. Twitter
4. Real-life dating vs. online dating and how has technology affected our social lives
5. Gucci or Channel: clad, shoes, bags, and accessories design

Literature: good compare and contrast essay topics

1. Greek mythology vs. Roman mythology
2. Poetry vs. Plays: when to use each and how they affect people
3. Noam Chomsky and Shakespeare: their contributions to modern literature
4. Fiction books vs. non-fictional books
5. Inspirational books vs. self-help books

The internet also contains a lot of suggestions for easy compare and contrast essay topics. Using your creativity, you can also come up with funny compare and contrast essay topics.

Research Sources of Compare and Contrast Essays

Although writing an essay to compare and contrast creates an avenue to express your opinion and thinking, you should back up your points with corresponding evidence. Operate using facts objectively to support any ideas that you use your creativity, knowledge, and beliefs to come up with. Just as in an argumentative essay, your text will need proof (facts and figures).

Do extensive research on the topics for compare and contrast essays from different sources on the given topics before you begin your first draft. Ensure the references are recent and up-to-date. They should be as relevant as possible. Some of the credible sources of information for your compare and contrast essay include:

1. Books
2. Scientific magazines
3. Documentaries
4. Academic journals
5. Newspapers
6. News articles
7. The internet

Structure and Format of Compare Contrast Essays

Regardless of your compare and contrast essay topic, ensure to make use of the standard format of writing an academic paper. From there, you can tailor your points in a way that brings out the comparison and differences considering what you support.

Begin your first paragraph with an interesting and eye-catching hook. Give a brief explanation of the main topic which you are to explore using the most comprehensive and captivating words to draw the reader’s interest. After that, outline your thesis statement, which should be stimulating, intriguing, and maybe controversial. The thesis statement usually comes in the last sentence of your first paragraph.

The main body includes the facts, your point of view, and the counterarguments. To come up with the most compelling arguments, you need to do extensive research on the topic. Note down all similarities and differences in points for easy reference. 

Next, dedicate a separate section to explain how each one of them is unique. Integrate the evidence with the supporting points next to each argument. There should be up to three supporting points in each body paragraph. Paragraphs should be of equal weight and importance. All should contain relevant evidence that gives your paper credibility. Use reliable scientific resources.

The last part is where you explore the counterarguments. Study opinions that oppose your thesis statement or belief. You need to select at least one example and develop a paragraph with the counterargument as well. Write down a maximum of two opposing views, followed by a couple of your refutations.

In the end, summarize your work while giving the main idea. Restate your thesis statement and emphasize which side you are taking, and the reason for that.

Examples of Compare and Contrast Essays

You can search online for excellent examples and samples of compare and contrast essays. You will get information that relates to your topic of research and you can use it to strengthen your essay. Here is a YouTube link you can follow to expand your knowledge on compare and contrast essays in general.