A compare and contrast essay is an academic paper where a student needs to analyze 2 or more subjects or to define similarities between subjects, or to contrast their difference. 

The qualitative compare and contrast paper focuses on the central theme such as two cars, two apartments, or two professions. Thus, the two things to be compared ought to have enough in common to justify the comparison. In case two things are very similar, then write about the contrasts. 

It is a form of an essay where it is necessary to explain similarities and differences between two items. A comparison and contrast essay is a frequent pattern in most academic fields. For example, the topic may be to compare and contrast methods for promoting a new business, product, or service.

The initial step is to write an impactful comparison/contrast essay and organize it carefully. You may choose two patterns of the organizations such as point-by-point organization and block organization. 

Select the dominant idea after examining points of similarity and difference. 

For instance,  the title of the compare and contrast essay may be Vegetarians and meat-eaters, Extroverts and Introverts, Generation X and Generation Z, etc.

How to write compare and contrast essay 

Focus on writing essays about each of the subjects, but present the same features for both subjects. Use the basis for comparison to guide your selection of points. Arrange the features logically, by the way of importance.

Thereafter, determine the emphasis on similarities, differences or both. Choose the major focus of the paper. 

In block organization, you may present all similarities in one block and all the differences in another. You may insert one transition paragraph or transition phrase between the two blocks. 

In certain topics, it is possible to write about all the similarities in a single paragraph, whilst in other essays, there are multiple paragraphs written.  In the case of other topics, you may have 1 paragraph of similarities and a couple of paragraphs of differences. 

In a point-by-point method introduces the topic, specify your theme, and present the thesis. In the block method, repeat the same pattern. In the case of any essay, it is necessary to have the introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 

Additionally, you may use certain words that introduce a point of comparison and points of contrast. The most common signal words are first, second, one, another, the final, for example, and in conclusion. So, in the paragraph where you compare two subjects, apply the following words: similarly, also, likewise, also, both, just like, similar to, like, the same as, or to compare to. In case when contrasting two subjects, use the following: in comparison, in contrast, by comparison, while, whereas, but, on the other hand, to differ from, dissimilar to, or unlike.

Try to avoid primitive listing of the differences or similarities. The essay should be based on analyzing the similarities and differences. Try to analyze the conclusions about the two subjects and find a linking sentence.