Compare/Contrast Papers

Basic structure

The purpose of an academic paper is to demonstrate your ability to think critically in response to a particular question or issue. It allows you to make an argument and persuade readers of your position through written composition supported by credible evidence. 

This resource page has been developed to help you structure a compare/contrast paper, however, your instructor may have specific ideas of what should and shouldn't be included in your assignment. Always ask your instructor if you are unsure!

Common compare/contrast paper structures

The most popular form of compare/contrast papers, Block organization is organized by discussing one subject, point by point, in complete detail before moving on to the next subject. The writer should select points by which both subjects can be examined. The number of body paragraphs will be determined by the number of points discussed in the essay.

Paragraph Function Example
Introduction Introduce the two or more subjects being compared and lead to a thesis statement or argument. While they are both based on works by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings trilogy surpasses The Hobbit trilogy in both scope and box office returns while still using practical effects to attain greater realism and focused more on story telling rather than “filmable moments” that added little to the plot.
First Body Paragraph Discuss point #1 of the first subject. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was planned as a trilogy which allowed for a cheaper and easier production.
Second Body Paragraph Discuss point #2 of the first subject. Adjusting for inflation, The Lord of the Rings trilogy made $5.4 million at the box office.
Third Body Paragraph Discuss point #3 of the first subject. The Lord of the Rings trilogy relied on practical effects for a majority of their shots with CGI being used to enhance what was physically present. 
Fourth Body Paragraph Transition to and discuss point #2 of the second subject, providing similarities and differences with point #2 of the first subject. Because the source material was short book, The Hobbit trilogy was originally designed as a single movie but was then stretched into a second and then third film.
Fifth Body Paragraph Discuss point #2 of the second subject, providing similarities and differences with point #2 of the first subject. Adjusting for inflation, The Hobbit trilogy made $3.8 million at the box office.
Sixth Body Paragraph Discuss point #3 of the second subject, providing similarities and differences with point #3 of the first subject. Most of The Hobbit trilogy's special effects were CGI and completed in post-production.
Conclusion Without repeating any claims or adding any new information, emphasize the importance of the similarities and differences between the two subjects as they are relevant to your thesis. With the amount of time, effort, and positive response at the box office, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is the superior adaptation.

This organizational pattern is most effective when used on longer essays, such as a comparison of two articles, short stories, or novels. The body of such an essay is organized by discussing one point at a time and how it applies to each subject before moving on to the next point. For long works, at least three points should be examined if not more.

Note: Unlike Block organization, this pattern will probably require more than one body paragraph for each point being discussed.
Paragraph Function Example
Introduction Introduce the two or more subjects being compared and lead to a thesis statement or argument. While they are both based on works by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings trilogy surpasses The Hobbit trilogy in both scope and box office returns while still using practical effects to attain greater realism and focused more on story telling rather than “filmable moments” that added little to the plot.
First Body Paragraph Discuss point #1 of both subjects,
comparing and contrasting the manifestation of
this point in each subject.		 The Lord of the Rings trilogy was planned as a trilogy which allowed for a cheaper and easier production, unlike The Hobbit trilogy which was originally designed as a single movie but was later stretched into three films.
Second Body Paragraph Discuss point #2 of both subjects,
comparing and contrasting the manifestation of
this point in each subject.		 Adjusting for inflation, The Lord of the Rings trilogy made $5.4 million at the box office but The Hobbit trilogy only made $3.8 million.
Third Body Paragraph Discuss point #3 of both subjects,
comparing and contrasting the manifestation of
this point in each subject.		 The Lord of the Rings trilogy relied on practical effects for a majority of their shots with CGI being used to enhance what was physically present while most of The Hobbit trilogy's special effects were CGI and completed in post-production.
Conclusion Without repeating any claims or adding any new information, emphasize the importance of the similarities and differences between the two subjects as they are relevant to your thesis. With the amount of time, effort, and positive response at the box office, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is the superior adaptation.

Useful for when your assignment asks you to both compare AND contrast items. Each paragraph immediately focuses on discussions of similarities and weaknesses.  While this method works best for short answer or essays, it is possible to take each similarity/difference and turn it into its own paragraph.

Paragraph Function Example
Introduction Introduce the two or more subjects being compared and lead to a thesis statement or argument. Even thought there were similar production schedules, The Lord of the Rings trilogy surpasses The Hobbit trilogy by using practical effects to attain greater realism and focused more on story telling rather than “filmable moments” that added little to the plot.
First Body Paragraph Discuss the similarities of both subjects, 
comparing the manifestation of
this point in each subject.		 Both trilogies had a similar production time insuring that both had ample time to prepare for their respective movies.
Second Body Paragraph Discuss the differences of both subjects, 
comparing the manifestation of
this point in each subject.		 The Lord of the Rings trilogy relied on practical effects for a majority of their shots with CGI being used to enhance what was physically present while most of The Hobbit trilogy's special effects were CGI and completed in post-production.
Third Body Paragraph Summarize why one subject is better than the other. Even with the similar lead time in the production schedule, the shift in industry standards away from practical effects, when combined with expanding a single movie into a trilogy, ensured that The Hobbit trilogy was doomed to be the lesser of the pair. 
Conclusion Without repeating any claims or adding any new information, emphasize the importance of the similarities and differences between the two subjects as they are relevant to your thesis. Even with the same amount of production time, the overuse of CGI and production company greed ensures that The Hobbit trilogy is inferior to The Lord of the Rings trilogy in everyway.