You should take some time to think about a simple element that you want to compare and contrast. Once you decide what you want to compare and contrast, be sure to find some common ground between the two items. What I mean by common ground is to find at least three similarities between the elements that you are writing about. Finding these similarities will allow you to have a springboard for your thoughts when talking about the differences. Follow the recipe in the next step for a clear example.
I. A Format/Recipe of an Introduction:
a). Start off with about 2-3 sentences of general discussion of your topic. In short, simply let your reader know what you are going to be discussing through general statements about your topic.
b). In about 2 sentences, try to mention some various ways that other people would compare and contrast the element that your are discussing.
c. In 1-2 clear sentences, state your thesis. Your thesis will be the three similarities of your element and three contrasts to each similarity. The minute you mention your first similarity in your thesis, you want to follow it with the contrast. Do this for the next two similarities in your thesis. Doing this will allow you to have a solid and organized guide to follow for your up coming 3 body paragraphs.
A Student Sample of an Introduction: The lower case letters are a simple guideline for my reader to follow. The lower case letters will show how each ingredient from the above format pieces together to form the solid paragraphs. Use these letters for each body paragraph.
(a) Many people have two best friends that are similar and different in many ways. These similarities are usually in age, attitude, and interests; on the other hand, some of the differences between these two friends can include height, beliefs, goals, ethnicities, cultures, etc. (b) Some people may not find any similarities or differences in their best friends, and others may find many similarities and differences in their friends. However, I find three distinct similarities and three differences within these similarities between my two best friends Adam and Art, which allows me to see that despite these similarities and differences, they are still my best friends. (c) Both Adam and Art have girlfriends, but both girls are treated differently; furthermore, Adam and Art both own their own home, but one house is cleaner then the other. Finally, Adam and Art are both very smart, but one applies this smartness more then the other.
II. A Format/recipe for Body 1:
a). In about 2-3 sentences, explain the first similarity (from your thesis) between the two elements that you are discussing. Tell what the similarity is in a clear and concise manner.
b). In about 3-4 sentences, start discussing the differences between the similarity. In these sentences, tell what the differences are and include a very brief and very specific example that shows the differences between the two elements. Also be sure to use transitional phrases between the contrasts.
c). In 1 sentence close of your paragraph.
A Student Sample of Body Paragraph 1:
(a) My two best friends, Adam and Art have girlfriends; they both have been in their relationships for about five years, and they both met their girlfriends in freshman year of high school. (b) Despite the similarity of both having girlfriends for the same amount of time, they treat their girlfriends differently. Adam treats every moment with his girlfriend as if it were their last moment together. For example, every morning, he picks her up for school and brings her a fresh flower. On the other hand, Art takes his girlfriend for granted. For instance, every morning, Art's girlfriend will pick him up for school, but sometimes he decides to walk to school without letting her know before she arrives at his place. Art also never gives his girlfriend gifts, as Adam does. (c) Both of my friends have girl friends, but Adam treats his with more respect than Art.
III. A Format/Recipe for Body 2:
a). Using a transitional phrase, write 2-3 sentences that explain the second similarity (from your thesis) between the two elements that you are discussing. Again, tell what this similarity is in a clear and concise way.
b). In about 3-4 sentences, start discussing the differences between this second similarity. In these sentences, tell what the differences are and include a very brief and very specific example that shows the differences between the two elements. Also be sure to use transitional phrases between the contrasts.
c). In 1 sentence close of your paragraph.
A Student Sample of Body Paragraph 2:
(a) In addition, Adam and Art both own their own homes. They have owned their home for about one year, and they both bought their homes as foreclosures. Furthermore, Adam and Art both live in the same neighborhood as me. (b) However, Adam keeps his house immaculate; his house is always clean and everything is in order. For example, his carpets always look brand new; his bathroom is spotless, and his kitchen has everything organized, with the dishes always put away. Contrary to Adam, Art's house looks like a tornado ran through it. Arts house is always a disaster. For instance, Art always has clothes all over the place; his bathroom is completely disgusting. Furthermore, his kitchen has filthy dishes all over the place and food on the floor. His place also smells, unlike Adam's house. (c) Both of my friends own their own house, but Adam clearly knows how to maintain his home, while Art either does not care or does not know how to keep a clean home.
IV. A Format/Recipe of Body 3:
a). Using another transitional phrase, write about 2-3 more sentences that explain the third similarity (from your thesis) between the two elements that you are discussing. Again, tell what this similarity is in a clear and concise way.
b). In about 3-4 sentences, start discussing the differences between this third similarity. In these sentences, tell what the differences are and include a very brief and very specific example that shows the differences between the two elements. Also be sure to use transitional phrases between the contrasts.
c). In 1 sentence close of your paragraph.
A Student Sample of Body Paragraph 3:
(a) Finally, both of my best friends, Adam and Art, are extremely smart. Both of them speak very well and read an intense amount of novels. Adam and Art usually get through the same book in the same amount of time, which is a 200-300-page novel every four-five days. Both of my friends know how to really discuss the text in depth and analyze it. (b) However, Adam applies this talent to his schooling and future goal of becoming an English Professor, while Art does not apply himself at all. Adam goes to all his classes and passes them with straight A's; he is already at the university after completing community college in less then two years. On the other hand, Art still, after many years, goes to community college, but usually has to repeat his courses because he does not go to class regularly, and he is just lazy to do the work. If Art did apply himself, I believe he would be equivalent to Adam and also be at the university. (c) Either way, both are smart, but one applies him, while the other does not.
V. A Format/Recipe of a Conclusion:
a). In about 2 sentences, restate your thesis. However, be sure that you use different wording when doing this.
b). In about 3-4 sentences briefly re-mention all the similarities and differences between the element that you are discussing. Simply re-mention the similarity and then re-mention the specific examples that to discuss in your body paragraphs. This will allow you to sum up your entire essay
c). In about 1-2 sentences, be sure to have a closing and intelligent thought to seal off your entire essay.
A Student Sample of a Conclusion:
(a) In conclusion, my two best friends Adam and Art share many similarities, but within these similarities they are both different. Both Adam and Art have girlfriends; own their own house, and they both are very smart. (b) However, Adam treats his girlfriend with respect and buys her flowers every morning, while Art never checks in with his girl nor buys her gifts. Furthermore, Adam's house is very clean and has everything in order; his dishes are always clean, and his carpets are spotless, while Art's house is disgusting; his bathroom is filthy, and his dishes are always dirty. Art also always has clothes all over his floor. Finally, Adam and Art are very smart and read a lot, but Adam applies his smartness to school and future, while Art fails to discipline himself to move on with school. (c) Either way, my two best friends may have similarities that differ in many and various ways, but one similarity that has no differences is that they are my best friends, and I care about them equivalently.
The final step is to always be sure to edit for global organization and content, and be sure to proofread for any grammatical and mechanical errors within your sentence structure.