Read the assignment instructions carefully. Determine which two texts, things, people or ideas your teacher wants you to compare and contrast. Identify any other assignment requirements such as length and due date.
Make a Venn Diagram of the two things you are comparing to help you decide what to include in your essay or print a blank Venn Diagram from the Internet. Assign a circle to each item and list important facts about those items within their respective circles. In the overlapping portion of the diagram, write down qualities and facts the two items share.
Determine which items in your Venn diagram are the most complex, interesting and important. Make these items the focus of your essay. For example, contrasting the way two different poets discuss love is a better focus for your essay than the fact that both poems are printed in the same font.
Use bullet points or a formal outline template to outline your essay. You can formulate your essay either by addressing and describing each subject separately in its own paragraph, or by writing a new paragraph for each point of comparison between the subjects.
Write an introductory paragraph. Briefly summarize, describe or explain the two things your essay compares and contrasts, including any relevant background information. Your introduction should also tell the reader the main point of your essay, called the thesis. For example, your thesis might be that Poet A sees love as fleeting, while Poet B believes love is everlasting.
Follow your outline, writing a full paragraph for each new bullet point. If you are comparing texts, use quotes from the texts to support your conclusions. Use key phrases and words such as "compared to" and "likewise" to aid your transitions.
Write a conclusion. Your conclusion should restate your main point or thesis and summarize the points you made in your paper.
Proofread your paper for spelling, grammar and factual accuracy. Make sure your argument is clear, that you included all the necessary information and did not veer too far off topic.