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• Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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Table of contents

When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

• Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
• Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

• Point of comparison A
• Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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The Comparative Essay

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What is a comparative essay?

A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare

• positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States)
• theories (e.g., capitalism and communism)
• figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and Britain)
• texts (e.g., Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth )
• events (e.g., the Great Depression and the global financial crisis of 2008–9)

Although the assignment may say “compare,” the assumption is that you will consider both the similarities and differences; in other words, you will compare and contrast.

Make sure you know the basis for comparison

The assignment sheet may say exactly what you need to compare, or it may ask you to come up with a basis for comparison yourself.

• Provided by the essay question: The essay question may ask that you consider the figure of the gentleman in Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations and Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall . The basis for comparison will be the figure of the gentleman.
• Developed by you: The question may simply ask that you compare the two novels. If so, you will need to develop a basis for comparison, that is, a theme, concern, or device common to both works from which you can draw similarities and differences.

Develop a list of similarities and differences

Once you know your basis for comparison, think critically about the similarities and differences between the items you are comparing, and compile a list of them.

For example, you might decide that in Great Expectations , being a true gentleman is not a matter of manners or position but morality, whereas in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall , being a true gentleman is not about luxury and self-indulgence but hard work and productivity.

The list you have generated is not yet your outline for the essay, but it should provide you with enough similarities and differences to construct an initial plan.

Develop a thesis based on the relative weight of similarities and differences

Once you have listed similarities and differences, decide whether the similarities on the whole outweigh the differences or vice versa. Create a thesis statement that reflects their relative weights. A more complex thesis will usually include both similarities and differences. Here are examples of the two main cases:

While Callaghan’s “All the Years of Her Life” and Mistry’s “Of White Hairs and Cricket” both follow the conventions of the coming-of-age narrative, Callaghan’s story adheres more closely to these conventions by allowing its central protagonist to mature. In Mistry’s story, by contrast, no real growth occurs.

Although Darwin and Lamarck came to different conclusions about whether acquired traits can be inherited, they shared the key distinction of recognizing that species evolve over time.

Come up with a structure for your essay

Note that the French and Russian revolutions (A and B) may be dissimilar rather than similar in the way they affected innovation in any of the three areas of technology, military strategy, and administration. To use the alternating method, you just need to have something noteworthy to say about both A and B in each area. Finally, you may certainly include more than three pairs of alternating points: allow the subject matter to determine the number of points you choose to develop in the body of your essay.

When do I use the block method? The block method is particularly useful in the following cases:

• You are unable to find points about A and B that are closely related to each other.
• Your ideas about B build upon or extend your ideas about A.
• You are comparing three or more subjects as opposed to the traditional two.

• Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This section will help you determine the purpose and structure of comparison/contrast in writing.

The Purpose of Compare/Contrast in Writing

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

The Structure of a Compare/Contrast Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting:

Thesis Statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other
• According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Writing an Compare/Contrast Essay

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis.

Compare/Contrast Essay Example

Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC

By Scott McLean in Writing for Success

Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer vastly different experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are.

Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines. London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium. It was not only one of the northernmost points of the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC, on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the 1790s. From that point onward to today, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global influence. Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, and continue to hold, significant social influence in the economic and cultural global spheres.

Both Washington, DC, and London offer a wide array of museums that harbor many of the world’s most prized treasures. While Washington, DC, has the National Gallery of Art and several other Smithsonian galleries, London’s art scene and galleries have a definite edge in this category. From the Tate Modern to the British National Gallery, London’s art ranks among the world’s best. This difference and advantage has much to do with London and Britain’s historical depth compared to that of the United States. London has a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts, but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and national chains. While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall.

Both cities also share and differ in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. A downtown one-bedroom apartment in DC can easily cost $1,800 per month, and a similar “flat” in London may double that amount. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents. Although both cities’ residents are predominantly wealthy, both have a significantly large population of poor and homeless. Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup. Washington, DC, is a “minority majority” city, which means the majority of its citizens are races other than white. In 2009, according to the US Census, 55 percent of DC residents were classified as “Black or African American” and 35 percent of its residents were classified as “white.” London, by contrast, has very few minorities—in 2006, 70 percent of its population was “white,” while only 10 percent was “black.” The racial demographic differences between the cities is drastic.

Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the Western world, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and socioeconomic disparity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
• The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
• The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.
• There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays.
• Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other.
• Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.
• Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : http://lumenlearning.com/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Successful Writing. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s14-07-comparison-and-contrast.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC. Authored by : Scott McLean. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s14-07-comparison-and-contrast.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (Access Requires Login)

• Overview of Instructor Resources

An Overview of the Writing Process

• Introduction to the Writing Process
• Introduction to Writing
• Your Role as a Learner
• What is an Essay?
• Reading to Write
• Defining the Writing Process
• Videos: Prewriting Techniques
• Thesis Statements
• Organizing an Essay
• Creating Paragraphs
• Conclusions
• Editing and Proofreading
• Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style
• Peer Review Checklist
• Comparative Chart of Writing Strategies

Using Sources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Formatting the Works Cited Page (MLA)
• Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA)
• APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Definition Essay

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• How to Write a Definition Essay
• Critical Thinking
• Video: Thesis Explained
• Effective Thesis Statements
• Student Sample: Definition Essay

Narrative Essay

• Introduction to Narrative Essay
• Student Sample: Narrative Essay
• "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
• "Sixty-nine Cents" by Gary Shteyngart
• Video: The Danger of a Single Story
• How to Write an Annotation
• How to Write a Summary
• Writing for Success: Narration

Illustration/Example Essay

• Introduction to Illustration/Example Essay
• "She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D" by Perri Klass
• "April & Paris" by David Sedaris
• Writing for Success: Illustration/Example
• Student Sample: Illustration/Example Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay

• Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
• "Disability" by Nancy Mairs
• "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise" by Alex Wright
• "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard
• Student Sample: Compare/Contrast Essay

Cause-and-Effect Essay

• Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Essay
• "Cultural Baggage" by Barbara Ehrenreich
• "Women in Science" by K.C. Cole
• Writing for Success: Cause and Effect
• Student Sample: Cause-and-Effect Essay

Argument Essay

• Introduction to Argument Essay
• Rogerian Argument
• "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman
• "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin
• How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material
• Writing for Success: Argument
• Student Sample: Argument Essay
• Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
• Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
• Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
• Mini-lesson: Fragments I
• Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
• Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
• Mini-lesson: Parallelism
• Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
• Mini-lesson: Capital Letters
• Grammar Practice - Interactive Quizzes
• De Copia - Demonstration of the Variety of Language
• Style Exercise: Voice

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Assignment vs. the comparison operator

A common syntax error experienced by beginner Python programmers is in using the assignment operator = instead of the equality operator == in a conditional expression:

This assignment a = 5 does not return a value, it simply assigns the integer object 5 to the variable name a , and so there is nothing corresponding to True or False that the if statement can use: hence the SyntaxError . This contrasts with the C language in which an assignment returns the value of the variable being assigned (and so the statement a = 5 evaluates to true ). This behaviour is the source of many hard-to-find bugs and security vulnerabilities and its omission from the Python language is by design.

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• Writing Tips

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

• 5-minute read
• 9th March 2021

In a compare and contrast essay , you look at the similarities and differences between two subjects. How do you write one, though? Key steps include:

• Pick two things to compare based on the assignment you were given.
• Brainstorm the similarities and differences between your chosen subjects.
• Choose a structure for your essay and plan how you will write it.
• Write up your comparison and use evidence to support your argument.
• Revise and proofread your essay to make sure it is perfect.

For more advice on each stage, check out our guide below.

1. Pick Two Subjects to Compare and Contrast

A compare and contrast assignment will ask you, unsurprisingly, to compare and contrast two things. In some cases, the assignment question will make this clear. For instance, if the assignment says “Compare how Mozart and Beethoven use melody,” you will have a very clear sense of what to write about!

Other times, you will have a choice of what to compare. In this case, you will want to pick two things that are similar enough to make a useful comparison.

For example, comparing Mozart and Beethoven makes sense because both are classical composers. This means there will be lots of points of comparison between them. But comparing Mozart to a Ferrari SF90 Stradale would just be confusing: one is a renowned composer and musician, the other is a high-end sports car, so they have very little in common that we could usefully compare.

At the same time, the things you pick should be different enough that you can find points of contrast. Were you asked to compare the calorific content of two types of fast food, for example, it might not make sense to compare hamburgers and cheeseburgers as they are too similar. But you could compare hamburgers and pizzas since both are forms of fast food but they differ in other respects.

As such, if you need to pick the subjects of your essay, read your assignment question carefully and try to find two things that will produce a helpful comparison.

2. Brainstorm Their Similarities and Differences

The next step is to brainstorm similarities and differences between your chosen subjects. You can do this as a simple list, but you could also use a Venn diagram .

This is a set of overlapping circles, each of which represents one subject. You can then add characteristics to each circle, with anything your subjects have in common going in the overlapping bit in the middle.

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Once you’ve listed characteristics, you’ll need to pick out the similarities and differences relevant to your essay. If you were assigned a question, use this to guide your choices. Otherwise, look for features that seem surprising or interesting and plan your essay around these. The key is to pick points of comparison that help us to understand each thing better, or where the similarities and differences show us something that we might not have expected or noticed otherwise.

3. Choose a Structure for Your Essay

As with any essay, you will want to start with a short introduction where you introduce your topic and what you will argue. Beyond this, most compare and contrast essays are structured in one of two ways. Decide which approach to take before you write your essay outline :

• Divide by subject – Cover each subject in turn, looking at the key features you’ve identified in the previous step. You can then include a final section where you highlight what comparing the subjects tell us.
• Divide by individual points – Break your essay down into a series of sections. Each section will then focus on one of the key features you’ve identified, explaining the similarities and differences between your chosen subjects.

For instance, if you were comparing two novels, you could write about each novel in turn and then compare them at the end. Alternatively, you could structure your essay so that each section covers an individual idea (e.g., one on structure, one on characters, one on language), looking at how each book uses these things.

In either case, you will want to end on a conclusion where you summarize what the comparison has shown us about the two subjects.

4. Use Supporting Evidence for Your Argument

It is important that you also back up your statements with supporting evidence. In some cases, this will simply involve pointing to the features of each subject that you’re discussing (e.g., citing specific parts of the novels you’re comparing).

However, you can also do extra research to back up your arguments. Were you comparing two countries’ economic performance, for example, you could use statistics from other studies or reports to show the similarities and differences.

5. Proofread Your Compare and Contrast Essay

Once you have a first draft of your compare and contrast essay, take a break. If you have time, leave it overnight. The aim is to come back to it with fresh eyes and reread it, looking for any areas you could improve. After this, you can redraft your essay to make sure your argument is clear, concise, and convincing.

It is also a good idea to have your essay proofread before submitting it. This will ensure your work is error free and help you get the marks you deserve.

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Writing effective comparison/contrast essays.

1. Brainstorming and Prewriting

Recall that a comparison/contrast essay serves the purpose of examining the similarities and/or differences between two subjects. When you compare things, you show their similarities; when you contrast things, you show their differences.

The first step in writing a comparison/contrast essay is to brainstorm ideas and decide upon a topic. It's important that you find two things that have enough similarities or differences in order to be able to effectively compare or contrast them. If you choose two things that are too similar, you’ll struggle to find meaningful differences. If you choose two things that are too different, you’ll struggle to find meaningful comparisons.

During the brainstorming stage of the writing process, you can use a variety of activities to help you generate ideas for your topic. It can be helpful to make a list of similarities and differences between your two subjects, then choose the ones that are most important to use in your comparison/contrast essay.

This will help you to see the multitude of similarities and differences, and then focus in on the most important ones to use in your essay:

Clustering, or mapping, is another way to generate ideas using words, shapes, and lines that show the connections between those ideas.

• There are unending things that you can compare/contrast, and choosing two might seem overwhelming. Some common themes for a comparison/contrast essay may include events (Battle of Fort Sumter versus Battle of Sewell’s Point), situations (riding the bus versus driving to work), people (a CEO versus a CFO of a company), and places (London versus Tokyo).
• A good approach for beginner writers can be to pick two things that are in the same overarching category (foods, animals, locations, people, events, etc.) but differ in some significant ways. This can make it easier to see the similarities as well as the differences.
• Don’t forget to consider the "So what?" question when deciding on your topic. Why are you choosing this topic? Why should anyone care? Is it at all meaningful? You should be able to explain to your readers why it is useful that they understand the similarities or differences between these two topics.
• Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. (historical figures)
• The 1960s and today (two eras in time)
• Pop music and country music (genres of music)
• Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres (talk show hosts)
• Online college courses and in-person college courses (ways to take college courses)
• Communism and socialism (belief systems)
• Solar power and wind energy (energy types)

As you narrow your focus, you will need to determine which points of comparison or contrast are most important. The number of points of comparison or contrast that you settle on will be driven by the topic you choose. However, for the comparison/contrast essay you’ll be writing for this course, you will need to focus in on two or three main points of comparison or contrast.

As you know, an outline can be a useful tool during prewriting to help you further develop the ideas and organization of your essay. Creating an outline will help you plan the way in which you want to organize your body paragraphs, and which details you want to include in each. This will help you to produce a sort of roadmap for your essay.

2. Drafting a Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement is the cornerstone of any academic essay. During the brainstorming and prewriting steps, you will have selected a topic and chosen your strongest main points to either compare or contrast within your essay. This will help you further develop your thesis statement.

A good thesis statement should convey the main points of your essay and should avoid being overly generic.

Instead, a good thesis statement should provide more information on which points of comparison or contrast will be discussed in the essay. Below are some templates you can consider as you begin to draft your thesis statement. A good thesis statement is not required to follow one of these patterns, but as a beginning writer, you may find that they provide a helpful starting point.

For an essay contrasting two subjects, your thesis statement may look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} may appear similar, but they differ in {first point of contrast}, {second point of contrast}, and {third point of contrast}.

Or, if you are comparing two subjects, your thesis statement might look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} do not appear to have a lot in common, but they are very similar in {first point of comparison}, {second point of comparison}, and {third point of comparison}.

A thesis statement might meaningfully contrast two subjects using the template above, like this:

Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses.

Notice how the primary emphasis in the above thesis is about how the two cities differ based on the three points the author chose to focus on: job opportunities, income, and living expenses. This thesis statement gives the reader a clear idea of the specific points of contrast that will be covered within the body of the essay.

3. Methods of Organization

Now that you have your working thesis statement, you’re ready to begin thinking about how to organize the body paragraphs within your essay.

• The point-by-point method
• The block method

You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other.

3a. Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point method, also known as the alternating format method, is one method of paragraph development and organization for a comparison/contrast essay.

When you use the point-by-point method, you are choosing one point of comparison and then writing one paragraph about each of your subjects that shows how they are similar or different.

IN CONTEXT If you are comparing two fast-food restaurants, McDonalds and Burger King, you would first determine your points of comparison. Let’s say you're going to focus on similarities in costs, menus, and taste. Your first body paragraph would consider the costs at McDonalds, and your second body paragraph would consider the costs at Burger King. Your third and fourth body paragraphs would consider the menus at McDonalds and Burger King, and your final two body paragraphs would consider the taste of the food at both restaurants.

This method of organizing is usually easier for the reader to follow, as the main points of the body paragraphs alternate in sequence between subjects.

To demonstrate this method, let’s take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses." In this case, the author is focusing on the differences between the two cities in regard to three main points.

• Introduction + thesis statement
• Body paragraph 1: Job opportunities in Paris
• Body paragraph 2: Job opportunities in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 3: Average income in Paris
• Body paragraph 4: Average income in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 5: Living expenses in Paris
• Body paragraph 6: Living expenses in Tokyo

3b. Block Method

The block method, also known as the subject-by-subject method, is another method of paragraph development and organization in a comparison/contrast essay.

As the name implies, if you choose the block method, you will consider all of your points of comparison or contrast for one subject in the first two or three body paragraphs of your essay, and then discuss the same main points for the second subject in the remaining body paragraphs.

IN CONTEXT If you're contrasting your local grocery store with the giant superstore outside of town, you would first determine your points for contrast. You might choose to focus on the differences in prices, convenience, and atmosphere. You would begin the body of the essay by devoting one paragraph each to these three points about your local grocery store; then, you would write three paragraphs that show how the superstore is different according to those same points.

hint If you choose this method, pay special attention to transition use to help guide your reader.

To demonstrate this method, let’s again take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses."

• Body paragraph 2: Average income in Paris
• Body paragraph 3: Living expenses in Paris
• Body paragraph 4: Job opportunities in Tokyo
• Body paragraph 5: Average income in Tokyo

4. Using Transitions

Given that comparison/contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is also helpful to have some transitions on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

These words and phrases help to highlight the points you are trying to make by signaling the relationships between the subjects in a clear way.

Below are some sample transitional words and phrases that you may use to indicate a comparison or contrast.

summary In this lesson, you learned how to begin putting your comparison/contrast essay together by first starting with brainstorming and prewriting, then moving on to drafting a thesis statement . There are two methods of organization for the body of a comparison/contrast essay that you can choose from: the point-by-point method and the block method . The specific way in which you organize your body paragraphs will be largely determined by your topic and subjects, your audience, and your purpose. Whichever method you choose, using transitions effectively can help readers follow along with your main points. Best of luck in your learning!

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Comparison and Contrast

Learning objectives.

• Determine the purpose and structure of comparison and contrast in writing.
• Explain organizational methods used when comparing and contrasting.
• Understand how to write a compare-and-contrast essay.

The Purpose of Comparison and Contrast in Writing

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay , then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

Writing at Work

• Romantic comedies
• Internet search engines
• Cell phones
• Department stores and discount retail stores
• Fast food chains and fine dining restaurants
• Dogs and cats

The Structure of a Comparison and Contrast Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting.

Thesis statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other
• According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

See Figure 10.1 “Comparison and Contrast Diagram”, which diagrams the ways to organize our organic versus conventional vegetables thesis.

Figure 10.1 Comparison and Contrast Diagram

Click on Image to Enlarge

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis. See Table 10.3 “Phrases of Comparison and Contrast” for examples.

Table 10.3 Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Create an outline for each of the items you chose in Note 10.72 “Exercise 1” and Note 10.73 “Exercise 2”. Use the point-by-point organizing strategy for one of them, and use the subject organizing strategy for the other.

Writing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample compare-and-contrast essay.

Choose one of the outlines you created in Note 10.75 “Exercise 3”, and write a full compare-and-contrast essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, well-defined and detailed paragraphs, and a fitting conclusion that ties everything together.

Key Takeaways

• A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
• The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
• The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.
• Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other.
• Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.

Compare/Contrast Essay Example

Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC

By Scott McLean in Writing for Success

Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer vastly different experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are.

Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines. London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium. It was not only one of the northernmost points of the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC, on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the 1790s. From that point onward to today, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global influence. Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, and continue to hold, significant social influence in the economic and cultural global spheres.

Both Washington, DC, and London offer a wide array of museums that harbor many of the world’s most prized treasures. While Washington, DC, has the National Gallery of Art and several other Smithsonian galleries, London’s art scene and galleries have a definite edge in this category. From the Tate Modern to the British National Gallery, London’s art ranks among the world’s best. This difference and advantage has much to do with London and Britain’s historical depth compared to that of the United States. London has a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts, but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and national chains. While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall.

Both cities also share and differ in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. A downtown one-bedroom apartment in DC can easily cost $1,800 per month, and a similar “flat” in London may double that amount. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents. Although both cities’ residents are predominantly wealthy, both have a significantly large population of poor and homeless. Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup. Washington, DC, is a “minority majority” city, which means the majority of its citizens are races other than white. In 2009, according to the US Census, 55 percent of DC residents were classified as “Black or African American” and 35 percent of its residents were classified as “white.” London, by contrast, has very few minorities—in 2006, 70 percent of its population was “white,” while only 10 percent was “black.” The racial demographic differences between the cities is drastic.

Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the Western world, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and socioeconomic disparity.

Online Compare-and-Contrast Essay Alternatives

Ellen Laird compares and contrasts traditional and distance education in I’m Your Teacher, Not Your Internet-Service Provider :

• http://eec.edc.org/cwis_docs/NEWS_ARTICLES_JOURNALS/Laird_Ellen.pdf
• http://celt.cui.edu/celt/webct_for_instructors/Laird_Article.htm
• http://depedia.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=I%27m_your_teacher%2C_not_your_Internet-Service_Provider

Deborah Tannen compares and contrasts conversation styles in Sex, Lies and Conversation: Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other?

• http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/tannend/sexlies.htm

Alex Wright examines communication patterns, old and new, in Friending, Ancient or Otherwise :

• http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/weekinreview/02wright.html
• Successful Writing. Authored by : Anonymous. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

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10.7 Comparison and Contrast

Learning objectives.

• Determine the purpose and structure of comparison and contrast in writing.
• Explain organizational methods used when comparing and contrasting.
• Understand how to write a compare-and-contrast essay.

The Purpose of Comparison and Contrast in Writing

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay , then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

Writing at Work

Comparing and contrasting is also an evaluative tool. In order to make accurate evaluations about a given topic, you must first know the critical points of similarity and difference. Comparing and contrasting is a primary tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and contrasted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparison and contrast. Comparison and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Choose one of the following three categories. Pick two examples from each. Then come up with one similarity and three differences between the examples.

• Romantic comedies
• Internet search engines
• Cell phones

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward comparison. Choose one of the following three items. Then come up with one difference and three similarities.

• Department stores and discount retail stores
• Fast food chains and fine dining restaurants
• Dogs and cats

The Structure of a Comparison and Contrast Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting.

Thesis statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other
• According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

See Figure 10.1 “Comparison and Contrast Diagram” , which diagrams the ways to organize our organic versus conventional vegetables thesis.

Figure 10.1 Comparison and Contrast Diagram

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis. See Table 10.3 “Phrases of Comparison and Contrast” for examples.

Table 10.3 Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Create an outline for each of the items you chose in Note 10.72 “Exercise 1” and Note 10.73 “Exercise 2” . Use the point-by-point organizing strategy for one of them, and use the subject organizing strategy for the other.

Writing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample compare-and-contrast essay.

Many business presentations are conducted using comparison and contrast. The organizing strategies—by subject or individual points—could also be used for organizing a presentation. Keep this in mind as a way of organizing your content the next time you or a colleague have to present something at work.

Choose one of the outlines you created in Note 10.75 “Exercise 3” , and write a full compare-and-contrast essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, well-defined and detailed paragraphs, and a fitting conclusion that ties everything together.

Key Takeaways

• A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
• The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
• The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.

There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays.

• Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other.
• Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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What is the difference between the `=` and `==` operators and what is `===`? (Single, double, and triple equals)

I have written some code and in certain places == is required and in others = is required. Can someone explain the differences or point me in the direction of the resource that can?

The only thing I can come up with is that in one I’m changing and in the other I’m checking. But in both I am referring to equality.

• assignment-operator

• 2 = is assignment a = b means put b inside a. . == is unstrict equality, a==b means a is roughly equal to b . a===b is strict equality and the one you should be using –  Benjamin Gruenbaum Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 19:20
• 4 Any JavaScript language guide will go into details. –  Dave Newton Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 19:20
• But to be fair until I asked this I wasn't aware of ===, so now I am in need to know what's the diff so thanks for that link. –  o_O Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 19:28
• 2 @RKS This page covers JavaScript expressions in general. –  Pointy Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 19:29
• Related: stackoverflow.com/questions/2063480/the-3-different-equals –  Jonas Wilms Commented Mar 24, 2018 at 21:22

5 Answers 5

= is the assignment operator. It sets a variable (the left-hand side) to a value (the right-hand side). The result is the value on the right-hand side.

== is the comparison operator. It will only return true if both values are equivalent after coercing their types to the same type.

=== is a more strict comparison operator often called the identity operator. It will only return true if both the type and value of the operands are the same.

I would check out CodeCademy for a quick intro to JavaScript.

If you prefer to read more, MDN is a great intro as well.

For those concerned about the source of the term "identity operator" jbabey pointed out that JavaScript: The Definitive Guide seems to mention it.

• 3 Both == and === check the types of the operands. It's what they may do with the result of those checks that differentiates them. –  user1106925 Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 19:29
• @jbabey Could you provide a source for "identity operator"? ECMA-262 refers to it as "The Strict Equals operator." –  Dennis Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 20:00
• 2 @Dennis i think it may have been on MDN at one point in time. I'm not sure where it originated, but it is a fairly common phrase (google for "javascript identity operator") –  jbabey Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 20:04
• 1 @Dennis ah, here we go. The very widely known book JavaScript: The Definitive Guide uses the term "Identity operators". it probably originated here (or at least became much more common). –  jbabey Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 20:07

= assigns a value to a variable

== checks if the two parameter are equal to each other

=== checks if the two parameters are equal to each other and if their type is the same

! not operator

!= checks if the two parameters are not equal to each other

!== checks if the two parameters are not equal to each other or the type is not the same

> checks if one parameter is greater than the other

>= checks if one parameter is greater than or equal to the other

>== DOESN'T EXIST

etcetera...

• 1 i think you meant: "checks if the two parameters are not equal to each other OR the type is not the same". DeMorgans :P –  jbabey Commented Aug 8, 2012 at 19:25

== is used to test if the value on the left is equal to the value on the right.

= is used to assign the value on the right to the variable on the left.

In javascript you have also the ===.

= This is for set the value to the variable.

== This is for compare if the value is the same.

=== This is for compare if the value is the same and also the type is the same.

The = operator is an assignment operator. You are assigning an object to a value. The == operator is a conditional equality operation. You are confirming whether two things have equal values. There is also a === operator. This compares not only value, but also type.

Assignment Operators

Comparison Operators

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How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

Last Updated: May 12, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 29 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 3,106,112 times.

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyze the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects. A good compare/contrast essay doesn’t only point out how the subjects are similar or different (or even both!). It uses those points to make a meaningful argument about the subjects. While it can be a little intimidating to approach this type of essay at first, with a little work and practice, you can write a great compare-and-contrast essay!

Formulating Your Argument

• You could pick two subjects that are in the same “category” but have differences that are significant in some way. For example, you could choose “homemade pizza vs. frozen grocery store pizza.”
• You could pick two subjects that don’t appear to have anything in common but that have a surprising similarity. For example, you could choose to compare bats and whales. (One is tiny and flies, and the other is huge and swims, but they both use sonar to hunt.)
• You could pick two subjects that might appear to be the same but are actually different. For example, you could choose "The Hunger Games movie vs. the book."

• For example, ask yourself: What can we learn by thinking about “The Hunger Games” and “Battle Royale” together that we would miss out on if we thought about them separately?
• It can be helpful to consider the “So what?” question when deciding whether your subjects have meaningful comparisons and contrasts to be made. If you say “The Hunger Games and Battle Royale are both similar and different,” and your friend asked you “So what?” what would your answer be? In other words, why bother putting these two things together?

• A “Venn diagram” can often be helpful when brainstorming. This set of overlapping circles can help you visualize where your subjects are similar and where they differ. In the outer edges of the circle, you write what is different; in the overlapping middle area, you write what’s similar. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
• You can also just draw out a list of all of the qualities or characteristics of each subject. Once you’ve done that, start looking through the list for traits that both subjects share. Major points of difference are also good to note.

• For example, if you are comparing and contrasting cats and dogs, you might notice that both are common household pets, fairly easy to adopt, and don’t usually have many special care needs. These are points of comparison (ways they are similar).
• You might also note that cats are usually more independent than dogs, that dogs may not provoke allergies as much as cats do, and that cats don’t get as big as many dogs do. These are points of contrast (ways they are different).
• These points of contrast can often be good places to start thinking about your thesis, or argument. Do these differences make one animal a superior type of pet? Or a better pet choice for a specific living situation (e.g., an apartment, a farm, etc.)?

• Show readers why one subject is more desirable than the other. Example: "Cats are better pets than dogs because they require less maintenance, are more independent, and are more adaptable."
• Help readers make a meaningful comparison between two subjects. Example: "New York City and San Francisco are both great cities for young professionals, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, social environment, and living conditions."
• Show readers how two subjects are similar and different. Example: "While both The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird explore the themes of loss of innocence and the deep bond between siblings, To Kill a Mockingbird is more concerned with racism while The Catcher in the Rye focuses on the prejudices of class."
• In middle school and high school, the standard format for essays is often the “5-paragraph form,” with an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. If your teacher recommends this form, go for it. However, you should be aware that especially in college, teachers and professors tend to want students to break out of this limited mode. Don’t get so locked into having “three main points” that you forget to fully explore your topic.

Organizing Your Essay

• Subject by subject. This organization deals with all of the points about Topic A, then all of the points of Topic B. For example, you could discuss all your points about frozen pizza (in as many paragraphs as necessary), then all your points about homemade pizza. The strength of this form is that you don’t jump back and forth as much between topics, which can help your essay read more smoothly. It can also be helpful if you are using one subject as a “lens” through which to examine the other. The major disadvantage is that the comparisons and contrasts don’t really become evident until much further into the essay, and it can end up reading like a list of “points” rather than a cohesive essay. [4] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
• Point by point. This type of organization switches back and forth between points. For example, you could first discuss the prices of frozen pizza vs. homemade pizza, then the quality of ingredients, then the convenience factor. The advantage of this form is that it’s very clear what you’re comparing and contrasting. The disadvantage is that you do switch back and forth between topics, so you need to make sure that you use transitions and signposts to lead your reader through your argument.
• Compare then contrast. This organization presents all the comparisons first, then all the contrasts. It’s a pretty common way of organizing an essay, and it can be helpful if you really want to emphasize how your subjects are different. Putting the contrasts last places the emphasis on them. However, it can be more difficult for your readers to immediately see why these two subjects are being contrasted if all the similarities are first.

• Introduction. This paragraph comes first and presents the basic information about the subjects to be compared and contrasted. It should present your thesis and the direction of your essay (i.e., what you will discuss and why your readers should care).
• Body Paragraphs. These are the meat of your essay, where you provide the details and evidence that support your claims. Each different section or body paragraph should tackle a different division of proof. It should provide and analyze evidence in order to connect those proofs to your thesis and support your thesis. Many middle-school and high-school essays may only require three body paragraphs, but use as many as is necessary to fully convey your argument.
• Acknowledgement of Competitive Arguments/Concession. This paragraph acknowledges that other counter-arguments exist, but discusses how those arguments are flawed or do not apply.
• Conclusion. This paragraph summarizes the evidence presented. It will restate the thesis, but usually in a way that offers more information or sophistication than the introduction could. Remember: your audience now has all the information you gave them about why your argument is solid. They don’t need you to just reword your original thesis. Take it to the next level!

• Introduction: state your intent to discuss the differences between camping in the woods or on the beach.
• Body Paragraph 1 (Woods): Climate/Weather
• Body Paragraph 2 (Woods): Types of Activities and Facilities
• Body Paragraph 3 (Beach): Climate/Weather
• Body Paragraph 4 (Beach): Types of Activities and Facilities

• Introduction

• Body Paragraph 1: Similarity between woods and beaches (both are places with a wide variety of things to do)
• Body Paragraph 2: First difference between woods and beaches (they have different climates)
• Body Paragraph 3: Second difference between woods and beaches (there are more easily accessible woods than beaches in most parts of the country)
• Body Paragraph 4: Emphasis on the superiority of the woods to the beach

• Topic sentence: This sentence introduces the main idea and subject of the paragraph. It can also provide a transition from the ideas in the previous paragraph.
• Body: These sentences provide concrete evidence that support the topic sentence and main idea.
• Conclusion: this sentence wraps up the ideas in the paragraph. It may also provide a link to the next paragraph’s ideas.

Putting It All Together

• If you are having trouble finding evidence to support your argument, go back to your original texts and try the brainstorming process again. It could be that your argument is evolving past where it started, which is good! You just need to go back and look for further evidence.

• For example, in a body paragraph about the quality of ingredients in frozen vs. homemade pizza, you could close with an assertion like this: “Because you actively control the quality of the ingredients in pizza you make at home, it can be healthier for you than frozen pizza. It can also let you express your imagination. Pineapple and peanut butter pizza? Go for it! Pickles and parmesan? Do it! Using your own ingredients lets you have fun with your food.” This type of comment helps your reader understand why the ability to choose your own ingredients makes homemade pizza better.

• Reading your essay aloud can also help you find problem spots. Often, when you’re writing you get so used to what you meant to say that you don’t read what you actually said.

• Avoid bias. Don't use overly negative or defamatory language to show why a subject is unfavorable; use solid evidence to prove your points instead.
• Avoid first-person pronouns unless told otherwise. In some cases, your teacher may encourage you to use “I” and “you” in your essay. However, if the assignment or your teacher doesn’t mention it, stick with third-person instead, like “one may see” or “people may enjoy.” This is common practice for formal academic essays.
• Proofread! Spelling and punctuation errors happen to everyone, but not catching them can make you seem lazy. Go over your essay carefully, and ask a friend to help if you’re not confident in your own proofreading skills.

Sample Body Paragraphs

• "When one is deciding whether to go to the beach or the woods, the type of activities that each location offers are an important point to consider. At the beach, one can enjoy the water by swimming, surfing, or even building a sandcastle with a moat that will fill with water. When one is in the woods, one may be able to go fishing or swimming in a nearby lake, or one may not be near water at all. At the beach, one can keep one's kids entertained by burying them in sand or kicking around a soccer ball; if one is in the woods, one can entertain one's kids by showing them different plans or animals. Both the beach and the woods offer a variety of activities for adults and kids alike."

• "The beach has a wonderful climate, many activities, and great facilities for any visitor's everyday use. If a person goes to the beach during the right day or time of year, he or she can enjoy warm, yet refreshing water, a cool breeze, and a relatively hot climate. At the beach, one can go swimming, sunbathe, or build sandcastles. There are also great facilities at the beach, such as a changing room, umbrellas, and conveniently-located restaurants and changing facilities. The climate, activities, and facilities are important points to consider when deciding between the beach and the woods."

Sample Essay Outline

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About This Article

To write a compare and contrast essay, try organizing your essay so you're comparing and contrasting one aspect of your subjects in each paragraph. Or, if you don't want to jump back and forth between subjects, structure your essay so the first half is about one subject and the second half is about the other. You could also write your essay so the first few paragraphs introduce all of the comparisons and the last few paragraphs introduce all of the contrasts, which can help emphasize your subjects' differences and similarities. To learn how to choose subjects to compare and come up with a thesis statement, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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56 Comparison and Contrast

[Author removed at request of original publisher]

Learning Objectives

• Determine the purpose and structure of comparison and contrast in writing.
• Explain organizational methods used when comparing and contrasting.
• Understand how to write a compare-and-contrast essay.

The Purpose of Comparison and Contrast in Writing

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar, while contrast in writing discusses elements that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay , then, analyzes two subjects by comparing them, contrasting them, or both.

The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities. For example, if you wanted to focus on contrasting two subjects you would not pick apples and oranges; rather, you might choose to compare and contrast two types of oranges or two types of apples to highlight subtle differences. For example, Red Delicious apples are sweet, while Granny Smiths are tart and acidic. Drawing distinctions between elements in a similar category will increase the audience’s understanding of that category, which is the purpose of the compare-and-contrast essay.

Similarly, to focus on comparison, choose two subjects that seem at first to be unrelated. For a comparison essay, you likely would not choose two apples or two oranges because they share so many of the same properties already. Rather, you might try to compare how apples and oranges are quite similar. The more divergent the two subjects initially seem, the more interesting a comparison essay will be.

Writing at Work

Comparing and contrasting is also an evaluative tool. In order to make accurate evaluations about a given topic, you must first know the critical points of similarity and difference. Comparing and contrasting is a primary tool for many workplace assessments. You have likely compared and contrasted yourself to other colleagues. Employee advancements, pay raises, hiring, and firing are typically conducted using comparison and contrast. Comparison and contrast could be used to evaluate companies, departments, or individuals.

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward contrast. Choose one of the following three categories. Pick two examples from each. Then come up with one similarity and three differences between the examples.

• Romantic comedies
• Internet search engines
• Cell phones

Brainstorm an essay that leans toward comparison. Choose one of the following three items. Then come up with one difference and three similarities.

• Department stores and discount retail stores
• Fast food chains and fine dining restaurants
• Dogs and cats

The Structure of a Comparison and Contrast Essay

The compare-and-contrast essay starts with a thesis that clearly states the two subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both and the reason for doing so. The thesis could lean more toward comparing, contrasting, or both. Remember, the point of comparing and contrasting is to provide useful knowledge to the reader. Take the following thesis as an example that leans more toward contrasting.

Thesis statement: Organic vegetables may cost more than those that are conventionally grown, but when put to the test, they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Here the thesis sets up the two subjects to be compared and contrasted (organic versus conventional vegetables), and it makes a claim about the results that might prove useful to the reader.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other
• According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

See Figure 10.1 “Comparison and Contrast Diagram” , which diagrams the ways to organize our organic versus conventional vegetables thesis.

Figure 10.1 Comparison and Contrast Diagram

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

Given that compare-and-contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is helpful to have some phrases on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis. See Table 10.3 “Phrases of Comparison and Contrast” for examples.

Table 10.3 Phrases of Comparison and Contrast

Create an outline for each of the items you chose in Note 10.72 “Exercise 1” and Note 10.73 “Exercise 2” . Use the point-by-point organizing strategy for one of them, and use the subject organizing strategy for the other.

Writing a Comparison and Contrast Essay

First choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample compare-and-contrast essay.

Many business presentations are conducted using comparison and contrast. The organizing strategies—by subject or individual points—could also be used for organizing a presentation. Keep this in mind as a way of organizing your content the next time you or a colleague have to present something at work.

Choose one of the outlines you created in Note 10.75 “Exercise 3” , and write a full compare-and-contrast essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, well-defined and detailed paragraphs, and a fitting conclusion that ties everything together.

Key Takeaways

• A compare-and-contrast essay analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
• The purpose of writing a comparison or contrast essay is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
• The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what is to be learned from doing so.

There are two main organizing strategies for compare-and-contrast essays.

• Organize by the subjects themselves, one then the other.
• Organize by individual points, in which you discuss each subject in relation to each point.
• Use phrases of comparison or phrases of contrast to signal to readers how exactly the two subjects are being analyzed.

Comparison and Contrast Copyright © 2020 by [Author removed at request of original publisher] is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

LESSON In this lesson, you will learn how to write a compare and contrast essay A written discussion of both the similarities and differences between people, objects, or ideas. This type of essay shows how things are alike in some ways (compare) as well as how they are different in other ways (contrast). , which is among the most common writing assignments in college classes. This structure is used to show how things are alike (compare) and different (contrast). For example, you might be asked to compare and contrast two characters in a novel. In such an essay A short piece of writing that focuses on at least one main idea. Some essays are also focused on the author's unique point of view, making them personal or autobiographical, while others are focused on a particular literary, scientific, or political subject. , you would do more than just tell what each character is like or does. A good compare and contrast essay goes beyond simple description or summary to draw connections between the characters and really analyze To make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. them. It is important to note that compare and contrast essays do not necessarily require you to include both similarities and differences. Sometimes the focus will be on either comparing or contrasting, depending on the subjects The people, places, things, or ideas being discussed or described. being compared.

In this lesson, you will learn eight steps to develop a compare and contrast  essay:

• Understand your assignment.
• Gather ideas.
• Create a working thesis.
• Develop an outline.
• Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
• Write a conclusion.
• Write an introduction.
• Revise your essay.

Step 1: Understand your assignment.

Read the guideline sheet or rubric A guideline that explicitly lays out the expectations and possible scores for an assignment. . Do you get to choose what to compare, or has your instructor given you a specific topic? You need to look for keywords Words that are important to understanding the meaning of a passage or reading. like similarities , differences , alike , two , parallels , and disparities to make sure that you need to write a compare and contrast essay. In some cases, your instructor may only ask you to compare or contrast. Make sure you understand what your instructor is asking for before you begin.

Step 2: Gather ideas.

If your instructor assigns you a specific subject to write about, then the next step in the process is to gather ideas. If you must come up with your own subject, there are a few things you should consider before you start to brainstorm A prewriting technique where the author lists multiple ideas as he or she thinks of them, not considering one more than another until all ideas are captured. The objective is to create one great idea, or many ideas, on which to base a writing. ideas.

First, make sure that your subject is of appropriate scope The extent or aims of a project. for the assignment, not too broad and not too narrow. Comparing President Ronald Reagan to President Jimmy Carter, for example, is too broad for a five-page essay. But comparing their foreign policies may not be, depending on how detailed the comparison is supposed to be.

Once you are sure your subject is of the appropriate scope, be sure to carefully consider whether the two things you are writing about are a good match to the compare and contrast format. Do they have important similarities and/or differences? Will comparing them help to clarify something or lead to new insights about a subject?

If you are unsure about these questions, then gathering ideas will probably help you to decide. There are many good ways to gather ideas for essays. For compare and contrast essays, a Venn diagram Overlapping circles used to diagram the similarities and differences between two or more things. Common characteristics are written in the area of overlap, while unique characteristics are listed in the outer parts of each circle. is a particularly useful tool. The overlapping part of the circles shows similarities; the outer circles show differences or unique qualities. Here is a very simple example of a Venn diagram.

Comparison of the benefits of dogs and cats as pets

You could also make a chart that lists different qualities of each, or simply group information by how they are alike or different.

Remember, it is critical that there are points of overlap, or similarities, as well as differences between your topics. Without both aspects, it will be difficult to write an analysis that will make your essay meaningful.

Step 3: Create a working thesis.

Regardless of the kind of essay you are writing, there are certain qualities of a good thesis An overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work. : it must be specific, clearly state your main idea The most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. , and demonstrate for the reader why the subject is important. For a compare and contrast essay, you will also need to decide whether to write an evaluative or an explanatory thesis.

An evaluative thesis A statement that presents an opinion about the topic. reflects an opinion or judgment about the two things being compared.

Example evaluative thesis:

Although wind turbines and solar panels both create less greenhouse gasses than fossil fuels, solar panels are much more environmentally friendly .

An explanatory thesis A statement that explains something without judgment. compares two subjects without taking a stance.

Example explanatory thesis:

While both wind turbines and solar panels have their own shortcomings, both offer a number advantages over traditional energy sources .

Remember, your thesis will drive the development of your essay. It will help you sort through all the possible points of comparison The criteria by which subjects are compared and/or contrasted. to arrive at the most important ones.

Step 4: Develop an outline.

Next, you will develop an outline A preliminary plan for a piece of a writing, often in the form of a list. It should include a topic, audience, purpose, thesis statement, and main and supporting points. for your essay. The two most common methods for compare and contrast essays are the point-by-point An organizational strategy for a comparison or compare and contrast essay. In this method, the writer lists the major points of comparison/contrast between subjects, and discusses them one at a time. A point-by-point comparison is useful for subjects that have many points of comparison because the reader can consider both subjects side-by-side. method and the subject-by-subject An organizational strategy for a comparison or compare and contrast essay. In this method, a single subject is discussed in detail, followed by a similar examination of the other subject. A subject-by-subject comparison is best used for less complex arguments that have fewer points, so that the reader can remember the points made about the first subject while learning about the second. method.

In the point-by-point method, the writer outlines the major points of comparison between the two subjects, and then addresses both subjects for each major point. In the subject-by-subject method, the writer first discusses important aspects of one of the subjects, then those same aspects for the other subject. These points must be parallel Using the same pattern of words to describe ideas in order to create balance in a writing. Parallel structure can be at the word-, phrase-, clause-, sentence-, and even paragraph-level. , meaning that all aspects addressed with one subject need to also be addressed with the other subject in the same order. This is also known as the block method.

The format to follow is really up to you. Writers often find that the point-by-point essay makes the connections between the points of comparison clearer and easier for the reader to understand. It is better for longer essays with more complicated ideas. Your points of comparison should generally be organized from most to least important (though all of them should be important!) so that you can hook your reader with your most compelling ideas first. A subject-by-subject outline might be better if you are writing an explanatory, rather than an evaluative, essay. It is often used for shorter essays. Whichever you choose, make sure that you are consistent with the format throughout your essay.

Step 5: Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.

The paragraphs in the body The main portion of a writing that contains the main ideas and supporting details of the writing. This is where the author's purpose and thesis statement are supported and/or developed. of your essay must support your thesis as it is stated in the introduction. In addition, they should adhere to the MEAL concept An acronym that describes a method of organizing the paragraphs in an essay. Under this plan, each paragraph should have a M ain point, E vidence, A nalysis, and a L ink to the next paragraph. :

Main Idea The most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. : your topic sentence, comprising either one of the subjects (for subject-by-subject comparison) or one of the points of comparison (for a point-by-point comparison)

Evidence Facts, statistics, or expert testimony that supports a claim. : points of comparison (for subject-by-subject comparison) or the subjects (for a point-by-point comparison)

Analysis To analyze is to make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. An analysis is the end result of analyzing. : explaining how the comparison is valid and/or unexpected

Link To connect ideas together within a paragraph or to create a transition from one paragraph to the next, as well as back to the thesis. : a transition from the paragraph, as well as back to the thesis

There may be more than one piece of evidence or point of analysis in a paragraph, but every paragraph should have all four of these elements.

Step 6: Write a conclusion.

The conclusion The end portion of a writing that contains a summary or synthesis of the idea in the work. This includes a recap of key points and reminders of the author's purpose and thesis statement. of your essay must synthesize To combine ideas, as in the writing at the end of an essay that ties all the discussion and evidence together into a unified concept. , or bring together, the critical details of your essay. It should try to give the reader a new way of looking at your main idea. It reminds the reader of your thesis and reinforces the main points you have made.

Step 7: Write an introduction.

There are four elements of an effective introduction The first paragraph of an essay. It must engage the reader, set the tone, provide background information, and present the thesis. :

• Hook In writing, a device used to grab a readers' attention, often in the form of interesting, surprising, or provocative information.
• Tone The feeling or attitude that a writer expresses toward a topic. The words the writer chooses express this tone. Examples of tones can include: objective, biased, humorous, optimistic, and cynical, among many others.
• Background Information that describes the history or circumstances of a topic.
• Thesis An overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work.

An effective introduction hooks the reader with a compelling idea, sets the tone for the rest of the essay, provides any necessary background or context The larger setting in which something happens; the "big picture." for the reader, and presents the thesis.

Step 8: Revise your essay.

When you have a draft of your essay, ask yourself these questions:

• Have I followed the assignment?
• Is this a compare and contrast essay? What subjects am I comparing? What are my points of comparison?
• Do my body paragraphs The part of an essay that comes after the introduction and before the conclusion. Body paragraphs lay out the main ideas of an argument and provide the support for the thesis. All body paragraphs should include these elements: a topic sentence, major and minor details, and a concluding statement. Each body paragraph should stand on its own but also fit into the context of the entire essay, as well as support the thesis and work with the other supporting paragraphs. support my thesis?
• Is all of my support relevant?
• Do I need more or less support?
• Have I included the transitions necessary to guide the reader from point to point?
• Does my conclusion synthesize the critical details?
• Does my introduction hook the reader and provide adequate background/introduction to my topic?

Review your entire essay with these questions in mind. Remember, you may need to add information, remove information, or reorganize your writing. Being a careful reviewer of your own work is key to a quality essay. When you have completed this step, be sure to go back one more time to verify that your grammar A set of rules about how words are used in a particular language. , spelling, and punctuation Marks such as such as a comma (,), period (.), question mark (?), and exclamation mark (!), among others, that help break a writing into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Different types of punctuation marks give the reader different impressions of the writer’s purpose in that sentence. are correct.

Being able to effectively compare and contrast subjects is important in both school and your career. It can even be important for you when making decisions outside of school and career.

Comparing and contrasting subjects is an excellent structure for making connections between ideas and engaging in critical thinking. For example, in your career, you might be asked to evaluate the merits of two different computer operating systems and make a recommendation. The stronger your points of comparison, the better the analysis you can present, and the better the impression you will make.

Being able to write strong compare and contrast essays will also allow you to recognize when others compare subjects effectively—and when they do not. It will help you to recognize logical errors and misleading comparisons and improve your own critical analysis skills.

The example below shows the subject-by-subject approach to writing a compare and contrast essay.

The assignment is to write a four- to six-paragraph essay comparing two breeds of dogs of your own choosing.

In this example, the writer has used a Venn diagram to gather and organize ideas.

Comparison of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers

Here is a possible thesis based on the ideas gathered:

German shepherds' and golden retrievers' unique qualities make them suitable for different families and work roles.

• Hook: If you are looking for a large, intelligent dog to provide service or companionship, many breeds could fit the bill.
• Tone: Informal
• Background: German shepherds and golden retrievers are both popular dog breeds, in part, for their intelligence and ability to serve and keep company.
• Thesis: Their unique qualities make them suitable for different families and work roles.
• Intelligent
• Keen sense of smell
• Aggressive, fearless
• Over-protective if not socialized properly
• Territorial
• Do not care for strangers
• Work without being distracted
• Generally tan with black back and snout; also black, white, sable, liver, and blue varieties
• Range from 50 to 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches in height
• Need thirty minutes of exercise a day
• Do not need ears cleaned often because they are not prone to ear infections
• Need regular bathing and brushing
• Eager to please
• Naturally sociable
• Willing to learn
• Patient with children
• Poor guard dogs
• Not aggressive to people or other animals
• Good swimmers
• Range from gold to cream in color
• Range from 60 to 75 pounds and 21 to 24 inches in height
• Need two or more hours of exercise a day
• Ears must be cleaned since they are prone to infection
• Need grooming once a week
• Final impression

The thesis indicates that the writer is going to present parallel facts about the two dog breeds, rather than render a judgment about them. With this in mind, the next step is to develop supporting paragraphs, making sure to maintain the subject-by-subject structure throughout.

German shepherds are very curious, loyal dogs. Surprisingly, for an active breed that tends to be bigger than most retrievers, German shepherds only need about thirty minutes of exercise a day; one walk and a few rounds of fetch in the yard should be enough. Additionally, with a double coat, they do require regular brushing; however, unlike many breeds, their ears do not need to be cleaned frequently because German shepherds are not prone to ear infections. A family looking for a dog who will be both protective and not require too much care might enjoy a German shepherd.

A family that is looking for a friendly dog who gets along with everyone should take a look at a golden retriever. Golden retrievers are calm, patient, and eager to please. They can tolerate small children crawling all over them. But golden retrievers are not for people who want a dog to guard their families because golden retrievers are too good-natured to be wary of strangers. Golden retrievers are a bit smaller on average than German shepherds, but they require much more exercise. Golden retrievers require more care than other breeds because their hair tends to mat and knot. However, this care will be worth it for a family that is looking for an active, playful pet to love.

After the body paragraphs have been written, it is time to write the conclusion. Remember that the conclusion should synthesize critical details and remind the reader of the thesis without repeating it.

German shepherds and golden retrievers have some similarities and some differences. Traditionally developed for hunting and herding, they still perform those skills beautifully while expanding into new fields.

The next step is to write the introduction. Remember the four elements of an effective introduction: hook, tone, background, and thesis.

If you are looking for a large, intelligent, active dog to provide service or companionship, many breeds could fit the bill. Of these, the German shepherd and the golden retriever are among the most popular, yet they have many differences. Their unique abilities make them suitable for different families and work roles. The dog that you choose should be tailored to your personal situation and wishes.

Finally, review, revise, and proofread the essay, using the eight questions outlined in the lesson. Read the revised essay below, along with the list of revisions that show how it was improved.

According to the American Kennel Club, golden retrievers and German shepherds have both been among the top three most popular dog breeds in the United States. Their popularity stems, in part, from their intelligence and ability to serve and keep company. Despite sharing these characteristics, German shepherds and golden retrievers are very different breeds, and potential owners must understand these differences to ensure they choose the breed that is best suited to their homes.

German shepherds are very curious, loyal dogs. If not socialized properly, their loyalty can turn into over-protectiveness. Combined with their aggressive and defensive nature, German shepherds may not be the best choice for families introducing new children into the mix. They are, however, excellent guard dogs and will alert their owners to any strangers on their properties. Surprisingly, for an active breed that tends to be bigger than most retrievers, German shepherds only need about thirty minutes of exercise a day; one walk and a few rounds of fetch in the yard should be enough. Additionally, with a double coat, they do require regular brushing; however, unlike many breeds, their ears do not need to be cleaned frequently because German shepherds are not prone to ear infections. A family looking for a dog who will be both protective and not require too much care might enjoy a German shepherd.

On the other hand, a family that is looking for a friendly dog who gets along with everyone should take a look at a golden retriever. Golden retrievers are calm, patient, and eager to please. They can tolerate small children crawling all over them. But golden retrievers are not for people who want a dog to guard their families, because golden retrievers are too good-natured to be wary of strangers. Golden retrievers are a bit smaller on average than German shepherds, but they require much more exercise—two or more hours a day. Golden retrievers require more care than other breeds because their hair tends to mat and knot. Additionally, since they are prone to ear infections, their ears must be regularly cleaned. However, this care will be worth it for a family that is looking for an active, playful pet to love.

German shepherds and golden retrievers fulfill some of the most critical roles we have for working dogs, and they make wonderful companion animals. Traditionally developed for hunting and herding, they still perform those skills beautifully while expanding into new fields. They are as important to us as ever and are loved in our homes today.

Here is a list of revisions to this essay.

Introductory Paragraph:

• Added an interesting fact for a stronger hook.
• Revised the last sentence to clearly introduce differences in subjects.

Body Paragraph A:

• Revised to ensure the points of comparison are parallel. The golden retriever paragraph discusses temperament, so some lines were added to outline the temperament of German shepherds.

Body Paragraph B:

• Added a transition, On the other hand , to signal that a contrast is being made between the two breeds.

Concluding Paragraph:

• Rewrote the first sentence; it was weak and did not add anything to the essay. The new sentence summarizes the essay more strongly.
• Added a closing sentence with a warm, personal comment to pull in the reader.

Follow the eight steps to write a compare and contrast essay on the benefits of walking versus running for exercise. You may use either the point-by-point or the subject-by-subject format.

Sample Answer

The assignment is to write a compare and contrast essay on the benefits of walking versus running for exercise, using either the point-by-point or subject-by-subject format. I choose to use the point-by-point format.

Comparison of Walking and Running for Exercise

While either walking or running can be a great way to get in shape, each has distinct benefits that could make it a better choice for you.

Walking and Running for Exercise

• Hook: Exercise, it has been said, is not an option.
• To increase health, commit to a regular workout routine.
• Of all activities, walking and running are among the most accessible and effective.
• Thesis: While either activity can be a great way to get in shape, each has distinct benefits that could make it a better choice for you.
• Subject A: Walking: At least twice as long as running.
• Subject B: Running: Tends to be half as long as walking.
• Lower incidence of age-related cataracts.
• Lower incidence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.
• Runners are thinner than walkers.
• Produces an appetite-suppressing hormone.
• Subject A: Walking: Walking faster lengthens life.
• Subject B: Running: Walking breaks reduce injury.

Running and walking require different levels of time commitment. It is entirely possible to burn as many calories walking as it is running, but it will take much longer. The exact numbers depend upon how fast you run versus how fast you walk, but a good rule of thumb is that it takes twice as long to walk off the same number of calories as it does to run them off.

While both activities burn calories, their other benefits are quite different. Interestingly, studies show that runners are thinner than walkers even when the two groups expend the same amount of energy. Researchers believe that running produces an appetite-suppressing hormone that walking does not. However, if you are looking to do more than lose weight, you may want to stick to walking. Walkers had a lower incidence of age-related cataracts when compared to both runners and the general population. Walkers also had lower incidences of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

You should look at how much effort each requires. While it seems different than what you might expect, to stay healthy, runners actually need to slow down from time to time as they run. On the other hand, walkers would greatly benefit from picking up the pace a bit. It seems that a combination of the two exercises might offer more benefits than just one or the other. Hopefully future studies will delve into that very question.

Both running and walking can be excellent choices for you to increase your life expectancy and your overall lifestyle. As with any exercise routine, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.

To increase your overall health and well-being, you should commit to a regular workout routine. Of all the activities available to keep you in shape, running and walking are among the best. While either activity can be a great way to get in shape, each has distinct benefits that could make it a better choice for you.

Today's athletes might be surprised that the earliest runners did so while nude. As uncomfortable as that sounds, running is a great way to keep healthy, clothes or no clothes. Recent studies show that walking also offers similar benefits. Both are a great way to get in shape; however, you should understand the unique features of each before you choose between a running and a walking regimen.

Running and walking require different levels of time commitment. It is entirely possible to burn as many calories walking as it is running, but it will take much longer. The exact numbers depend upon how fast you run versus how fast you walk, but a good rule to remember is that it takes twice as long to walk off the same number of calories as it does to run them off. If you have a limited amount of time and want to burn as many calories as you can, running might be a better option; however, you may not be able to run very long, and in that case, walking, or a combination of the two could be the best choice.

While both activities burn calories, their other benefits are quite different. Interestingly, studies show that runners are thinner than walkers, even when the two groups expend the same amount of energy. Researchers believe that running produces an appetite-suppressing hormone that walking does not. However, if you are looking to do more than lose weight, you may want to stick to walking. Walkers had a lower incidence of age-related cataracts when compared to both runners and the general population. Walkers also had lower incidences of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. Which activity is best for you depends upon your health goals.

The last consideration you should make before choosing between a walking or running plan is the effort each requires. While it seems different than what you might expect, to stay healthy, runners actually need to slow down from time to time as they run. Walking breaks reduce injury. On the other hand, walkers would greatly benefit from picking up the pace a bit. This has been shown to lengthen walkers' lives. It seems that a combination of the two exercises might offer more benefits than just one or the other. Hopefully future studies will delve into that very question.

According to a 2012 study in PLOS Medicine , people will gain seven more minutes of life for every six minutes that they exercise, and both running and walking can be excellent choices for you to increase your life-expectancy and your overall lifestyle. As with any exercise routine, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.

• Added a surprising fact for a new, more compelling hook.
• Added a transition to smoothly link the hook to the thesis.
• Strengthened the thesis statement.
• Added analysis at the end of the paragraph to explain the earlier pieces of evidence.
• Added a link to the next paragraph.

Body Paragraph C:

• Reworded the first sentence to make a better transition from paragraph two and also to reinforce the link to the thesis.
• Added evidence to support the thesis and drive the point home.

You need to write a compare and contrast essay when you need to analyze similarities and differences between two subjects and draw some conclusions about them.

Copyright ©2022 The NROC Project

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'=' for both assignment and comparison

Are there any languages that have previously done just that?

Assignments could be differentiated from comparisons by annotating comparisons with if . For example assignments variable = 3 and comparisons if variable = 3 . From personal experience, I know C/Python's == may be confusing for new programmers as it's not what they are familiar with from maths. That is partly why I believe the walrus operator := is better for assignments coupled with a single equals for comparison. But can we go even simpler with just equals for assignment and comparison? Or would it just become too confusing when reading code?

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What has Kamala Harris accomplished as vice president? Here's a quick look.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her meteoric rise as the successor to President Joe Biden, 81, as the Democratic presidential candidate in the Nov. 5 election is the most significant seismic shift in presidential politics in recent history.

As she gears up to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago this August, we examine some of Harris’ most significant accomplishments and policy initiatives.

More: Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race: What to know as America looks to election

Immigration

In response to immigration concerns, Harris’ call to action was the public-private partnership Central America Forward (CAF). The idea behind CAF is to support the creation of local jobs and other measures in order to slow the flow of mass migration.

CAF has generated more than $5.2 billion since its launch in 2021, and its partners include more than 50 companies and organizations that have committed to supporting economic growth in the Central America region. The entities represent the financial services, textiles, apparel, agriculture, technology, telecommunications, nonprofit sectors, and others, according to the White House.

Voting rights

Harris was at the forefront of the administration’s pursuit to enshrine voting rights protection throughout the U.S. according to White House transcripts . She pushed for Congress to pass the John R Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , which would’ve extended the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required federal approval for some local election law changes.

In 2021, the bill did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, preventing the start of debate on the Senate floor where Harris would have cast the deciding vote in the evenly split chamber.

Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on March 14, a historic first for any president or vice president while in office, according to previous reporting by USA TODAY.

Walking through the clinic in Minnesota, the vice president spoke with staff members and health care providers as part of her nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour earlier this year.

Gun violence

In September 2023, Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence, overseen by Vice President Harris, as announced by the White House.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds upon actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration to end gun violence, which include the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Heralded by the White House as the most impactful gun violence prevention measure in almost three decades, the now law bars individuals under the age of 21 from buying firearms, grants the Justice Department additional powers to prosecute gun traffickers, provides mental health services in schools to assist youth affected by gun violence trauma and grief and funds community-based violence intervention programs.

Maternal health

In her previous role as U.S. Senator for California, Harris introduced the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act , which would direct multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations as well as maternal health issues related to COVID-19.

The vice president’s prior work on maternal and infant health care was a key component of the Build Back Better Act , passed in 2022. The legislation expands access to maternal care and makes new investments to drive down mortality and morbidity rates.  

Broadband expansion

In 2023, Harris and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to celebrate the announcement of new electronics equipment production made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s “ Investing in America ” agenda and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires the use of American-made materials and products for federally funded infrastructure projects, with the goal of bringing hundreds of new jobs to the U.S. The law also notably includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S.

“Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century,” said Harris.

In 2021, President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. Often referred to as the “Second Independence Day,” it commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when 2,000 Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved African Americans were freed by executive order two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture .

“As a United States Senator, I was proud to co-sponsor a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday,” said Harris during the Juneteenth concert at the White House. “This [day], we will hold a national day of action on voting.  And I call on all the leaders here to please join us in helping more Americans register to vote.”

Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.

• Gradescope Guides
• Instructors
• Managing Assignments
• Assignment Types

Gradescope allows you to grade paper-based exams, quizzes, bubble sheets, programming assignments  (graded automatically or manually) and lets you create online assignments that students can answer right on Gradescope.

In this guide:

Assignment Types and Features

Using gradescope for paper-based assignments, exams & quizzes, homework & problem sets, multi-versioned assignments.

• Bubble Sheet Assignments

Programming Assignments

• Online Assignments

The following table details Gradescope assignment types and features .

*The file-upload question type can be used for students to upload images of their handwritten work.

**Certain question types can be auto-graded: Multiple choice, select all, and fill in the blank.

For paper-based assignments, Gradescope works well for many types of questions: paragraphs, proofs, diagrams, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and more. Our biggest users so far have been high school and higher-ed courses in Math, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, and Business — but we’re confident that our tool is useful to most subject areas and grade levels. Please reach out to us and we can help you figure out if Gradescope will be helpful in your course.

To grade exams or quizzes you will start by creating a new assignment on Gradescope. 

Once the assignment is created, you’ll:

• Mark the question regions on a template PDF ( Creating an outline )

See our tips for formatting the assignment template PDF and outline for automated roster matching of submissions.

• Create rubrics for your questions if applicable (See Creating Rubrics in Grading Submissions )
• Upload and process scans*  ( Managing scans )
• Match student names to submissions*  ( Managing submissions )
• Students can use the Gradescope Mobile App to scan and upload their handwritten assignments.
• Grade student work with flexible, dynamic rubrics ( Grading )

When grading is finished you can:

• Publish grades and email students ( Reviewing grades )
• Export grades ( Exporting Grades )
• Manage regrade requests ( Managing regrade requests )
• See question and rubric-level statistics to better understand what your students have learned ( Assignment Statistics )

*Not applicable if students are uploading their own work.

You will need to give the assignment a title and upload a blank copy of the homework to create the assignment outline you’ll use for grading. By default, the Homework / Problem Set assignment type is set up for students to submit work. In a typical homework assignment, students will upload their work and be directed to mark where their answers are on their submissions ( Submitting an assignment ), making them even easier for you to grade. 

If you want to scan and submit work for your students, you can change the Who will upload submissions? setting to Instructors and follow the steps above in the “Exam and Quizzes” section. If needed, you can also submit on behalf of your students, even if you’ve originally set the assignment to be student-uploaded. See more on that on our Managing Submissions help page.

Next, Gradescope will prompt you to set the assignment release date and due date, choose your submission type and set your group submission policy ( Submission Type ). Next, you can select Enforce time limit and use the Maximum Time Permitted feature to give students a set number of minutes to complete the assignment from the moment they confirm that they’re ready to begin. Under Template Visibility , you can select Allow students to view and download the template to let students view and download a blank copy of the homework after the assignment release date.

Assignments with a set time limit are not compatible for student upload on the Gradescope Mobile App.

Then, you will create the assignment outline ( Creating an outline ) and either create a rubric now or wait for students to submit their work. You can begin grading as soon as a single submission is uploaded (although we recommend waiting until the due date passes, since students can resubmit), and you can view all student-uploaded submissions from the Manage Submissions tab. The rest of the workflow is the same as exams and quizzes: you can publish grades, email students ( Reviewing grades ), export grades ( Exporting Grades ), and manage regrade requests ( Managing regrade requests ).

The Organize Exam Versions feature lets you group together multiple instructor-uploaded Exam or Homework assignments into an Exam Version Set. Please note that assignment versioning is style="color: #d33115;"not available on Online Assignments, Programming Assignments, or any other type of student-uploaded assignment . To see how to use this feature on your instructor-uploaded Exam or Homework assignments, check out the article on Creating and Grading Multi-Version Assignments .

Bubble Sheets

Bubble Sheet Assignments are available with an Institutional license .

If your assignment is completely multiple choice, you should consider using the Bubble Sheet assignment type . With this type of assignment, you need to electronically or manually distribute and have students fill out the Gradescope Bubble Sheet Template . You can then mark the correct answers for each question ahead of time, and all student submissions will be automatically graded.

Bubble Sheet assignments allow up to five versions of the assignment during the creation of instructor-uploaded assignments. To learn how to add more than one version, check out our guide on Creating multiple versions .

By default, the Bubble Sheet assignment type is set up for instructors to scan and upload. However, you can change this by choosing Students under Who will upload submissions? in your assignment settings and following the steps in the Homework and Problem Sets section of this guide. If submissions will be student-uploaded, you can also enable Template Visibility in your assignment settings to let students download a blank, 200-question bubble sheet template from Gradescope when they open the assignment. If you enable template visibility on a Bubble Sheet assignment, please note that you will not need to upload a blank bubble sheet for students to be able to download it, and the template students can download will contain five answer bubbles per question, but no question content.

Once the assignment is created you’ll:

• Create an answer key and set grading defaults ( Bubble Sheet specific features )
• Upload and process scans * ( Managing scans )
• Match student names to submissions * ( Managing submissions )
• Review uncertain marks and optionally add more descriptive rubric items ( Reviewing Uncertain Marks )
• Grade the bubble sheet assignment ( Grading a Bubble Sheet assignment )

And when grading is completed you can:

However, there is also an additional analysis page for Bubble Sheet Assignments - Item Analysis. We calculate a discriminatory score, or the correlation between getting the question right and the overall assignment score.

Programming assignments are available with an Institutional license . 

With Programming Assignments, students submit code projects and instructors can automatically grade student code with a custom written autograder and/or manually grade using the traditional Gradescope interface.

When setting up a Programming Assignment, you’ll have a few unique options to choose from for this specific assignment type which you can learn over in the programming assignment documentation .

After the assignment is created , the workflow is similar to other student submitted assignments:

• If you wish to manually grade questions, you’ll add them to the outline
• If you wish to use an autograder, you’ll set it up next ( Autograder Specifications )
• Wait for submissions from students

Programming Assignments are not compatible for student upload on the Gradescope Mobile App.

• Grading a programming assignment
• Optionally, manually grade student work ( Manual Grading )

And when grading is completed you have access to the usual steps:

For more information about programming assignments and autograders, check out the Programming Assignment documentation .

Online Assignments (Beta)

Online assignments are available with an Institutional license .

Currently in beta, an Online Assignment offers the following features:

• Allows you to create questions directly on Gradescope.
• Students will be able to log in and submit responses within the Gradescope interface.
• If you’d like, you can also give students a set number of minutes to submit their work from the moment they open the assignment.
• Additionally, you can choose to hide questions and responses once the due date passes or the time limit runs out to help prevent students who have completed the assignment from sharing questions and answers with students who have not finished working.
• For multiple choice, select all, and short answer questions, you can indicate the correct answer ahead of time, and student submissions will be automatically graded. You can also add a File Upload field to a question that will allow students to complete their work on that question outside of Gradescope and then the upload files. For example, a photo or PDF of handwritten work can be uploaded that contains their answer.

After creating the assignment:

• Enter your questions using the Assignment Editor ( Online Assignment specific features )
• Create rubrics for your questions if applicable ( See Creating rubrics in Grading Submissions )
• Optionally, manually grade student answers

Online Assignments are not compatible for student upload on the Gradescope Mobile App.

And when grading is completed, you have access to the usual steps:

• Manage regrade requests ( Managing regrade requests ).

Articles in this section

• Assignment Settings Overview
• Creating Multi-version Assignments
• Creating and Editing Sections for Assignments
• Linking an assignment or gradebook column from an LMS to Gradescope
• Extending assignment release dates, due dates, and time limits
• Managing Submissions
• Writing Formulas and Equations (LaTeX) for Assignments
• Using Markdown for Assignments
• Duplicating an Assignment

• School Guide
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• Number System and Arithmetic
• Trigonometry
• Probability
• Mensuration
• Maths Formulas
• Class 8 Maths Notes
• Class 9 Maths Notes
• Class 10 Maths Notes
• Class 11 Maths Notes
• Class 12 Maths Notes

Random Sampling vs Random Assignment

Random sampling and Random assignment are two important distinctions, and understanding the difference between the two is important to get accurate and dependable results.

Random sampling is a proper procedure for selecting a subset of bodies from a larger set of bodies, each of which has the same likelihood of being selected. In contrast, Random allocation of participants involves assigning participants to different groups or conditions of the experiment, and this minimizes pre-existing confounding factors.

Table of Content

What is Random Sampling?

What is random assignment, differences between random sampling and random assignment, examples of random sampling and random assignment, applications of random sampling and random assignment, advantages of random sampling and random assignment, disadvantages of random sampling and random assignment, importance of random sampling and random assignment.

Random sampling is a technique in which a smaller number of individuals are picked up from a large number of people within the population in an impartial manner so that no one person within the population has a greater possibility of being selected than any other person.

This technique makes it possible not to have a selection bias, and, therefore, the sample is so constituted that the results can be generalized to the entire population.

Different techniques of random sampling include – Simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and systematic sampling, all of which have different approaches towards achieving the principle of sampling referred to as representativeness.

Random assignment is the process of distributing participants in experimental research in different groups or under different conditions.

This process also guarantees that no participant tends to be placed in a particular group, thus reducing the possibility of selection bias within a given study. In doing so, random assignment enhances the chances of the two groups’ equality at the different stages of an experiment, so the researcher can effectively link results to the treatment or intervention under consideration without worrying about other factors.

This increases the internal reliability of the study and assists in establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.

Differences between Random Sampling and Random Assignment can be learnt using the table added below:

Various examples of Random Sampling and Random Assignment

Some applications of Random Sampling and Random Assignment are added in the table below:

Some advantages of Random Sampling and Random Assignment are added in the table below:

Some disadvantages of Random Sampling and Random Assignment are added in the table below:

Importance of Random Sampling and Random Assignment are added in the table below:

Random sampling and random assignment are two significant techniques in research that act differently yet are equally important in study procedures.

• Random sampling makes sure that a sample is selected from the population in a way that will reflect on the whole population, and this helps in reducing bias.
• Random assignment , on the other hand, is useful in experimental investigations and aims at assigning the participants to the groups equally since it helps in preventing the influence of external variables and keeps only the treatment or intervention factor active.

Combined, these methods increase the credibility of results, allowing the development of more accurate conclusions based on research. By comprehending each class’s roles, research workers keep their studies and conclusions a lot more precise.

Random SamplingMethod Simple Random Sampling Systematic Sampling vs Random Sampling

FAQs on Random Sampling and Random Assignment

What is the difference between random sampling and random assignment.

Random sampling is the one in which subjects are chosen haphazardly from a population so that every member of that population has the same likelihood of being selected. Random assignment is the process of assigning the participants of an experiment to various groups or conditions in a random manner so that any background difference is not a factor.

What is random sampling, and why is it significant to research?

On the other hand, random sampling helps in achieving a representative sample, which helps in making generalizations and cuts down on selection bias.

Why does random assignment help increase the validity of an experiment?

Random assignment equalizes the variability between groups. This way, any variations that are noticed in the study are attributed to the treatment or the intervention.

What are the types of random sampling that are widely used in research studies?

Some of them are simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and systematic sampling, all of which have different ways of obtaining a representative sample.

Can random assignment be used in all types of research?

Although random assignment is optimum for making experiments with the view of finding cause-and-effect relationships, it may not be possible or even immoral in some cases, like in observational research or some healthcare conditions.

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Injuries & Moves: Martin could return Wednesday; O'Neill out again

Latest news.

Aug. 4: RHP Chris Martin could skip rehab and be activated Wednesday The original plan for trusted setup man Martin was that he would make one Minor League rehab appearance on Wednesday. However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora hinted prior to Sunday's game in Texas that Martin could be activated that day instead. Martin has been out since July 4 with right elbow inflammation.

"That bullpen yesterday, 35 pitches, that was a lot. And the quality of the pitches, he felt like he was able to bounce back from every pitch and execute," said Cora. "He feels healthy. Tomorrow is the big day. If he feels like he can go, he'll go with us."

Aug. 4: OF Tyler O'Neill out of lineup again due to illness For the second straight day, O'Neill's big bat was not in the lineup for Boston as the outfielder was still recovering from an illness. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that O'Neill is back at the ballpark and could be used in a pinch-hitting situation if the situation calls for it. The expectation is that O'Neill will be back in the lineup for the opener of a big three-game series in Kansas City that starts Monday.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Chris Martin (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: Aug. 7 or 9 Martin threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Aug. 3, and could be activated by the Red Sox on Aug. 7, foregoing a Minor League rehab appearance. If not, he should be back with Boston no later than the opener of the next homestand against the Astros on Aug. 9. (Last updated: Aug. 4)

2B Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain) Expected return: Aug. 9 Grissom continued his Minor League rehab assignment on Aug. 4, starting as the DH for Triple-A Worcester. His assignment expires on Aug. 8. He should be active no later than the start of the next homestand on Aug. 9, unless the Sox decide to give him more time by optioning him to Worcester. (Last updated: Aug. 4)

RHP Justin Slaten (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: Mid - August A key setup man for the Red Sox, Slaten will extend his long toss progression to 120 feet on Aug. 5.

"He turned the corner this week," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. ( Last updated: Aug. 3)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

1B Triston Casas (torn cartilage in left rib cage) Expected return: Aug. 20 or sooner Casas continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 4, starting at first base. It remains to be seen how long Casas will need for his rehab assignment. He should be back no later than Aug. 20 because his rehab assignment expires the day before that. (Last updated: Aug. 3)

RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery) Expected return: S eptember Hendriks will throw the first of three scheduled live batting practice sessions on Aug. 6 after an encouraging check-in with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed his Tommy John UCL reconstruction surgery last year. The righty should progress to a Minor League rehab assignment if he gets through the three BP sessions without a setback. (Last updated: Aug. 3)

SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder) Expected return: Late 2024 or start of '25 Red Sox manager Alex Cora was recently encouraged when he watched Story hit soft toss, and hasn't ruled out the possibility of the shortstop returning late in the season. Story dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball on April 5 in Anaheim. He was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on April 19.

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"I was impressed," Cora said on Aug. 3. "The swing looks normal. Now it’s about building up. I don't know what's next with him. But don't get surprised if he’s doing soft toss now, and starts taking BP and starts building up. I'm excited for him, because from that day in Anaheim [when he got hurt] until we talked in Colorado [in July], I was like, 'He’ll play next year.' Now, the conversations are changing and it seems like if everything goes well there's a chance -- a slim chance -- that he can contribute [this season].” (Last updated: Aug. 3)

RHP Bryan Mata (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: TBD After the Red Sox acquired lefty James Paxton on July 26, they transferred Mata to the 60-day injured list. Mata continues to be unable to get healthy for an extended period. He was recently returned from his second Minor League rehab assignment of the season, this time due to right elbow inflammation. Mata had to exit his start for Triple-A Worcester after one inning on July 14. Mata, Boston's No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is out of Minor League options. Once Mata is healthy, the Red Sox will have to activate him or designate him for assignment. (Last updated: July 26)

RHP Garrett Whitlock (damaged UCL in right elbow) Expected return: 2025 Whitlock will not pitch again until some point in 2025 after he had his UCL repaired by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas in Birmingham, Ala., on May 30. On the bright side, the righty avoided Tommy John surgery and instead underwent an internal brace repair, a procedure that has become more frequent for pitchers with UCL injuries.

Whitlock had a 1-0 record and 1.96 ERA in four starts for the Red Sox this season. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 2. (Last updated: June 2)

LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL) Expected Return: 2025 Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington. (Last updated: April 10)

RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery) Expected Return : 2025 Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). (Last updated: March 24)

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