Compare between the two topics. Again, the items you choose will be your decision about what you would like your essay to focus on. Use your judgment of what you feel is most important to discuss between the two topics.

Compare and contrast

1. Choose two topics of your choice to compare or contrast. You are not required to do any research for this essay, so this assignment encourages you to pick topics you know about so that you can use your own knowledge to build the content of the essay. Below, there will be some examples of compare and contrast topics, but you may pick your own.

2. When you choose your topics, spend some time brainstorming to find three items you can compare between the two topics. Again, the items you choose will be your decision about what you would like your essay to focus on. Use your judgment of what you feel is most important to discuss between the two topics.

3. Decide whether to use the Topic-by-Topic pattern or the Item-by-Item pattern. Either pattern is valid, so use the one you are most comfortable with. When you decide on your pattern, create an Outline.

4. Be sure that your essay has an Introduction that has the four points listed , not necessarily in the order given in the notes: Topic, Thesis, Attention Grabber, Signposting.

5. With your outline, write the essay filling in all the details for each point in the outline.

6. Be sure to have a conclusion where you evaluate and analyze the topics. You will likely develop it after writing all the other points of the essay.

7. Include a title for the essay.