Which thesis should be used for a compare and contrast essay

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. 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 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.

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.

Example: While some studies have found that freedom of choice allows students to express individuality, schools that have a school uniform policy report less incidents of theft of personal belongings and less incidents of violent behavior indicating that school uniforms may reduce bullying incidents.

A compare and contrast essay is intended to present the similarities or differences between two people or ideas or things, etc. This type of thesis statement introduces the reader to the result of the comparison and the significance of the contrast. It is not asking you to decide which is more likable, more believable, etc.

It is asking you to compare the two characters. Though their fates are quite different, both Lily Bart and Judy Trenor willingly seek lives in gilded cages. Prompt: Explain the similarities and differences between the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters. This prompt also requires an explanatory thesis, looking at the characteristics of both disasters.

While there are some differences, the parallels between the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters, despite the twenty-five years between them, suggest that humans still have a great deal to learn about controlling the awesome force they have created. While this may sound like it is leading to an evaluative essay because the writer has included some of his or her own analysis To analyze is to make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. An analysis is the end result of analyzing.

Prompt : Compare French and American cooking techniques, and explain which has contributed more to today's international cuisine. This prompt requires an evaluative thesis because it asks the writer to choose which of the two techniques that they believe contributed more to current cuisine.

While much of today's cuisine has roots in the traditional French cooking techniques, the modern techniques developed by American chefs have done more to influence contemporary cuisine around the world. Read each prompt, decide whether the writing situation requires an explanatory or evaluative thesis and why. Then, develop a possible thesis for each prompt.

What type of thesis does this prompt require? This prompt requires an explanatory thesis because it requires the writer to determine the similarities and differences between the two without making a judgment call. Write a thesis for this prompt. Despite sharing a title, the book version of The Hunger Games differs greatly from the movie version, especially in its character development and major themes.

This prompt requires an evaluative thesis because it requires the writer to decide which of the two is better. Although both the Summer and Winter Olympics offer viewers impressive feats of speed and strength, the winter games are superior in many respects. This prompt requires an evaluative thesis because it requires the writer to decide who would win this super battle.

Batman, despite having no native, genetic super-abilities, would defeat Superman if the two ever battled. This prompt requires an explanatory thesis because it requires you to compare the merits of the two; you do not need to decide which one is better.

Ask yourself these questions:. Suppose that you are writing a paper comparing two novels. However, if you were writing a paper for a class on typesetting or on how illustrations are used to enhance novels, the typeface and presence or absence of illustrations might be absolutely critical to include in your final paper. Sometimes a particular point of comparison or contrast might be relevant but not terribly revealing or interesting.

Talking about the different ways nature is depicted or the different aspects of nature that are emphasized might be more interesting and show a more sophisticated understanding of the poems. Be careful, though—although this thesis is fairly specific and does propose a simple argument that atmosphere and delivery make the two pizza places different , your instructor will often be looking for a bit more analysis. Again, thinking about the context the class provides may help you answer such questions and make a stronger argument.

You may find our handout on constructing thesis statements useful at this stage.