Writing: Comparison and Contrast Essay

Now, it is your time to compare and contrast. Your task is to compare and contrast two technical systems in a minimum of 300 words. For example, you can compare and contrast two types of motor, means of transport, printer, power plant, electrical circuit or anything else. It really doesn´t matter what topic you choose, but:

1) it must be related to your field of study somehow;

2) it must be clear what criteria you are using to compare and contrast the two systems;

3) your preferences for one of the systems must be clear (+ your reasons for this preference).

Your essay should have three main parts: an introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction should inform the reader what the essay is going to be about and serve as an attention-getter to present your topic: you should give general introductory information followed by an explanation of why the topic is interesting or important. You should also provide a clear thesis statement, informing the reader what the essay will be about and which of the systems you are going to advocate.

In the body, compare and contrast the two systems in detail. First, choose two or three criteria according to which you will compare and contrast the systems. Then write the essay body, choosing one of the following approaches:

Either:

1) The point-by-point method, i.e. proceeding from one criterion to another, comparing and contrasting the two systems according to one criterion at a time. This means that the number of your body paragraphs will basically be the same as the number of criteria.

Or:

2) The block method, in which you first talk about all the similarities and then about all the differences. This means that the number of body paragraphs should be at least two.

Make sure not to mix the two methods.

In the conclusion section, you should summarize what the essay was about and indicate your preference for one of the systems + give reasons by referring back to the body section.