This reply works fine if you’re talking about a movie with your friends, but if you have to write a comparison essay about a book and its film adaptation, your teacher is going to expect a little more (okay a lot more) than “it just was.”

If you need a push to help you move beyond that basic “I just like it more” as your standard of comparison, keep reading to learn how to write a killer book and movie comparison essay.

How to Write a Killer Book and Movie Comparison Essay

Sometimes, the mere thought of starting a new assignment can cause more stress than you’d like to admit. But by following a few important steps, you can alleviate at least a little of your stress and write a killer essay.

To work through the process of developing an effective book and movie comparison essay, I’m going to use an example that many of us have read and watched in high school: To Kill a Mockingbird.

Begin by understanding your assignment

The first step to writing a successful book and movie comparison is to understand your assignment.

In many cases, your professor will have already assigned a movie and book to compare. This means that now is not the time to take it upon yourself to draw an amazing comparison between a Harry Potter novel and its movie counterpart simply because you’re a superfan.

Knowing your assignment also means that, if you’re assigned to read and watch To Kill a Mockingbird, for instance, and your professor tells you to pay attention to characterization and symbolism, you should definitely follow her suggestion.

If you know that these elements will be required analysis in your paper, then you already have a head start and know what you should be looking for as you read and watch.

Take careful notes

I know annotation can seem like a royal pain, but trust me, you’ll thank me later. Taking notes not only helps you understand the information more completely but also saves you a lot of time because you can easily find information later when you write your paper.

Remember, you’re writing a compare and contrast essay, so you’ll want to take notes on both the book and the movie to help you draw comparisons.

Taking notes if you do know the required focus of your paper

If you already know what you should be looking for, jot down everything that seems important about the assigned topic.

If I were taking notes on one or more characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, for instance, here are a few points I’d look for:

• Physical descriptions
• Personality traits
• Characters’ thoughts on events or other characters
• What motivates characters to complete specific actions
• Interactions between characters
• Types of characters (protagonist, antagonist, round, flat, etc.)

I might also include any questions about characters or sections that leave me a little confused or wondering, “Why in the world would the character do that?”

Though you’ll look for the same elements in both the book and the movie, you might end up with notes about completely different characters or character traits after watching the movie, especially if the film takes a lot of creative liberties and vastly differs from the book.

Don’t worry! A drastically different set of notes will likely serve you well—it’ll help you establish true comparisons between the novel and the film.

If I were writing about the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird, here’s one of the key points I’d note about the characters:

• There’s a distinct change in the treatment of characters, particularly Jem and Scout’s mother. In the novel, their mother is only mentioned briefly, but in the movie, Jem and Scout have a detailed conversation about their deceased mother.

Because I’m only taking notes, I may not have a clear sense of why, how, or even if this is important to the story yet. That’s okay. Remember, the point is to start developing ideas.

In this case, I may wonder if the mention of their mother in this scene is meant to foreshadow another conversation, if the mother will somehow play a larger role in the movie, or if this scene is only a way for the producers to help develop the story on film.

Taking notes if you don’t know the focus of your paper before you read the book or watch the movie

If you’re assigned to read a book and watch the movie but you don’t yet know what the actual essay assignment will be, it’s time to search your memory for the literary terms you’ve been discussing in class.

Take notes on literary devices, such as theme, character, symbolism, imagery, simile, and metaphor. (Notice how this essay about To Live analyzes, among other devices, character, plot, and tone.)

One important thing to remember about the process of note-taking is that you don’t want to become so overwhelmed with writing notes that you don’t even remember what you just read or watched. In other words, don’t take notes on everything. Limit your notes to a handful of key devices.

As you take notes, look for elements that appear identical in both versions, but also look for anything that seems strikingly different.

Don’t worry if you don’t end up using everything in your notes or if a point seems really important at first but ends up being insignificant. The purpose of annotation is to get your ideas down on paper. You can sort through them later.

Think about what it all means

After you’ve finished reading, watching, and note-taking, set everything aside for at least a day or two to think about what it all means.

A list of notes and a whole bunch of random similarities and differences are great, but they don’t provide any information about the significance of these points (and they don’t yet provide you with a focus for your essay).

Remember, the goal of a comparison essay isn’t to simply identify points that might be the same or different.

The goal is to analyze the differences and explain how any additions, omissions, or changes in the film change the story or its interpretation.

In my example of To Kill a Mockingbird, I might have listed questions about Mrs. Dubose. In the book, she’s a crabby, old, racist neighbor of Jem and Scout, and it is later revealed that she is struggling with a morphine addiction. She plays a much smaller role in the movie version of To Kill A Mockingbird, though, and the issue of addiction isn’t brought up.

In my notes, I may ask the following questions:

• Did the producers feel that Mrs. Dubose’s addiction simply wasn’t important enough to include in the film?
• Does the omission actually have an impact on the story?
• Could the changes to Mrs. Dubose’s character affect elements such as plot, theme, or characterization (or the viewer’s interpretation of characters)?

Sifting through your notes and random thoughts and questions can get messy, so to stay organized (and to help you develop your ideas even further) try various prewriting techniques. (A Venn diagram can be particularly useful when examining similarities and differences.)

Determine what is important enough to be included in your comparison essay

After you’ve organized your notes and developed some initial analysis, it’s time to decide what’s important enough to include in your essay.

Not every similarity or difference is worth noting in your paper. Include only relevant and significant points that make the greatest impact between the book and movie.

Here’s what I mean.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, there is little physical description of Atticus Finch, other than the facts that he’s about 50 years old, is tall, and wears glasses. In the 1962 movie adaptation starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, Peck more or less fits this description. But in the movie, it’s evident that he parts his hair on the right (his right, not yours when looking at the image below).

Though there is no description of how Atticus wears his hair in the novel, and his hairstyle is obviously visible in the movie, there’s no point in mentioning this in an essay that compares the book and movie. It’s an insignificant point. His hairstyle is not relevant and doesn’t influence or shape the story in any way.

Let’s say, though, that a character’s hairstyle in a book is described in detail because it’s part of the character’s personality or because it symbolizes freedom, rebellion, or strength.

If the movie changes the character’s hairstyle, in this case, the entire character could change. This would most certainly be a time to analyze the importance of a change in appearance from book to film.

To see how one writer analyzes significant differences between a book and its movie adaptation, read A Comparison of the Similarities and Differences Between The Princess Bride Film and Novel.

Find a focus and outline your ideas

At this point, you have a solid list of relevant points to analyze, but you still don’t have a focus for your paper.

To start, develop a solid thesis statement.

Don’t write a bland statement like, “There are many similarities, but only a few differences between the book and movie.”

This doesn’t tell your readers anything about the true focus of your essay.

Instead, craft a thesis statement that is specific in its comparison and lets readers know exactly what you’ll be discussing.

In my essay about To Kill a Mockingbird, I might write the following thesis statement:

• Though the 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird is true to the themes of the original novel, its omission of minor characters leaves the audience with an incomplete understanding of the people and culture of Maycomb.

This thesis statement presents a clear roadmap for the essay and lets readers know the focus will be on the omission of characters and how they affect the story. (Want to see an effective thesis statement in action? Check out this essay from our library. It clearly illustrates why the writer feels The Great Gatsby novel is superior to the film adaptation.)

Once you’ve written your thesis statement, use it to provide guidance as you move to the next step of the writing process: outlining.

You’ll need roughly three or four key ideas and examples from the book and movie to support your claims.

If you’re looking for more specific information about outlines, read This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block. The post also includes a compare and contrast essay outline template to help you get started.

Finally … Draft (and Revise and Edit) Your Comparison Essay

I know. It’s been a long journey, and at this point, you feel like you’ve just completed a marathon. The good news: it’s finally time to draft your essay.

Follow your outline to help you craft a catchy introduction, at least three body paragraphs to support your thesis, and an awesome conclusion.

To help you with the finer details of your draft, here are a few must-read posts:

• How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay on the Right Foot
• 13 Compare and Contrast Thesis Statements to Inspire You
• Compare and Contrast Essay Tips From a Kibin Editor
• How to Revise an Essay and Make It Better Than Ever

Have a completed essay but aren’t sure whether you’ve focused enough on analysis or whether you’ve included significant points in your comparison? Let a Kibin editor take a look at your essay. We’ve edited tens of thousands of essays and can help you with your book and movie comparison essay too.

Stuck on Your Analytical Essay?

Check Out These Example Analytical Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

Maybe it’s having to juggle two different subjects in one essay. Usually you set your sights on one topic and tackle it directly.

However, with a compare and contrast essay, you have to tackle two subjects. Plus, while addressing one of them, you have to constantly keep the other in mind.

It’s a juggling act of describing one thing in relation to another thing without losing sight of the main purpose for writing about those things in the first place.

This isn’t an easy thing to do. So if you’re having trouble, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

So let’s see if we can figure out how to start a compare and contrast essay on the right foot.

What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

First, let’s make sure we all understand what exactly this type of essay is before we begin dissecting how to start a compare and contrast essay with a good introduction.

There are already a couple of posts on the Kibin blog about this subject, so I won’t go into it too deeply here.

In the most general sense, the idea is to take an in-depth look at the differences and similarities between two subjects. But it doesn’t stop there, for obvious reasons.

I could easily write an essay about the similarities and differences between bushes and trees, but why would anyone care?

This question is the most important part of any compare and contrast essay: why should anyone care? There has to be a reason for looking closely at your two subjects. And as outlined in a previous post, that reason can take one of the following forms:

• State something unknown
• Clear up a misunderstanding
• Show that one thing is superior to another
• Lead to a new way of doing/seeing/understanding something
• Argue a point with supported facts

The reason that you have for writing your particular essay will affect how exactly you approach your introduction. That means it’s important to identify that reason early in the research phase of your essay.

Stumped on picking the right topic? Try one of these 70 compare and contrast essay topics.

Need to compare and contrast two poems? We’ve got you covered there too. Double-covered even.

So It Begins: How to Start a Compare and Contrast Essay

I know you’re excited, but you can’t just jump straight into discussing the similarities and differences between your two subjects. You wouldn’t have a conversation with a stranger without first introducing yourself, would you?

So before we dive into exactly how to start a compare and contrast essay, let’s examine what goes into setting things up.

First, you must introduce the subjects in an introduction paragraph. There are three main objectives of your introduction paragraph:

• Pique your readers’ interest
• Give them some background information on the subjects
• Present the main point of the essay

The first will be accomplished with a strong hook at the very beginning of your essay. This will be followed by the necessary background information needed to support your thesis.

And oh yeah, the third will be accomplished in your thesis, the most important sentence in your whole essay.

Hook your reader

The idea behind a hook is to make your readers want to continue reading. You want something that makes them interested in what you will write next. But it has to be relevant to the subject at hand. This isn’t a chain email.

This could come in the form of a question, a quotation, a statistic, or a funny anecdote. For 14 different ways to write a hook sentence, check out this post.

The way in which you decide to hook your readers in a C&C essay will depend on that reason you identified earlier for writing the essay in the first place.

Hook approaches for a compare and contrast essay

If you are…

• …writing your essay with the purpose of stating something unknown about your subjects or their relationship, then your hook sentence could take the form of a question, pushing your readers to realize how little they know about the subject and therefore leave them wanting to know more.

• …clearing up a misunderstanding, then you may hook your readers by questioning what they know about the subject or by presenting a statistic they might find surprising.

• …writing your essay to show that one thing is superior to the other, then you may pique your readers’ interest by quoting a famous or respectable figure who shares your view on the subject.

• …trying to inspire a new way of doing/seeing/understanding something, then a great way to get your readers’ attention may be to tell a humorous anecdote that helps them to see it in a new way.

• …writing your C&C essay because you want to argue a point with supported facts, then you may want to use the first sentence of your introduction to present an interesting and convincing piece of evidence from your research that will immediately push your reader toward your view.

No matter which direction you choose to take with the beginning of your introduction, the goal is the same: motivate your readers to read what comes next.

No matter how you start your essay, the goal is the same: motivate readers to read what comes next.
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Introduce the subjects of your essay

And what, exactly, comes next? Well, it’s time to let your readers know what exactly your essay will be talking about.

After hooking your readers’ attention with a statistic, question, or interesting anecdote, it’s time to identify the two subjects that you will be comparing and contrasting. It can be tricky to balance the two subjects, but it can be done.

Think about what relevant background information will be beneficial to your readers as they start thinking about your reason for writing the paper.

Is there any history about the subjects that is relevant? Any new information that your reader may not have heard yet? Now would be a good time to mention it (you can expound on it later if need be).

Use this time to present any questions or misconceptions related to the topic, and begin to explain the importance of the topic.

Although you should try to give both subjects an equal amount of time in the introduction and throughout your paper (as they should be equally important to proving your argument), sometimes one subject is just less known to the majority of people.

If this is the case, it’s better to speak about that one a bit more in the introduction than to present a bunch of obvious information to your reader just for the sake of balance.

However, don’t let it get too out of balance. If you really need to explain a lot about one subject, you may need to save it for the body paragraphs.

Don’t overthink this part. Just provide any history or general statistics that show that the subject you’re speaking to is worth reading about. Get your readers ready for your thesis!

And remember, the entire introduction serves as a hook for your paper, so keep your readers interested!

Nail the thesis

After writing an interesting hook sentence and providing your reader with a general overview of your subjects, along with any need-to-know history and statistics, you’re ready to lay the big one on them: your thesis.

This is the most important sentence in your whole paper. It is the reason for writing the essay. It is your argument. It is your guiding light. It is the backbone.

We’ve written a lot about the thesis here at Kibin, so I’m going to leave that horse alone.

However, don’t forget to place it at the end of the extremely interesting introduction paragraph you’ve just written for your compare and contrast essay.

And that’s how to start a compare and contrast essay on the right foot! Need some help with the rest of your essay? Check out compare and contrast essay examples from other students to see how they’ve tackled both the introduction and everything else.

These posts can also help:

• Here’s How to Write a Surprisingly Good Comparative Essay
• 2 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples Worth Emulating
• 2 Comparison Essay Examples That Make Cool Comparisons

If you’re still unsure after writing your introduction (or your full essay), I suggest you send it to an editor at Kibin, who will read it and give you some great advice for the next draft.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Perhaps you don’t fancy yourself a creative genius at all. Maybe you’re more of a major procrastinator who’s only now inspired to write a thesis statement because the clock is ticking and by this time tomorrow, you need a complete essay.

Whatever your reason(s) for looking for help, you’ve come to the right place. Before those 13 compare and contrast thesis examples that will (hopefully) inspire you to write your next essay, though, let’s do a quick recap on this essay type.

What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

If you have to write a compare and contrast essay and are struggling to figure out how turn a set of assignment guidelines into an actual essay, here are a few tips that can put you on the right track.

The name of the essay pretty much tells you what you’ll be doing: comparing and contrasting things or ideas. Sounds easy enough, right?

It can be fairly easy to construct a compare and contrast essay. The key to writing a successful essay is to choose the right points to compare and contrast and to tie them all together with a strong thesis statement.

Need a little help with the basics of the compare and contrast essay? Take a look at these two posts:

• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
• Compare and Contrast Essay Tips From a Kibin Editor

Now that you have a clear understanding of how to write a compare and contrast essay, let’s move on to those thesis statement examples.

13 Compare and Contrast Thesis Examples to Inspire You

The thesis statement provides a roadmap to the rest of your essay, so it’s important that you take the time to craft a thesis statement that tells readers the focus of your paper.

Remember: Readers should be able to read your thesis (without reading the rest of your paper) and understand the intended focus of your paper. If your thesis doesn’t do this, it’s time to revise.

Also, compare and contrast essays can take different approaches. Some require you to focus on primarily similarities (or differences). But others require you to focus on both. Check your assignment guidelines to see which type of compare and contrast essay you need to write.

With these points in mind, let’s take a look at 13 compare and contrast thesis statement examples to get you started with your essay.

I’ve included a broad topic for each thesis statement and divided the lists into general comparisons and literary comparisons. I’ve also linked each of the topics to a related example essay for extra inspiration.

6 compare and contrast thesis examples (general comparisons)

Topic #1 How does culture and tradition impact student achievement?

Example thesis: In both Japan and the United States, cultural expectations greatly influence academic achievement in high school students.

Topic #2 What are the differences between high school and college?

Example thesis: While there a number of differences between high school and college, one of the most important is the level of emotional maturity required for success.

Topic #3 Which parenting style is most effective?

Example thesis: While authoritative and permissive parenting are seemingly complete opposites, they have one key similarity: parents who practice both parenting styles encourage their children to make their own decisions.

Topic #4 How have gender roles changed throughout history?

Example thesis: On the surface, it may seem as though women’s roles have changed drastically throughout history; however, a comparison of various eras illustrates how women are still repressed and shamed, especially in sexual expression and behavior.

Topic #5 What are the differences between brands of soda?

Example thesis: Even though many people cannot tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi, there are distinct differences in taste, nutritional content, and advertising.

Topic #6 How do classic movie genres compare to current genres?

Example thesis: While classic musicals used musical numbers to showcase artists, current musicals rely on musical numbers to advance the plot.

Interested in a learning a few more tips for analyzing films? Read How to Analyze a Movie for Dramatic Effect.

7 compare and contrast thesis examples (literary comparisons)

Topic #7 How is the theme of oppression portrayed in literature?

Example thesis: Though the plot lines in A Doll’s House and Animal Farm differ greatly, the two share a core theme: oppression.

Topic #8 How are the themes of political and social power struggles portrayed in literature?

Example thesis: The Kite Runner and The Handmaid’s Tale both utilize political and social power struggles to advance the plot and illustrate the core themes.

Looking for more help analyzing dystopian literature, such as The Handmaid’s Tale? Check out What 4 Popular Dystopian Novels Have in Common (and How To Write About Them).

Topic #9 How do characters define fate and free will in literature?

Example thesis: Harry Potter and Never Let Me Go both examine the notion of whether characters have free will or are destined to live out their fates.

Topic #10 How does poetry explore identity?

Example thesis: The poems “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks and “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke both explore the struggles young people face while developing their identities.

Want a little more assistance analyzing poetry? Read How to Analyze a Poem and Sound Smart Doing It.

Topic #11 What role do animals play in classic children’s stories and fables?

Example thesis: While many classic children’s stories include animal characters that are helpful to the protagonist, both Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood portray animals that present a danger to the protagonist.

Topic #12 How does literature address the concept of The American Dream?

Example thesis: The failed pursuit of The American Dream is a prominent theme used to define the protagonists in both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman.

Topic #13 In what ways is the theme of alienation portrayed in literature?

Example thesis: The negative effects of alienation are central themes of both Flowers for Algernon and Catcher in the Rye.

More Compare and Contrast Essay Help

Inspired by one of compare and contrast thesis examples to write a masterpiece but having a hard time writing your own thesis? Read How to Write a Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement.

Perhaps your muse has not yet inspired you with the perfect topic (or thesis) for your paper. That’s okay. One of these 70 compare and contrast essay topics might just spark your creative genius.

If you have a few ideas for your paper but would like to see a finished essay (complete with annotations explaining what the essays do well) check out 2 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples Worth Emulating.

Finally, have a bunch of ideas swirling around in your head but still don’t know what to do with them? Try this compare and contrast essay outline to help beat writer’s block.

Already drafted your paper and compared it to the example essays? Are you now questioning whether your writing is truly a masterpiece? Let a Kibin editor help make sure your paper reflects your true genius!

Stories with dystopian themes have been around for a long time.

What you probably won’t be surprised to learn is that analyzing and writing about dystopian literature has been around for about as long as the literature itself.

And if you’re reading this post, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that you’re planning to write about dystopian literature—specifically dystopian short stories.

So if you’re in need of a little help choosing stories and narrowing your focus, here are four popular dystopian short stories to compare and contrast.

A Little About the Dystopian World

Dystopia is pretty much the opposite of utopia.

While a utopian world means people live in peace and harmony with all the joy they could hope for, a dystopian world means that people live in a world that’s full of fear, oppression, and control.

Sure, upon first glance, a dystopian world looks awesome. After all, someone (like the government or a corporation) has made a world that seems to be everything its citizens could ask for. But in reality, people dream of (and often fight for) a better existence.

This general premise of dystopian society holds true in just about all dystopian literature.

A Brief Reminder About Compare and Contrast Essays

On the surface, compare and contrast essays seem super-easy because all you need to do is pick things and start writing about how they’re the same and how they’re different, right?

Not quite. While you do need to establish points to both compare and contrast, your paper needs to have a focus.

Here’s what I mean.

If you’re writing a compare and contrast essay about two restaurants, you can’t just start comparing the atmosphere, the food, the prices, the staff, and the location. Without focus, you’re just writing a list of random points about the restaurant.

To create a well-written essay, establish a focus.
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To create a well-written essay, establish a focus. Choose three or four key points that you can connect to the focus of your paper.

For instance, if you’re comparing restaurants, your paper might examine food, atmosphere, and prices. You’d base your comparisons on something like whether the restaurant is kid-friendly or whether it would make a great place for a first date.

Need more tips on writing a compare and contrast essay? Read these posts:

• Compare and Contrast Essay Tips From a Kibin Editor
• This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block
• 2 Compare and Contrast Essays Examples Worth Emulating

Now that you have some background info about dystopian literature and compare and contrast essays, let’s move on to comparing four dystopian short stories.

How to Compare and Contrast 4 Popular Dystopian Short Stories

Remember when I said that dystopian literature had been around a long time?

As evidence, we’re going to work with four short stories that have been around for quite awhile—one of them was written more than a century ago.

(It seems that people have always been afraid of having corrupt governments, losing their freedoms, and/or destroying the planet.)

While there are certainly plenty of dystopian short stories and dystopian novels to choose from, this post will focus on the following four dystopian short stories:

• The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster (originally published in 1909): Though this short story is sometimes considered a novella due to its slightly longer length, it can still be classified as a short story. Forster seems to predict the internet in this story and focuses on the technology-dependent lives of people who live underground after radiation makes the Earth’s surface uninhabitable.

• The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (originally published in 1948): When you think of the lottery today, you assume you’re the lucky winner of millions of dollars. That’s not the case in Shirley Jackson’s version. People gather in the town square each summer to draw a villager’s name. The winner, however, is never happy to win this lottery.

• Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut (originally published in 1961): In this story, Vonnegut satirizes society’s tendency to want to make everyone equal and illustrates the negative effects of technology.

• The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula Le Guin (originally published in 1973): Like “The Lottery,” this story begins on a summer day during a festival. Everyone in the town seems to live an idyllic life, but there’s a dark undertone. Many live in guilt as they know that their happiness comes at a price.

Of course, there are just about as many ways to compare and contrast dystopian short stories as there are stories, but we’re going to focus on the following points of comparison:

• Theme
• Point of view
• Characters

Fair warning: The comparisons below contain spoiler alerts. If you want to experience the full effect of these stories, go read them before you read the rest of this post. I’ll wait.

Comparing and contrasting theme

Dependence on technology

Both “The Machine Stops” and “Harrison Bergeron” rely heavily on technology and the dangers of technology. All the characters in “The Machine Stops” live a secluded life, totally dependent on technology and “The Machine” for their existence.

Though the characters in “Harrison Bergeron” aren’t dependent on technology to live, they have technology forced upon them. They’re required to wear various handicaps to create equality.

“Harrison Bergeron” illustrates the power technology (in this case television) can have over people as they sit and mindlessly watch. “The Machine Stops” illustrates a similarly passive society that mindlessly watches lectures on video screens.

One of the key differences in the use of technology in the two stories is the type of existence created by the technology.

“The Machine Stops” uses technology to isolate people, forcing them to live alone underground with no human contact. “Harrison Bergeron” uses technology in an attempt to create harmony among people by making them all equal and thus better able to coexist.

Happiness at a price

In both “The Lottery” and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” one person is sacrificed for the good of the whole.

One person’s name is drawn in “The Lottery” and is stoned to death to ensure a bountiful harvest.

One child is selected to be locked away and suffer alone in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” in order for the rest of the town to live in happiness.

Dangers of blindly following tradition

Both “The Lottery” and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” sacrifice a community member for the happiness of others. No real reason is given for the origin of these rituals. The community simply follows the procedures because that’s the way it’s always been done.

They blindly follow because that’s what they’re supposed to do. Few stop to consider whether these rituals should be continued and/or how they might save the lives of those being sacrificed.

How these themes are relevant today

Dystopian literature is known for warning readers about the dangers of what could happen if society continues on its current path.

Both “The Machine Stops” and “Harrison Bergeron” illustrate the dangers of over-dependence on technology, technology addiction, and how technology can negatively impact society.

It’s not too difficult to look at both of these stories and see how addiction to smartphones and isolation due to technology relate to today’s world.

Dystopian literature also warns readers of the dangers of blindly following. In all four of these short stories, people’s lives are negatively affected (or ended) because people simply followed along and refused to stand up for their beliefs.

People today continue to stand up for injustices in society. Two current examples include the Me Too movement and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Check out this example essay to read one writer’s comparison of the themes in “Harrison Bergeron” to today’s society.

Comparing and contrasting narration

Third-person objective point of view

“The Machine Stops,” “Harrison Bergeron,” and “The Lottery” all use third-person objective point of view. This essentially means that a narrator (who is not a character in the story) actually tells the story but remains objective while doing so.

In each of these stories, the action unfolds, and readers get to see inside the minds of characters as they act and react to situations. This style of narration lets readers get into the minds of characters without the outside influence of a narrator’s own point of view.

Third-person objective (and occasionally first-person) point of view

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” uses third-person objective point of view as well. The narrator presents only a limited amount of information to readers and remains mainly objective throughout.

However, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” also uses first-person narration at times. The narrator speaks in first person to directly address the readers and allow them to relate more closely with the characters.

How different points of view affect the story and its readers

As you compare and contrast narration, you might also want to consider why the author chose a specific type of narration. Consider how the story might change if presented from another point of view.

Take, for example, “Harrison Bergeron.” The story is told objectively by a third-person narrator. Readers see a little bit of every character and learn about characters’ lives through dialogue and description.

How would the story be different if told from Harrison’s point of view? The story would certainly show more of his thoughts as he planned his actions and tried to rebel against the system. Through his point of view, readers would learn of the evils of government control.

If, on the other hand, the story was told from the point of view of a government official, readers might learn of the necessity of handicaps and the need to create equality.

You might also consider how “The Lottery” would change if, for example, a first-person narrator opened the story with a commentary about the evils of the tradition of stoning a villager.

This condemnation of the lottery would, of course, insert a value judgment on the tradition and would completely take away the suspense created in the story. Readers would immediately know the gruesome details of the lottery ritual. (Talk about a spoiler alert!)

Check out

All of those who actually walk away in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” can be considered rebels. Why? Because they don’t agree with sacrificing a child for the happiness of others.

The key difference here is that some so-called rebels simply walk away. It’s sort of an “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy. They don’t agree with what’s being done, but they don’t do anything to stop it, either.

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” also includes a fair number of those who disagree with sacrificing a child yet continue to live in the community and do nothing to stop it. They believe it is necessary to maintain their society and their own happiness.

To get another perspective on the characters and their decisions to stay or walk away from Omelas, read this example essay.

The importance of both types of characters

Dystopian literature relies on those who accept and those who rebel to illustrate the following:

• The current state of the society and what it has become.
• The dreams of those who believe there can be a better world.

Again, because dystopian literature often serves as a warning to current society, it’s easy to apply these types of characters to today’s society.

For instance, many people are fine with discrimination and choose to do nothing. But there are plenty of other people who choose to fight and change the current culture.

Need a Few More Ideas?

There are times (and this may be one of them) that you read something and think, “Eh, none of these ideas really work for me. I wish I knew of other points to compare and contrast.” If that’s what you’re thinking, then you’re in luck.

If you want to consider other literary terms to use as the basis of your compare and contrast paper (or another type of literary analysis paper), take a look at these posts:

• 15 Literary Terms You Need to Know to Write Better Essays
• Writing About Literature: 9 Things You Need to Know

If you want an in-depth discussion of select literary terms, these posts have you covered:

• How to Analyze Imagery in Literature the Smart Way
• How to Identify and Write About Literary Symbols With Confidence

Looking for an additional refresher about analyzing a short story? Read How to Write a Short Story Analysis the Smart Way.

Finally, if the apocalypse hasn’t forced you underground or rendered all essays obsolete, why not have a Kibin editor help you refine your writing and offer some expert advice?

Stuck On Your Essay?

Check Out These Example Compare and Contrast Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

Professor: Where is your thesis statement?

Student: …

If so, don’t worry. You’re not the first person to struggle with writing a thesis statement, and you won’t be the last. This part of essay writing has vexed many college students, but luckily, I’m here to show you the ropes.

Almost every college essay you write will require a thesis in one form or another. A compare and contrast essay is no exception.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the finer points of how to write a compare and contrast thesis statement and offer some pro tips and resources for tackling that essay like a boss.

Everything’s an Argument

Every time you sit down to write an essay, try to think of it like an argument. Yes. An argument. Always.

This is important because your thesis is the main argument—the main point—you’re trying to make in your essay.

Your thesis is the main argument—the main point—you’re trying to make in your essay.
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It’s a claim you make about your topic. Then you spend the rest of the essay backing up that claim with examples, reasoning, and sometimes professional sources that reinforce this claim.

A compare and contrast essay doesn’t always require you to cite sources, though. So let’s just focus on what you can do to write a great thesis and, thus, a great essay.

Think about it this way—if someone handed you this list…

…you would probably wonder why the heck the person just did that. Similarly, your professor wants to see how well you can identify the relationship between two things.

If you write a strong thesis, then you’ll show your professor that your compare and contrast essay has a purpose.

The Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement: Prework

If you’re going to write a strong thesis, you’ll want to make sure you know your approach before going in. Here are some pro tips to help you get started.

Pro tip #1: 

Pick topics that interest you. It’s way easier to write about something you like or care about. Need some help with picking a topic? Check out this list of compare and contrast essay topics.

Pro tip #2: 

Once you have your topics, try saying the following aloud (and maybe when you’re by yourself so that people don’t look at you funny in the campus library):

“(Topic 1) and (Topic 2) have a lot in common. They also have some differences.”

Then pretend someone just replied with, “So what?”

Repeat this exercise as you write the essay. It will help you reinforce your thesis and make sure that the point you’re making is meaningful.

Every time you start a new paragraph and write a topic sentence that reinforces your thesis, pretend that you’re being asked “so what?” again. Work on answering that question as you continue writing the paragraph.

Example

You write:

Though eccentric, both Gandalf and Dumbledore resemble kind-hearted grandfatherly figures when they first appear in the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series, respectively.

Your friend says:

So what?

You could reply:

Both characters are powerful wizards capable of terrible destruction, but showing them as kind old men humanizes and establishes them as protagonists that the reader can root for rather than fear.

Writing like this makes your essay more meaningful. Keep asking and answering “so what?” and you’ll write a strong essay that keeps reinforcing the thesis.

The Right Tool for the Job

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” thesis that works for any essay. Just like you wouldn’t use a screwdriver to hammer a nail, you’re not going to use an argumentative essay thesis for your compare and contrast essay.

If you’re going to write a solid compare and contrast thesis statement, then you’ll need to make sure you understand the anatomy of this essay. Let’s break down the compare and contrast format, bit by bit, and see how the thesis applies to each part.

Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to settle on your topics before moving forward. It’ll help you visualize how the following can be applied specifically to your topics.

1. Your approach

There are a few common approaches you could take when writing a compare and contrast essay.

Comparing/contrasting two things in the same category that are different somehow.

• Your house vs. a friend’s house
• Your favorite coffee shop vs. Starbucks
• Two types of cars

Comparing/contrasting two things that seem very different but actually have a lot in common.

• Bats and bears (both are mammals and hibernate during the winter)
• Pablo Picasso and Winston Churchill (both were painters)

Comparing/contrasting two things that appear the same but are actually very different.

• Tim Burton’s Batman vs. Christopher Nolan’s Batman
• Any movie and the book it’s based on

Applying the thesis:

Your thesis will be different depending on which approach you use. For example, if you were to compare/contrast two things that seem different, your thesis might look something like this:

While bats and bears appear to have little in common at first glance, they are remarkably similar.

And if you compared/contrasted two things that seem similar, your thesis might look like this:

While Batman is always depicted as the famous “Caped Crusader” in each Batman film, this character is wildly different depending on the film’s director.

Another pro tip: 

To create a stronger thesis, be specific! For a compare and contrast essay, use several of your main points in your thesis to show the reader where your argument is going.

While bats and bears appear to have little in common at first glance, they are remarkably similar in their species classification and hibernation habits.

2. Your method

A compare and contrast essay is usually written using one of two methods.

Method #1: Subject by subject

This method is almost like writing two smaller essays in one. One half of the body paragraphs would cover the first subject, and the other half would cover the second subject.

Thesis:

While Batman is depicted as the “Caped Crusader” in either film series, Tim Burton’s Batman of the 1990s is far more comical, wittier, and less intimidating than Christopher Nolan’s early-2000s version.

To support this thesis, you would break down the things that are different between these two “subjects,” one at a time.

Tim Burton’s Batman (first half of body):

• Comical
• Witty and less intimidating
• The style reflects 1990s-era American culture.

Christopher Nolan’s Batman (second half of body):

• Serious
• Intimidating/fierce depiction
• The style reflects early 2000s-era American culture.

Stuck on Your Essay?

Check Out These Example Compare and Contrast Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

Method #2: Point by point

This method allows you to break down your topics by each point of similarity or difference. For each body paragraph, you support the thesis by writing about each topic at the same time.

Let’s use the same thesis from above and see how this method is organized in defending that compare and contrast thesis statement:

• The tone (comical vs. serious)
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Christopher Nolan’s Batman

• The character (witty vs. intimidating)
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Christopher Nolan’s Batman

• Time period effect on style
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Christopher Nolan’s Batman

Either one of these methods can work for your compare and contrast essay. They’re both good structures to follow when trying to support your thesis.

And remember—the thesis is only as strong as the evidence that supports it, so choosing your method before you start writing is a good idea.

3. Know the process

By now, you’re probably starting to get a good idea of how you might put together this essay, but keep in mind that strong organization is key. It’s always smart to do the following steps before you even think of sitting down to type your first draft.

Brainstorm

I know, I know—this is just something your professor tells you to do. But it really works! Many students get frustrated when writing and switch topics halfway through because they didn’t work out what they really wanted during a good old-fashioned brainstorming sesh.

My advice: Grab a snack and a cup of coffee. Stare out the window. Let the ideas start flowing in, and think about what you might have to say about them. Jot down some notes. You’re off to a good start.

Need some help with brainstorming? Read 6 Prewriting Strategies to Get Your Essay Rolling.

Outline

Really? Another step? You bet! I’ve seen a lot of students get stuck by the second paragraph because they didn’t plan ahead. Trust me—outline each paragraph of your essay. It’ll be so much easier to actually write the essay if you’re following a roadmap you’ve made for yourself.

Need some more help with outlining? Read This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block.

Don’t write the compare and contrast thesis statement…yet

That’s right. Unless you’re 100% certain of what you’re going to say, your thesis could change often as you write.

Instead, jot down a few ideas of what your thesis might be. Use these as a guide, but don’t sweat it if your thesis ends up being way different than what you had originally planned.

Try writing your body paragraphs first. These are the most important parts of your essay, and when you’ve finished a draft, you can look back and see which of your main points are the strongest.

A thesis should only be one to two sentences long, so you’ll have to consolidate your ideas into this short space—this one argument.

Did you know that Kibin has a neat tool that can help you build that thesis if you get stuck? Give it a try: Kibin Thesis Builder.

The intro and conclusion can be written after you’ve hammered out the body paragraphs. Just make sure you’re following the correct organization for essay writing:

• Intro and thesis
• Body paragraphs 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Conclusion (restate thesis)

The Takeaway

Now that you know how to write a compare and contrast thesis statement, get ready to blow your professor out of the water with a rockin’ essay. Say it with me now: this essay is going to be awesome.

And it will be. Just make sure you focus on all we’ve covered in this post to get started, and you’ll do great!

• The thesis is your main argument.
• Choose a topic you’re interested in.
• Answer “So what?”
• Know your approach.
• Subject by subject or point by point?
• Brainstorm, outline, draft.

As a final bit of advice, if your professor gives you instructions for how to organize and write this essay, follow them as closely as possible. If these instructions are in a workbook, make sure you’ve read and understand them. Ask your professor for clarity if necessary.

Also make sure you read some good compare and contrast essay examples to familiarize yourself with this essay style.

And of course, when you’ve finished working on that first draft, Kibin editors are standing by to help you make it shine.

In this blog post, I’ll give you 70 compare and contrast essay topics. I’ve also included links to sample essays for even more inspiration.

With many of these topics, I’ll also give you some basic compare and contrast points to get your ideas going. Note that my points are pretty general.

When you write your compare and contrast essay, you’ll want to dig deep, do your research, and find the most interesting facts.

Let’s get started!

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Influential People

People are the definition of unique—no two are exactly alike. The challenge is to find the similarities between two individuals, even when they seem to have nothing in common.

Comparing two people from a similar background is pretty easy. But surprising comparisons—such as those between fictional characters and real-life people or between people from different epochs—can lead to the most interesting essays.

When you successfully make those unlikely connections, readers will be awestruck by your sheer brilliance.

1. Mahatma Gandhi vs. Osama Bin Laden

Mahatma Gandhi and Osama Bin Laden were both extremely influential figures who successfully motivated thousands of people to act on behalf of their visions. Both leaders were killed by their opposition.

Gandhi was a pacifist and a bastion of peace and compassion. He fought for freedom and civil rights. Bin Laden was an extreme militant and a bastion of war and intolerance. He fought for the implementation of extreme religious propaganda.

2. Edward Snowden vs. Julius Caesar

Both Edward Snowden and Julius Caesar played an instrumental role in the inevitable demise of the powerful institutions in which they functioned—Snowden the 21st century United States of America and Caesar the Roman Republic.

Snowden fights for the rights of the people, while Caesar fought against the people in his quest for ultimate power.

Speaking of Romans: The Roman and Han empires make for an interesting comparison. Even though the two nations were separated by time and geography, they experienced striking similarities in technological, political, and economic advances.

3. OJ Simpson vs. Tom Robinson

OJ Simpson and Tom Robinson were both black men who stood accused of violence against white women. Both men were convicted for these crimes. Their convictions left behind a debate as to whether the men were actually brought to justice or rather were victims of racial injustice.

Tom Robinson is a fictional character from the book To Kill a Mockingbird. OJ Simpson is a real-life former NFL player. Tom Robinson was sentenced to death, while OJ Simpson received a prison sentence.

4. Harriet Jacobs vs. Frederick Douglass

Harriet Jacobs and Frederick Douglass were former slaves who became abolitionists. Both Jacobs and Douglass wrote profound autobiographical accounts of their lives as slaves that helped form the argument against slavery.

Harriet Jacobs wrote about the struggles and hardships unique to women in slavery, such as sexual abuse. Frederick Douglass wrote about the struggles and hardships specific to men in slavery, such as emasculation. Douglass went on to become a well-known orator and ran for vice president on the Equal Party Ticket. Jacobs remained an important but relatively unrecognized figure in the abolitionist movement.

 5. Adolf Hitler vs. Joseph Stalin

Both Hitler and Stalin were dictators who achieved a high level of power during WWI and WWII. Both men were behind innumerable human atrocities that killed millions of innocent people.

Hitler was the leader of the Nazi Party in Germany. Stalin was the leader of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union. Nazism, by definition, is opposed to communism.

6. Maya Angelou vs. Alice Walker

Maya Angelou and Alice Walker are both well-known African American authors. They are credited with contributing important fictional and non-fictional texts on the issues surrounding what it means to be black in the United States. They are both inspirational political and civil rights activists. They are both recipients of the Pulitzer Prize.

In addition to writing, Angelou is also known for her work as an actress and film and television producer. Even though they addressed similar topics in their writings, the two authors wrote in very different styles—each with her own unique voice.

7. Hobbes vs. Locke

Hobbes and Locke were both 17^th century English philosophers. They were both interested in exploring political philosophy. Both men, for instance, talked about a state of nature—the idea of man existing without government—and the dangers of such a state (though that’s where their similarities largely ended on the topic).

Hobbes and Locke disagreed on a number of issues. For example, Hobbes believed that man is by nature a social animal, while Locke believed the opposite. Hobbes believed that man has an intrinsic understanding of the difference between right and wrong. Locke believed that man only understands the difference between right and wrong when an authority, such as the law or God, enforces it.

8. Ellen DeGeneres vs. Oprah Winfrey

Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey are both American television personalities who have hosted their own daytime talk shows. Both women have been extremely successful in their careers.

As a comedienne, DeGeneres relies on witty humor and sarcastic criticism to convey her messaging, while the more serious Winfrey relies on inspiration, insights, and aha moments.

“My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where the hell she is.” – Ellen DeGeneres

 9. Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. DuBois

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were both early 20^th century civil rights activists. They were both great leaders of the black community. Both men were also accomplished scholars.

Washington and DuBois disagreed on how to go about achieving racial equality. Washington believed that African Americans should earn equality through self-help and hard work. DuBois, conversely, believed that African Americans needed to become better educated and more politically active.

10. Plato vs. Socrates

Plato and Socrates were both ancient Greek philosophers. They are considered to be the founders of Western philosophy. Both men also founded a school.

Socrates was Plato’s teacher and mentor. Socrates expounded on the wisdom of “I know that I know nothing.” Plato philosophized that the world of ideas was the only constant and that the world of senses is changeable.

11. Adolf Hitler vs. Regina George

Adolf Hitler and Regina George both can be considered dictators in their own right. Both Hitler and George believed that people with blonde hair, blue eyes, and other Aryan features were somehow better than other people.

Adolf Hitler was a real person, dictator, and founder of Nazism in Germany. He was responsible for countless human atrocities, including the murder of over 6 million Jews. Regina George is a fictional character from the 2004 movie Mean Girls. George’s biggest human atrocity is the creation of the Burn Book, a book that libels the other students in school.

 12. Pope Francis vs. Macklemore

Both Pope Francis and Macklemore believe in love, equality, and showing compassion to others. Both are cultural icons. Both men have the ability to reach out to and speak to the masses.

Pope Francis is the leader of the Catholic Church. Macklemore is an American entertainer and hip-hop rapper. Macklemore “wears your grandad’s clothes,” while Pope Francis is old enough to be your grandad.

What do Pope Francis and Macklemore have in common? Maybe more than you think!
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13. Both playwrights have changed the face of theater forever. Both playwrights have been criticized for creating historically inaccurate works. Both writers make political and social commentary in their plays.

Shakespeare’s plays were not musicals (though they often contained musical components). Miranda’s most famous play, Hamilton, is a wildly successful musical. Shakespeare lived and wrote in the 16th century, while Miranda is a contemporary playwright.

14. Ronald Reagan vs. Donald Trump

Reagan and Trump were both television and media stars before becoming president. When they were first elected, many people feared that neither one of these men would be strong or effective leaders.

When Reagan took office, interest rates and inflation were high. Trump, on the other hand, entered office with historically low inflation and interest rates. Many people believed Reagan understood the problems with government and believed he was willing to work with citizens to help solve problems. Trump has claimed that he alone will be able to solve problems.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: History

15. 19th century living vs. modern living

16. The Roman vs. Han empires

17. Medicine in Ancient Greece vs. medicine in Ancient China

18. Media coverage of past wars vs. media coverage of current wars

19. Russian propaganda during the Cold War vs. Russian propaganda today

20. The Great Depression vs. the Great Recession

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Religion

When you set out to compare and contrast world religions, you may feel like you have fallen down a rabbit hole. A student I know once wrote an essay comparing Jesus Christ and Snow White—talk about falling down a rabbit hole!

What’s more, the crossovers between two opposing religions can be surprising.

21. Protestantism vs. Catholicism

Protestants were originally a part of the Catholic Church. So they still believe that Jesus is the savior and that he was crucified and rose from the dead to save humanity.

Among their many differences, Catholics believe in Holy Water, purgatory, and that those wafers you eat at mass are actually, literally the body of Christ. Protestants don’t believe in any of that. (While protestants do take communion, they don’t think the wafers are really a piece of flesh.) Catholics have nuns, priests, and a pope. Protestants don’t.

 22. Theravada vs. Mahayana Buddhism

Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism follow Dharma, the teachings of Buddha. Both reject the notion of a god or gods (they are nontheistic). Both believe theistic religions are misguided.

Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism have some basic philosophical differences. For example, Theravada Buddhists believe that Buddha died, leaving his teachings behind. Mahayana Buddhists believe that Buddha lives on in various incarnations.

 23. Judaism vs. Christianity

Judaism and Christianity are both monotheistic religions that teach about one almighty God. Both are Abrahamic religions. Both religions teach the Old Testament. Both believe in angels, demons, and spirits as spiritual beings.

Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ was the messiah and that he will return to Earth one day. Christians believe that Jesus died for the sins of humankind. Judaism teaches that Jesus was a teacher and a prophet of God, but not God himself. Judaism also rejects the notion of Jesus’s sacrifice.

24. Religious mindset vs. cult following

Both organized religions and cults seek spiritual enlightenment and follow the teachings of a leader. Both have members with varying levels of practice and extremism.

Cults are more likely to attempt to extort money from their followers. Cults are also more likely than religions to use mind-control to force members into following the teachings of the cult.

25. Jesus Christ vs. Buddha

Jesus Christ and Buddha were both spiritual leaders. Both were teachers and tutors during their time on Earth. Both were miraculously conceived, performed miracles, and were tempted but overcame the devil.

Though Jesus performed several notable miracles, Buddha did not. Buddha believed that he lived his life in search of the truth, while Jesus believed he was the truth.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Countries and Politics

26. Salem Witch Trials vs. McCarthyism

27. Welfare programs in the US vs. welfare programs in Canada

28. Malaysian government vs. Singapore government

29. The Democratic vs. Republican parties in the US

30. Classical liberalism vs. modern liberalism

31. Today’s Democratic liberals vs. today’s Republican conservatives

32. Past presidential elections vs. the most recent presidential election

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Education

You can compare and contrast different facets of education until you are as blue as a Smurf. To succeed, you’re better served by pitting two very specific elements of education against each other.

The trick is to narrow your angle down to a tight focus while leaving room to write enough compelling points to describe the differences and similarities.

33. Private vs. public universities

Both private and public universities offer a range of academic courses and opportunities. Both allow students to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree.

Private universities are typically more expensive. The College Board reports that for the 2013-2014 school year, private universities cost over $30,000 for one year of tuition, while public universities cost just over $8,000 for in-state and $22,000 for out-of-state tuition. However, private institutions are known to offer better financial aid options.

 34. Small vs. large universities

Both small and large universities can provide students with the opportunities to achieve educational goals. Both offer bachelor’s degrees. (We’re not comparing the size of their parties here…but you could!)

Small universities offer individualized majors, smaller class sizes, and hands-on learning opportunities. Large universities offer state-of-the art research facilities, a wider range of academic programs, and more student clubs and events.

 35. High school vs. college

High school is a stepping stone to attending college. Students need to successfully complete the curriculum of both educational institutions in order to advance in many careers. Both institutions employ instructors to teach coursework. Both require students to refer to textbooks. Both require substantial homework.

High school allows for fewer academic choices. Students are typically limited to a state-designed curriculum that does not take into account a student’s particular strengths and interests. College is a time for students to focus on courses that are specific to their career goals.

Need a compare/contrast essay topic? Try high school vs. college or online vs. traditional classes.
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36. Online vs. traditional classes

Both online and traditional classes offer education toward a degree program. Students have access to instructors in both class formats. Both involve some form of discussion among classmates. Both often have group projects.

Online classes allow for more flexibility than traditional classes. Students can take an online course at any time from the comfort of their homes. Traditional classes require students to attend class at a specific time and location. The access to instructors is virtual in online classes and in-person in traditional classes. Online classes often have discussion board posts that replace live classroom discussions.

37. Homeschooling vs. public education

Homeschooling and public education provide specific guidelines and learning outcomes for students. Both provide a way for children to experience and learn about the world around them.

Public education provides more opportunities for socialization than homeschooling. Homeschooling can be more demanding on parents as they must be both full-time parent and full-time teacher.

38. Advanced placement (AP) classes vs. honors classes

Both types of classes provide more rigor than traditional high school classes and are geared toward higher achieving students. Both types of classes can strengthen students’ college applications.

Honors courses are essentially high school courses that cover subject matter in greater depth. AP courses are designed to mirror college-level courses. High school honors courses do not allow students to earn college credit. Some high school AP courses allow students to earn college credit.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Film and Literature

Chances are, if you’ve been in English class for any length of time, you’ve been asked to compare and contrast two bodies of literature or other fictional work.

This is your chance to surprise the heck out of your professor (and get a good grade) by making unexpected comparisons.

Following are some topic examples.

39. Twilight  vs. Dracula

Both pieces of literature investigate vampire lore. Both use foreshadowing as a literary device to move the story forward. Both also share three themes: attraction, addiction, and repulsion.

Twilight’s 21^st century vampires are sexy and sparkly. Edward Cullen of Twilight is charming and irresistibly dangerous. On the other hand, Dracula is a 19^th century blood-thirsty beast that anyone would resist. Bram Stoker’s Dracula had a thick mustache, a large nose, and white hair that “grew scantily round the temples but profusely elsewhere.” (Bella, eat your heart out.) Also, there are no werewolves in Dracula.

40. Breaking Bad  vs. Lost

Both Breaking Bad and Lost were hit TV series of the early 21st century. Both shows have won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy. Both have a character named Walt. Both use flashforward scenes to move the narrative forward.

Breaking Bad investigates the concept of the anti-hero in the character Walter White, who is easy to hate but hard not to cheer on as he descends into a life of crime. Lost investigates the virtues of a classic hero in the likeable character of Jack Shephard.

41. A Rose for Emily vs. The Yellow Wallpaper

Both stories depict women being forced into isolation as a result of “lunacy.” Both stories explore the definition of femininity and the repression of women. Both stories explore dysfunctional relationships between women and men.

“The Yellow Wallpaper” tells the story of a woman’s experience of being shut into a bedroom for a summer. “A Rose for Emily” explores a woman’s experience of shutting herself into a house for 40 years. Both stories investigate these themes in very different ways.

 42. Fahrenheit 451  vs. Red Scarf Girl

Both stories uncover themes of cultural repression. Both stories revolve around the human experience of defying unjust government regulations. Censorship and loss of individual rights are themes in both books.

Fahrenheit 451 is a science fiction novel about how the character Montag defies authority and begins to read the books that he had been ordered to burn. Red Scarf Girl is a true story about a young girl, Ji-li, and her experience of defiance and resistance during China’s cultural revolution.

 43. The Day After Tomorrow  vs. I am Legend

Both movies address the theme of the apocalypse and post-apocalyptic struggles for survival. Both movies touch on deeply rooted fears of humanity and our intrinsic understanding that the human race must eventually meet its end. Both showcase a lone scientific hero who tries to save humanity.

In I Am Legend, the harbinger of the apocalypse is a plague that turns people into killer monsters. In the Day After Tomorrow, an out-of-control storm ushers in an apocalyptic ice age.

44. The Hunger Games  vs. Divergent

Both novels create a dystopian vision of life in the future where society has been divided into factions. Both novels are coming-of-age love stories. Both stories require the female protagonists to partake in violent rituals.

The Hunger Games explores themes of violence and corruption, and the defiance of unjust authority. Divergent explores themes of following your heart despite the odds.

45. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  vs. The Picture of Dorian Gray

Both of these stories feature a protagonist with a dark side that they try to hide from the world. Through such a lens, both stories share the theme of duality.

While Dr. Jekyll swings from being good and bad, Dorian Gray slowly transforms from good to bad as the story progresses. Dr. Jekyll outwardly manifests his dark side as Mr. Hyde, but Dorian keeps his darkness hidden, only acting on his impulses in secret. Dorian’s portrait is the only outward clue of his wrongdoing—the picture reveals his true nature with every wicked act.

 46. 1984  vs. The Hunger Games

Both novels tell the story of a dystopian future where society is oppressed by an all-knowing and watchful authority. Both novels also have segments of the population in extreme poverty.

1984 is commentary on the dangers of a totalitarian state, and it’s set in Europe. The protagonist is an adult man. The Hunger Games is a coming-of-age story with a US-inspired setting. The protagonist is a young woman.

47. Julius Caesar  vs. Macbeth

These two Shakespearean plays have a lot of common. They both revolve around regicide (the murder of a king). Both involve power plays, scandals, and manipulation (but don’t all Shakespeare tragedies?).

Macbeth relies on prophecies and the fulfillment of prophecies as one of its main literary hooks—it’s a story filled with magic and witches. Julius Caesar is realism-based, focusing on the plausible dramas and tragedies of the Roman Empire.

Bonus read: Don’t Make These 6 Tragic Mistakes in Your Macbeth Essay

48. Beowulf vs. Wolverine

Both have cool, wolfish names. Both are heroes who undertake epic adventures to fight evil. Both experience serious transitions during their journeys.

Beowulf was created in the ancient stew of medieval literature. Wolverine was created in 1974. Beowulf revels in glories, while Wolverine’s good deeds go without reward.

49. Beowulf vs. Odysseus

Beowulf and Odysseus both must battle monsters on their epic journeys. Both heroes share many of the same traits: courage, intelligence, and strength. Both men use all three traits to win their respective battles.

Odysseus makes it safely home and dies in his old age. Beowulf dies after slaying a dragon. Odysseus uses deception while battling enemies, while Beowulf doesn’t play games to gain an advantage against his enemies.

50. 12 Angry Men stage play vs. a film adaptation of 12 Angry Men

Both the play and the movie follow the same basic plot, with jurors attempting to determine the guilt of the accused. In both, the jurors are nameless, known only by their juror numbers.

The scenes are more detailed in the movie compared to the descriptions in the play. The producers took some liberties with adding and/or altering dialogue from the original screenplay.

Bonus info:12 Angry Men was made into a movie in 1957 and in 1997. You might also write a compare and contrast essay about the two film adaptations.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Art

51. Olympia vs. Grande Odalisque

52. Pablo Picasso vs. Salvador Dali

53. King Arthur vs. Zeus

54. Realism vs. Modernism

55. Michelangelo’s Davis vs. Bernini’s David

56. Impressionism vs. post-impressionism

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Culture and Society

There are infinite possibilities when it comes to choosing from compare and contrast essay topics about culture and society. The trick here is to pick a topic that is very specific and interesting.

Here are some ideas.

57. Korean concept of beauty vs. American concept of beauty

Both Americans and Koreans value thinness as an ideal beauty standard. Both cultures hold ideals of beauty that are impossible for most people to achieve.

Americans focus on beauty standards, such as blonde hair, blue eyes, big breasts (on women), round butts, and tans. Korean beauty focuses on ideal face and eye shapes and pale skin.

 58. Cohabitation vs. marriage

Cohabitation and marriage both involve two people living together and sharing resources. Both also usually mean two people are in a serious relationship.

Marriage involves a legal and binding contract between two people that includes healthcare benefits and tax benefits. Cohabitation does not require a legal contract and does not include such benefits.

 59. Teenagers vs. toddlers

Both teenagers and toddlers are moody, willful, and needy. Both teens and toddlers are usually exploring newly found independence. Both often require supervision in many areas.

Teenagers are more mobile than toddlers and can be far more destructive in their actions. Toddlers are a thousand times more adorable than teenagers. Teenagers have the ability to reason, unlike toddlers, but rarely take advantage of this ability.

60. Traditional Chinese parenting vs. Western parenting

Both Chinese and Western parents want the best for their children. Both educate and discipline their children in ways they feel will best prepare their children for the future.

Compared to Western parents, Chinese parents (particularly “Tiger Moms”) are very strict. They do not allow their children much free time and stress discipline and rigid schedules.

61. Authoritative parenting vs. permissive parenting

In both parenting styles, parents attempt to communicate with their children. In both styles, parents are also likely to encourage creativity and expression in their children.

Authoritative parents are assertive and in control while not being extremely demanding. Permissive parents are more lenient and likely to avoid conflict with their children.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics: Technology

62. Apple vs. Google smartphones

63. Apple vs. Microsoft

64. Honda vs. Ford

65. Gasoline vs. ethanol vs. biodiesel

66. Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4

67. Tablets vs. textbooks

68. Solar energy vs. wind energy

69. Safety of cars with seat belts only vs. safety of cars with seat belts and airbags

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you’ve found a topic that will make writing your essay fun and easy. If you need even more ideas, here is a web app that helps you compare just about anything. And here’s a cool website with compare and contrast topics galore.

Once you’ve settled on a topic, I recommend reading these posts to get started with your essay:

• Compare and Contrast Essay Tips from a Kibin Editor
• This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block
• 2 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples Worth Emulating (with annotations)

Once your own compare and contrast essay is drafted, send it to one of our awesome essay editors for review.

Good luck!

Stuck On Your Essay?

Check Out These Example Compare and Contrast Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

You have to write another essay.

You were hoping for a surprise party, weren’t you? Sorry, I can’t help you there. But if you think writing a comparative essay is one heck of a good time, then this party is for you!

Okay, the fact that you have to write another essay isn’t really that much of a surprise, but what can be a not-so-happy surprise is seeing a D+ on a paper when you thought you earned at least a B.

So let’s skip the nasty surprise of a bad essay grade and move on to something more positive: how to write a good comparative essay.

Let’s Get This Party Started: How to Write a Surprisingly Good Comparative Essay

Writing a comparative essay is like planning a party in the sense that you absolutely must have a plan.

You can’t just tell people to come over for a graduation party without creating a guest list, sending out invites, buying food and drinks, setting up the space, and perhaps organizing activities.

You can’t simply start writing a comparative essay without deciding your topics, determining points of comparison and contrast, and choosing examples to support your comparisons.

So let’s start our essay-writing party by doing some planning of our own.

Here’s a five-step plan you’ll need in order to write a surprisingly good comparative essay (also known as a compare and contrast essay).

Step 1: Choose appropriate topics

If you’re supposed to write about war and you write about peace, this certainly isn’t an appropriate topic for your assignment.

But choosing the right topic goes beyond just meeting assignment guidelines for acceptable topics. You need to find subjects that you can compare and contrast.

If you choose to compare a frat party to your grandmother’s 85th birthday celebration at the senior living center, chances are you won’t find a lot of similarities. (Unless, of course, grandma is still a party animal!)

At any rate, you’ll need to choose subjects that have something in common, like a graduation party and a retirement party. While there are clear differences in the age of the person being honored, both parties celebrate accomplishments and mark a new stage in a person’s life.

Remember, you’re writing a comparative essay. Without a solid list of similarities and differences, you don’t have a strong essay.

Without a solid list of similarities/differences, you don’t have a strong essay.
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Stumped for topics? Check out these 49 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics to Help Get You Started, or browse some example compare and contrast essays for inspiration.

Step 2: Prewrite

Once the subjects of your paper are in place, prewrite to sort out the ideas you’ll compare and contrast. If you’re not sure which form of prewriting to try, consider listing or using a Venn diagram.

Listing is just like it sounds. Make a list of similarities. Then make a list of differences.

If you’re more visual, try a Venn diagram. Draw intersecting circles then fill in the circles with similarities and differences.

Circles A and B will contain information applicable to only those subjects. (These are the differences.) The point at which the circles intersect will contain similarities between the two subjects.

Here’s a basic example of a Venn diagram to help you see what I mean.

Step 3: Organize and narrow ideas

Whether you’re comparing a tea party to a dinner party, the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, or the Labour Party to the Monster Raving Loony Party (it’s an actual political party—look it up), chances are, you’ll have long lists or a very full Venn diagram with all sorts of information.

You can’t (and shouldn’t) try to fit all of your ideas into your paper. Look for a few important points of comparison.

Here’s what I mean.

Let’s say you’re comparing a high school graduation party to a retirement party. What do the two parties have in common? How are they different?

You might start your lists with these ideas:

Similarities

• Guests are friends and family.
• Food/drinks are provided.
• Lots of socializing at the party.
• Gifts are given to the honored guest.
• Party signifies a new chapter in life.

Differences

• Spouse or children might throw a retirement party. Parents usually host a graduation party.
• Alcohol might be served at a retirement party, but 18 year olds can’t legally drink alcohol at their own graduation parties.
• Retirement party might be a surprise. Graduation parties usually aren’t surprise parties.

After you’ve created a detailed list of similarities and differences, start to narrow your focus and decide which points will be most important to include in your essay.

It’s pretty obvious that any party will have guests, and most graduation and retirement parties serve food and drinks. So writing about these as points of comparison doesn’t make for a very exciting paper.

On the other hand, pointing out that graduation and retirement parties are similar because they both signify a new chapter in a person’s life makes for a much more unique and surprisingly good essay.

This type of comparison moves beyond the obvious. It begins to develop a more critical analysis and is just the type of focus you can use to write an engaging paper.

Step 4: Draft

Now that the planning stages are behind you, it’s time to write your comparative essay.

It’s always a smart idea to sketch out a few basic points before you begin writing, so check out this resource to help you outline ideas.

When you start drafting your paper, keep these key points in mind.

Like most essays, a comparative essay needs an introduction (with a clear thesis statement), body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It also needs evidence to support your claims.

A comparative essay usually follows one of the following two patterns:

1. The essay will explain all information about Subject A (a graduation party, for instance), then all information about Subject B (a retirement party, for instance).
2. The essay will explain the information point by point, alternating information about Subject A with a comparable point about Subject B.

Choosing either pattern of organization is generally acceptable. Simply make sure you choose a clear pattern. Then stick with it throughout your entire paper.

The Party’s Over

At the end of every party is the task that no one wants to face: the cleanup.

After you’ve written your paper, you’ll also need to spend time on the cleanup. This is where revision comes into play.

Step 5: Revise

Resist the urge to turn in your draft as is. Trust me, it will still need some work. You’ll need to look for small things—such as spelling, grammar, and format—but you’ll also need to check for larger concerns, such as content and style.

This is where our expert cleaning crew comes in. Send your draft to our Kibin editors. They’re ready 24/7 to help clean up any draft.

Party on, and happy writing!

Stuck On Your Essay?

Check Out These Example Compare and Contrast Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

My goal in writing this post is for you learn more about compare and contrast essays, so you can skip that wretched feeling of getting a D and instead feel that euphoric “I earned an A and want to break out my happy dance” feeling.

Check out these examples that not only make cool comparisons but also help you see what a good comparison essay looks like. (You can do your happy dance later.)

Compare and Contrast Essay Resources

Before you start any paper, you need to have an understanding of how to write it. If you need a bit of a refresher on the basics of a compare and contrast essay, check out these two posts.

• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
• Compare and Contrast Tips from a Kibin Editor

If you have a pretty good sense of how to write a compare and contrast paper but need a topic before you can even begin to think about writing, here are 49 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics to Help You Get Started.

Need some more topic inspiration? Browse through some additional examples of comparison essays.

If you’ve got the how and the topic mastered but aren’t sure how to get started, This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block. Or give these additional tips and handy worksheets a try.

Ready to see two comparison essay examples that make cool comparisons? Keep reading!

2 Comparison Essay Examples That Make Cool Comparisons

Comparison essay example #1: A Comparison of Disney Princesses

The first essay focuses on basic comparisons of two common Disney princesses. My comments within the paper highlight both strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Before I address the content of the essay, let’s talk about the title. It would be an understatement to say that this title lacks creativity. Learn how to write a better title by reading How to Write Good Essay Titles That Are…Good.

(*Click images below to enlarge)

Comparison essay example #2: Hinduism and Buddhism Compare and Contrast Essay

This paper focuses on a comparison of Hinduism and Buddhism. Like the previous essay, the title of this paper needs work. This essay, though, provides a solid comparison of the two religions.

Remember, when writing a compare and contrast essay, it’s impossible to compare every aspect. The key to a successful essay is choosing two or three key points to compare. Here, the writer successfully compares rebirth and the steps one must take in each religion to escape rebirth.

As with the previous example, I’ve included a few comments about what this writer does well and what the writer might do to improve this paper.

(*Click images below to enlarge)

The Finishing Touches

It’s your turn to shine and use all that you’ve learned to write an impressive, even awe-inspiring compare and contrast essay. Remember the strong (and weak) elements highlighted in the comparison essay examples to keep you on the right path.

These resources might help you avoid some of the shortcomings highlighted in the comparison essay examples:

• How to Write an Essay Introduction in 3 Easy Steps
• What Is a Hook Sentence? (Infographic)
• How Good Transition Words Can Improve Your Writing
• 97 Transition Words for Essays You Need to Know

If, by chance, you’re studying poetry and need a little more help, check out these two posts:

• How to Compare and Contrast Poems Like a Lit Major
• 14 Poems to Compare and Contrast Like an Expert

Also try using the compare and contrast thesis statement builder.

Once your paper is complete, let our Kibin editors polish your paper to perfection.

Happy writing!

Stuck On Your Essay?

Check Out These Example Compare and Contrast Essays

Yes! Show me examples.

We can recognize good writing too. But it’s not always that easy to identify what makes good writing good. It can be even harder to emulate good writing.

Heads up! If you need to write a compare and contrast essay but aren’t sure what an awesome essay might look like, check out these two compare and contrast essay examples worth emulating.

Want to write an awesome compare and contrast essay? Check out these examples.
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Before We Look at Those Compare and Contrast Essay Examples…

You’ll need to understand the basics before you can identify important elements in a sample paper. (Knowing the basics will obviously help you write a better paper too!)

So if you have to write a compare and contrast essay but have absolutely no clue how to write one, take the time to learn about the key components of this type of paper by reading these:

• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
• Compare and Contrast Essay Tips from a Kibin Editor
• This Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Will Help You Beat Writer’s Block
• 49 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics to Help You Get Started
• Tip Sheet: Writing a Compare/Contrast Paper

2 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples Worth Emulating

I’ve included two sample essays here to help you see what a compare and contrast essay might look like. I’ve also included a few comments to point out what these writers do well.

Keep in mind, these compare and contrast essay examples aren’t perfect. Thus, I’ve also highlighted a few areas in need of improvement.

Essay #1: Is Medicine or Management the Best Treatment for ADHD?

*Click images below to enlarge

To make sure you wrap up your own paper with a strong conclusion, read How to Write a Killer Essay Conclusion.

Essay #2: Comparing the Concepts of Korean and American Beauty

*Click images below to enlarge

Want more compare and contrast essay examples? Check out these essays:

• American High Schools Compared to the Swedish School System
• A Comparison between Classical Liberalism and Modern Liberalism
• Comparing Some Like It Hot, Tootsie, and Mrs Doubtfire
• The Difference between Going to College Immediately after High School and Going to College Later in Life

Writing Your Essay

With your new knowledge of how to write a compare and contrast essay and your new understanding of what a compare and contrast essay looks like, it’s time to take the reins and write your own essay worth emulating.

Why not start by trying a few prewriting strategies? Once you have your ideas in place, you can put them into essay format. Need a few tips about organizing paragraphs? Read Anatomy of the Perfect Essay Paragraph Structure.

Need help writing a thesis statement? Try our free thesis statement builder.

After you’ve drafted your essay, send your paper to a Kibin editor for review and a bit of expert advice!

By now, you’ve probably made plans in one form or another. You’ve marked quizzes and paper due dates on a calendar. Maybe you’ve put together a surprise birthday party for your friend. Thinking about setting a wedding date with your significant other? Now you’re really talking about planning.

But why do we plan? What makes us set a schedule for a series of events ahead of time? In this post, I’ll answer these questions and focus on why outlining your papers is a vital part of the writing process.

Then you’ll get the chance to access some awesome essay outline templates to help you start writing a well-planned and strongly organized paper that wows your professor.

Planning Saves Lives … or Grades

Okay, so your freshman analysis paper on gender roles in 50 Shades of Grey may not win a Pulitzer or change anybody’s life. But if you don’t outline your paper, you’re probably heading for a crash.

If you don’t outline your paper, you’re probably heading for a crash.
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Speaking of crashes, think about something you probably do on a daily basis, driving—or riding in—a car. A lot of planning went into that machine to make it work and get you safely from point A to point B.

If the engineers hadn’t carefully blueprinted all the working parts and how they fit together, then that car wouldn’t run at all. Essays are similar. An unplanned essay that isn’t outlined usually won’t pass your professor’s inspection and just gets you nowhere.

An essay outline denotes how you’ll structure your paper. You can (and should!) make changes along the way. But you want to get everything written down so that you can refer to the outline while you’re writing your rough draft.

If you start out with a good idea of how your paper will function and transition between ideas and paragraphs, then you’ll stay on track and avoid writing yourself into a corner.

Beware the corners—this is what happens when you get to a point in your paper and feel like you have run out of ideas or have no place else to go. Don’t let this happen to you—plan ahead!

Got It–But How Do I Start?

Good time management skills definitely don’t hurt. But just like your paper won’t write itself, your essay is going nowhere if you don’t sit down and start working on that outline.

But maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve composed an outline, and some forms are better than others. No worries—instead of starting from scratch, we’ve got you covered with these templates. You just have to fill in the blanks and keep moving forward!

That said, it’s a good idea to think about the process behind writing a paper before moving forward with your outline. Most papers—like most cars—have the same basic working parts.

Most papers—like most cars—have the same basic working parts.
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You usually need a thesis statement in your introductory paragraph, body paragraphs that follow a logical order and support that thesis, and a conclusion that wraps it all up.

And though most essay have those same working parts, there are different types of essays. Each one requires a different approach to outlining. So without further ado …

7 Super-Awesome Essay Outline Templates

1. Analytical essay outline

Download the template!

This outline template can help you pick apart a topic and support your thesis so well that your professor’s jaw will drop. An analytical essay isn’t a summary—it requires you to concentrate on how a book or poem was written, why a song was composed, what themes are prevalent in a movie, and why that matters.

You come up with an answer and then explain why you’re right. This template covers the basics and narrows the focus, so you can write a killer thesis statement and use strong evidence to support your claim.

2. Argumentative essay outline

Download the template!

Nearly all college students will write an argumentative essay, so steel yourself and get ready to create a powerful outline. In this type of essay, you’ll try to persuade your readers that your thoughts on a given topic are the right ones.

But unlike a persuasive essay, you’ll have to do some solid research and back up your ideas with hard facts. This is a great template to guide you through writing your intro, developing your argument, refuting your opponent’s arguments, and bringing your essay over the finish line with the conclusion.

In an argument essay, you must consider the opposing side(s). This handy template will also show you how to tackle the best of them.

3. Compare and contrast essay outline

Download the template!

A compare and contrast essay takes two subjects and focuses on their similarities and differences. Sounds easy, right? Wait—there’s more!

Like all good essays, this one also serves a larger purpose—maybe you’re trying to state something unknown, clear up a misunderstanding, or show that one topic is better than another.

This template can help you reach these goals using the point-by-point comparison method. Check it out.

4. Expository essay outline

Download the template!

Do you like helpful advice? Me too. That’s what you get with this awesome expository essay template. An expository essay is kind of like a book report. Your teacher makes you write one of these to show that you’ve aptly researched a topic.

Though there are many ways to organize this type of essay, start with this outline, and you’ll be in good shape. It will help you explain your topic using facts, evidence, and analysis—all of which will help you showcase the larger significance at hand.

5. Persuasive essay outline

Download the template!

Prove it to me. A persuasive essay’s goal is to convince your readers that your viewpoint is the right one. It’s kind of like an argument essay, except that you don’t have to use well-researched facts in order to support your thesis. You can focus on emotional anecdotes and stories to convince your reader that you’re 100% correct.

This is a great outline template that really delivers from intro to conclusion. Need to define your audience and lay down your best hook? Look no further than this stellar template.

6. Reflective essay outline

Download the template!

In a reflective essay, you get to recall an event, object, or person that helped you become who you are today. This is a fun essay to write because all the material for it exists in your own head. You don’t have to research or argue. You simply offer the reader a meaningful glimpse into your life.

These essays don’t have to be serious—just ask David Sedaris—but there are good and bad ways to write them. Never fear—this template is here to guide you in setting up your hook, descriptive body paragraphs, and an impactful conclusion.

7. Research essay outline

Download the template!

Research essays are beastly—they’re longer than most papers to start. They also typically require more effort because you’re gathering sources and revealing what experts are saying about your topic. But this type of essay is cool because it helps you sharpen both your writing skills and knowledge about a topic.

So learn something, and slay that research essay beast by starting with the best weapon. This template will help you put a framework to your ideas—covering the thesis, context, and history behind your topic, the existing arguments, and why the topic/research matters.

From Outline to Essay

Outlining your essay before you begin writing it has so many advantages. It’s easier to change and reorganize a few points on a page than doing the same for large paragraphs in a rough draft.

Outlines save you time and provide peace of mind when it comes to writing papers. Even when you’re putting words to the page, you can always refer back to an outline to keep you on the right track and avoid getting stuck in one of those scary corners we talked about.

Want to win the essay-writing race? Then make a habit of outlining your essays from now on.

Some Inspiration

Sometimes it just helps to see how others have tackled essays in the past. Check out some of these great example essays from the Kibin database to inspire your next trip down essay-writing lane.

• Analytical essay examples
• Argumentative essay examples
• Compare and contrast essay examples
• Expository essay examples
• Persuasive essay examples
• Research essay examples
• Reflective essay examples

Now you’re ready to rev your outline-writing engine. Kick your typing into gear, and drive that paper from point A to point B with a well-organized structure that’ll show your professor you know what’s what.

And don’t forget—your Kibin pit crew is standing by to proofread that next paper to make sure it runs like a dream when you’re ready to turn it in.