Whenever you are writing a comparison/contrast paper (paragraph, essay, research paper), you need to plan it out very carefully on paper first.
Try this:
1. Brainstorm about one of your topics on one page.
2. Brainstorm about the other topic on a separate page.
3. Then read over your brainstorming. Indicate all things that are similar with one symbol (maybe stars), and indicate all things that are differences (or maybe opposites) with a different symbol.
4. Then put them together in this order:
1. Intro
2. All about topic A
~~~2A. detail 1
~~~2B. detail 2
~~~2C. detail 3
~~~2D. detail 4
~~~2E. detail 5
3. All about topic B
~~~3A. detail 1
~~~3B. detail 2
~~~3C. detail 3
~~~3D. detail 4
~~~3E. detail 5
4. Concl.
The number of details for each topic will vary depending on your main points. I would include comparisons (how they are similar) in the introduction and conclusion, but sections 2 and 3 and all those details will be stating and explaining how they are different.
There are two recognized patterns for writing comparison/contrast papers. One is casually referred to as "zig-zag,” but can be very confusing for the reader if you don’t use transitions effectively. The other is topic-by-topic (which is what I've outlined above) and is much easier for the reader to follow.
See http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/comparcontrast.html for further help with comparison/contrast writing.
Once you have organized your information, please re-post if you’d like feedback from someone here.
I am writing a compare and contrast essay between private school and public school can you help me write it
6 answers
For right now I need help writing my intro paragraph. I also have to write a thesis and I do not understand how to do that.
Why did you post your question if you're not ready to heed the advice?
You should write the introduction last, not first!
This will help you with the thesis.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
You should write the introduction last, not first!
This will help you with the thesis.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
Also my biggest similarity is how the state sets standards of what should be taught. But my two main differences are funding and how you have to be zoned for a specific school for public schools but no private.
No, you don't start with your intro. How can you introduce a paper you haven't written yet??
Read through the 6 pairs of sentences here and the explanation for each pair. These will help you learn what a thesis statement is:
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
Once you have a draft of your thesis statement, then start the brainstorming and planning. During this process, you should find yourself revising your thesis. Don't start writing paragraphs until you have a plan, and DON'T write an intro until the body of the paper is at least in first draft form.
Read through the 6 pairs of sentences here and the explanation for each pair. These will help you learn what a thesis statement is:
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
Once you have a draft of your thesis statement, then start the brainstorming and planning. During this process, you should find yourself revising your thesis. Don't start writing paragraphs until you have a plan, and DON'T write an intro until the body of the paper is at least in first draft form.
But in my class we have to write our intro first and she yells at us for going further.