Compare and contrast essay

Overview

For this capstone, you will write a / essay examining how two topics are similar, different, or a combination of both similar and different. However, this isn’t just about off items of comparison or it’s about helping readers understand your topic in new and meaningful ways, supported by your careful and scholarly research.

Some examples of strong / topics include:

• Remote learning vs. traditional classroom education
• Instagram vs. TikTok as marketing platforms
• Electric vs. hybrid vehicles’ environmental impact
• Online vs. traditional banking services
• Plant-based vs. lab-grown meat alternatives

The best / essays come from genuine curiosity about how things work and relate to each other. Think of yourself as a detective looking for interesting connections and meaningful differences that others might have missed. When you dig deeper than surface-level comparisons, you often discover fascinating insights that can change how people see both topics.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this capstone, you will:

• Develop coherent compositions with clear statements, supporting , and logical
• Apply appropriate rhetorical strategies based on , purpose, and context
• Analyze texts critically to identify arguments, , and rhetorical techniques
• Apply effective composition strategies to produce polished final drafts that demonstrate attention to clarity, coherence, and correctness
• Construct effective arguments using , , and counterarguments

Core Requirements

Length: words

Sources: 2 (cited using )

: point-by-point structure

Perspective: Written in (no I or me)

Format: 8th edition

: Underlined in the

Detailed Requirements

Every effective / essay includes the following essential features. As you develop your essay, consider how you will incorporate each element:

Feature

Strong Topic Choice

Your topic should be:

• Specific enough to analyze deeply
• Complex enough for meaningful comparison
• Well-researched with available
• Academically acceptable

*You should avoid the following topics: (choosing one of these topics will result in a 0)

• Death penalty
• Euthanasia
• Abortion
• Drug Legalization
• Religious debates
• Gun rights
• Global Warming

Clear

• States whether topics are similar, different, or both
• Presents your three main points

Example: While both Netflix and HBO offer streaming entertainment, they differ significantly in their content strategy, user interface, and pricing models.

Focused

• Choose 3-4 specific aspects to /
• Each point should be substantial enough for a full paragraph
• Support each point with from your sources

Effective

• with underlined
• Body paragraphs following a point-by-point structure
• Clear topic sentences for each comparison
• Strong s between ideas
• Thoughtful

Strategic Use of

• Integrate quotes and information from
• Use to support your comparison/
• Properly all ()

Resources