how to write a compare and contrast essay ?

Question

my topic is "Write an essay comparing or contrasting the experience of watching a sports event live versus entirely on television"

im confused whether I should defend both of these things or not...meaning if i say that when ur in stadium watching the game, you dont get the comfort of your house...and then in next paragraph write that you dont get the same excitement at your home as you do in stadium...please help.

Answer 1

I would say that because the question is worded "comparing OR contrasting" then you need to pick one side and stay with it. Write a paper only on simlarities or only on differences. This is actually easier than trying to write a paper that includes both. Here is the basic outline i give to my 8th graders when writing an essay:

Par 1:
*Effective Start (set a scene, famous quote, ask a question, or state a fact)
*Additional Info
*Thesis statement (your purpose for writing your paper)

Par 2:
*Topic sentence supporting thesis 1
*Supporting detail 1
*Supporting detail 2
*Supporting detail 3
*Concl. Statement

Par 3:
*Topic sentence supporting thesis 2
*Supporting detail 1
*Supporting detail 2
*Supporting detail 3
*Concl. Statement

Par 4:
*Topic sentence supporting thesis 3
*Supporting detail 1
*Supporting detail 2
*Supporting detail 3
*Concl. Statement

Par 5:
*Restate your thesis (in different words)
*Give additional info
*Closing (leave your reader with something to think about)



Good luck!

Answer 2

First, I'd suggest that you do some brainstorming. Make a list of all the positives and negatives of each viewing experience.

e.g. postive:
Home--
more comfortable
less expensive
better view of some of the plays
etc.

Stadium
more excitement
you see the "big picture"
you get to focus on what you want to, not what the cameraman thinks you ought to see
better hot dogs (maybe)

After you're done mull over the list for a bit, and then decide which items on your list are the most important. Emphacise those in your report. I don't think you have to try to convince anyone that one viewing method is better than another. It is not a pursuasive speech, it is a compare and contrast.

Answer 3

What you need to do is assess the similarities of both watching it at home and watching in a stadium. This is 'comparing'.

Then you need to point out the differences - this is 'contrasting'.

You could finish off by giving your personal reason for which you prefer and why.

Good luck.

Answer 4

In a compare and contrast essay, you compare the two things in a structured way even though they have different meanings. I'll give you an example of an emphatic approach to a compare/contrast essay, here ya go: I. Introduction a. Historical Data b. Definition c. Story or anecdote d. General Information e. Thesis: Topic + point of view f. Development plan (3 parts) II. Topic Sentence (first part of development plan) a. Support & evidence b. Support & evidence c. Support & evidence III. Topic Sentence (second part of development plan) a. Support & evidence b. Support & evidence c. Support & evidence IV. Topic Sentence (third part of development plan) a. Support & evidence b. Support & evidence c. Support & evidence V. Conclusion a. Confirmation of thesis b. Personal Insight