In a compare and contrast essay, you write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, or things. You can organize the essay by writing about one subject first and then comparing it with the second subject. A more effective way is to organize the essay by comparing each subject by category.
| Example: | Write an essay comparing the weather in Vancouver and Halifax. |
| Introduction: | Introduce weather in the cities of Vancouver and Halifax. |
| Supporting paragraphs: | 1. Compare weather in spring and summer for both |
| cities. State how they are similar or different. | |
| 2. Compare weather in fall and winter for both | |
| cities. State how they are similar or different. | |
| Summary paragraph: | Summarize the similarities and differences. |