Compare and Contrast Essay Essentials

The video tutorial explains how to write a compare and contrast essay, often required in tests like TOEFL and IELTS. It covers the definitions of comparison and contrast, the purpose of such essays, and how to organize them effectively. The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on brainstorming, creating a thesis statement, and structuring the essay. An example question is discussed, and different patterns for writing the essay are presented, along with useful vocabulary.

What is the primary purpose of a compare and contrast essay?

• To narrate a personal story

• To describe a single topic in detail

• To compare two ideas and make a judgment

• To entertain the reader

What does it mean to 'compare' in an essay?

• To show how two things are different

• To argue against a point

• To show how two things are similar

• To describe one thing in detail

In a compare and contrast essay, what is the writer usually trying to do?

• Make a judgment about which is better

• Focus on only one subject

• Describe both subjects equally

• Avoid giving any opinion

What is the first step in writing a compare and contrast essay?

• Draft the introduction

• Choose a title

• Write the conclusion

• Determine the two subjects to be compared

How should you arrange your ideas in a compare and contrast essay?

• From most to least important

• In alphabetical order

• Randomly

• From least to most important

What is a thesis statement?

• A question posed to the reader

• A summary of the essay

• A statement that includes your main points

• A list of references

In the example question about packaging, what are the two sides being compared?

• Producers and distributors

• Suppliers and customers

• Retailers and wholesalers

• Manufacturers and consumers

What should a thesis statement include?

• Your main points from brainstorming

• A detailed explanation of each point

• A list of all possible arguments

• A summary of the introduction

What is one pattern you might use to structure a compare and contrast essay?

• Thesis, introduction, conclusion

• Introduction, body, conclusion

• Conclusion, body, introduction

• Introduction, both sides, thesis, opinion