Compare and contrast essay topics

Compare and contrast essay topics involve bringing together two different items and comparing them. The subjects for comparison are fairly unlimited, and may involve things such as opinions, places, political ideals, people or objects. The aim is to identify the similarities within the two chosen items, and difference in the compare and contrast essay topics you choose.

Essay structure

There are two ways you can structure your comparative essay. You can do it point by point or block by block. Your choice will often depend on the subject matter at hand. If the two have a lot of similarities or differences, then it may be wiser to do a point by point essay. If your subjects have few similarities or differences, then a block by block essay is probably best.

Point by point or block by block?

A block by block essay involves taking a lot of information about one item, such as in a paragraph or chapter, and then a lot of information about the other item, and then concluding in a different section (chapter, paragraphs, heading) and pointing out the similarities and differences. A point by point essay would describe the two items side by side and then point out the similarities or differences straight away before moving onto the next similarity/difference/slab of information.

A point by point essay is quite easy when writing compare and contrast essay topics, because you can write notes about each item, and point out the differences and similarities as you research. In those cases it is then a case of simply typing up your notes into a coherent essay. A block by block version will involve heavy research into one item, which you write about, then equivalent research about the other item, which you write about, and then draw a conclusion. This usually involves going over your research and taking notes on the differences and similarities so you can conclude with them in the same order that they are addressed in your work.

50 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics:

1. Van Gogh vs. Dali
2. Plus sized models vs. beauty contests
3. Hedge Funds or High Interest Bank Account
4. Queen Elizabeth II vs. Barack Obama
5. Self-employment vs. employment
6. Prom night vs. Halloween
7. Being bored vs. being scared
8. Outdoor sports vs. computer games
9. Music versus books
10. Formula One vs. horse racing
11. Australia vs. New Zealand
12. Antique hunting vs. visiting a museum
13. Beef farmer vs. vegetarian
14. Favorite pet vs. best friend
15. Haiku vs. Sonnet
16. James Bond vs. Harry Potter
17. Osama Bin Laden vs. Adolf Hitler
18. High school sweetheart vs. Internet dating
19. Yerevan vs. Sydney
20. Anorexia vs. Obesity
21. Distance learning vs. college classes
22. Script writing vs. song writing
23. Muhammad Ali or Tyson in their prime, who would have won?
24. Aspen or the Swiss Alps?
25. Monogamy or polygamy?
26. Cats vs. Dogs vs. Kids
27. Red wine or white wine?
28. Drinking on a weekend or during the week?
29. Double glazing or triple glazing?
30. Smoking pipes or smoking cigs
31. Nature or progress
32. Village or city
33. Quiet cats or loud dogs
34. Is a bed bug like a dust mite?
35. Too much calcium vs. too little
36. Can you tell real leather from faux leather?
37. Real diamonds vs. Cubic Zirconia
38. Which toothbrush makes teeth last longer?
39. Having money vs. having love
40. The best hotels in Vegas
41. Car vs. Bike
42. Fast food vs. ready meals
43. The weight of celebrities vs. their popularity
44. Carbon offsetting or energy saving?
45. Religious belief vs. the uncertainty of death
46. Real butter vs. fake butter
47. Gun control vs. harsher punishments for misuse
48. Selective breeding or natural selection
49. Good times or a longer life?
50. Openness or lies when it comes to getting a job.