Characteristics unique to each subject are written in the non-overlapping parts of the circle, while any similar characteristics are listed in the overlapping part. Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. English Vocabulary Activities, Return to Examples of Venn diagrams used for planning an essay are available online. The paragraphs in this type of essay can be organized by subject. After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, Compare & Contrast Essay: Definition, Topics & Examples, How to Compare & Contrast Ideas in a Reading Selection, Compare & Contrast Lesson for Kids: Definition & Examples, How to Compare and Contrast Elements of a Passage, Exemplification Essay: Definition & Examples, Interpreting Graphics in Expository Texts, Comparing & Contrasting Characters, Settings & Events: Lesson for Kids, Comparison Essays: Block & Point-by-Point Methods, How to Identify the Problem and Solution in a Reading Selection, How to Interpret Generalizations of a Passage, Determining the Sequence of Events or Steps in a Reading Selection, Using Affixes and Roots to Find the Meaning of Words, Informational Text: Editorials, Articles, Speeches & More, How to Arrange Ideas in a Reading Selection in an Outline, Using Graphic Organizers for Reading Comprehension, 9th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, FTCE Middle Grades English 5-9 (014): Test Practice & Study Guide, NES English Language Arts (301): Practice & Study Guide, AP English Language Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, AP English Language: Homeschool Curriculum, 11th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, 10th Grade English: Homework Help Resource. If you're thinking about online classes vs. campus-based classes, what do you know about both of them already? Then, a list would be made of what is true about just city life. Study.com has thousands of articles about every Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. List all the qualities of each in each of the two circles, with the qualities they have in common in the center area where the circles overlap. There wouldn't be any quick comparisons between the two within the same paragraph. Each circle represents one subject. Once your Venn diagram is full, you can start to decide on your thesis statement. It is common to be assigned to write essays in all areas of study, not just when taking a composition course. 'Compare and contrast' is often used as a development strategy for essay assignments, but it's a helpful strategy for any important decisions you have to make. Try free-writing or creating lists, one for similarities and another for differences. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. After you've completed the brainstorming process, you should have enough information about your topic to create a thesis statement. Once there is a good bank of notes, highlight anything similar in both columns. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. Return It can be effective to use very specific examples, questions, and citations to make a point. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The final paragraph of the essay should be a concluding paragraph, where the writer should find a way to summarize or restate the thesis statement and end the essay with a few strong statements.