Compare and contrast essays are a foundational element of education, and for good reason. Educators value them for their straightforward teachability and their accessibility for students to grasp and structure. More importantly, delving into comparisons cultivates essential critical thinking skills applicable far beyond the classroom. These essays encourage analytical thought as students explore the nuances between different subjects, ideas, or objects.
One effective brainstorming technique to kickstart the compare and contrast essay process involves using a Venn diagram. This visual tool neatly organizes similarities and differences, placing common traits in the overlapping section and unique characteristics in the separate circles.
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To assist educators and students in finding compelling subjects, we’ve compiled an extensive list of over 101 “Things To Compare” suitable for essays. This collection spans academic topics to more lighthearted and engaging options, designed to spark interest and make the writing process enjoyable.
- Apple vs. Microsoft
- Coke vs. Pepsi
- Renaissance Art vs. Baroque Art
- Antebellum Era vs. Reconstruction Era in American History
- Childhood vs. Adulthood
- Star Wars vs. Star Trek
- Biology vs. Chemistry
- Astrology vs. Astronomy
- American Government vs. British Government (or any world government)
- Fruits vs. Vegetables
- Dogs vs. Cats
- Ego vs. Superego
- Christianity vs. Judaism (or any world religion)
- Republican vs. Democrat
- Monarchy vs. Presidency
- US President vs. UK Prime Minister
- Jazz vs. Classical Music
- Red vs. White (or any two colors)
- Soccer vs. Football
- North vs. South Before the Civil War
- New England Colonies vs. Middle Colonies OR vs. Southern Colonies
- Cash vs. Credit Cards
- Sam vs. Frodo Baggins
- Gandalf vs. Dumbledore
- Fred vs. Shaggy
- Rap vs. Pop
- Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution
- Henry VIII vs. King Louis XIV
- Stocks vs. Bonds
- Monopolies vs. Oligopolies
- Communism vs. Capitalism
- Socialism vs. Capitalism
- Diesel vs. Petroleum
- Nuclear Power vs. Solar Power
- Saltwater Fish vs. Freshwater Fish
- Squids vs. Octopus
- Mammals vs. Reptiles
- Baleen vs. Toothed Whales
- Seals vs. Sea Lions
- Crocodiles vs. Alligators
- Bats vs. Birds
- Oven vs. Microwave
- Greek vs. Roman Mythology
- Chinese vs. Japanese
- Comedy vs. Drama
- Renting vs. Owning
- Mozart vs. Beethoven
- Online vs. Traditional Education
- North Pole vs. South Pole
- Watercolor vs. Oil
- 1984 vs. Fahrenheit 451
- Emily Dickinson vs. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- W.E.B. DuBois vs. Booker T. Washington
- Strawberries vs. Apples
- Airplanes vs. Helicopters
- Hitler vs. Napoleon
- Roman Empire vs. British Empire
- Paper vs. Plastic
- Italy vs. Spain
- Baseball vs. Cricket
- Jefferson vs. Adams
- Thoroughbreds vs. Clydesdales
- Spiders vs. Scorpions
- Northern Hemisphere vs. Southern Hemisphere
- Hobbes vs. Locke
- Friends vs. Family
- Dried Fruit vs. Fresh
- Porcelain vs. Glass
- Modern Dance vs. Ballroom Dancing
- American Idol vs. The Voice
- Reality TV vs. Sitcoms
- Picard vs. Kirk
- Books vs. Movies
- Magazines vs. Comic Books
- Antique vs. New
- Public vs. Private Transportation
- Email vs. Letters
- Facebook vs. Twitter
- Coffee vs. an Energy Drink
- Toads vs. Frogs
- Profit vs. Non-Profit
- Boys vs. Girls
- Birds vs. Dinosaurs
- High School vs. College
- Chamberlain vs. Churchill
- Offense vs. Defense
- Jordan vs. Bryant
- Harry vs. Draco
- Roses vs. Carnations
- Poetry vs. Prose
- Fiction vs. Nonfiction
- Lions vs. Tigers
- Vampires vs. Werewolves
- Lollipops vs. popsicles
- Summer vs. Winter
- Recycling vs. Landfill
- Motorcycle vs. Bicycle
- Halogen vs. Incandescent
- Newton vs. Einstein
- Vacation vs. Staycation
- Rock vs. Scissors
This diverse compilation of “things to compare” offers a wealth of options to inspire thoughtful essays. Whether exploring academic contrasts or more whimsical comparisons, these topics are designed to facilitate skill development and make learning engaging.
