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The Irish playwright Denis Johnston once claimed that all stories are based on the same eight plots. If his theory is true, filmmakers often create dramatically different films out of similar plots, whether they work from identical source material or original screenplays. Film essays often compare and contrast two films in terms of visuals, dialogue and character interaction, examining the extent to which these elements impact plot and theme.

Brainstorm in Circles

A Venn diagram, which consists of two overlapping circles, is ideal for brainstorming before writing your essay. Name each circle after a film, and then write their similarities in the overlapped portions and their differences in the outer portion of the circles. For example, the films "Inception" and "Paprika" both deal with the idea of invading and changing a dream world. While brainstorming, you might write "dream sequences" in the overlapping portion, then write "animated, bright colors" under "Paprika" and "CGI, dull palette" under "Inception."

Focus on Relevance

Narrow your brainstorming session to three related yet distinct topics. Categorize them according to essential film elements like plot (the events of the film), cinematography (the visual elements of the film), character (including personality traits and portrayal), diegesis (the world of the film) and theme (the overall message of the film). Reduce the selection down to three interrelated points. Using "Paprika" and "Inception" as an example again, you might compare and contrast the visual styles of the cinematography, the diegesis behind corporate dreams and the characters' approach to love.

Depending on which topics you decided to cover and the length of the essay, you may approach organizing the body in two ways. In the first method, you'd discuss the films separately, according to the three points. In the second method, each of the three points could be analyzed in order, addressing the similarities and differences between the films on each point. When transitioning to a new topic, indicate its relevance to prior discussion. Analyze the ways in which the three topics reflect or impact the respective themes of the films, emphasizing similarities and differences when appropriate.

Thesis and Conclusion

Often, the writing process can help you to modify or refine your central argument. For this reason, writing the introductory and concluding paragraphs can sometimes be easier after you have written the body. The introduction should grab the reader's attention, summarize your argument and offer a thesis statement, a sentence that highlights your main points and their significance. For example, "In creating chaotic worlds of corporate dream invasion, both 'Paprika' and 'Inception' examine potential threats that modern career concerns may pose to mental health and human connectivity." The conclusion should summarize the body of the essay and paraphrase the thesis with a sense of finality and authority.

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Comparing and Contrasting
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Since 2003, Momi Awana's writing has been featured in "The Hawaii Independent," "Tradewinds" and "Eternal Portraits." She served as a communications specialist at the Hawaii State Legislature and currently teaches writing classes at her library. Awana holds a Master of Arts in English from University of Hawaii, Mānoa.

What Are the Essential Parts of a College Essay?

How to write comparative essays in literature, compare & contrast essay structure, organizing principles for writing an essay, what are the similarities of persuasive and narrative essays, how to write an essay based on a film and an article, teaching kids how to write an introductory paragraph, how to write the intro paragraph of a literary elements essay, differences in narrative vs. exposition in a story, most popular.

• 1 What Are the Essential Parts of a College Essay?
• 2 How to Write Comparative Essays in Literature
• 3 Compare & Contrast Essay Structure
• 4 Organizing Principles for Writing an Essay

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55 Writing about the Novel: Film Comparison

You began the process of writing your literary comparison paper in the Introduction to the Novel chapter by choosing an essay, reading it carefully, and writing a personal response. In this chapter, we will move through the remaining steps of writing your paper.

Step 3: Choose a Film for Comparison

The key to a good comparison essay is to choose two subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison is not to state the obvious, but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities.

When writing a film comparison paper, the point is to make an argument that will make your audience think about your topic in a new and interesting way. You might explore how the novel and the film present the theme…or how the novel and the film explore the identity of a main character…or…the options are limitless. Here’s a quick video giving you a little overview of what a film vs novel comparison might look like:

To this end, your next goal is to choose a film adaptation of your novel. Some novels may only have one, but some have many that have been created over the last 100 years! Your adaptation could be a feature film, a YouTube short, or an indie film. Choose one that allows you to make an interesting point about the portrayal of the theme of the novel and the film.

Step 4: Research

Once you’ve chosen a second piece, it’s time to enter into the academic conversation to see what others are saying about the authors and the pieces you’ve chosen.

Regardless of the focus of your essay, discovering more about the author of the text you’ve chosen can add to your understanding of the text and add depth to your argument. Author pages are located in the Literature Online ProQuest database. Here, you can find information about an author and his/her work, along with a list of recent articles written about the author. This is a wonderful starting point for your research.

The next step is to attempt to locate articles about the text and the film themselves. For novels, it’s important to narrow down your database choices to the Literature category. For essays, you might have better luck searching the whole ProQuest library with the ProQuest Research Library Article Databases or databases like Flipster that include publications like newspapers and magazines.

Finally, you might look for articles pertinent to an issue discussed in the novel. For example, The Grapes of Wrath is about the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, but it also contains an environmental theme. Depending on what aspect you want to highlight in your comparison, you might look for articles about the Great Depression or about farming and the environment.

Remember, it is helpful to keep a Research Journal to track your research. Your journal should include, at a minimum, the correct MLA citation of the source, a brief summary of the article, and any quotes that stick out to you. A note about how you think the article adds to your understanding of the topic or might contribute to your project is a good addition, as well.

Step 5: Thesis & Outline

Similar to other academic essays, the film comparison essay starts with a thesis that clearly introduces the two subjects that are to be compared and the reason for doing so.

This video highlights some of the key differences between novels and films:

Begin by deciding on your basis for comparison. The basis of comparison could include items like a similar theme, differences in the focus of the piece, or the way both pieces represent an important issue.

This article gives some helpful advice on choosing a topic.

Once you’ve decided on the basis of comparison, you should focus on the points of comparison between the two pieces. For example, if you are focusing on how the literary elements and the cinematic elements used impact the message, you might make a table of each of these elements. Then, you’d find examples of each element from each piece. Remember, a comparison includes both similarities and differences.

By putting together your basis of comparison and your points of comparison, you’ll have a thesis that both makes an argument and gives readers a map of your essay.

A good thesis should be:

• Statement of Fact: “The novel and the film of Pride and Prejudice are similar in many ways.”
• Arguable: “The film version of Pride and Prejudice changes key moments in the text that alter the portrayal of the theme.”
• Personal Opinion: “‘The novel is definitely better than the movie.”
• Provable by the Texts: “Both the novel and the film focus on the importance of identity.”
• Obvious: “The movie provides a modern take on the novel.”
• Surprising: “Though the movie stays true to the original themes of the novel, the modern version may lead viewers to believe that the characters in the book held different values than are portrayed in the novel.”
• General: “Both the novel and the film highlight the plight of women.”
• Specific: “The novel and the film highlight the plight of women by focusing on specific experiences of the protagonist. “

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience. You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

• Block: Organize topics according to the subjects themselves, discussing the novel and then the film.
• Woven: Organize according to individual points, discussing both the novel and the film point by point.

Exercises: Create a Thesis and Outline

You’ll want to start by identifying the theme of both pieces and deciding how you want to tie them together. Then, you’ll want to think through the points of similarity and difference in the two pieces.

In two columns, write down the points that are similar and those that are different. Make sure to jot down quotes from the two pieces that illustrate these ideas.

Following the tips in this section, create a thesis and outline for your novel/film comparison paper.

Here’s a sample thesis and outline:

Step 6: Drafting Tips

Once you have a solid thesis and outline, it’s time to start drafting your essay. As in any academic essay, you’ll begin with an introduction. The introduction should include a hook that connects your readers to your topic. Then, you should introduce the topic. In this case, you will want to include the authors and title of the novel and the director and title of the film. Finally, your introduction should include your thesis. Remember, your thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction.

In a film comparison essay, you may want to follow your introduction with background on both pieces. Assume that your readers have at least heard of either the novel or the film, but that they might not have read the novel or watched the film–or both–…or maybe it’s been awhile. For example, if you were writing about Pride and Prejudice , you might include a brief introduction to Austen and her novel and an introduction to the version of the film you’ve chosen. The background section should be no more than two short paragraphs.

In the body of the paper, you’ll want to focus on supporting your argument. Regardless of the organizational scheme you choose, you’ll want to begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. This should be followed by the use of quotes from your two texts in support of your point. Remember to use the quote formula–always introduce and explain each quote and the relationship to your point! It’s very important that you address both literary pieces equally, balancing your argument. Finally, each paragraph should end with a wrap up sentence that tells readers the significance of the paragraph.

Here are some transition words that are helpful in tying points together:

Finally, your paper will end with a conclusion that brings home your argument and helps readers to understand the importance/significance of your essay.

In this video, an instructor explains step by step how to write an essay comparing two films. Though you will be writing about a novel and a film, rather than two films, the same information applies.

Here’s another instructor explaining how to write a comparison essay about two poems. Note the similarities between the two videos.

Here’s a sample paper:

Attributions:

• Content created by Dr. Karen Palmer. Licensed under CC BY NC SA .
• Content adapted from “Comparison and Contrast” from the book Successful Writing licensed CC BY NC SA .

The Worry Free Writer Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Karen Palmer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write an Essay Comparing Two Movies

You may think that writing an essay comparing two movies is a difficult task, but it is not. If you follow the guide given by the Irish playwright Denis Johnston you will find it easier to write your essay in a perfect way . The famous Irish playwright stated that “all stories are based on the same eight plots.” With that statement in mind, you will be able to write your comparative essay outline   on  ‘How to Write an Essay Comparing Two Movies.’ Alternatively, even if you are unable to write an essay by yourself, you can always buy essay online via one of the various services available on the Internet.

          According to essay writing experts on  how to  start a comparative essay and improve academic writing , filmmakers have common things which they look for when they are making movies. In your essay, you are required to focus on what filmmakers focus on. For instance, how issues like, visuals, dialogue and how characters interact in the movies play important roles.

          Those are some of the important issues you have to take into account when you are writing your comparative essay on movies. That will help you compare and contrast the movies you are writing about.

Another important factor to have in mind is to make sure you remember that you are writing about how to write an essay comparing two movies. It’s easy to forget and write about the movies instead of focusing on the topic of your essay. In short, make sure that your writing is based on writing how to write an essay about movies and not writing about essay movies.

          Below are three important areas that movie makers focus on when they are making movies. These areas will help you identify the most important parts of the movie-making process so that you can write your essay with the right information. They are visual effects, dialogue, and characterization.

Visual Effects

          Wikipedia defines  visual effects as “the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of  a live action  shot in film making.” in other words; visual effects are that imagery created once the movie has been shot.

          Visual effects are added later because they cannot be integrated while the movie is being shot. With the help of computer software, this is made possible during when the movie or film is being edited. These effects help enhance the quality of the movie and make them attractive and explain the impression the movie makers want to portray.

Some of the visual effects added are like color, light, shapes etc. These things are added to make the movie produce certain effects. This is the work of movie editors who do this work after the movie has been recorded.

          Dialogue is a conversation between two parties or more. In movies, we see and hear characters dialogue on various issues.  Through dialogue agreement or settlement can be reached in an amicable way.

  When two people or more are having a conversation in a movie there is something they want to accomplish with their exchange. This dialogue helps the viewer to listen and understand what is being conveyed. The exchange of ideas opinions on issues, whether political, social, financial, or social communicate meaning and purpose of the movie. Through these dialogues, it becomes easier to follow the story of the movie.  

          Therefore, in writing your essay, remember to compare and contrast the two movies through the movie dialogues that are taking place in both movies. This will show how movie makers manipulate movies to make them look different and have different results.

          Another important factor in your essay writing on comparing and contrasting two movies is how characters are playing their roles in the chosen movies. A character in a movie is an actor who plays a role that is either fictional or real. The story may be fictional or based or a real story.

          There are movies where there is a main character who the movie is focused on as the main character. He or she normally has an opposing character that often plays the devil’s advocate. And there are many other characters that play major or minor roles but make up the story which is being conveyed in the movie.

          Once you are able to state the main components on what movie makers focus on it will make your work easier. You can now go ahead and make an outline of your essay . Write the introduction to the body and conclusion. I

Essay introductions require that you state briefly what you want to write about. In the body, present argument according to the thesis of the story. Conclusions for compare and contrast essays require that you recapture the whole story in brief, stating the main points of your essay and sum it up.

          How to write an essay about a movie   may look like a difficult task but you can simplify your work by knowing how filmmakers approach their work and what things they focus on. Things like the plot of the story, the visuals used in a movie, and how characters interact with each other will guide you on what to focus on. Make an outline of your essay before you can start and then write the introduction body and conclusion. Comparing writing is a good way to learn from others but make sure you do not copy other people’s works. While writing your essay give credit to the people you quote from and make your copy original.

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How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips

A film analysis essay might be the most exciting assignment you have ever had! After all, who doesn’t love watching movies? You have your favorite movies, maybe something you watched years ago, perhaps a classic, or a documentary. Or your professor might assign a film for you to make a critical review. Regardless, you are totally up for watching a movie for a film analysis essay.

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However, once you have watched the movie, facing the act of writing might knock the wind out of your sails because you might be wondering how to write a film analysis essay. In summary, writing movie analysis is not as difficult as it might seem, and Custom-writing.org experts will prove this. This guide will help you choose a topic for your movie analysis, make an outline, and write the text.️ Film analysis examples are added as a bonus! Just keep reading our advice on how to get started.

❓ What Is a Film Analysis Essay?

• 🚦 Film Analysis Types

📽️ Movie Analysis Format

✍️ how to write a film analysis, 🎦 film analysis template, 🎬 film analysis essay topics.

• 📄 Essay Examples

🔗 References

To put it simply, film analysis implies watching a movie and then considering its characteristics : genre, structure, contextual context, etc. Film analysis is usually considered to be a form of rhetorical analysis . The key to success here is to formulate a clear and logical argument, supporting it with examples.

🚦 Film Analysis Essay Types

Since a film analysis essay resembles literature analysis, it makes sense that there are several ways to do it. Its types are not limited to the ones described here. Moreover, you are free to combine the approaches in your essay as well. Since your writing reflects your own opinion, there is no universal way to do it.

• Semiotic analysis . If you’re using this approach, you are expected to interpret the film’s symbolism. You should look for any signs that may have a hidden meaning. Often, they reveal some character’s features. To make the task more manageable, you can try to find the objects or concepts that appear on the screen multiple times. What is the context they appear in? It might lead you to the hidden meaning of the symbols.
• Narrative structure analysis . This type is quite similar to a typical literature guide. It includes looking into the film’s themes, plot, and motives. The analysis aims to identify three main elements: setup, confrontation, and resolution. You should find out whether the film follows this structure and what effect it creates. It will make the narrative structure analysis essay if you write about the theme and characters’ motivations as well.
• Contextual analysis . Here, you would need to expand your perspective. Instead of focusing on inner elements, the contextual analysis looks at the time and place of the film’s creation. Therefore, you should work on studying the cultural context a lot. It can also be a good idea to mention the main socio-political issues of the time. You can even relate the film’s success to the director or producer and their career.
• Mise-en-scene analysis . This type of analysis works with the most distinctive feature of the movies, audiovisual elements. However, don’t forget that your task is not only to identify them but also to explain their importance. There are so many interconnected pieces of this puzzle: the light to create the mood, the props to show off characters’ personalities, messages hidden in the song lyrics.

To write an effective film analysis essay, it is important to follow specific format requirements that include the following:

• Standard essay structure. Just as with any essay, your analysis should consist of an introduction with a strong thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The main body usually includes a summary and an analysis of the movie’s elements.
• Present tense for events in the film. Use the present tense when describing everything that happens in the movie. This way, you can make smooth transitions between describing action and dialogue. It will also improve the overall narrative flow.
• Proper formatting of the film’s title. Don’t enclose the movie’s title in quotation marks; instead, italicize it. In addition, use the title case : that is, capitalize all major words.
• Proper use of the characters’ names. When you mention a film character for the first time, name the actor portraying them. After that, it is enough to write only the character’s name.
• In-text citations. Use in-text citations when describing certain scenes or shots from the movie. Format them according to your chosen citation style. If you use direct quotes, include the time-stamp range instead of page numbers. Here’s how it looks in the MLA format: (Smith 0:11:24–0:12:35).

Even though film analysis is similar to the literary one, you might still feel confused with where to begin. No need to worry; there are only a few additional steps you need to consider during the writing process.

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Need more information? It can be found in the video below.

Starting Your Film Analysis Essay

There are several things you need to do before you start writing your film analysis paper. First and foremost, you have to watch the movie. Even if you have seen it a hundred times, you need to watch it again to make a good film analysis essay.

Note that you might be given an essay topic or have to think of it by yourself. If you are free to choose a topic for your film analysis essay, reading some critical reviews before you watch the film might be a good idea. By doing this in advance, you will already know what to look for when watching the movie.

In the process of watching, keep the following tips in mind:

• Consider your impression of the movie
• Enumerate memorable details
• Try to interpret the movie message in your way
• Search for the proof of your ideas (quotes from the film)
• Make comments on the plot, settings, and characters
• Draw parallels between the movie you are reviewing and some other movies

Making a Film Analysis Essay Outline

Once you have watched and possibly re-watched your assigned or chosen movie from an analytical point of view, you will need to create a movie analysis essay outline . The task is pretty straightforward: the outline can look just as if you were working on a literary analysis or an article analysis.

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• Introduction : This includes the basics of the movie, including the title, director, and the date of release. You should also present the central theme or ideas in the movie and your thesis statement .
• Summary : This is where you take the time to present an overview of the primary concepts in the movie, including the five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why)—don’t forget how!—as well as anything you wish to discuss that relates to the point of view, style, and structure.
• Analysis : This is the body of the essay and includes your critical analysis of the movie, why you did or did not like it, and any supporting material from the film to support your views. It would help if you also discussed whether the director and writer of the movie achieved the goal they set out to achieve.
• Conclusion: This is where you can state your thesis again and provide a summary of the primary concepts in a new and more convincing manner, making a case for your analysis. You can also include a call-to-action that will invite the reader to watch the movie or avoid it entirely.

You can find a great critical analysis template at Thompson Rivers University website. In case you need more guidance on how to write an analytical paper, check out our article .

Writing & Editing Your Film Analysis Essay

We have already mentioned that there are differences between literary analysis and film analysis. They become especially important when one starts writing their film analysis essay.

First of all, the evidence you include to support the arguments is not the same. Instead of quoting the text, you might need to describe the audiovisual elements.

However, the practice of describing the events is similar in both types. You should always introduce a particular sequence in the present tense. If you want to use a piece of a dialogue between more than two film characters, you can use block quotes. However, since there are different ways to do it, confirm with your supervisor.

For your convenience, you might as well use the format of the script, for which you don’t have to use quotation marks:

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ELSA: But she won’t remember I have powers?

KING: It’s for the best.

Finally, to show off your proficiency in the subject, look at the big picture. Instead of just presenting the main elements in your analysis, point out their significance. Describe the effect they make on the overall impression form the film. Moreover, you can dig deeper and suggest the reasons why such elements were used in a particular scene to show your expertise.

Stuck writing a film analysis essay? Worry not! Use our template to structure your movie analysis properly.

Introduction

• The title of the film is… [title]
• The director is… [director’s name] He/she is known for… [movies, style, etc.]
• The movie was released on… [release date]
• The themes of the movie are… [state the film’s central ideas]
• The film was made because… [state the reasons]
• The movie is… because… [your thesis statement].
• The main characters are… [characters’ names]
• The events take place in… [location]
• The movie is set in… [time period]
• The movie is about… [state what happens in the film and why]
• The movie left a… [bad, unforgettable, lasting, etc.] impression in me.
• The script has… [a logical sequence of events, interesting scenes, strong dialogues, character development, etc.]
• The actors portray their characters… [convincingly, with intensity, with varying degree of success, in a manner that feels unnatural, etc.]
• The soundtrack is [distracting, fitting, memorable, etc.]
• Visual elements such as… [costumes, special effects, etc.] make the film [impressive, more authentic, atmospheric, etc.]
• The film succeeds/doesn’t succeed in engaging the target audience because it… [tells a compelling story, features strong performances, is relevant, lacks focus, is unauthentic, etc.]
• Cultural and societal aspects make the film… [thought-provoking, relevant, insightful, problematic, polarizing, etc.]
• The director and writer achieved their goal because… [state the reasons]
• Overall, the film is… [state your opinion]
• I would/wouldn’t recommend watching the movie because… [state the reasons]
• Analysis of the film Inception by Christopher Nolan .
• Examine the rhetoric in the film The Red Balloon .
• Analyze the visual effects of Zhang Yimou’s movie Hero .
• Basic concepts of the film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan.
• The characteristic features of Federico Fellini’s movies.
• Analysis of the movie The Joker .
• The depiction of ethical issues in Damaged Care .
• Analyze the plot of the film Moneyball .
• Explore the persuasive techniques used in Henry V .
• Analyze the movie Killing Kennedy .
• Discuss the themes of the film Secret Window .
• Describe the role of audio and video effects in conveying the message of the documentary Life in Renaissance .
• Compare and analyze the films Midnight Cowboy and McCabe and Mrs. Miller .
• Analysis of the movie Rear Window .
• The message behind the film Split .
• Analyze the techniques used by Tim Burton in his movie Sleepy Hollow .
• The topic of children’s abuse and importance of trust in Joseph Sargent’s Sybil .
• Examine the themes and motives of the film Return to Paradise by Joseph Ruben .
• The issues of gender and traditions in the drama The Whale Rider.
• Analysis of the film Not Easily Broken by Duke Bill.
• The symbolism in R. Scott’s movie Thelma and Louise .
• The meaning of audiovisual effects in Citizen Kane .
• Analyze the main characters of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo .
• Discuss the historical accuracy of the documentary The Civil War .
• Analysis of the movie Through a Glass Darkly .
• Explore the core idea of the comedy Get Out .
• The problem of artificial intelligence and human nature in Ex Machina .
• Three principles of suspense used in the drama The Fugitive .
• Examine the ideas Michael Bay promotes in Armageddon .
• Analyze the visual techniques used in Tenet by Christopher Nolan.
• Analysis of the movie The Green Mile .
• Discrimination and exclusion in the film The Higher Learning .
• The hidden meaning of the scenes in Blade Runner .
• Compare the social messages of the films West Side Story and Romeo + Juliet .
• Highlighting the problem of children’s mental health in the documentary Kids in Crisis .
• Discuss the ways Paul Haggis establishes the issue of racial biases in his movie Crash .
• Analyze the problem of moral choice in the film Gone Baby Gone .
• Analysis of the historical film Hacksaw Ridge .
• Explore the main themes of the film Mean Girls by Mark Walters .
• The importance of communication in the movie Juno .
• Describe the techniques the authors use to highlight the problems of society in Queen and Slim .
• Examine the significance of visual scenes in My Family/ Mi Familia .
• Analysis of the thriller Salt by Phillip Noyce.
• Analyze the message of Greg Berlanti’s film Love, Simon .
• Interpret the symbols of the film The Wizard of Oz (1939).
• Discuss the modern issues depicted in the film The Corporation .
• Moral lessons of Edward Zwick’s Blood Diamond .
• Analysis of the documentary Solitary Nation .
• Describe the audiovisual elements of the film Pride and Prejudice (2005) .
• The problem of toxic relationships in Malcolm and Marie .

📄 Film Analysis Examples

Below you’ll find two film analysis essay examples. Note that the full versions are downloadable for free!

Film Analysis Example #1: The Intouchables

Raising acute social problems in modern cinema is a common approach to draw the public’s attention to the specific issues and challenges of people facing crucial obstacles. As a film for review, The Intouchables by Oliver Nakache and Éric Toledano will be analyzed, and one of the themes raised in this movie is the daily struggle of the person with severe disabilities. This movie is a biographical drama with comedy elements. The Intouchables describes the routine life of a French millionaire who is confined to a wheelchair and forced to receive help from his servants. The acquaintance of the disabled person with a young and daring man from Parisian slums changes the lives of both radically. The film shows that for a person with disabilities, recognition as a full member of society is more important than sympathy and compassion, and this message expressed comically raises an essential problem of human loneliness.

Movie Analysis Example #2: Parasite

Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller movie directed by Bong Joon-ho and is the first film with a non-English script to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020. With its overwhelming plot and acting, this motion picture retains a long-lasting effect and some kind of shock. The class serves as a backbone and a primary objective of social commentary within the South Korean comedy/thriller (Kench, 2020). Every single element and detail in the movie, including the student’s stone, the contrasting architecture, family names, and characters’ behavior, contribute to the central topic of the universal problem of classism and wealth disparity. The 2020 Oscar-winning movie Parasite (2019) is a phenomenal cinematic portrayal and a critical message to modern society regarding the severe outcomes of the long-established inequalities within capitalism.

Want more examples? Check out this bonus list of 10 film analysis samples. They will help you gain even more inspiration.

• “Miss Representation” Documentary Film Analysis
• “The Patriot”: Historical Film Analysis
• “The Morning Guy” Film Analysis
• 2012′ by Roland Emmerich Film Analysis
• “The Crucible” (1996) Film Analysis
• The Aviator’ by Martin Scorsese Film Analysis
• The “Lions for Lambs” Film Analysis
• Bill Monroe – Father of Bluegrass Music Film Analysis
• Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Harry Potter’ Film Analysis
• Red Tails by George Lucas Film Analysis

Film Analysis Essay FAQ

• Watch the movie or read a detailed plot summary.
• Read others’ film reviews paying attention to details like key characters, movie scenes, background facts.
• Compose a list of ideas about what you’ve learned.
• Organize the selected ideas to create a body of the essay.
• Write an appropriate introduction and conclusion.

The benefits of analyzing a movie are numerous . You get a deeper understanding of the plot and its subtle aspects. You can also get emotional and aesthetic satisfaction. Film analysis enables one to feel like a movie connoisseur.

Here is a possible step by step scenario:

• Think about the general idea that the author probably wanted to convey.
• Consider how the idea was put across: what characters, movie scenes, and details helped in it.
• Study the broader context: the author’s other works, genre essentials, etc.

The definition might be: the process of interpreting a movie’s aspects. The movie is reviewed in terms of details creating the artistic value. A film analysis essay is a paper presenting such a review in a logically structured way.

• Film Analysis – UNC Writing Center
• Film Writing: Sample Analysis // Purdue Writing Lab
• Yale Film Analysis – Yale University
• Film Terms And Topics For Film Analysis And Writing
• Questions for Film Analysis (Washington University)
• Resources on Film Analysis – Cinema Studies (University of Toronto)
• Does Film Analysis Take the Magic out of Movies?
• Film Analysis Research Papers – Academia.edu
• What’s In a Film Analysis Essay? Medium
• Analysis of Film – SAGE Research Methods
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Have you ever read a review and asked yourself how the critic arrived at a different interpretation for the film? You are sure that you saw the same movie, but you interpreted it differently. Most moviegoers go to the cinema for pleasure and entertainment. There’s a reason why blockbuster movies attract moviegoers – cinema is a form of escape, a way to momentarily walk away from life’s troubles.

It’s an interesting point of view. Thank you for your opinion, Sourav!

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• Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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Table of contents

When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

• Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
• Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

• Point of comparison A
• Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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105 Movies Comparison Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on movies comparison, ✍️ movies comparison essay topics for college, 👍 good movies comparison research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot movies comparison ideas to write about, 🎓 most interesting movies comparison research titles, 💡 simple movies comparison essay ideas.

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• “Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban”: Book and Movie Comparison Both the book “Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban” and its film adaptation share the same character set. The lead character is the hero Harry Potter, a famous wizard.
• Comparison of “Metropolis” and “Modern Times” Movies The work will be devoted to comparing two masterpieces: Metropolis (1927) and Modern Times (1936) and their analysis on the example of some criteria.
• The Public Enemy and The Godfather Films Analysis This article compares two films (The Public Enemy by William A. Wellman and The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola) by analyzing the common themes and stylistic devices used.
• “Odyssey” and “Troy”: Compare and Contrast The content in the Odyssey may look medieval accounting for what has been portrayed in Troy; however, the latter has formed a basis for evident vengeance in politics.
• Iron Man and The Avengers: Films Comparison The Avengers, which was released in 2012, brought Iron Man together with other superhero characters to facilitate the collaboration of individuals.
• Films Comparison: “Psycho” by Gus Van Sant and Hitchcock The film of Gus Van Sant`s Psycho in 1998 put out of temper practically everybody who has seen this movie. In Hitchcock`s Psycho the violence is also present, but not in the contemporary scope.
• Comparing and Contrasting “Casablanca” and “Bicycle Thieves” The essay compare and contrast two movies: Casablanca by Michael Curtiz and Bicycle Thieves by Vittorio De Sica with various features.
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• “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Bladerunner”: Comparison The Shawshank Redemption is an adaptation based upon a story by Steven King. Bladerunner is a futuristic adaptation of Phillp K. Dick’s story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
• “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” Films The creation, development, and effects of “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice” on people are impressive. Both are strong examples of visualization of Austen’s work.
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• Shakespeare’s & Zeffirelli’s “Taming” and “Romeo & Juliet” Two films directed by Franco Zeffirelli: “The Taming of the Shrew” (1967) and “Romeo and Juliet” (1968) are based on William Shakespeare’s same name works.
• “Girl, Interrupted” and “The Age of Adaline” Films The films that will be subjected to analysis of communication are 1999 Girl, Interrupted filmed by Mangold, and 2015 The Age of Adaline directed by Krieger.
• Portrayal of African Americans in the Movies This paper discusses the changing portrayal of African Americans in 1930-1960s films with reference to Negro Soldier, Gone with the Wind, and Double Indemnity.
• Maurice by E.M. Forster Novel and Film Adaptation Comparative Analysis The analysis of one scene from the book “Maurice” by E.M. Forster and the same scene from the screen version of the novel by J.Ivory to show the quality of the screen version.
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• Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” Book and Movie Comparison “The Great Gatsby” can be called a faithful interpretation, however, it still has some personal analysis of the director.
• “The Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Hurt Locker” Films The paper compares two films – “The Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Hurt Locker” from the perspective of geographical concepts (space, time, place, scale, etc.).
• “Seven Samurai” and “The Magnificent Seven” Movies “Seven Samurai” by Akira Kurosawa and “The Magnificent Seven” by John Sturges are considered with the number seven as an optimal quantity for feeling protected.
• South Africa Spotlight in Neill Blomkamp’s Movies Although Blomkamp’s movies were relatively successful with regard to their box offices, the critics’ attention was also drawn to the depiction of Africans and Bantu Immigrants.
• Films: Dr. Strangelove and The Russians Are Coming Stanley Kubrick in his movie Dr. Strangelove and Norman Jewison in his movie The Russians Are Coming used comedy genre for expressing their criticism of the nuclear strategies.
• The “Birth of a Nation” and “Hallelujah” Films This paper explores the films “Birth of a Nation” by D. W. Griffith and “Hallelujah” by Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine in terms of their cultural elements and imagery.
• “Workers Leaving…,” “Metropolis,” “Trouble in Paradise,” “Rear Window” Films Comparing the “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory,” “Metropolis,” “Trouble in Paradise,” and “Rear Window,” the paper investigates how filmmakers use the tools.
• “Hotel Rwanda” and “Equilibrium” Films Similarities and Differences The films “Hotel Rwanda” and “Equilibrium” have one significant feature in common, showing that the world will never go into tatters till brave individuals live.
• Comparison of “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” and “Birdman” When comparing the themes of “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” and “Birdman”, viewers can note one difference the former provides a superhero story, while the latter is a parody.
• Polanski’s and Kurzel’s Film Adaptations of Macbeth This paper explores two well-known film adaptations of Macbeth, Polanski’s Macbeth and the modern remake of Macbeth, directed by Justin Kurzel.
• “Inextinguishable Fire” and “Cut Piece” The “Cut Piece” camerawork is more dynamic than in the “Inextinguishable Fire”. The camera is handheld, which accounts for the effect of the viewer’s presence in the movie.
• Review of “Hannibal” Movie and Comparison of Articles The first article criticizes the use of gore in horror media for its inability to impact the audience but the second article attempts to defend “Hannibal” against the criticism.
• Through the Thorns to True Self The current paper compares “The Little Mermaid”, written by Hans Christian Andersen, and “The Devil Wear Prada”, directed by David Frankel.
• Women Displayed in ‘She’ and ‘The Vagabond’ Films The films ‘She’ and ‘The vagabond’ by Robert Day and Agnes Vardas consecutively have a similar way in which they have displayed the women.
• Twelve Years a Slave, Isn’t It Romantic, Chef: Movies Comparison In my opinion, all three movies that I am going to discuss in this paper are more or less helpful for those people who want to learn about the U.S. culture.
• “Scarface” by B. Palma and “Traffic” by S. Soderbergh Analysis Analysis of Scarface and “Traffic” lead to long-term reflections on the interaction of man and the law, society, and power, and also create a brilliant visual series.
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• “After the Ball” and “Wedding Ringer Movies” Comparison These movies are good for relaxing and laughing at awkward and funny moments. Good romantic comedy should give lightness at heart and pleasant aftertaste, like a good chocolate.
• Racial Discrimination in Analyzed Movie and Book Movie industry and book creating are very common items, if to observe them in general terms. Films and books are aimed to entertain people.
• “Lives of Others” by Dreimann and Orwell’s “1984” The themes explored in both works are the manipulation of public opinion, government oversight, disillusion with the existing political system.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Book and Film Compared One flew over the cuckoo’s nest is a novel that was written in 1965 and adapted into stage plays and even a movie in the 1971.
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• Double Indemnity by Billy Wilder and The Spanish Prisoner by David Mamet: Films Comparison Two famous and fascinating films will be analysed – Double Indemnity by Billy Wilder and The Spanish Prisoner by David Mamet.
• Zombies in “Zombie 2” and “Diary of the Dead” Films Zombie 2 and Diary of the Dead utilize different tools to achieve the visual impact and convince the audience to believe what they see.
• International Relationships and Foreign Policy in American Movies Hotel Rwanda, The Terminal, and Argo are the movies where foreign policies and international relations of the U.S. are traced and explained to demonstrate the status of the country and its role in the global arena.
• “Why Him?” and “Bridget Jones’s Baby”: Comparison “Why Him?” and “Bridget Jones’s Baby” are American comedies that make people smile and believe that human life can be easy in case people try to develop appropriate and trustful relations.
• “Tulpan” and “A Town Called Panic” Movies Review This report reviews “Tulpan” and “A Town Called Panic” movies and examines what they are about, from an American perspective and a Muslim perspective.
• “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “About Time” Comparison “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “About Time” are certainly worth watching because they portray convincing characters and unexpected twists of the plot.
• “Aloha” and “Man Up” Romantic Comedies Both Aloha and Man Up are romantic comedies and have something in common. First of all, in both movies, we can see the depiction of people who fall in love unexpectedly.
• “The Mummy” and “Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari Comparison” The films “The Mummy” produced by Karl Freund and “Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari” are some of the earliest horror movies that based their plot on mysterious murders and the use of paranormal powers.
• “Double Happiness” and “Do the Right Thing” Film Analysis A primary goal of this essay is to compare and contrast the points about different attitudes towards diversities, which were presented in two movies, Double Happiness and Do the Right Thing.
• Buddhism & Pop Culture: The Comparison Between “The Matrix,” “Fight Club,” and Buddhists’ Beliefs
• Remake Rivalry: The Eye (2002) vs. The Eye (2006)
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• The Obsession of Success in “Whiplash” and “Black Swan”
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• Scary Movie vs. Not Another Teen Movie: A Comparison
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• The Battle of Magicians: “The Prestige” vs. “The Illusionist” Films
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• Latino Movies Comparison: “Born in East L.A.” and “El Norte”
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• Representations of Women in the Movies “The Color Purple” and “Monster”
• Movie Comparison: “Baby Boom” and “Three Men and a Baby”
• Polanski’s Film Comparison “Chinatown” and “Pianist”
• Comparison Between Novel and Movie Versions of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
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These essay examples and topics on Movies Comparison were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 27, 2023 .

Movie Comparison Essay

• December 23, 2022

Freedom Writers and The Breakfast Club Comparison

Movie Comparison Essay: Introduction

The movies that I selected from the movie list are Freedom Writers and The Breakfast Club. Firstly, these two movies are different from each other, and Freedom Writers includes more learning theories that I will be discussing in this paper. On the other hand, in The Breakfast Club, there are limited examples for discussing learning theories because the movie focuses on five different types of students, and their relationship with each other. More specifically, these students are learning to communicate with each other, and themselves because, during the punishment, their authorized teacher does try to teach them a lesson by giving them a writing assignment.

Body Paragraphs

In The Breakfast Club, constructivist learning theory is explicit because their teacher gives them punishment because of their action in the school. Also, the constructivist theory is clearly seen in The Breakfast Club because authorized teachers think that students will learn their lessons in their punishment, and according to this punishment, they will not do unwanted actions again in school.

Nevertheless, other learning theories in The Breakfast Club include attribution theory and social learning theory. In the attribution theory, learners are engaged in the learning environment due to a desire to develop causes of behaviours. In this sense, attribution theory can be seen in John's behaviours because he does not want to learn a lesson during their punishment, and he has not had any motivation or no desires to learn a lesson. Therefore, he behaves aggressively to his teacher and his friends during the punishment. In other words, John's personality is similar to Allison's personality because they both do not have any motivation for learning a lesson during the punishment.

Also, social learning theory includes that learners are learning from each other in the learning environment, and in The Breakfast Club, social learning theory can easily be seen because, during the punishment, students are sharing their personal experiences and their perspective with each other. More specifically, The Breakfast Club characters are learning much more information from each other, and their communication is more effective than their teacher’s communication because they are not willing to learn a lesson from their teacher, but they are learning their lessons from each other.

On the contrary, Freedom Writers is an extra-ordinary movie for analyzing learning theories because the movie is focused on the learning process of students. More specifically, these students usually feel excluded from society and authorize individuals. Also, at the beginning of Freedom Writers, students do not want to participate in class, but their teacher Erin finds ways to motivate them and improve their learning process during their lessons. In Freedom Writers, there are several learning theories, and these theories are social learning theory, cognitive theory of multimedia learning, information processing theory, cognitive theory, behaviourist theory, and constructivist theory.

Firstly, social learning theory seems to be an effective method in the movie because students start to learn from each other during the lesson, specifically; they become friends to each other despite their cultural differences, and their teacher Erin motivates them to become friends in the movie. Also, these students think that they are in a war with individuals who have different culture or race but eventually they become friends with each other.

Secondly, cognitive theory of multimedia learning helps students in their learning process because they are not willing to participate in class, but Erin uses different and creative materials during the lessons, and these materials make the lesson more interesting. Therefore, students start to participate in class, and they are improving themselves.

Thirdly, information processing theory can be seen in the movie; specifically, students were not willing to participate in class, but within two years they improve themselves, and they started to value Erin's feedbacks of their assignments. After all, students did an incredible project when they combined their journals into one diary, and this project can be an example of information theory. Also, cognitive theory, constructivist theory, and behaviourist theory are related to the movie.

The Breakfast and Freedom Writers are related to cognitive learning theory, constructivist theory, and behaviourist theory. Also, the teachers are different types of people in the movies. For example, in Breakfast Club, the teacher is portrayed as a rude, careless, and arrogant individual, specifically; he speaks rudely to his students, and he does not try to teach them a valuable lesson, he just tries to discipline his students in the movie.

On the other hand, in Freedom Writers teacher Erin is portrayed as hopeful, idealist, kind, and visioned individual, she tries to improve her student's skills, specifically, she is trying to change their lives for better. In this sense, Erin efforts her best skills in order to provide her students with a better education. For example, she works in three jobs just for providing them with student books and other materials during the class. More specifically, Erin’s efforts make a difference in her students’ learning process, and both Erin and her students become successful.

Movie Comparison Essay: Conclusion

In conclusion, watching these movies have changed my learning perspective, and according to my perspective, Freedom Writers is a good example of how to become successful with limited sources, and The Breakfast Club is a bad example of some teachers who are not successful at their jobs and are abusing their authority, and this affects both learning environment and learning process severely.

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34 Compelling Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Topics cover education, technology, pop culture, sports, animals, and more.

Do your writers need some inspiration? If you’re teaching students to write a compare and contrast essay, a strong example is an invaluable tool. This round-up of our favorite compare and contrast essays covers a range of topics and grade levels, so no matter your students’ interests or ages, you’ll always have a helpful example to share. You’ll find links to full essays about education, technology, pop culture, sports, animals, and more. (Need compare-and-contrast essay topic ideas? Check out our big list of compare and contrast essay topics! )

What is a compare and contrast essay?

• Education and parenting essays
• Technology essays
• Pop culture essays
• Historical and political essays
• Sports essays
• Lifestyle essays
• Healthcare essays
• Animal essays

When choosing a compare and contrast essay example to include on this list, we considered the structure. A strong compare and contrast essay begins with an introductory paragraph that includes background context and a strong thesis. Next, the body includes paragraphs that explore the similarities and differences. Finally, a concluding paragraph restates the thesis, draws any necessary inferences, and asks any remaining questions.

A compare and contrast essay example can be an opinion piece comparing two things and making a conclusion about which is better. For example, “Is Tom Brady really the GOAT?” It can also help consumers decide which product is better suited to them. Should you keep your subscription to Hulu or Netflix? Should you stick with Apple or explore Android? Here’s our list of compare and contrast essay samples categorized by subject.

Education and Parenting Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Private school vs. public school.

Sample lines: “Deciding whether to send a child to public or private school can be a tough choice for parents. … Data on whether public or private education is better can be challenging to find and difficult to understand, and the cost of private school can be daunting. … According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, public schools still attract far more students than private schools, with 50.7 million students attending public school as of 2018. Private school enrollment in the fall of 2017 was 5.7 million students, a number that is down from 6 million in 1999.”

Read the full essay: Private School vs. Public School at U.S. News and World Report

Homeschool vs. Public School: How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education

Sample lines: “Home schooling, not a present threat to public education, is nonetheless one of the forces that will change it. If the high estimates of the number of children in home schools (1.2 million) is correct, then the home-schooling universe is larger than the New York City public school system and roughly the size of the Los Angeles and Chicago public school systems combined. … Critics charge that three things are wrong with home schooling: harm to students academically; harm to society by producing students who are ill-prepared to function as democratic citizens and participants in a modern economy; and harm to public education, making it more difficult for other parents to educate their children. … It is time to ask whether home schooling, charters, and vouchers should be considered parts of a broad repertoire of methods that we as a society use to educate our children.”

Read the full essay: Homeschool vs. Public School: How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education at Brookings

Which parenting style is right for you?

Sample lines: “The three main types of parenting are on a type of ‘sliding scale’ of parenting, with permissive parenting as the least strict type of parenting. Permissive parenting typically has very few rules, while authoritarian parenting is thought of as a very strict, rule-driven type of parenting.”

Read the full essay: What Is Authoritative Parenting? at Healthline

Masked Education? The Benefits and Burdens of Wearing Face Masks in Schools During the Pandemic

Sample lines: “Face masks can prevent the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2. … However, covering the lower half of the face reduces the ability to communicate. Positive emotions become less recognizable, and negative emotions are amplified. Emotional mimicry, contagion, and emotionality in general are reduced and (thereby) bonding between teachers and learners, group cohesion, and learning—of which emotions are a major driver. The benefits and burdens of face masks in schools should be seriously considered and made obvious and clear to teachers and students.”

Read the full essay: Masked Education? The Benefits and Burdens of Wearing Face Masks in Schools During the Pandemic at National Library of Medicine

To Ban or Not: What Should We Really Make of Book Bans?

Sample lines: “In recent years, book bans have soared in schools, reaching an all-time high in fall 2022. … The challenge of balancing parent concerns about ‘age appropriateness’ against the imperative of preparing students to be informed citizens is still on the minds of many educators today. … Such curricular decision-making  should  be left to the professionals, argues English/language arts instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky. ‘Examining texts for their appropriateness is not a job that noneducators are trained to do,’ she wrote last year, as the national debate over censorship resurged with the news that a Tennessee district banned the graphic novel  Maus  just days before Holocaust Remembrance Day.”

Read the full essay: To Ban or Not: What Should We Really Make of Book Bans? at Education Week

Technology Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Netflix vs. hulu 2023: which is the best streaming service.

Sample lines: “Netflix fans will point to its high-quality originals, including  The Witcher ,  Stranger Things ,  Emily in Paris ,  Ozark , and more, as well as a wide variety of documentaries like  Cheer ,  The Last Dance ,  My Octopus Teacher , and many others. It also boasts a much larger subscription base, with more than 222 million subscribers compared to Hulu’s 44 million. Hulu, on the other hand, offers a variety of extras such as HBO and Showtime—content that’s unavailable on Netflix. Its price tag is also cheaper than the competition, with its $7/mo. starting price, which is a bit more palatable than Netflix’s $10/mo. starting price.”

Read the full essay: Netflix vs. Hulu 2023: Which is the best streaming service? at TV Guide

Kindle vs. Hardcover: Which is easier on the eyes?

Sample lines: “In the past, we would have to drag around heavy books if we were really into reading. Now, we can have all of those books, and many more, stored in one handy little device that can easily be stuffed into a backpack, purse, etc. … Many of us still prefer to hold an actual book in our hands. … But, whether you use a Kindle or prefer hardcover books or paperbacks, the main thing is that you enjoy reading. A story in a book or on a Kindle device can open up new worlds, take you to fantasy worlds, educate you, entertain you, and so much more.”

Read the full essay: Kindle vs. Hardcover: Which is easier on the eyes? at Books in a Flash

iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you?

Sample lines: “The iPhone vs. Android comparison is a never-ending debate on which one is best. It will likely never have a real winner, but we’re going to try and help you to find your personal pick all the same. iOS 17 and Android 14—the latest versions of the two operating systems—both offer smooth and user-friendly experiences, and several similar or identical features. But there are still important differences to be aware of. … Owning an iPhone is a simpler, more convenient experience. There’s less to think about. … Android-device ownership is a bit harder. … Yet it’s simultaneously more freeing, because it offers more choice.”

Read the full essay: iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you? at Tom’s Guide

Cutting the cord: Is streaming or cable better for you?

Sample lines: “Cord-cutting has become a popular trend in recent years, thanks to the rise of streaming services. For those unfamiliar, cord cutting is the process of canceling your cable subscription and instead, relying on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu to watch your favorite shows and movies. The primary difference is that you can select your streaming services à la carte while cable locks you in on a set number of channels through bundles. So, the big question is: should you cut the cord?”

Read the full essay: Cutting the cord: Is streaming or cable better for you? at BroadbandNow

PS5 vs. Nintendo Switch

Sample lines: “The crux of the comparison comes down to portability versus power. Being able to migrate fully fledged Nintendo games from a big screen to a portable device is a huge asset—and one that consumers have taken to, especially given the Nintendo Switch’s meteoric sales figures. … It is worth noting that many of the biggest franchises like Call of Duty, Madden, modern Resident Evil titles, newer Final Fantasy games, Grand Theft Auto, and open-world Ubisoft adventures like Assassin’s Creed will usually skip Nintendo Switch due to its lack of power. The inability to play these popular games practically guarantees that a consumer will pick up a modern system, while using the Switch as a secondary device.”

Read the full essay: PS5 vs. Nintendo Switch at Digital Trends

What is the difference between Facebook and Instagram?

Sample lines: “Have you ever wondered what is the difference between Facebook and Instagram? Instagram and Facebook are by far the most popular social media channels used by digital marketers. Not to mention that they’re also the biggest platforms used by internet users worldwide. So, today we’ll look into the differences and similarities between these two platforms to help you figure out which one is the best fit for your business.”

Read the full essay: What is the difference between Facebook and Instagram? at SocialBee

Digital vs. Analog Watches—What’s the Difference?

Sample lines: “In short, digital watches use an LCD or LED screen to display the time. Whereas, an analog watch features three hands to denote the hour, minutes, and seconds. With the advancement in watch technology and research, both analog and digital watches have received significant improvements over the years. Especially in terms of design, endurance, and accompanying features. … At the end of the day, whether you go analog or digital, it’s a personal preference to make based on your style, needs, functions, and budget.”

Read the full essay: Digital vs. Analog Watches—What’s the Difference? at Watch Ranker

AI Art vs. Human Art: A Side-by-Side Analysis

Sample lines: “Art has always been a reflection of human creativity, emotion, and cultural expression. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), a new form of artistic creation has emerged, blurring the lines between what is created by human hands and what is generated by algorithms. … Despite the excitement surrounding AI Art, it also raises complex ethical, legal, and artistic questions that have sparked debates about the definition of art, the role of the artist, and the future of art production. … Regardless of whether AI Art is considered ‘true’ art, it is crucial to embrace and explore the vast possibilities and potential it brings to the table. The transformative influence of AI art on the art world is still unfolding, and only time will reveal its true extent.”

Read the full essay: AI Art vs. Human Art: A Side-by-Side Analysis at Raul Lara

Pop Culture Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Christina aguilera vs. britney spears.

Sample lines: “Britney Spears vs. Christina Aguilera was the Coke vs. Pepsi of 1999 — no, really, Christina repped Coke and Britney shilled for Pepsi. The two teen idols released debut albums seven months apart before the turn of the century, with Britney’s becoming a standard-bearer for bubblegum pop and Aguilera’s taking an R&B bent to show off her range. … It’s clear that Spears and Aguilera took extremely divergent paths following their simultaneous breakout successes.”

Read the full essay: Christina Aguilera vs. Britney Spears at The Ringer

Harry Styles vs. Ed Sheeran

Sample lines: “The world heard our fantasies and delivered us two titans simultaneously—we have been blessed with Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. Our cup runneth over; our bounty is immeasurable. More remarkable still is the fact that both have released albums almost at the same time: Ed’s third, Divide , was released in March and broke the record for one-day Spotify streams, while Harry’s frenziedly anticipated debut solo, called Harry Styles , was released yesterday.”

Read the full essay: Harry Styles versus Ed Sheeran at Belfast Telegraph

The Grinch: Three Versions Compared

Sample lines: “Based on the original story of the same name, this movie takes a completely different direction by choosing to break away from the cartoony form that Seuss had established by filming the movie in a live-action form. Whoville is preparing for Christmas while the Grinch looks down upon their celebrations in disgust. Like the previous film, The Grinch hatches a plan to ruin Christmas for the Who’s. … Like in the original Grinch, he disguises himself as Santa Claus, and makes his dog, Max, into a reindeer. He then takes all of the presents from the children and households. … Cole’s favorite is the 2000 edition, while Alex has only seen the original. Tell us which one is your favorite.”

Read the full essay: The Grinch: Three Versions Compared at Wooster School

Historical and Political Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Malcolm x vs. martin luther king jr.: comparison between two great leaders’ ideologies .

Sample lines: “Although they were fighting for civil rights at the same time, their ideology and way of fighting were completely distinctive. This can be for a plethora of reasons: background, upbringing, the system of thought, and vision. But keep in mind, they devoted their whole life to the same prospect. … Through boycotts and marches, [King] hoped to end racial segregation. He felt that the abolition of segregation would improve the likelihood of integration. Malcolm X, on the other hand, spearheaded a movement for black empowerment.”

Read the full essay: Malcolm X vs. Martin Luther King Jr.: Comparison Between Two Great Leaders’ Ideologies  at Melaninful

Contrast Between Obama and Trump Has Become Clear

Sample lines: “The contrast is even clearer when we look to the future. Trump promises more tax cuts, more military spending, more deficits and deeper cuts in programs for the vulnerable. He plans to nominate a coal lobbyist to head the Environmental Protection Agency. … Obama says America must move forward, and he praises progressive Democrats for advocating Medicare for all. … With Obama and then Trump, Americans have elected two diametrically opposed leaders leading into two very different directions.”

Read the full essay: Contrast Between Obama and Trump Has Become Clear at Chicago Sun-Times

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Lebron james vs. kobe bryant: a complete comparison.

Sample lines: “LeBron James has achieved so much in his career that he is seen by many as the greatest of all time, or at least the only player worthy of being mentioned in the GOAT conversation next to Michael Jordan. Bridging the gap between Jordan and LeBron though was Kobe Bryant, who often gets left out of comparisons and GOAT conversations. … Should his name be mentioned more though? Can he compare to LeBron or is The King too far past The Black Mamba in historical rankings already?”

Read the full essay: LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant: A Complete Comparison at Sportskeeda

NFL: Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning Rivalry Comparison

Sample lines: “Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were largely considered the best quarterbacks in the NFL for the majority of the time they spent in the league together, with the icons having many head-to-head clashes in the regular season and on the AFC side of the NFL Playoffs. Manning was the leader of the Indianapolis Colts of the AFC South. … Brady spent his career as the QB of the AFC East’s New England Patriots, before taking his talents to Tampa Bay. … The reality is that winning is the most important aspect of any career, and Brady won more head-to-head matchups than Manning did.”

Read the full essay: NFL: Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning Rivalry Comparison at Sportskeeda

The Greatest NBA Franchise Ever: Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers?

Sample lines: “The Celtics are universally considered as the greatest franchise in NBA history. But if you take a close look at the numbers, there isn’t really too much separation between them and their arch-rival Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, you can even make a good argument for the Lakers. … In 72 seasons played, the Boston Celtics have won a total of 3,314 games and lost 2,305 or a .590 winning mark. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 3,284 of 5,507 total games played or a slightly better winning record of .596. … But while the Lakers have the better winning percentage, the Celtics have the advantage over them in head-to-head competition.”

Read the full essay: The Greatest NBA Franchise Ever: Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers? at Sport One

Is Soccer Better Than Football?

Sample lines: “Is soccer better than football? Soccer and football lovers have numerous reasons to support their sport of choice. Both keep the players physically fit and help to bring people together for an exciting cause. However, soccer has drawn more numbers globally due to its popularity in more countries.”

Read the full essay: Is Soccer Better Than Football? at Sports Brief

Lifestyle Choices Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Mobile home vs. tiny house: similarities, differences, pros & cons.

Sample lines: “Choosing the tiny home lifestyle enables you to spend more time with those you love. The small living space ensures quality bonding time rather than hiding away in a room or behind a computer screen. … You’ll be able to connect closer to nature and find yourself able to travel the country at any given moment. On the other hand, we have the mobile home. … They are built on a chassis with transportation in mind. … They are not built to be moved on a constant basis. … While moving the home again *is* possible, it may cost you several thousand dollars.”

Read the full essay: Mobile Home vs. Tiny House: Similarities, Differences, Pros & Cons at US Mobile Home Pros

Whole Foods vs. Walmart: The Story of Two Grocery Stores

Sample lines: “It is clear that both stores have very different stories and aims when it comes to their customers. Whole Foods looks to provide organic, healthy, exotic, and niche products for an audience with a very particular taste. … Walmart, on the other hand, looks to provide the best deals, every possible product, and every big brand for a broader audience. … Moreover, they look to make buying affordable and accessible, and focus on the capitalist nature of buying.”

Read the full essay: Whole Foods vs. Walmart: The Story of Two Grocery Stores at The Archaeology of Us

Artificial Grass vs. Turf: The Real Differences Revealed

Sample lines: “The key difference between artificial grass and turf is their intended use. Artificial turf is largely intended to be used for sports, so it is shorter and tougher. On the other hand, artificial grass is generally longer, softer and more suited to landscaping purposes. Most homeowners would opt for artificial grass as a replacement for a lawn, for example. Some people actually prefer playing sports on artificial grass, too … artificial grass is often softer and more bouncy, giving it a feel similar to playing on a grassy lawn. … At the end of the day, which one you will choose will depend on your specific household and needs.”

Read the full essay: Artificial Grass vs. Turf: The Real Differences Revealed at Almost Grass

Minimalism vs. Maximalism: Differences, Similarities, and Use Cases

Sample lines: “Maximalists love shopping, especially finding unique pieces. They see it as a hobby—even a skill—and a way to express their personality. Minimalists don’t like shopping and see it as a waste of time and money. They’d instead use those resources to create memorable experiences. Maximalists desire one-of-a-kind possessions. Minimalists are happy with duplicates—for example, personal uniforms. … Minimalism and maximalism are about being intentional with your life and belongings. It’s about making choices based on what’s important to you.”

Read the full essay: Minimalism vs. Maximalism: Differences, Similarities, and Use Cases at Minimalist Vegan

Vegetarian vs. Meat Eating: Is It Better To Be a Vegetarian?

Sample lines: “You’ve heard buzz over the years that following a vegetarian diet is better for your health, and you’ve probably read a few magazine articles featuring a celeb or two who swore off meat and animal products and ‘magically’ lost weight. So does ditching meat automatically equal weight loss? Will it really help you live longer and be healthier overall? … Vegetarians appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure  and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than meat eaters. Vegetarians also tend to have a lower body mass index, lower overall cancer rates and lower risk of chronic disease. But if your vegetarian co-worker is noshing greasy veggie burgers and fries every day for lunch, is he likely to be healthier than you, who always orders the grilled salmon? Definitely not!”

Read the full essay: Vegetarian vs. Meat Eating: Is It Better To Be a Vegetarian? at WebMD

Healthcare Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Similarities and differences between the health systems in australia & usa.

Sample lines: “Australia and the United States are two very different countries. They are far away from each other, have contrasting fauna and flora, differ immensely by population, and have vastly different healthcare systems. The United States has a population of 331 million people, compared to Australia’s population of 25.5 million people.”

Read the full essay: Similarities and Differences Between the Health Systems in Australia & USA at Georgia State University

Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate

Sample lines: “Disadvantages of universal healthcare include significant upfront costs and logistical challenges. On the other hand, universal healthcare may lead to a healthier populace, and thus, in the long-term, help to mitigate the economic costs of an unhealthy nation. In particular, substantial health disparities exist in the United States, with low socio-economic status segments of the population subject to decreased access to quality healthcare and increased risk of non-communicable chronic conditions such as obesity and type II diabetes, among other determinants of poor health.”

Read the full essay: Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate at National Library of Medicine

Pros and Cons of Physician Aid in Dying

Sample lines: “Physician aid in dying is a controversial subject raising issues central to the role of physicians. … The two most common arguments in favor of legalizing AID are respect for patient autonomy and relief of suffering. A third, related, argument is that AID is a safe medical practice, requiring a health care professional. … Although opponents of AID offer many arguments ranging from pragmatic to philosophical, we focus here on concerns that the expansion of AID might cause additional, unintended harm through suicide contagion, slippery slope, and the deaths of patients suffering from depression.”

Read the full essay: Pros and Cons of Physician Aid in Dying at National Library of Medicine

Animals Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Compare and contrast paragraph—dogs and cats.

Sample lines: “Researchers have found that dogs have about twice the number of neurons in their cerebral cortexes than what cats have. Specifically, dogs had around 530 million neurons, whereas the domestic cat only had 250 million neurons. Moreover, dogs can be trained to learn and respond to our commands, but although your cat understands your name, and anticipates your every move, he/she may choose to ignore you.”

Read the full essay: Compare and Contrast Paragraph—Dogs and Cats at Proofwriting Guru via YouTube

Giddyup! The Differences Between Horses and Dogs

Sample lines: “Horses are prey animals with a deep herding instinct. They are highly sensitive to their environment, hyper aware, and ready to take flight if needed. Just like dogs, some horses are more confident than others, but just like dogs, all need a confident handler to teach them what to do. Some horses are highly reactive and can be spooked by the smallest things, as are dogs. … Another distinction between horses and dogs … was that while dogs have been domesticated , horses have been  tamed. … Both species have influenced our culture more than any other species on the planet.”

Read the full essay: Giddyup! The Differences Between Horses and Dogs at Positively Victoria Stilwell

Exotic, Domesticated, and Wild Pets

Sample lines: “Although the words ‘exotic’ and ‘wild’ are frequently used interchangeably, many people do not fully understand how these categories differ when it comes to pets. ‘A wild animal is an indigenous, non-domesticated animal, meaning that it is native to the country where you are located,’ Blue-McLendon explained. ‘For Texans, white-tailed deer, pronghorn sheep, raccoons, skunks, and bighorn sheep are wild animals … an exotic animal is one that is wild but is from a different continent than where you live.’ For example, a hedgehog in Texas would be considered an exotic animal, but in the hedgehog’s native country, it would be considered wildlife.”

Read the full essay: Exotic, Domesticated, and Wild Pets at Texas A&M University

Should Zoos Be Banned? Pros & Cons of Zoos

Sample lines: “The pros and cons of zoos often come from two very different points of view. From a legal standard, animals are often treated as property. That means they have less rights than humans, so a zoo seems like a positive place to maintain a high quality of life. For others, the forced enclosure of any animal feels like an unethical decision. … Zoos provide a protected environment for endangered animals, and also help in raising awareness and funding for wildlife initiatives and research projects. … Zoos are key for research. Being able to observe and study animals is crucial if we want to contribute to help them and repair the ecosystems. … Zoos are a typical form of family entertainment, but associating leisure and fun with the contemplation of animals in captivity can send the wrong signals to our children.”

Read the full essay: Should Zoos Be Banned? Pros & Cons of Zoos at EcoCation

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Plus, if you liked these compare and contrast essay examples check out intriguing compare and contrast essay topics for kids and teens ..

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80 Intriguing Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

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5 Compare and Contrast Essay Examples (Full Text)

A compare and contrast essay selects two or more items that are critically analyzed to demonstrate their differences and similarities. Here is a template for you that provides the general structure:

A range of example essays is presented below.

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

#1 jean piaget vs lev vygotsky essay.

1480 Words | 5 Pages | 10 References

(Level: University Undergraduate)

Thesis Statement: “This essay will critically examine and compare the developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, focusing on their differing views on cognitive development in children and their influence on educational psychology, through an exploration of key concepts such as the role of culture and environment, scaffolding, equilibration, and their overall implications for educational practices..”

#2 Democracy vs Authoritarianism Essay

Thesis Statement: “The thesis of this analysis is that, despite the efficiency and control offered by authoritarian regimes, democratic systems, with their emphasis on individual freedoms, participatory governance, and social welfare, present a more balanced and ethically sound approach to governance, better aligned with the ideals of a just and progressive society.”

#3 Apples vs Oranges Essay

1190 Words | 5 Pages | 0 References

(Level: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade)

Thesis Statement: “While apples and oranges are both popular and nutritious fruits, they differ significantly in their taste profiles, nutritional benefits, cultural symbolism, and culinary applications.”

#4 Nature vs Nurture Essay

1525 Words | 5 Pages | 11 References

(Level: High School and College)

Thesis Statement: “The purpose of this essay is to examine and elucidate the complex and interconnected roles of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental influences (nurture) in shaping human development across various domains such as physical traits, personality, behavior, intelligence, and abilities.”

#5 Dogs vs Cats Essay

1095 Words | 5 Pages | 7 Bibliographic Sources

(Level: 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade)

Thesis Statement: “This essay explores the distinctive characteristics, emotional connections, and lifestyle considerations associated with owning dogs and cats, aiming to illuminate the unique joys and benefits each pet brings to their human companions.”

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

I’ve recorded a full video for you on how to write a compare and contrast essay:

Get the Compare and Contrast Templates with AI Prompts Here

In the video, I outline the steps to writing your essay. Here they are explained below:

1. Essay Planning

First, I recommend using my compare and contrast worksheet, which acts like a Venn Diagram, walking you through the steps of comparing the similarities and differences of the concepts or items you’re comparing.

I recommend selecting 3-5 features that can be compared, as shown in the worksheet:

Grab the Worksheet as Part of the Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Pack

2. Writing the Essay

Once you’ve completed the worksheet, you’re ready to start writing. Go systematically through each feature you are comparing and discuss the similarities and differences, then make an evaluative statement after showing your depth of knowledge:

Get the Rest of the Premium Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Pack (With AI Prompts) Here

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement

Compare and contrast thesis statements can either:

• Remain neutral in an expository tone.
• Prosecute an argument about which of the items you’re comparing is overall best.

To write an argumentative thesis statement for a compare and contrast essay, try this AI Prompts:

💡 AI Prompt to Generate Ideas I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that pass a reasonable judgement.

Ready to Write your Essay?

Take action! Choose one of the following options to start writing your compare and contrast essay now:

Read Next: Process Essay Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay

Books vs. movies – introduction, similarities between books and movies, difference between books and movies, works cited.

This paper examines the similarities and differences between books and movies. Although both tell stories and evoke emotions, they also have distinct characteristics. For example, books rely on the reader’s imagination, while movies present a pre-determined visual interpretation. Another difference between books and movies is that books typically offer a more in-depth exploration of characters, while movies may prioritize visual spectacle over character development. Despite these contrasts, both books and movies have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. This essay compares and contrasts the two products in detail and provides examples from famous works.

Books and movies are two of the most important mediums for communicating ideas to an audience. The two can be used for various purposes, including entertaining and informing. Books make use of written words to communicate with the reader. On the other hand, movies utilize audio-visual technology to communicate with the viewing audience. Books and Movies have several significant similarities and differences.

A major similarity is that both books and movies set out to tell stories that are often fascinating to the audience. Regardless of which medium is being used, efforts are made to create stories that are going to be engaging to the reader or viewer. For both movies and books, the story is a central part, and the authors or directors come up with themes and plotlines that can captivate and entertain the audience (Bordwell and Staiger 262). By using elements such as characters, setting, conflict, and resolution at the end, book authors and movie directors can come up with successful stories.

Another similarity is that both books and movies make great use of characters through whom the story is told. Bordwell and Staiger note that the characters used must be well suited to the story, and they must be clearly distinguished from one another (262). They are given personalities and used to fulfill the key elements of the story being told through the book or the movie. In most cases, it is the characters that make the audience regard a movie or book as superior or inferior.

A significant difference between books and movies is in the manner in which the visual images are created. When reading a book, the reader has to use his/her imagination to create a visual image from the words contained in the book (Mayer 17). For example, in the Harry Potter books, the reader is required to form his/her own image of the various magical creatures. On the other hand, movies present the reader with a ready visual image. In the Harry Potter Movies, the images of creatures such as trolls and goblins are presented to the audience. The imagination of the viewer is not required since the movie makers have already created the image they want the audience to have.

Books and movies differ in the level of detail provided. In books, the author spends a lot of time providing details of characters, events, objects, and places. These lengthy descriptions are necessary to help the reader to create a mental image of the story. With movies, there are no lengthy details used. Movies do not have to engage in detailed descriptions since a complicated image can be shown in a single movie shot. Mayer notes that a movie can, within the span of a few seconds, graphically show a mass of details to the viewer (17).

Books and movies are both adequate means of telling a story. While the two make use of different technologies to communicate with an audience, they have some similarities. These include the use of stories and the reliance on characters to tell the story. However, the two have major differences in terms of the level of imagination required of the audience and the use of details. Overall, books and movies are important communication mediums that play a great role in our society.

Bordwell, David, and Janet Staiger. The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style and Mode of Production to 1960. NY: Routledge, 2003. Print.

Mayer, Robert. Eighteenth-Century Fiction on Screen . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.

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Sample Essay On Film Comparison

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Cinema , Film , Music , Films , Hitchcock , Thief , Sica , De Sica

Words: 1700

Published: 03/30/2023

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Bicycle Thieves, also referred to as The Bicycle Thief is a film that tells the story of a father seeking to find a bike that has been stolen throughout Rome. The film has often been considered to be one of the most well-respected in the neorealism genre. Specifically, because of its depiction of harsh realities of life post World War II, and its effects on the conditions and psyche of individuals. A horror thriller masterpiece, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is noted for its distinctive subject matter and for spawning what is considered to be an extremely successful subgenre of the horror genre - the slasher flick. Recognized for its aesthetics, the film set and continues to set the standard for what should be included in a psychological thriller. Directed by F. W. Murnau, Nosferatu is recognized for being one of the most impactful films with the subject of vampirism ever created. Based on the novel, Dracula, by Bram Stoker, the film is silent but does offer a musical score that provides a significant depth to the characters and overall tone. Each of these films offer a substantive viewpoint on the wide-ranging dynamics of cinema, while providing something different to both moviegoers and critics alike. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between the three films with an emphasis on the music that each offers to the plotline.

The Directors

Arguably, each of the directors of the three films are renowned, well-known and respected. Their names carry substantial weight when discussing film history and film theory. Vittorio De Sica, the director of The Bicycle Thief is noted for offering a considerable depth to the neorealism movement. Writer Bert Cardullo comments that De Sica's films are intriguingly precise and spirited in their illustrations of the mundane. The director can make even the drabbest of stories come to life. While neorealism is known to explore the subject of the lower and working class, De Sica bring an intensity to the plots of the movies that he works on to the point where something the viewer might call minute, De Sica feels enhances the film's style and substance (41). Murnau is perhaps best known for his craftsmanship in the concept of dual personalities. Nosferatu illustrates the duality of man within the character of Count Orlok, played by Max Schreck. Schreck takes on both a combination of good and evil in his depiction of the character. Since the character is centered on or rather based off of Dracula, the idea that Murnau seeks to capture through dolly moves and panning shots, this duality. A key scene in the film where Murnau uses the techniques he became known for is the shadow scene where Orlok climbs the staircase. Here, Murnau pans across Orlok as he climbs using what is known as the unchained camera technique, which is considered to be one of his specialties as a director. The technique is widely used in much of modern cinema because it provides the audience an opportunity to see through the characters’ eyes. In the staircase scene with Orlok, while the camera is panning as he climbs, there is a sense in the viewer of Orlok’s emotions with respect to seeking out his latest victim. Alfred Hitchcock is a household name. It would be difficult to find an individual, who enjoys film that has not at least heard of the director. Hitchcock movies tend to convey the concept of voyeurism and provide heavy psychological subjects. The audience is engaged because of the camera movements as he tends to offer ingenuity. From close up shots to silence and rack focus, Hitchcock once stated that "people don't always express their inner thoughts to one another [and so] the focus of the scene should never be on what the characters are actually saying" (Borgus 1). Known as the master of suspense, Hitchcock films are similar to Murnau’s in their fast paced action and intensity. Nosferatu is fast paced and almost takes on a life of its own in terms of portraying Orlok as a duality character. Moreover, Hitchcock’s films are like De Sica, in that he is able to bring even the most mundane of subjects to life. Something as simple as stopping one's car because of the rain becomes a vehicle for moving the plot of Psycho along. Where Hitchcock shines the most is in his ability to engage the audience through knowing when and when not to cut a particular sequence. Where a typical director might yell cut or move to another scene in a succession type sequence, Hitchcock revels in it. His sequencing is carefully crafted - and nothing shown in the films is done by happenstance. In contrast to the other two directors, they create films that are carefully crafted but there is a lot more leniency in the films.

The music in the three films is also very different from each other. In the De Sica film, the juxtaposition of the guitar against the backdrop of poverty provides a significant depth to the overall plot and the intensity behind the main character, Antonio Ricci and his family's pursuit of the thief. The score is provided by Alessandro Cicognini. Nosferatu's score is composed by Hans Erdmann. It is orchestral in its construction. There is an eerie dread that moves each of the scenes along, especially the scene with Hutter dashing back to his room after seeing Orlok and of course, the infamous staircase scene. The title sequence to Nosferatu is also intense. The violins present a kind of melancholic vibe to the film's subject matter. The music in Psycho is equally intense. According to Borgus, sound is an important element to Hitchcock’s films. It operates more than to just pull the viewer into the universe of the director, but to move the plot along (1). For example, in Psycho, the music that plays behind Marion as she is driving away after stealing the money allows a backtrack to unveil the voiceovers of her boss and the client. Moreover, the title sequence music is complex because there is a focus on the title itself as well as the swiftly moving font of the details of the film. Borgus continues by stating that the sound in Hitchcock films is almost visual because it expresses emotion, and tends to manipulate the audience in to feeling suspenseful. The intertwining of dialogue and sound is not necessarily for Hitchcock in its usual sense. He can convey a message through the background (1). This is key because after the backdrop music is quieted in the scene with Marion escaping, the rain provides a spine-tingling escalation to the film. There is a seriousness about Marion that the rain relays, while it also helps to keep the audience on the edge of their seat in terms of wondering what will happen next. Regarding The Bicycle Thief, the score plays a key role in moving the plot along. This is especially the case when Ricci sees the thief and pursues him into a brothel. Ricci screams "thief, thief" and the sound is executed in such a way where all that can be heard is the backdrop of the traffic, and the rumbling of a taxi that the thief gets into after being spotted. De Sica shoots it in such a way as to focus on the innocent aspects of the townspeople who seem ignorant of what is actually happening. There is also a focus on Ricci's face that is sweating from chasing after the thief. The score also plays a prominent role in the last scene of The Bicycle Thief. Ricci spots the bicycle and is initially mistaken for the thief. De Sica focuses on the interaction between Ricci and his son, Bruno - and the tension between Ricci and the cops, who decide ultimately not to bother charging him with anything. The sound of the townspeople can be heard in this scene, whereas before De Sica focused on the interplay of the chase. The camera also focuses heavily on Bruno's crying and wiping of tears. The music in Nosferatu also assists in intensifying the light and dark concept of the film. Since Murnau is limited as far as what he can do given it is a silent film, he turns the drawbacks into exceptional sequences. The light and dark concept is experimented with throughout the film, with the night scenes that are a combination of brown and blues. The music offers an amplification in the audience finding both empathy in Orlok as well as sympathy. The shots associated with Ellen sleepwalking are also conveyed in such a way where the music helps to showcase Orlok's powers and their effects on her. There is a serenity in the music in the opening shots where the audience sees Ellen in the garden. The music helps to relay a kind of innocence to her. The score then switches when Hutter plucks the flowers and she comments that he has killed them. It helps to provide a foreshadowing of her fate.

Each of the films is a masterpiece in its own right. The directors offer their style in uniquely convincing ways. Music operates in both providing significance to the visuals as well as enhancing the way in which the viewer sees the film's narrative unfold. Without a musical score, film does not have as much of a communicative stimulus in terms of expressing the true nature of the plot. Even with the masterful directors behind the cameras in each of the films, they would not be as memorable or noteworthy without the music serving as a prominent backdrop to the various scenes that are depicted within them. Simply put, the music accentuates the themes and contexts of the movies.

Works Cited

The Bicycle Thief. Dir. Vittorio De Sica. Ente Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche, 1948. Videocassette. Cardullo, Bert. Vittorio de Sica: Director, Actor, Screenwriter. McFarland & Company, 2002. Print. "Film Techniques of Alfred Hitchcock." Borgus, n.d. Web. 7 May 2016. <http://www.borgus.com/hitch/>. Nosferatu. Dir. F. W. Murnau. Film Arts Guild, 1922. Film Psycho. Dir. Alfred Hitchcock. Paramount Pictures, 1960. DVD.

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Movie Comparison, Essay Example

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The movies “All Quiet on the Western Front” and the “Flags of our Fathers”, are among the best of the war movies, depicting the journey of estranged soldiers thrown in war and destruction. The movies in elaboration craft the façade of World War I and World War II, and slowly transcend to the climax of the horrific war scenario. Both movies depict a different genre…one laying emphasis on the horrific tragedies of war and the other highlighting the farce and deception involved both in part of the army and the government of United States.

“All quiet on the Western Front” was written by Erich Maria Remarque, a German war Veteran of World War I. The book was later adapted by Lewis Milestone into a film for Universal pictures and would finally go on to win the Academy Award for best picture. The movie speaks about the tremendous mental and physical trauma of the average German soldiers during the war, and revolves round their perspective – how they lived and died fighting in the war. In All Quiet on the Western Front, the protagonist Paul Baumer fights from the Western front of Germany. Unlike Flags of the Fathers, the setting is in Germany and the soldiers are German. Paul loves to write poems and is transformed from the young boy to a man during his three years of service to the font. He longed to go back home with his family, but it was indeed a tragedy as he died on the Western Front. The story begins with Paul and most of his classmates from high school taking the basic training for fighting the World War I. Eventually as te movie proceeds they fight gruesome battles, bear noisy dark bombardments, clutter for food and finally die in the battle. Paul is alienated from fear at the end of the story –because war has taken all what he loved and cared about. He dies at the end with a strange calmness in his face because the war had ended for him.

While the present day American movie, “Flags of Our Fathers” talks about the World War II and triumph of American victory at the cost of moral indignation of soldiers. The scene and characters depicting America and it soldiers in World War II. It is about an American flag being raised over Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima. ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ is a 2006 American war film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by William Broyles, Jr. and Paul Haggis. It is based on the book of the same name (  Flags of Our Fathers ) written by James Bradley and Ron Powers. The story depicts the Battle of Iwo Jima and the importance of raising the flag It was released in the United States on October 2006.   Flags of Our Fathers  is a film about the Battle of Iwo Jima, portraying the economic depression, setting the stage of the World War II and how warrior sentiments were used to dominate or influence public opinion. The story reflects the suffering morale of the American troops and the weariness of war among the soldiers back in America. The three surviving soldiers are Marines Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), and Navy Corpsman John “Doc” Bradley (Ryan Phillippe). We are also introduced to fellow soldiers Sergeant Mike Strank (Barry Pepper), Ralph “Iggy” Ignatowski (Jamie Bell) and Hank Hansen (Paul Walker) and many others. These three were made to do a photo shoot – the raising of a replacement flag on top of the mountain. Hayes, Gagnon, and Bradley become the heroes on the picture and are sent back home to tour the country as the “heroes of Iwo Jima”. It was a government pursuit to sell war bonds. Their farced picture proved to be a source of inspiration for the American people but turned out to be the tragedy of their lives of the so called heroes.  They suffer from guilt and apathy, as they farce to pose for the photo and relinquished the torment of their conscience. The movie raises the question of morality among the soldiers; how the true heroes of the battle get lost in oblivion while some of them get the flick of the being gimmicked.

Both the movies are distinct in their own with different plots, themes and timeline (World War I and War II) but both eventually critically acclaim the characteristics of war; the dehumanization of the enemy so as to encourage the aggression of soldiers in the battlefield; the part of the government to revoke and manipulate the soldiers; and to fight battles for the sake of it – killing large groups of people for reasons unknown to each other. Both the films stage the debacle of honor and integrity to the national sentiments of the respective countries but also analyses the waste and carnage involved in such armed combat. Both Milestone and Eastwood have shown a refusal to the black and white codes of ethics in warfare- have exposed the harsh realities behind the eroticism of bravery and fighting wars. They both evaluate the anti-war agenda and show the corruption, misfortune and paranoia of war; and evaluate the sentiments and apathy of soldiers in the light of being a common man- one who wants to write poetry( like Paul) and live the life of an ordinary individual with family and children.

The theme of All Quiet on the Western Front and the Flags of our fathers  is contrary to the novels and general observations of the war theories- it does not romanticize or glorify the image of the movies or the heroes; neither does it over emphasize on patriotism, honor, adventure and duty. Rather it unfolds the truth and the actual experience of war. It replaces the romantic visions of heroism to a realistic angle of fear, meaninglessness, cruelty and manipulation. All quiet on the Western Front   expose the experience of the naiveté ordinary citizen who had to take arms but have otherwise lived a normal life. Beginning with the opening shot and throughout the movie it shows the horrors of war and the sentiments that could not be understood who has never gone to war. As Paul says, “War isn’t the way it looks back here.” Similarly in Flags of our fathers the beginning talks of the story talks about the real experience of war- “Every Jackass thinks he knows what war is- especially those who have never been in one”.

All quiet on the Western front presents an intrigue cynicism of the idea of nationalism- making it look vulnerable in the light of hypocritical ideology. Paul and his friends are coerced by feelings of nationalism, as Professor Kantorek says, “And as if to prove all I have said, here is one of the first to go! A lad who sat before me on these very benches, who gave up all to serve in the first year of the war. One of the iron youth who have made Germany invincible in the field! Look at him. Sturdy and bronze and clear-eyed! The kind of soldier every one of you should envy! Paul, lad, you must speak to them. You must tell them what it means to serve your fatherland” – only to realize that there is little relevance of patriotism or nationalism in the war. War makes them animalistic – fighting for their own survival and killing enemies for not getting killed. They consider that their real enemies are the men in power and not the opposing armies – as Paul Baummer says, “You still think it’s beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it’s better not to die at all. Katczinsky says that he is fed up with the preaching of the older generation and the leaders, “And on the big day, you should take all the kings and their cabinets and their generals, put ’em in the center dressed in their underpants, and let ’em fight it out with clubs. The best country wins. ”  Flags of Our Father, lays little emphasis on the brutality and actual warfare as in the All Quiet on the Western Front. It focuses mainly about the reminiscence of war – how the government and the nation create heroes when they need them and later forget them. Here the feelings of nationalism are used for instigating public opinion. Thus in both the films nationalism is used as an embargo; to either induce the young genre to go and fight wars or use it to tickle public sentiments – at the end making the soldiers prone to suffering and tragedy. The movies also address the question of just war – whether World War I and II can be deemed as a good war. Especially in All Quiet on the Western Front the young soldiers are ignorant about the reason of fighting the war.  “How do they start a war? When one country offends another there is a war…How one country can be offended…To say that war happens because one country offends another is ridiculous, since the ordinary people of each country do not feel offended. It is the rulers who order war, and only emperors and generals who profit from it.” While Flags of our father represents a home front – where the three heroes were applauded, toured in parts of the country, talking about the heroism of war. They were merely propaganda tools to make the people aware that the invasion of Iowa was ‘just war’ – it was good in its intentions to attack Japan – as in Just war the country that has been invaded, or invasion is imminent, then there is a moral obligation to fight. Also, countries are morally obligated to intervene in another country, with military force if necessary, to end gross violations of human rights. (http://acdis.illinois.edu/newsarchive/newsitem-uestioningPerceptionofWorldWarIIasTheGoodWar.html)

As an excerpt from the movie rightly points out , “Behind them, in safe America, Bing Crosby sang of a white Christmas, just like the ones he used to know. Ahead lay a hot island of black sand, where many of them would ensure a long future of Christmases in America by laying down their lives”.

Though unconsciously the Flags of our fathers point out to the generation that the American war on Iraq and the war in Afghanistan are not necessarily the aftermath of  9/11 and the nuclear weapons information from Iraq- these were not solid grounds to substantiate the claims of Bush administration of just war.

Todd Mc Carthy, (2006), Last retrieved on November 5, 2008 from http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117931805.html?categoryid=31&cs=1

IMDB, Last retrieved on November 5, 2008 from www.imdb.com/title/tt0020629/ –

Jeffrey Overstreet, (2006) Last retrieved on November 5, 2008 from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2006/flagsofourfathers.html

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