Coming up with compare and contrast essay ideas might not be the task you’re excited about. Still, writing compare and contrast essays is great practice not only for school but also for your self-education and development. Writing a compare-contrast essay develops critical thinking skills, helps you learn to form strong arguments and stand your ground. Those skills are critical both in school and real life. In this post, we’ve prepared the best compare and contrast essay topics for you to use. Pick a topic you like and get to writing!
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?
Develop Critical Thinking
Writing a compare and contrast essay is virtually impossible without some organization skills. Using our topics will let you focus on the writing itself rather than the details. To begin a compare and contrast essay, you should start with brainstorming. Write down the similarities and differences you want to highlight with your essay. Analyze them critically and develop a thesis statement. Then, you choose a structure and get to writing. It’s not that hard once you get the search for the perfect topic out of the way.
Critical thinking is imperative when it comes to writing compare and contrast essays. Research paper writers need to look beyond the surface-level arguments and find deeper issues to ensure your paper has academic value. It’s important to consider context, implications and relevance of the two things you’re comparing while writing the essay. For example, instead of saying that two philosophers had different opinions on the matter, you may write about how the philosophers’ beliefs were formed by their environments and societal factors.
Thorough Research Is Key
Every compare and contrast essay starts with meticulous research. In order to critically analyze something, you need to know as much about it as possible. That’s why reading up on your topic before you begin is a must. Every statement must be supported by strong evidence, as is the case for all academic writing. Keep that in mind while writing your essay.
Less Is More
If you can use fewer words to get your point across, do it. The goal of academic writing is to be concise, sharp and specific. Students tend to overuse filler words and transitions to reach the word count, but professors see right through that. To write like a true professional, you should keep it short and to the point.
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
Education Themed Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
There are lots of different schools of thought when it comes to education. Teaching methods may vary from one educator to another with both set in the idea that their methods are the best. Comparing different methods, approaches or ideas can improve the quality of education.
1. Online vs. classroom-based learning
2. Private education vs. public school
3. Study groups vs. independent learning
4. Homeschooling vs. traditional education
5. Public schools in the US vs. Canada
6. University vs. college
7. Paper books vs. ebooks
8. Audio lectures vs. video lectures
9. Self-education vs. college
10. Community college vs. vocational school
Books and Cinema
You can learn a lot about a country, society, and culture from fiction. Books and films reflect the struggles and joys of the time they were created in. If you’re planning to write about these topics, it might help to know how many words in pages to structure your essay effectively. Use these topics to bridge the gap between fiction and reality.
11. Novels vs. short stories
12. Monochrome cinema vs. color films
13. Going to the movies vs. watching at home
14. Library vs. internet
15. Fiction vs. non-fiction
16. Special effects in 2020s vs. 1990s
17. Film adaptations vs. original books
18. Watching the Discovery channel vs. reading an encyclopedia
19. Male directors vs. female directors
20. Graphic novels vs. fairy tales
Arts and Culture
Comparing and contrasting social issues can give great insight into how society operates. If you want to gain deeper knowledge of culture and people, use the following topics to spark creativity and start a debate.
21. Surrealism in art vs. surrealism in film
22. Classical liberalism vs. modern liberalism
23. Traditional folklore vs. contemporary adaptations
24. Feminist movement of the 1970s vs. Fourth-wave feminism
25. Systemic racism in the early 2000s vs. today
26. Cold War-era propaganda vs. modern social media trends
27. Graffiti vs. murals
28. Modernist art vs. Renaissance art
29. Traditional media vs. social media
30. Gentrification vs. zoning policies
Technology-Related Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
Technology is involved in every aspect of our daily lives. We press dozens of buttons before even waking up in the morning. To gain a deeper understanding of how technology influences and shapes society, use the topics below and write a compare and contrast essay.
31. Cloud storage vs. hard drives
32. Cryptocurrency vs. traditional money
33. Wearable fitness technology vs. fitness apps
34. Facial recognition vs. fingerprint scanning technology for safety
35. Drones for recreation vs. drones for surveillance
36. SMS texts vs. phone calls
37. Working remotely vs. in an office
38. Digital footprint vs. reputation
39. Digital privacy in developed vs. developing countries
40. Streaming vs. cable TV
Science
Science pushes the boundaries of what we know about the world via research, experimentation and observation. Using these essay topics below, you can do the same with your writing.
41. Electric vehicles vs. gas-powered transportation
42. Natural causes of climate change vs. human activity
43. Bacteria vs. viruses
44. The Big Bang Theory vs. Steady state theory
45. Astronomy vs. astrology
46. Staying on Earth vs. Colonizing Mars
47. Exploring deep space vs. exploring the ocean
48. Experimental research vs. observational research
49. Recycled plastics vs. organic material
50. Zoos vs. natural reserves for protecting endangered species
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Social Issues
If you have always been appalled by inequality, if you’re curious about how the justice system works, or if you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer or a politician, you might benefit from the topics below. Becoming an effective argumentative essay writer can help you develop the persuasive skills needed for these roles. If one of your goals in life is to change policies people don’t benefit from, you’ll have to learn to negotiate. Writing on the topics below will help you practice.
51. Punitive justice vs. restorative justice
52. Women’s workplace rights at the beginning of the century vs. today
53. Сensorship in media vs. free press
54. Systemic racism vs. individual prejudice
55. Social mobility in the US vs. in Canada
56. Immigration laws in the US before vs. after 9/11
57. Capitalism vs. socialism
58. Wage gap in the US vs. in Mexico
59. Gun rights vs. gun control policies
60. Cancel culture vs. accountability culture
Pop Culture Topics
A leisurely evening could still feature one essay. Using our pop-culture topics can help you practice journalism and persuasion skills while also writing about someone or something you like!
61. YouTube vs. TikTok
62. Artists releasing albums vs. singles
63. Festival ticket prices in the 2000s vs. today
64. Rock music vs. rap music
65. Social media influencers vs. the royal family
66. Nepotism vs. gaining fame independently
67. Microtrends vs. fashion movements
68. Rave culture in the 1990s vs. 2020s
69. Trust in politicians in the US vs. Canada
70. Podcasts vs. reading
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Sports and Fitness
Sports are a major part of a student’s life. Don’t have time to participate? Write on it! Pick one of the topics below to explore the connection between mind and body.
71. Going to the gym vs. participating in group sports
72. College sports vs. drama class
73. Endurance vs. strength
74. Swimming vs. running
75. Athletic clothing vs. everyday clothes for the gym
76. Cybersports vs. chess
77. Going to the gym vs. working out at home
78. Fitness apps vs. fitness YouTube creators
79. Traditional yoga vs. Westernized practice
80. Working out with a trainer vs. without one
Ethics and Philosophy
If you can’t fall asleep before you view a problem from a hundred perspectives, you might like the following topics. Practice your critical thinking, polish up on your research and start writing about philosophical theories, god and a man’s place in the world.
81. Justice vs. mercy
82. Ethics based on duty vs. on virtue
83. Mind vs. body
84. Theism vs. atheism
85. Organized religion vs. independent worship
86. Moral absolutism vs. moral relativism
87. Plato’s idealism vs. Aristotle’s realism
88. Ethics during war vs. ethics in times of peace
89. Moral duty vs. desire
90. Authenticity vs. conformity
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Business and Economics
Business, management and economics students have to do their fair share of writing. Using the topics below for practice can help you learn to write in a persuasive, well-argumented manner. Business is not just numbers - it’s about the people.
91. Startups vs. established companies
92. Capitalism vs. communism
93. Monopoly vs. oligopoly
94. B2B vs. B2C models
95. E-commerce vs. traditional retail experience
96. Traditional job vs. freelancing
97. Cash vs. digital money
98. Product-based businesses vs. service-based businesses
99. Subscription vs. one-time purchase model
100. Leadership vs. management
Travel and Culture
Traveling offers a new perspective on the world, and so does writing. Going abroad is like reading a fiction book - you get to discover a whole new world you never knew existed! Take this opportunity to pick a topic and create an entire world yourself.
101. Tourist vs. traveler
102. Mountains vs. seaside
103. Guided tours vs. independent exploration
104. Driving vs. flying
105. Domestic tourism vs. traveling abroad
106. Traveling to big cities vs. to rural areas
107. Visiting Europe vs. traveling to Asia
108. Package tours vs. planning the trip yourself
109. Solo travel vs. traveling with friends
110. Adventure tourism in the Winter vs. Summer
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Lifestyle and Food
Exploring differences and similarities between people can help you significantly improve your emotional intelligence. These lifestyle and food topics can give you a less complicated way to gain a new perspective on the mundane things around you.
111. Intermittent fasting vs. intuitive eating
112. Veganism vs. vegetarianism
113. Sparkling vs. still water
114. Sweet vs. savory breakfast
115. American eating habits vs. eating habits in Europe
116. Organic vs. non-organic produce
117. Smoothies vs. juices
118. Natural remedies vs. traditional medicine
119. Meal prepping vs. cooking on demand
120. Honey vs. sugar
Relationships
Exploring relationships between people can give you incredible practice and insight. Use the topics below to write on human relationships, families and friendships. Everyone perceives other people differently, so writing on the topics below can help you discover other people’s perspectives on familiar issues.
121. In-person communication vs. video chat
122. Going out vs. staying in
123. Monogamy vs. polyamory
124. Marriage vs. coliving
125. Being child-free vs. open to kids
126. Being in a couple vs. being single
127. Punishment vs. gentle parenting
128. Living with parents vs. moving out early
129. Individual therapy vs. couples counseling
130. Nuclear family vs. a big family
Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Psychology
There are lots of ways to practice psychotherapy, and writing is one of them. Using the topics presented below can help you broaden your perspective on issues discussed in class. You can also explore persuasive paper writing services to see examples of how arguments are structured around psychological concepts. Do independent research on psychological theories, frameworks, and approaches and watch as you get better in class!
131. Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. Dialectical behavior therapy
132. Peer pressure vs. peer influence
133. Exercise vs. drugs for treating depression
134. Emotional intelligence vs. cognitive intelligence
135. Groupthink vs. independent thought
136. Nature vs. nurture among BPD patients
137. Low self-esteem vs. high self-esteem
138. Diagnosing bipolar disorder vs. borderline personality disorder
139. Phobias vs. fears
140. Introversion vs. shyness
Environment and Nature
Modern students are gravely concerned about the environment, and for good reason. The future is scary, but we are the ones who can bring about change. Developing your negotiation skills and broadening perspectives via extensive research is key to ensuring the next generations never see snow.
141. Solar Energy vs. fossil fuels
142. Conservation vs. reforestation
143. Organic farming vs. traditional farming
144. Agricultural subsidy programs in the US vs. Poland
145. Overconsumption vs. underconsumption
146. Recycling vs. reducing waste
147. Thrifting vs. buying new
148. Individual efforts vs. environmental activism
149. Greta Thunberg vs. Jeff Bezos
150. Electric cars vs. hybrid cars
Wrapping up the Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
So there you have it, 150 compare and contrast essay topics that you can practice on! You can pick a topic depending on your mood, workload or upcoming class. You don’t have to write on the most research-intensive topics all the time - instead, pick different subjects to add variety to your study routine. Using compare contrast essay topics is a great way to improve your writing skills, your self-organization habits and, of course, critical thinking.
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