These compare-and-contrast essay topics are suitable for any age, whether you’re middle school, highschool or college. This list has 75 ideas for compare and contrast essays. There’s sure to be one you like!
Social Studies Compare & Contrast Essay Ideas
These topics are great for a compare-and-contrast essay.
American culture in the 1920s and 1960s
– Childhood today vs. the 1980s
– Great Depression vs. coronavirus pandemic
– Pioneers and first humans in outer space
Barack Obama vs. Abraham Lincoln
– World War I and World War II
Millennials vs. baby boomers
– Rural life vs. urban life
– The comparison between Barack Obama and Donald Trump
– The American Civil Rights Movement compared to the Women’s Liberation Movement
– The Victorian Era’s Beauty Concepts vs. Today’s Beauty Concepts
– American politics today and American politics during Civil War
Language Arts Comparative and Contrast Essay Topics
A simple essay about language arts that compares and contrasts different aspects of reading and writing can be written in no time. These are some ideas to consider:
Reality vs. Fiction in Tall Tales and Legends
– Women in 1800s literature vs. women in literature today
– Autobiography vs. memoir
– The pen’s might versus the sword’s might
– Email communication vs. hand-written letters
– Speaking vs. writing
– British English Vs. American English
– Formal writing vs. colloquial language
– The book vs. film version
– Reading books assigned vs. reading your own
– Poetry vs. Prose
– Science fiction vs. historic fiction
Science and Technology Compare and Contrast Essay ideas
There are so many options for comparing and contrasting science and technology. These are some of the options:
– Earth vs. Mars
– Alternative medicine vs. traditional medicine
– Photos posted online vs. photos kept private
– Meeting people online vs meeting in real life
– Video chat etiquette vs. in-person meeting etiquette
– Genetic testing to diagnose diseases vs. conventional diagnostic methods
– Coal-fired and nuclear power
– Planting More Trees vs. Cleaning up Water Systems
Alternative energy vs. conventional power plants
– Hurricanes vs. tornadoes
– Driver-operated trucks and self-driving vehicles
– E-readers vs. traditional papers books
Ideas for Daily Life Essays: Comparing and Contrasting
A variety of topics are available that you can use to create compare and difference essays. These are some of the ideas you might consider:
– Homeschool vs. attending public school
– Nature walks: Spring or Fall?
Comparison of home and fast food
– Home working versus office work
Buying food and growing your food
– Movies vs. video games
Movies at home vs. in the theatre
– Standardized Testing vs. Grading
– Cat people vs. dog people
Choosing between going to college and staying locally
Getting married or staying single?
Flying to travel or road trip?
– Summer camp vs. family vacation
– Vegan vs. gluten free
– Popularity or independence?
– Getting gifts vs. giving gifts
– Being a sibling vs. an only child
Buying apples vs. planting apple trees
– Camping vs. staying in hotel
Reality vs. Your Childhood Dream
Comparison of fast food hamburgers and grilled home-cooked meals
Movie in subtitles vs. movie with subtitles
– Beach vacation vs. adventure trek
– In-person job interview vs. phone interview
– Hotel vs. vacation rental house
– Public transportation vs. cars
– Dying your Hair vs. Natural Color
Compare two to compare and contrast
Also, you can choose two items from the same category to write a compare-and-contrast essay. The similarities between them can be compared so that the differences will stand out. These are some ideas to inspire you:
– Two types soda
– Two colleges or schools
– A series that includes two books, such Harry Potter.
– In movies and books, there are two villains
There are two routes to get to school
Weekend Fun: Two Ways to Spend It
– There are two members of your family
– 2 Shakespearean plays
– 2 Victorian novels
– Two superhero movies
– 2 world leaders
– US: Two states
Get excited about your topic
No matter your topic choice, it’s worth learning how you can write a compare-and-contrast essay. A great topic will make it easier to get excited about the work you do. You can also learn basic skills that will help you get a good grade.
