An Untitled Compare and Contrast

The end result of an essay is often seen as the most important part. If an essay ends without coming to a conclusion, it would be hard to call it an essay at all. It is important to have a sound result but it is also imperative for essays to have a well thought-out approach before delivering the well thought-out conclusion. Writing a compare and contrast essay, for example would require knowing the words, compare and contrast, and their uses well enough to apply them in any given situation; this would strengthen the approach of the essay. Comparing and contrasting may seem like one in the same ideal; however there must be a key difference between the two words, despite their similarities. Otherwise, comparisons would not be so frequently accompanied by contrasts and contrasts would not so often dare to compare. Both a comparison and a contrast are different approaches in their own right but when combined as a compare and contrast, the approach is broadened in hopes of a reaching a result that is clearly sound.

The enormously credible Dictionary.com defines the two words as follows:

com⋅pare –verb (used with object)
to examine in order to note similarities and differences; to consider or describe as similar: to compare two pieces of cloth; to compare the governments of two nations.

con-trast – verb (used with object)
to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of: Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.

Despite the similarities when comparing the two definitions there is a stark contrast between them. The definition of contrast reveals the unlikeness of objects. Contrastingly, the definition of compare is designed to focus on the similarities between objects. Therefore, comparing things like apples and oranges is often seen as hypothetically unsuitable because they are different. Although, a brief comparison, by definition will show that there are many similarities between apples and oranges: they are both fruits that grow on trees, with brightly coloured outer skins, and can be found, relatively in the same section of the grocery store. This example shows that comparing two seemingly different objects can reveal their similarities.

In comparison, contrasting the same two apples and oranges should reveal the dissimilarities: they are two different colours and textures, they both taste very differently, an apple has an edible skin, while the orange has a skin that is normally peeled then discarded, and they are normally sold separately at a grocery store. This example of contrast focuses on why apples and oranges are different. When compared to the comparison before it, there is a contrast because the comparison shows why they are the same.

By the definitions given in this essay: a comparison is an examination of objects that makes note of their similarities and differences; and a contrast is a comparison of objects that focuses only on their differences. This means that a comparison will inevitably include some type of contrast and a contrast will fundamentally be based on a comparison. The contrasts between these two words are unavoidably linked by their similarities, yet when compared they both showcase their opposition. In other words, when seeking out their sameness, it is their differences that are revealed and when searching for their opposition, they are brought together by their likenesses.

Based on the evidence so far, a comparison can and normally does contain a contrast and a contrast will have to include a comparison. However, there must be some objects that when compared are found to be identical, thus revealing no contrasts. Identical twins are often viewed just as the name suggests, but personality traits are never exactly the same; even the physical traits would reveal some subtle differences in a comparison. The public was told that Dolly the sheep – forever known as the first cloned sheep – was truly identical to its other sheep self. This means that a true comparison between the two scientifically identical sheep would show no contrast, but contrastingly when shown in pictures, one of the sheep is sitting on the left side of the photo while the other is clearly sitting on the right side of the photo. Logically speaking, two different objects can never occupy the same space at the same time; therefore if two objects are in two different places, they are two different objects and the contrast prevails. It could also be assumed that when compared, two genetically identical sheep would not have each strand of wool on their bodies grow in exactly the same way. This comparison does then show a contrast between the two sheep, even though they are supposedly identical. When comparing this comparison of the cloned sheep to a contrast, it would naturally seem that the same observations would be found. Therefore, a comparison and contrast of two identical sheep will reveal the same similarities and dissimilarities; the only difference is the approach.

A contrast seeks the differences, a comparison seeks the similarities. Interestingly enough, both may end up at the same conclusion. This does not mean it is safe, when doing a compare and contrast to eliminate a contrast from the comparison, or a comparison from the contrast. The path to reaching any conclusion must include as many possibilities as possible. That is, the means to a result is just as important as the result itself – if not more so. It could even be argued that the comparing and contrasting of comparing and contrasting can be compared to the result that has recently been reached. In contrast, if the result has never been less clear than it is now, read the essay again, compare the results of both your readings and the contrast that arises should help to clarify.