Tips for good Compare / Contrast paragraphs
1. First think of your topic. Choose something you have experience with, and have knowledge about. (for example, 2 cities you have visited)
2. Decide which points you will compare. (for example, location, climate, attractions) These will explain the reasons for your opinion.
3. Have an opinion about this topic. (for example, Seattle and San Francisco are similar)
4. Now you are ready to create your main idea sentence, or your topic sentence for your paragraph. Include reasons for your opinion. (for example, Seattle and San Francisco are similar cities in location, climate and attractions available to tourists)
5. Explain what is similar about location. Use the same order you used for your main idea sentence (for example, both are near the Pacific Ocean, in calm waters. Seattle is on Puget Sound, San Francisco is on San Francisco Bay)
6. Explain what is similar about the climate. (for example, both have mild climate, and don’t get too hot or too cold)
7. Explain about attractions available to tourists. (for example, both have many beautiful sites to see, such as waterfront parks and shops, museums, and beautiful landscapes)
8. Now you are ready for your conclusion, which should review all that you have said in your paragraph. (for example, Seattle and San Francisco have many things in common, such as location, climate, and attractions. They are both interesting to me.)