Interesting Compare and Contrast Essay Topics & Ideas

Compare and Contrast Essay - Overview

A compare and contrast essay is a type of essay that explains how two or more subjects are different or similar.

The purpose of this essay is to examine two things and find out how they are similar and different. When writing a compare and contrast essay, it's important to consider the relevance of each characteristic being compared. This will help you decide which characteristics are most worth exploring.

Here’s a video that explains compare and contrast essay in more depth:

If you have not decided on the topic as yet, get inspired by the topic ideas given below:

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for University Students

• Compare the education systems of the United States and the United Kingdom.
  
• Compare and contrast the themes and characters in two classic novels of your choice.
  
• Compare the democratic systems of the United States and European countries.
  
• Compare the impact of Eastern and Western philosophies on modern society.
  
• Compare and contrast the theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.
  
• Compare the economic systems of capitalism and socialism.
  
• Compare the theories of evolution and creationism in the context of biology.
  
• Compare the impact of World War I and World War II on global politics and society.
  
• Compare the role of women in society in the 19th and 21st centuries.
  
• Compare and contrast classical music and contemporary pop music.
  

College Level Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Check out these compare and contrast essay topics for college students.

• School vs. College - Which is more difficult?
• Employed vs. unemployed students
• Research papers vs. Essays
• American Culture vs. British 
  
• Education vs. employment
• IELTS vs. TOEFL
• Graduate vs. Postgraduate student
• Argumentative vs. Persuasive essays
• Android vs. iOS
• Online writing vs. traditional writing

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for High School Students

• John Locke against Thomas Hobbes
• George Bush vs. Donald Trump
• Bill Gates and Steve Jobs
• Prince and Michael Jackson
• Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
• Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill
• Adolf Hitler and Mussolini
• Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May
• Jon Bon Jovi and Elvis Presley.
• Socrates and Plato

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Middle School

• Playing video games vs. reading a book
• Real communication vs. texting
• Apple vs. Pear
• Giving vs. Getting presents - Which is more pleasant?
• Long hair or short hair
• Cats vs. Dogs
• King Arthur vs. Zeus
• Watching a film at home vs. in cinema
• Dictators vs. School bullies
• Hurricane vs. Tsunami

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 9th Grade 

• Comparing the Dangers of On-Screen Screen Time vs Outdoor Activities
  
• Contrasting Ancient Rome and Modern America
  
• Online Classes vs On-campus Classes
  
• School Uniforms vs Casual Dress Code
  
• Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling
  
• Video Games vs. Movies
  
• Reading Books vs Watching Movies
  
• Examining the Impact of Social Media on Teenage Lives
  
• Comparing Private Schools to Public Schools
  
• Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of City Life vs Country Life.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics For 7th Grade 

• Nighttime vs. Daytime
  
• Sleeping vs. Being active
  
• Running & Walking
  
• Summer & Winter
  
• Comic books and TV shows
  
• Halloween or prom night? - Which one is more fun?
  
• Riding or driving - Which is more difficult?
  
• Swimming vs. cycling 
  
• Brazil team vs. Manning team
  
• Evening exercise vs. morning exercise 

Easy Compare And Contrast Essay Topics for 6th Grade

• Compare quotes from known celebrities
  
• Books of famous writers
  
• Rap songs and Pop Songs
  
• Reptiles vs. Mammals
  
• Shaggy vs. Fred
  
• Renting and owning things
  
• Italy vs. Spain
  
• Is living in a house better than a flat?
  
• Compare and contrast between adulthood and childhood.
  
• Superman vs. Spiderman
  

Best Compare and Contrast Essay Topics For Elementary Students 

• Facebook or Instagram
• Fast food vs. healthy meal
• Public school vs. Private school
• Parental control or full freedom
• Good teacher vs. a bad teacher
• Online vs. Traditional shopping
• Chinese vs. American beauty concepts
• Rock vs. Classical music
• Apartment vs. House
• University professors vs. School teachers

History Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Renaissance and Baroque Art
• US President vs. British Prime Minister
• Fascism and Totalitarianism
• Religious Studies vs. Anthropology
• America vs. Soviet Government
• Gandhi and Jinnah’s political approaches
• Communism vs. Liberalism
• Make a comparison between Russian emperors
• Iran pre and post monarchy
• Karl Marx and Friedrich Hegel

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Science Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 

• Astronomy vs. Astrology
  
• Chemistry vs. Physics
  
• Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology
  
• Renewable Energy vs. Fossil Fuels
  
• Biotechnology vs. Genetic Engineering
  
• Climate Change vs. Natural Climate Variability
  
• Quantum Mechanics vs. Classical Physics
  
• Space Exploration vs. Ocean Exploration
  
• Animal Behavior vs. Human Behavior
  
• Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence
  

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Sports vs. Exercise - Which is better for health?
• Table tennis vs. Lawn tennis
• Football vs. Soccer
• Basketball vs. Baseball
• Breakdance vs. ballet
• Steroids vs. Energy drinks - More harmful to athletes?
• Women’s vs. men’s basketball
• Australian vs. Indian cricket team
• The Bundesliga vs. The English Premier League
• Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Psychology Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Psychology and Psychiatry
• Nature vs. Nurture
• Therapy vs. Medication
• Rehabilitation Advantages and Disadvantages
  
• Autism vs. Down Syndrome
• Suicide and Homicide
• Smoking and Vaping
• Impact of social media on people and depression
• Stress and Depression
• Compare Theories of J. Watson and B. Skinner.

Literature & Language Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 

• Shakespearean Tragedies vs. Comedies
  
• Poetry vs. Prose
  
• Classic Literature vs. Contemporary Literature
  
• Fiction vs. Non-Fiction
  
• First-Person vs. Third-Person Narration
  
• Modern English vs. Old English
  
• The Use of Symbolism in Poetry vs. Prose
  
• Gothic Literature vs. Romantic Literature
  
• Literary Realism vs. Magical Realism
  
• Literary Criticism vs. Reader Response Theory
  

Education Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• SAT vs. IELTS
• Scientific Paper vs. Academic Writing
• Science and Art
• Professional vs. Skill Degree
• Essay Writing and Research Paper
• What is the difference between Public and Private School students?
• Casual Clothing vs. Uniforms
• University and College
• Gender studies and Women's Studies
• Sociology and Anthropology

Social Sciences Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 

• Democracy vs. Authoritarianism
  
• Capitalism vs. Socialism
  
• Traditional Education vs. Online Learning
  
• Urban Living vs. Rural Living
  
• Gender Roles in Modern Society vs. Traditional Societies
  
• Individualism vs. Collectivism
  
• Globalization vs. Cultural Diversity
  
• Social Media vs. Face-to-Face Communication
  
• Environmental Conservation vs. Economic Development
  
• Cybersecurity vs. Privacy Rights

Arts and Culture Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 

• Classical Art vs. Contemporary Art
  
• Film vs. Theater
  
• Traditional Dance vs. Modern Dance
  
• Literature vs. Film Adaptations
  
• High Culture vs. Popular Culture
  
• Museum Exhibitions vs. Art Galleries
  
• Classical Music vs. Contemporary Music
  
• Traditional Architecture vs. Modern Architecture
  
• Fashion Trends vs. Historical Costume
  
• Cultural Festivals vs. Music Festivals
  

Funny Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Here are some fun compare and contrast essay topics for light-hearted essays

• Moonwalk vs. Gangnam Style
• Xbox vs. PlayStation
• Growing a tree vs. raising a child
• Being single vs. in a relationship
• Drugs or Coffee - Which is better to improve performance?
• Morse code vs. Beethoven’s fifth symphony
• Love or friendship
• Apple vs. Samsung
• Live-in relationship vs. marriage
• Barbie vs. Bratz

Controversial Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Gun Control vs. Second Amendment Rights
  
• Pro-choice vs. Pro-life
  
• Capital Punishment vs. Life Imprisonment
  
• Censorship vs. Freedom of Expression
  
• Climate Change Denial vs. Environmental Activism
  
• Globalization vs. Protectionism
  
• Legalization vs. Criminalization of Drugs
  
• AI Advancements vs. Job Displacement
  
• Universal Healthcare vs. Private Healthcare
  
• The Role of Government vs. Individual Liberty
  

Movie Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Comedy vs. horror movies
• Vampires of Twilight vs. Vampire diaries
• Avengers vs. Fantastic Four
• DC or Marvel
• Normal vs. 3D screening
• Dumbledore vs. Voldemort
• Michael Jackson vs. Prince
• Netflix or Youtube
• Bollywood vs. Hollywood
• Mystery vs. Crime movies

Good Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Football in 20th vs. 21st Century
• Sociology vs. psychology
• Bipolar Disorder vs. Epilepsy
• Strict Parenting vs. Relaxed Parenting
• Ego vs. Superego
• Soft Drugs vs. Hard Drugs
• Traditional vs. online education
• Homeschooling vs. traditional education
• Testing or stress-free education
• Studying languages vs. sciences

Fun Compare and Contrast Essay Topics  

• Wizards vs. Witches: Magical Showdown
• Summer Festivals vs. Winter Carnivals: Seasonal Celebrations
• Metropolis Madness vs. Country Calm: Where to Live?
  
• Adventures in Middle-earth vs. Galaxy Far, Far Away: Epic Journeys
  
• Social Butterflies vs. Snap-happy Explorers: Social Media Stars
  
• Pizza Palooza vs. Burger Bonanza: Foodie Face-off
  
• High School Hijinks vs. College Capers: Student Life
  
• Road Trippin' vs. Jet Settin': Travel Adventures
  
• Campfire Chronicles vs. Hotel Hideaways: Outdoor Escapes
  
• Mozart vs. Morrison: Musical Masterminds
  

Unique Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Renaissance vs. Baroque Art
  
• Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing in the Digital Age.
  
• Exploration of Dreams in Psychology vs. Literature.
  
• The Impact of Video Games vs. Literature on Storytelling.
  
• Natural Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine
  
• Shakespearean Sonnets vs. Modern Song Lyrics
  
• Eastern and Western Approaches to Meditation and Mindfulness.
  
• Ancient Greek Democracy vs. Modern Democratic Systems.
  
• The Internet's Effect on Traditional Journalism vs. Citizen Journalism.
  
• Family members vs. Friends in tough life decisions  
  

Deep Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Paintings vs. photos
• Superman vs. Batman
• Harry Potter Books vs. Movies
• Pride and Prejudice vs. The Great Gatsby
• Mission Impossible 1 vs. 6
• Game of Thrones vs. The Witcher
• Apple or Google Pixel
• Free college education.
• Silver vs. gold.
• Old vs. new: analyzing the similarities

Medical Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• Vaccination or medications
• Female vs. male doctors
• All-natural cures vs. chemical cures
• Alternative medicine vs. traditional medicine
• Soft Drugs s. Hard Drugs
• Should medical marijuana be approved on the federal level?
• Traditional vs. modern medicine
• Old-fashioned or unique ways of treatment
• Doctor vs. nurse
• Medicine vs. herbal

Healthcare Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 

• Traditional Medicine vs. Modern Medicine
  
• Universal Healthcare vs. Private Healthcare
  
• Telemedicine vs. In-Person Doctor Visits
  
• Mental Health vs. Physical Health Care
  
• Vaccination vs. Natural Immunity
  
• Traditional Chinese Medicine vs. Western Medicine
  
• Healthcare in Developed vs. Developing Countries
  
• Public Health vs. Personal Health
  
• Hospital Care vs. Home Healthcare
  
• Healthcare Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
  

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Technology

• Traditional vs. Online Commerce
• Mobile phones vs. tablets
• E-readers vs. traditional paper books
• iPhone or Smartphone
• Artificial intelligence vs. cloud computing
• Online photos vs. camera photos
• Traditional TV or streaming platforms
• Laptops or tablets
• Cloud computing vs. traditional computing
• Robots vs. humans

Entertainment Compare and Contrast Essay Topics 

• Live Concerts vs. Music Streaming Services
  
• Hollywood Films vs. Independent Movies
  
• Video Games vs. Board Games
  
• Fiction Books vs. Non-Fiction Books
  
• Stand-Up Comedy vs. Improv Comedy
  
• Theater Plays vs. Movie Adaptations
  
• Cable TV vs. Streaming Services
  
• Action Movies vs. Romantic Comedies
  
• Pop Music vs. Hip-Hop Music
  
• Classical Art vs. Street Art
  

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Economy

• Keynesian Economics vs. Supply-Side Economics
  
• Market Economy vs. Planned Economy
  
• Microeconomics vs. Macroeconomics
  
• Economic Development vs. Economic Growth
  
• Fiscal Policy vs. Monetary Policy
  
• Developed Countries vs. Developing Countries' Economies
  
• Income Inequality in Capitalist vs. Socialist Economies
  
• The Great Depression vs. the 2008 Financial Crisis
  
• Trade Protectionism vs. Free Trade
  
• Economic Impact of COVID-19 vs. Other Major Crises
  

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Politics

• Different models of democracy
• Republicans vs. Democrats
• Democracy and communism
• The political system of US vs. UK
• Margaret Thatcher vs. Barack Obama;
• Good vs. bad politics
• American politics vs. British politics
• Parliamentary vs. presidential
• World war I vs. World War II
• Rural politics vs. urban politics

How to Choose a Topic for a Compare and Contrast Essay? 

Usually, elementary school and college students are assigned topics for their essays. But if not, then it is time to show your creativity by choosing an interesting topic. 

Choosing the right topic for your essay is both important and daunting. Choosing an exciting topic is mandatory to make your compare and contrast essay engaging for the readers.

If you want to select an impressive topic for your essay, follow the tips provided below:

• Identify Your Interests: Identify the topics you find interesting and are passionate about discussing. Your enthusiasm will enhance the quality of your writing.
  
• Create a List of Ideas: List down all the ideas and choose subjects that can be described in detail with various aspects.
  
• Ensure Coherence: Make sure that the subjects you choose for your essay belong to the same group or category. This ensures a logical and coherent flow of ideas.
  
• Consider Your Audience: Keep in mind the target audience. Structure your writing based on the readers' interests to increase your essay’s readership. Choose a topic that aligns with your audience's preferences.
  
• Explore Current Trends: Choose topics from current trends and controversies. People are more interested in subjects that are new or controversial. This ensures your essay remains engaging and relevant to your audience.

Researching before choosing your compare and contrast essay topic is essential. In this way, you will know if your chosen topic is suitable or not. 

To sum up, these are some helpful and fun writing ideas you can use in your compare and contrast essay.

However, sometimes students need more than a list of compare and contrast essay topics to guide them. You should also read some compare and contrast essay examples to get a better understanding.

Whether writing an essay or an academic paper on compare and contrast, it is essential first to pick a good topic. You can easily get help from our essay writing company online.

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