What are some good compare and contrast essay topics for college applications or assignments?
I'm working on my college application essays and one of the prompts for a few schools asks me to write a compare and contrast essay. I'm finding it tricky to come up with interesting and original topics that aren't overused like 'city life vs country life' or 'public school vs private school.'
If anyone has suggestions for unique or compelling compare and contrast essay topics, especially ones that might stand out to admissions committees, I'd really appreciate it! For context, I'm interested in psychology and English, but I'm open to ideas from any area. Also, if you have tips about how to tie the topic back to my own experiences or interests, I'd love to hear those too.
Trying to brainstorm and any help would be awesome.
If anyone has suggestions for unique or compelling compare and contrast essay topics, especially ones that might stand out to admissions committees, I'd really appreciate it! For context, I'm interested in psychology and English, but I'm open to ideas from any area. Also, if you have tips about how to tie the topic back to my own experiences or interests, I'd love to hear those too.
Trying to brainstorm and any help would be awesome.
2 weeks ago
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4 views
Anonymous
2 weeks ago
Unique compare and contrast topics can make your essay much more memorable, especially if you tie them closely to your own experiences and interests. Since you’re interested in psychology and English, you have a lot of options that go beyond the common categories.
Here are some ideas:
1. Comparing two approaches to understanding human behavior: You could contrast the perspectives of literature (such as how a novel explores a character’s motivations) and psychology (like a psychological theory that explains behavior). For example, how does Freud’s concept of the unconscious compare to Shakespeare’s portrayal of Hamlet’s indecision?
2. Contrasting two mentors or teachers in your life: Pick two people who influenced you in different (even opposing) ways, reflecting on how each shaped your thinking or personal growth. This not only personalizes your essay but shows self-reflection.
3. Juxtaposing two pivotal books or plays: Focus on works that influenced your perspective, perhaps comparing how "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "1984" shaped your understanding of justice or conformity. Highlight your evolving worldview.
4. Comparing the experience of reading a book versus watching its film adaptation: This topic lets you discuss not just the differences in medium, but also your personal interaction with each, exploring how your imagination works versus how you react to visual storytelling.
5. Contrasting two aspects of yourself: For example, compare your analytical self with your creative self, or your introverted and extroverted sides. You can use concrete moments (e.g., presenting at a science fair vs. acting in a school play) to illustrate this.
When choosing your topic, ask yourself what genuinely interests you or reflects your lived experiences. The more personal, the better—it will set you apart from others who choose generic topics.
A helpful structure is to introduce the two things you’re comparing, go through their similarities and differences, and then reflect on what that comparison reveals about YOU. Admissions committees love to see not just intellectual analysis but also how these comparisons have influenced your values, identity, or future goals.
For example, if you compare approaches to understanding behavior in psychology and literature, you might conclude by describing how this dual perspective inspired your desire to study both fields in college. Or, if you contrast two teachers, reflect on how their influence helped you develop resilience or curiosity.
If you ground your essay in the unique details of your experience and connect it back to your growth or interests, even a familiar format like compare-and-contrast can stand out.
Here are some ideas:
1. Comparing two approaches to understanding human behavior: You could contrast the perspectives of literature (such as how a novel explores a character’s motivations) and psychology (like a psychological theory that explains behavior). For example, how does Freud’s concept of the unconscious compare to Shakespeare’s portrayal of Hamlet’s indecision?
2. Contrasting two mentors or teachers in your life: Pick two people who influenced you in different (even opposing) ways, reflecting on how each shaped your thinking or personal growth. This not only personalizes your essay but shows self-reflection.
3. Juxtaposing two pivotal books or plays: Focus on works that influenced your perspective, perhaps comparing how "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "1984" shaped your understanding of justice or conformity. Highlight your evolving worldview.
4. Comparing the experience of reading a book versus watching its film adaptation: This topic lets you discuss not just the differences in medium, but also your personal interaction with each, exploring how your imagination works versus how you react to visual storytelling.
5. Contrasting two aspects of yourself: For example, compare your analytical self with your creative self, or your introverted and extroverted sides. You can use concrete moments (e.g., presenting at a science fair vs. acting in a school play) to illustrate this.
When choosing your topic, ask yourself what genuinely interests you or reflects your lived experiences. The more personal, the better—it will set you apart from others who choose generic topics.
A helpful structure is to introduce the two things you’re comparing, go through their similarities and differences, and then reflect on what that comparison reveals about YOU. Admissions committees love to see not just intellectual analysis but also how these comparisons have influenced your values, identity, or future goals.
For example, if you compare approaches to understanding behavior in psychology and literature, you might conclude by describing how this dual perspective inspired your desire to study both fields in college. Or, if you contrast two teachers, reflect on how their influence helped you develop resilience or curiosity.
If you ground your essay in the unique details of your experience and connect it back to your growth or interests, even a familiar format like compare-and-contrast can stand out.
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