A compare and/or contrast paragraph is required if you are asked to examine similarities and/or differences. Compare focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences. Topic sentence identifies the topic and the intention to compare and/or contrast X and Y; comments on the degree of similarity or difference.

How do you write a compare and contrast paragraph?

A comparison or contrast paragraph should be tightly focused on a meaningful difference or similarity between two things, people, places or ideas. You should use specific details and examples to explain why the difference or similarity matters.

How do you start a contrast paragraph?

Paragraph 1: The opening sentence names the two subjects and states that they are very similar, very different or have many important (or interesting) similarities and differences. Continue discussing similarities only using compare-contrast cue words such as "like," "similar to" and "also," for each comparison.