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Difference Between Article and Essay

article vs essay

An article is nothing but a piece of writing commonly found in newspapers or websites which contain fact-based information on a specific topic. It is published with the aim of making the reader aware of something and keeping them up to date.

An essay is a literary work, which often discusses ideas, experiences and concepts in a clear and coherent way. It reflects the author’s personal view, knowledge and research on a specific topic.

Content: Article Vs Essay

Comparison chart.

Basis for ComparisonArticleEssay
MeaningAn article refers to a written piece of information, usually appears in newspaper, magazine, encyclopedias and website.An essay is a piece of literary work, wherein a particular issue or topic is analysed and discussed.
NatureObjectiveSubjective
ToneConversationalEducational and Analytical
Headings and SubheadingsYesNo
ReaderAlways written with a specific objective and reader group in mind.Not written with a specific reader group in mind.
Backed byPhotographs, charts and reports.Not required
Citation and ReferenceNot RequiredRequired

Definition of Article

An ‘article’ can be described as any form of written information which is produced either in a printed or electronic form, in newspaper, magazine, journal or website. It aims at spreading news, results of surveys, academic analysis or debates.

An article targets a large group of people, in order to fascinate the readers and engage them. Hence, it should be such that to retain the interest of the readers.

It discusses stories, reports and describes news, present balanced argument, express opinion, provides facts, offers advice, compares and contrast etc. in a formal or informal manner, depending upon the type of audience.

For writing an article one needs to perform a thorough research on the matter, so as to provide original and authentic information to the readers.

Components of Article

  • Title : An article contains a noticeable title which should be intriguing and should not be very long and descriptive. However, it should be such that which suggests the theme or issue of the information provided.
  • Introduction : The introduction part must clearly define the topic, by giving a brief overview of the situation or event.
  • Body : An introduction is followed by the main body which presents the complete information or news, in an elaborative way, to let the reader know about the exact situation.
  • Conclusion : The article ends with a conclusion, which sums up the entire topic with a recommendation or comment.

Definition of Essay

An essay is just a formal and comprehensive piece of literature, in which a particular topic is discussed thoroughly. It usually highlights the writer’s outlook, knowledge and experiences on that particular topic. It is a short literary work, which elucidates, argues and analyzes a specific topic.

The word essay is originated from the Latin term ‘exagium’ which means ‘presentation of a case’. Hence, writing an essay means to state the reasons or causes of something, or why something should be done or should be the case, which validates a particular viewpoint, analysis, experience, stories, facts or interpretation.

An essay is written with the intent to convince or inform the reader about something. Further, for writing an essay one needs to have good knowledge of the subject to explain the concept, thoroughly. If not so, the writer will end up repeating the same points again and again.

Components of the Essay

  • Title : It should be a succinct statement of the proposition.
  • Introduction : The introduction section of the essay, should be so interesting which instantly grabs the attention of the reader and makes them read the essay further. Hence, one can start with a quote to make it more thought-provoking.
  • Body : In the main body of the essay, evidence or reasons in support of the writer’s ideas or arguments are provided. One should make sure that there is a sync in the paragraphs of the main body, as well as they,  should maintain a logical flow.
  • Conclusion : In this part, the writer wraps up all the points in a summarized and simplified manner.

Key Differences Between Article and Essay

Upcoming points will discuss the difference between article and essay:

  • An article refers to a written work, published in newspapers, journals, website, magazines etc, containing news or information, in a specific format. On the other hand, an essay is a continuous piece of writing, written with the aim of convincing the reader with the argument or merely informing the reader about the fact.
  • An article is objective in the sense that it is based on facts and evidence, and simply describes the topic or narrate the event. As against, an essay is subjective, because it is based on fact or research-based opinion or outlook of a person on a specific topic. It analyses, argues and criticizes the topic.
  • The tone used in an article is conversational, so as to make the article easy to understand and also keeping the interest of the reader intact. On the contrary, an essay uses educational and analytical tone.
  • An article may contain headings, which makes it attractive and readable. In contrast, an essay does not have any headings, sections or bullet points, however, it is a coherent and organized form of writing.
  • An article is always written with a definite objective, which is to inform or make the readers aware of something. Further, it is written to cater to a specific niche of audience. Conversely, an essay is written in response to a particular assertion or question. Moreover, it is not written with a specific group of readers in mind.
  • An article is often supported by photographs, charts, statistics, graphs and tables. As opposed, an essay is not supported by any photographs, charts, or graphs.
  • Citations and references are a must in case of an essay, whereas there is no such requirement in case of an article.

By and large, an article is meant to inform the reader about something, through news, featured stories, product descriptions, reports, etc. On the flip side, an essay offers an analysis of a particular topic, while reflecting a detailed account of a person’s view on it.

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Anna H. Smith says

November 15, 2020 at 6:21 pm

Great! Thank you for explaining the difference between an article and an academic essay so eloquently. Your information is so detailed and very helpful. it’s very educative, Thanks for sharing.

Sunita Singh says

December 12, 2020 at 7:11 am

Thank you! That’s quite helpful.

Saba Zia says

March 8, 2021 at 12:33 am

Great job!! Thank u for sharing this explanation and detailed difference between essay and article. It is really helpful.

Khushi Chaudhary says

February 7, 2021 at 2:38 pm

Thank you so much! It is really very easy to understand & helpful for my test.

Dury Frizza says

July 25, 2022 at 8:18 pm

Thanks a lot for sharing such a clear and easily understood explanation!!!!.

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  • English Difference Between
  • Difference Between Article And Essay

Difference between Article and Essay

Are an article and an essay the same? Is there something that makes one different from the other? Check out this article to find out.

What is an Article?

An article is a report or content published in a newspaper, magazine, journal or website, either in printed or electronic form. When it comes to articles, a sizable readership is considered. It might be supported by studies, research, data, and other necessary elements. Articles may be slightly brief or lengthy, with a maximum count of 1500 words. It educates the readers on various ideas/concepts and is prepared with a clear aim in mind.

Articles, which can be found in newspapers, journals, encyclopaedias, and now, most commonly, online, inform and keep readers informed about many topics.

What is an Essay?

An essay is a formal, in-depth work of literature that analyses and discusses a specific problem or subject. It refers to a brief piece of content on a specific topic. Students are frequently required to write essays in response to questions or propositions in their academic coursework. It doesn’t target any particular readers.

Through essays, the author or narrator offers unique ideas or opinions on a given subject or question while maintaining an analytical and formal tone.

1. An article is a bit of writing intended to be shared in a magazine, newspaper, or other type of publication. An essay is a composition which belongs to a specific issue, or topic.
2. Articles tend to be objective. Essays tend to be subjective.
3. The purpose of the article is to tell the readers about some prospects, information and concepts. The major goal of the essay is to respond to a query.
4. In an article, we need charts, photographs, statistical data, etc., to create a masterpiece. In the essay, we do not need any reports, charts, or photographs.
5. When it comes to articles, we have to follow a particular heading and subheading format. When it comes to essays, there is no need to follow a heading format.
6. Articles are always long in nature and they should cover at least 1500 words at least. Essays are also longer in nature and the word count may reach up to 3000 words.
7. In an article, the conclusion part is not mandatory. In an essay, the conclusion part is mandatory.

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Article vs. Essay: What's the Difference?

difference between in essay and article

Key Differences

Comparison chart, primary goal, publication, article and essay definitions, are "essays" only academic, can an "article" be subjective, can an "essay" be a fictional narrative, what's the purpose of an "article", are there different types of "essays", is an "essay" always written in the first person, is every written piece in a newspaper an "article", how is an "essay" structured, what's a photo essay, where might i find an "article", can "article" refer to an item, are all "articles" short, what distinguishes a news "article" from a feature one, can an "article" be a primary source, do "articles" always present unbiased information, who writes essays, why might someone write an "essay", why are articles important in grammar, are "essays" only for students, is every "essay" personal.

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The Difference Between an Article and an Essay

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In composition studies , an article is a short work of nonfiction that typically appears in a magazine or newspaper or on a website. Unlike essays , which often highlight the subjective impressions of the author (or narrator ), articles are commonly written from an objective point of view . Articles include news items, feature stories, reports , profiles , instructions, product descriptions, and other informative pieces of writing.

What Sets Articles Apart From Essays

Though both articles and essays are types of nonfiction writing, they differ in many ways. Here are some features and qualities of articles that differentiate them from essays.

Subject and Theme in Articles

"A useful exercise is to look at some good articles and name the broader subject and the particular aspect each treats. You will find that the subject always deals with a partial aspect examined from some viewpoint; it is never a crammed condensation of the whole.

"...Observe that there are two essential elements of an article: subject and theme . The subject is what the article is about: the issue, event, or person it deals with. (Again, an article must cover only an aspect of a whole.) The theme is what the author wants to say about the subject—what he brings to the subject." (Ayn Rand, The Art of Nonfiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers , ed. by Robert Mayhew. Plume, 2001)

"An article is not everything that's true. It's every important thing that's true." (Gary Provost, Beyond Style: Mastering the Finer Points of Writing . Writer's Digest Books, 1988)

Article Structure

"There are five ways to structure your article . They are:

- The inverted pyramid - The double helix - The chronological double-helix - The chronological report - The storytelling model

Think about how you read a newspaper: you scan the captions and then read the first paragraph or two to get the gist of the article and then read further if you want to know more of the details. That's the inverted pyramid style of writing used by journalists, in which what's important comes first. The double-helix also presents facts in order of importance but it alternates between two separate sets of information. For example, suppose you are writing an article about the two national political conventions. You'll first present Fact 1 about the Democratic convention, then Fact 2 about the Republicans, then Fact 2 about the Democrats, Fact 2 about the Republicans, and so on. The chronological double-helix begins like the double helix but once the important facts from each set of information have been presented, it then goes off to relay the events in chronological order...

"The chronological report is the most straightforward structure to follow since it is written in the order in which the events occurred. The final structure is the storytelling model, which utilizes some of the techniques of fiction writing, so you would want to bring the reader into the story right away even if it means beginning in the middle or even near the end and then filling in the facts as the story unfolds." (Richard D. Bank, The Everything Guide to Writing Nonfiction . Adams Media, 2010)

Opening Sentence of an Article

"The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn't induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead. And if the second sentence doesn't induce him to continue to the third sentence, it's equally dead. Of such a progression of sentences, each tugging the reader forward until he is hooked, a writer constructs that fateful unit, the ' lead .'" (William Zinsser, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction , 7th ed. HarperCollins, 2006)

Articles and Media

"More and more, article content written for printed media is also appearing on digital devices (often as an edited version of a longer article) for readers who have short attention spans due to time constraints or their device's small screen. As a result, digital publishers are seeking audio versions of content that is significantly condensed and written in conversational style. Often, content writers must now submit their articles with the understanding they will appear in several media formats." (Roger W. Nielsen, Writing Content: Mastering Magazine and Online Writing . R.W. Nielsen, 2009)

Writer's Voice in Articles and Essays

"Given the confusion of genre minglings and overlaps, what finally distinguishes an essay from an article may just be the author's gumption, the extent to which personal voice , vision, and style are the prime movers and shapers, even though the authorial 'I' may be only a remote energy, nowhere visible but everywhere present. ('We commonly do not remember,' Thoreau wrote in the opening paragraphs of Walden , 'that it is, after all, always the first person that is speaking.')" (Justin Kaplan, quoted by Robert Atwan in The Best American Essays, College Edition , 2nd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1998)

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Difference between Article and Essay - wordscoach.com

Difference between Article and Essay

An article and an essay are both forms of written communication, but they serve different purposes and follow distinct structures.

What is an Article?

An article is a piece of writing intended for a broad audience, published in newspapers, magazines, journals, or online platforms. It provides information, discusses a topic, or offers opinions, and is typically structured to engage and inform readers.

What is an Essay?

An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument or a perspective on a particular topic. It is usually more formal and structured compared to articles and is often used in academic settings. Essays allow the writer to explore ideas, analyze concepts, and present their own interpretations.

Typically written to inform, educate, or entertain the readers about a particular topic. Articles are often found in newspapers, magazines, journals, or online platforms.Generally written to present an argument or the author’s viewpoint on a specific topic. Essays are more analytical or interpretative and are commonly used in academic settings.
Aimed at a broader audience, including the general public. The language is often more accessible and engaging.Typically intended for academic or educated readers, such as teachers, peers, or examiners.
Usually includes a headline, introduction, body, and conclusion. It often starts with a catchy introduction to grab attention, followed by detailed information and a concluding summary.Essays have a clear structure, generally consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Can be formal or informal, depending on the publication and audience. It often uses accessible language and may include subheadings, bullet points, and visuals.Formal and academic, using precise language and avoiding colloquialisms. Essays often follow specific citation styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago.
May include references and research, especially in feature articles or investigative pieces, but often relies on a mix of factual reporting and personal insight.Requires thorough research and proper citations. It often includes references to academic sources, studies, and literature to support the arguments made.
Varies widely; short articles can be around 300-500 words, while feature articles can be much longer, up to several thousand words.Generally has a more standardized length, particularly in academic contexts, often ranging from 500 to 3000 words.
A news report on a recent event, a magazine feature on a celebrity, a blog post on travel tips.A college assignment analyzing a piece of literature, a persuasive essay on climate change, a reflective essay on personal growth.

Types of Articles:

News Articles: Provide factual information about recent events.

Feature Articles: Offer in-depth analysis or narratives on topics of interest.

Opinion Articles: Present the author’s viewpoints on various issues.

How-To Articles: Give step-by-step instructions on performing tasks or activities.

Review Articles: Critique books, movies, products, or services.

Types of Essays:

Expository Essays: Explain or describe a topic clearly and logically.

Argumentative Essays: Present a well-reasoned argument on a controversial issue, supported by evidence.

Descriptive Essays: Paint a picture of a person, place, object, or event using detailed observations and sensory details.

Narrative Essays: Tell a story or recount an event, often using personal experiences.

Analytical Essays: Break down a concept, text, or piece of art to examine its components and their relationships.

Both articles and essays are valuable forms of communication , but they differ significantly in purpose, structure, audience, and style. Understanding these differences can help in choosing the appropriate format for a specific writing task.

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Article vs Essay: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways An article is a piece of writing that provides information, analysis, or commentary on a specific topic, intended for publication in newspapers, magazines, or online platforms; an essay is a more formal, structured piece of writing that presents an argument or analysis on a particular subject, for academic or professional purposes. Articles are shorter, more straightforward, and written for a broader audience. At the same time, essays are longer, more in-depth, and targeted toward a specific readership, such as academics or professionals in a given field. Both articles and essays are forms of written communication. Still, articles aim to inform, entertain, or provide commentary, while essays present a well-reasoned argument or analysis on a specific topic.

Article vs Essay

Similar reads, comparison table.

Parameter of ComparisonArticleEssay
DefinitionIt is a written composition to be published in newspapers, journals, magazines, websites, etc.It is a literary composition, written in prose, to describe and analyze any subject.
Point of viewObjectiveSubjective
ReadershipWritten with a target readership in mind.They are not written with a specific readership in mind.
Accompanied byStatistical data, reports and charts, photographs, etc.No photographs, charts, reports, etc., are required.
FormatSubheadings are required. Citations are not necessary.Subheadings are not used. References and Citations are required.

What is Article?

Some of the objectives of writing an article are:

What is Essay?

Main differences between article and essay.

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Difference Between Article and Essay

Main difference – article vs essay.

Articles and essays are two forms of academic writing. Though there are certain similarities between them, there are also distinct differences between them. These differences are based on the format, purpose and content. Before looking at the difference between article and essay, let us first look at the definitions of these two words. An essay is a piece of writing that describes, analyzes and evaluates a particular topic whereas an article is a piece of writing that is included with others in a newspaper or other publications. The main difference between article and essay is that an article is written to inform the readers about some concept whereas an essay is usually written in response to a question or proposition .

What is an Article

An article is a piece of writing that is included with others in a newspaper, magazine or other publication . It is a written composition that is nonfiction and prose. Articles can be found in magazines, encyclopedias, websites, newspapers or other publications; the content and the structure of an article may depend on the source. For example, an article can be an editorial, review, feature article, scholarly articles, etc.

Main Difference - Article vs Essay

What is an Essay

An essay is a piece of writing that describes, analyzes and evaluates a certain topic or an issue . It is a brief, concise form of writing that contains an introduction, a body that is comprised of few support paragraphs, and a conclusion. An essay may inform the reader, maintain an argument, analyse an issue or elaborate on a concept. An essay is a combination of statistics, facts and writer’s opinions and views.

Difference Between Article and Essay

Article is a piece of writing that is  included with others in a newspaper, magazine or other publication.

Essay is a short piece of writing on a particular subject.

Article is written to inform the readers about some concept.

Essay is generally written as a response to a question or proposition.

Articles follow heading and subheadings format.

Essays are not written under headings and subheadings.

Articles do not require citations or references.

Essays require citations and references.

Visual Effects

Articles are often accompanied by photographs, charts and graphs.

Essays do not require photographs.

Articles are objective as they merely describe a topic.

Difference Between Article and Essay- infographic

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Difference Between Article and Essay

College writing is divided into two types: articles and essays. Despite a few resemblances, they also have significant distinctions respectively to each other. These disparities are premised on layout, intention, and information. Prior to delving into the distinction between those assignments, we should first examine their meanings. Continue reading to understand all terminology and ideas on how to approach creative writing.

General Definitions

Key rules of an article.

This editorial is a form of reporting that appears alongside other posts in a journal, reviews, or other press. It follows a factual and documentary composing pattern. Media, dictionaries, webpages, advertisements, and other blogs also may contain these writings. The layout and information of this text may differ depending on the origin. An opinion column, evaluation, showcase post, university paperwork, and so on are all examples of articles.

The Concept of an Essay

This assignment is a type of literature in which you classify, assess, and appraise a specific subject or problem. It is a quick, precise type of communication that includes an opening, a body with a few supporting chapters, and a summary. Here you should give an overview, support an assertion, analyze a problem, or expound on a theory. Understand that this text must be a collection of statistical data, evidence, and the author’s thoughts and viewpoints.

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Guilford College Writing Manual

Essay vs. article.

  • Practical Considerations
  • Write to Learn
  • Defining and Freeing the Self
  • Joining a Community of Seekers
  • Final Thoughts
  • A Proposed Categorization of the Academic Writer's Responsibilities
  • Required Writing Courses
  • Placement in First-Year Writing Courses
  • Writing Courses Beyond First-Year English
  • Informal vs. Formal Writing
  • Two Models of Papers
  • What is the Real Difference?
  • Specific Expectations of Papers
  • Grade Descriptions
  • The A Paper
  • The B Paper
  • The C Paper
  • The D Paper
  • The F Paper
  • What makes college reading different?
  • Levels of Reading
  • An Overview
  • Sample Schedule
  • Suggestions for Prewriting
  • Modes of Invention
  • Four Categories of Invention
  • Intuition Heuristics
  • The Five Perspectives
  • Loosening Heuristics
  • Closing Observations
  • Introduction
  • Preliminary Tasks
  • The Search Strategy
  • Finding Materials
  • Finding Appropriate Websites
  • Selected Websites
  • Documenting Your Sources
  • Open Form vs. Fixed Form
  • Geography of a Thesis and Proof Essay
  • Introductions
  • Body Paragraphs
  • Conclusions
  • Maintaining Control
  • Geography of an Issues and Exploration Paper
  • Reader Expectations
  • What is Style?
  • Festival of Verbs
  • Two Zones of the Word Stock
  • Levels of Generality
  • Writing with Nouns and Verbs
  • Avoiding Cliches
  • The Two Faces of Jargon
  • Using "I" in Academic Writing
  • What Kinds of Sentences to Use
  • Hemingway vs. Faulkner
  • Three Syntactic Devices Worth Using
  • Subject-Verb-Object
  • Touches of Elegance
  • Gunning's Fog Index
  • Why It's Important
  • Two General Principles
  • Some College-Level Problems
  • A Word on Typos
  • An Important General Rap
  • Revising Checklist
  • Revising for Concreteness
  • Revising to Eliminate Wordiness
  • Revising to Sharpen
  • Revising to Improve Coherence
  • Revising to Make More Effective Use of Quotations
  • Revising to Make Language More Inclusive
  • Revising to Brighten
  • What It Is and Why We Do It
  • Sample Edit Guide

We can divide the "transactional" writing you will do at Guilford into two main categories: essay style and article style. They include all of the types of writing on the above list.

You can regard these two types as being the yin and yang of formal writing. One, the essay, is primarily right-brain, emphasizing traits such as the holistic, the intuitive, the metaphorical. The article, on the other hand, tends to be left-brain--i.e., linear, mathematical, logical.

I would argue that the best writing is that which fuses both types of writing and is thus "whole-brain." But for the time being it is worth at looking at the two separately, for the two styles do differ and readers will have different expectations depending on whether a writing situation calls primarily for one or the other.

The essay style:

exploratory primarily concerned with ideas non-systematic author's persona is evident stylistically self-conscious begins with a partially formed idea involves heavy revision, especially for organization and coherence

This category includes reflective or narrative personal essays, for example, or essays in which you are being speculative, or formal responses to reading in which you are assessing the personal impact of a book or art work.

  • << Previous: Informal vs. Formal Writing
  • Next: Two Models of Papers >>
  • Last Updated: Dec 8, 2015 1:59 AM
  • URL: https://library.guilford.edu/writingmanual

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The Difference between an Essay and an Article

Imagine opening your favorite entertainment magazine or your local newspaper and finding a collection of essays. How long, in that case, would the money you spend on magazines and newspapers be considered part of your entertainment budget?

Essay vs. Article

Articles can be informative and not all of them are entertaining. However, it's more likely to find articles in magazines that offer entertainment for readers than an essay.

The most notable difference between an essay and an article is the tone. Essays traditionally are subjective pieces of formal writing that offers an analysis of a specific topic. In other words, an essay writer studies, researches, and forms a factually-based opinion on the topic in order to inform others about their ideas.

An article is traditionally objective instead of subjective. Writing an article doesn't always require that an opinion to be formed and expressed, and there's no requirement that an analysis be offered about the information being presented.

Scroll through a copy of Cosmopolitan, National Geographic, and today's edition of your local newspaper, and you'll get a sense of how articles can be structured in numerous different ways. Some include headings and subheadings along with accompanying photos to paint a picture for the reader to form their own thoughts and opinions about the subject of an article.

Essays, however, have more strict guidelines on structure depending on which type of essay a writer has chosen. Traditionally, readers will see an introductory paragraph that presents a thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences that relate back to and flesh out the thesis, and a conclusion with the author's take on the information presented.

Entertainment Factor

While narrative essays can tell entertaining stories, it is articles that are most often included in magazines and newspapers to keep their subscribers informed and reading.

It's up to the writer of an article what message they want to convey. Sometimes that message is informative and sometimes it's humorous. For an essay writer, it's all about learning as much as possible about a topic, forming an opinion, and describing how they came to that opinion and why.

You're not likely to find essays in entertainment magazines. A person seeking in-depth information on a subject is going to seek out an essay, while a person looking for an entertaining piece of writing that allows them to draw their own conclusions will be more likely to seek out an article.

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Article vs. Essay — What's the Difference?

difference between in essay and article

Difference Between Article and Essay

Table of contents, key differences, comparison chart, compare with definitions, common curiosities, how long is an essay, can an essay be objective, where might i find articles, are articles and essays the same, can an article include personal opinions, are articles always factual, what's a photo essay, what's the primary aim of an essay, can essays have headings, who is the audience for essays, are all articles found in newspapers, can articles be personal, are essays always formal, how are articles structured, is research necessary for essays, share your discovery.

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difference between in essay and article

The Difference Between an Article and an Essay

difference between in essay and article

The terms “essay” and “article” are often used interchangeably by many people, but there is a distinct difference between the two. While both essays and articles are written to inform readers, there are some key differences between the two.

Essays are typically longer and more in-depth than articles. They are usually written to present an argument to persuade readers of a certain point of view. Essays are usually structured in an organized and formal manner, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Essays often focus on analysis, argument, and persuasion rather than simply providing information.

In contrast, articles are generally more concise than essays. They are written to give readers a broad overview of a topic or issue. Articles are typically written in a more informal and conversational style, and they are often broken up into different sections to make them easier to read. The focus of articles is usually on providing information rather than analysis or persuasion.

Another key difference between essays and articles is how the material is referenced. Essays often require in-text citations and a bibliography to back up the writer’s argument. Articles, on the other hand, typically do not require such citations and bibliographies.

In conclusion, although essays and articles are written to inform the reader, the two have many differences. Essays are longer, more in-depth, and focus on analysis, argument, and persuasion. Articles are shorter, more concise, and focus on providing information. How the material is referenced also differs between essays and articles. Understanding the differences between the two will help ensure you can create the type of writing appropriate for your particular assignment.   

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Difference between Article and Essay

When it comes to academic writing, two terms that are often used interchangeably are article and essay. While they share some similarities, such as being written pieces of work, they also have some distinct differences that are important to understand.

Let’s start with a comparative table to highlight some of the key differences between articles and essays:

ArticleEssay
FormNon-fiction proseNon-fiction prose
PurposeTo inform, persuade, or entertainTo present a specific argument or idea
LengthTypically longerTypically shorter
StructureStructured with headings, subheadings, and sectionsLess structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion
AudienceWide range of readersAcademic audience, such as professors or classmates
SourcesRelies on research and dataRelies on research and data as well as personal experience or opinion
StyleObjective and factualSubjective and persuasive

Now that we have an idea of the differences between the two, let’s explore what an article is. An article is a piece of non-fiction prose that is written for the purpose of informing, persuading, or entertaining a wide range of readers.

It can cover a variety of topics, from science and technology to politics and culture. Articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, and online publications, and can range in length from a few hundred words to several thousand.

Articles are typically structured with headings, subheadings, and sections to make the content easier to read and navigate. They also rely heavily on research and data to support their claims and arguments, and are written in an objective and factual style.

On the other hand, an essay is a piece of non-fiction prose that presents a specific argument or idea. Essays are typically shorter than articles and are written for an academic audience, such as professors or classmates.

They are structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion, and rely on research and data as well as personal experience or opinion.

Unlike articles, essays are written in a subjective and persuasive style, with the goal of convincing the reader of the writer’s argument or idea. Essays can cover a wide range of topics, from literature and philosophy to science and social issues.

In conclusion, while articles and essays share some similarities, such as being written pieces of non-fiction prose, they also have some distinct differences that are important to understand.

Articles are typically longer, structured with headings and subheadings, and written in an objective and factual style, while essays are typically shorter, structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion, and written in a subjective and persuasive style for an academic audience.

Understanding the differences between these two forms of writing can help you determine which one is appropriate for your specific needs and goals.

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In the realm of writing, articles, and essays stand as two fundamental forms of expression, each with its unique purpose, structure, and audience. While often used interchangeably, they serve distinct functions and adhere to different conventions.

Articles serve various purposes, ranging from informing and educating readers to entertaining them. They are typically found in newspapers, magazines, journals, and websites, catering to a wide audience. One of the defining characteristics of articles is their reliance on research, data, and analysis to convey information effectively. This distinguishes them from other forms of writing, such as creative fiction or personal narratives.

This article reports on the findings of a recent scientific study highlighting the impact of climate change on wildlife in the Arctic region. It presents factual information about the study's methodology, results, and implications for the environment. In this feature article, the author examines the growing trend of plant-based diets from a health perspective. It provides insights into the benefits of plant-based eating, backed by scientific research and expert opinions. This opinion piece argues for the importance of renewable energy in achieving a sustainable future. The author presents persuasive arguments and supporting evidence to advocate for the adoption of renewable energy sources. This how-to guide offers practical advice and step-by-step instructions for beginners interested in practicing yoga. It explains various yoga poses (asanas) and their benefits for achieving inner peace and physical well-being. Reports on recent events, developments, or newsworthy topics. News articles provide factual information concisely and objectively, often following the inverted pyramid structure with the most important information at the beginning. This type of article explores a specific topic in-depth, providing background information, analysis, and insights. Feature articles are often longer and more detailed than news articles, offering readers a deeper understanding of the subject. An opinion piece presents the author's personal opinion or viewpoint on a particular issue or topic. Opinion pieces may include editorials, columns, or commentary, and they aim to persuade or provoke thought among readers. This type of article provides step-by-step instructions or guidance on how to do something. How-to articles are practical and informative, offering readers actionable advice and tips to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Evaluate and critique a product, service, book, movie, or other cultural artifact. Review articles provide readers with an assessment of the subject's strengths and weaknesses, helping them make informed decisions. This type of article features an interview with a notable individual, expert, or personality. The article may include quotes, insights, and anecdotes from the interviewee, providing readers with valuable information and perspectives. This type of article profiles a person, organization, or group, highlighting their background, achievements, and contributions. It offers readers an in-depth look at the subject's life, career, or impact on society. Presents information in the form of a list, often with brief descriptions or explanations accompanying each item. Listicles are popular for their readability and ability to convey information quickly and succinctly. Articles provide factual information on a particular subject, offering insights, analysis, or updates. They aim to answer the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how regarding the topic. Typically, articles maintain an objective tone, presenting information without personal bias or opinion. They strive to provide an accurate representation of the subject matter, allowing readers to form their own opinions. Articles are often concise, delivering information efficiently within a limited word count or space. They prioritize clarity and brevity to engage readers and convey key points effectively. They usually follow a clear structure, with headings, subheadings, and paragraphs to organize content logically. This structured format facilitates readability and comprehension for the audience. Articles can take different formats depending on the publication's style and audience. They may include news reports, profiles, reviews, listicles, interviews, and investigative pieces, among others.

Essays, on the other hand, are more reflective and analytical. They delve deeply into a particular topic or issue, exploring various perspectives and arguments. Unlike articles, which aim to inform or entertain a broad audience, essays often target a more specialized readership, such as academics or individuals with a keen interest in the subject matter. Essays can take many forms, including academic essays, personal essays, and argumentative essays. What distinguishes essays from other forms of writing is their emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation. They provide a platform for writers to express their opinions, share their experiences, and engage in meaningful discourse with readers.

This argumentative essay explores the effects of social media on the mental health of young people. It presents evidence from psychological studies and real-life examples to argue for the need to strike a balance between online connectivity and mental well-being. In this literary analysis essay, the author examines the use of symbolism in Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby. The essay analyzes various symbols, such as the green light and the Valley of Ashes, to uncover deeper meanings and themes in the text. This persuasive essay advocates for the implementation of universal healthcare as a fundamental right for all citizens. It presents arguments based on economic, social, and ethical considerations to persuade readers of the benefits of accessible and affordable healthcare for societal well-being. This personal reflection essay recounts the author's experiences and insights gained from traveling alone. It explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and cultural immersion, offering introspective reflections on the transformative power of travel. This type of essay tells a story or recounts a personal experience. It often includes vivid descriptions, sensory details, and a chronological structure to engage the reader. This type of essay focuses on describing a person, place, object, or event in detail. It uses sensory language and imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. An expository essay presents information, explains a topic, or clarifies a concept. It is often used in academic settings to provide analysis, compare and contrast different ideas, or discuss cause-and-effect relationships. This type of essay aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. It uses logical reasoning, evidence, and emotional appeals to support the author's argument. This type of essay is similar to a persuasive essay but with a stronger emphasis on presenting evidence and logical reasoning. Argumentative essays require the author to consider opposing viewpoints and refute counterarguments. This type of essay offers a critical analysis of a literary work, piece of art, or cultural phenomenon. Critical essays evaluate the subject's strengths and weaknesses, often drawing on theories and frameworks from literary criticism or cultural studies. Essays present a central argument or thesis statement supported by evidence, analysis, and reasoning. They aim to persuade readers to accept the author's viewpoint or interpretation of the topic. Unlike articles, essays often reflect the author's voice, personality, and perspective. They allow for a more subjective approach, enabling writers to express their opinions, insights, and emotions. Essays delve deeply into the topic, exploring multiple facets, perspectives, and interpretations. They examine the complexities of the subject matter and provide nuanced insights to enhance understanding. Essays follow a specific structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, to convey the argument effectively. This structured format helps organize ideas coherently and guides readers through the logical progression of the argument. Essays typically adhere to a formal writing style, employing academic language, citations, and references. They demonstrate a scholarly approach to the topic and maintain a level of professionalism in presenting arguments and evidence.
Aspect Article Essay
Inform, persuade, or entertain a broad audience Explore a particular idea or argument in depth
More structured with clear sections or headings More flexible, may not include distinct sections
Formal, objective, and factual Personal, subjective, and based on the author's insights
Broad, general public Academic audience or specific reader group
Requires thorough research and often references from credible sources It May or may not involve research, focusing more on personal reflections
Objective and straightforward Personal, reflective, and exploratory
Can range from brief news snippets to long features Usually longer, especially academic essays
Often includes images, charts, graphs Rarely includes images or media, mostly text-based
Simple and straightforward, accessible to a broad audience May use complex language, depending on the topic and audience
Newspapers, magazines, websites Academic journals, anthologies, or standalone books
Informative, factual Argumentative, analytical
Neutral Reflects the author's perspective

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difference between in essay and article

What’s The Difference Between An Article A Paper And An Essay

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When it comes to writing, you may wonder what the difference is between an essay, article, and paper. Even the most experienced writers sometimes confuse these terms, but once you understand what they represent, you’ll be able to choose which kind of writing suits your purposes best. With a little help from an essay writer service, you can be certain that each one of your pieces of writing will be polished and ready to impress upon completion.

Introduction

There are three main types of academic writing: essays, articles, and papers. While these categories are similar, there are some major differences. This post will help you identify what separates these terms from one another. Here’s a quick breakdown of each type of academic writing.

Essay vs. Article vs. Paper

Why are they different? What’s in a title? We hear them used all of the time interchangeably in different contexts, but what makes these three so different from one another? To understand how essay writing differs from articles and papers, we need to look at how each differs from another. So let’s get started by exploring some of their main differences: Essay vs. Article vs. Paper – Key Differences 1. Length 2. Subject Matter 3. Author 4. Purpose 5. Audience.

Essays are typically 1–3 pages long. Articles vary in length but run longer than essays. Papers typically range from 10 to 15 pages or more. It’s important to note that essay writer services have very different writing styles. Some writers write with a conversational tone, while others use a formal style for essays and articles. The best way to figure out which type of writing fits your needs is by looking at samples of their work or asking them about their process.

  The three types of writing are intended for different purposes. The purpose is often reflected in both length and tone. For example, a paper is generally longer than an essay or an article because it must be more comprehensive. It also tends to be more formal because it’s intended to be read by experts in a particular field (e.g., doctors reading a medical journal). On the other hand, an essay is usually shorter than a paper because it doesn’t have to cover as much ground and can take a more casual tone since it’s not necessarily directed at experts. Finally, articles tend to fall between essays and papers in terms of length, formality, and audience (i.e., they’re generally shorter than papers but longer than essays).

The difference between essays, articles, and papers can be found in the audience. In other words, you will write them for different people and in different situations. If you need to explain something (from a textbook or another piece of writing) or if you are explaining a procedure to someone new to that topic, then your best bet would be to write an essay. Alternatively, if your purpose is simply to inform someone about something they might find interesting, articles would do just fine. Finally, if you want to share some information with a large group of people with similar interests, then a paper would be your choice. So which one should you choose? It depends on what exactly it is that you want to achieve with your writing.

Subject Matter

There are a few distinct differences in subject matter for these different types of written work. Essays should be focused and concise; articles cover a broader scope. For example, if you were writing about gun control in America from a historical standpoint, your essay would focus on one distinct period throughout American history (likely before modern times), while your articles could each look at a different time during which gun laws were passed, enacted or changed. Papers are similar to essays in that they have a narrow focus, but papers typically take on more of an academic tone than essays do. Papers may also have footnotes, bibliographies, and other citations within them. It’s important to note that there isn’t always a clear distinction between essay and paper; some papers can even read like essays!

Unlike essays and articles, papers do not focus on a single topic. Papers are meant to convey complex information that may have been derived from numerous sources of information. Papers are also typically longer than essays or articles, ranging from five to more than 20 pages in length. This makes papers a relatively demanding form of academic writing. While essays often focus on personal reflections or observations, papers delve into specific topics with objective research findings drawn from secondary sources such as newspapers, journals, or books. An essay writer can be anyone who writes essays for money. An essay writer can be someone who has experience working with students in high school, college, or university-level institutions.

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What’s The Difference Between An Article, A Paper, And An Essay? (Detailed Analysis)

School and college life revolves around different types of writing, including opinion articles, review articles, research papers, and essays. Each of these has a different length, structure, and level of research.

You can write articles on various topics and niches if you gather enough information. It is possible to format an interview into an article so that it can be published in a magazine or online publication.

A paper, on the other hand, is longer than an essay or article, and one must follow a specific sequence. There is an abstract at the beginning, followed by a paragraph, a conclusion, and citations at the end. 

There are a few paragraphs in the essay, all of which should be transitioned smoothly. The purpose of the essay is to persuade the reader through your logic and ideas. Different types of essays require different thoughts and writing processes. 

This article is all about differentiating between an article, paper, and essay, so if it interests you, stick around while we explore these topics.   Let’s get into it .

Page Contents

What Is An Article?

Articles are read by thousands of people around the globe and are generally written to educate people about something they’re unaware of. They are either published on an online website, magazine, or newspaper.

In the article, the writer expresses his or her perspective on a certain topic. The articles, mainly, are written to make people aware of a particular topic. 

What is an article?

Instructional articles include “how-to topics”. Interestingly, Google is crowded with this type of content. Look at these examples: 
The objective of this type of article is to convince the reader. 
Educating the reader is the main reason for generating these articles. These types of articles mostly help readers solve a specific problem. 
The components of a review article are similar to the research paper. Both start with an abstract, and an introduction and are always winded up on a conclusion. 

What Is A Paper? 

The purpose of writing a research paper is to fill the gaps other authors left while writing on a similar topic.

There’s a structure that one must follow while writing a paper . Before writing a paper, make sure you’ve read the relevant papers.

Another important step is knowing your audience. It’s worth noting that the papers have a different outline of the paper than the essay or article. 

What is a research paper?

Structure of the Paper 

  • Introduction
  • Literature review
  • Methodology
  • References 

Steps To Write A Paper 

  • First of all, you need to pick a topic that you’re interested in. Choosing a topic you’re not interested in is never a good idea. 
  • Read at least five relevant papers. There’s no need to read the papers thoroughly; you should only go through the abstract part, the introduction paragraph, and the conclusion.
  • Write down the findings and gaps that you can work on. Most of your writing covers areas that other papers do not cover. 
  • The paper always starts with an introduction. Your thesis statement also goes here. 
  • Since the body part of a paper is almost 8 to 12 pages, you can add as many paragraphs as you want. 
  • In the end, you conclude your findings and give references to the sources. 

What Is An Essay?

The word essay originates from the Latin word ‘exagium’ which refers to the presentation of the case .

An essay is all about giving a verdict on the issue after looking at all sides of the topic with an open mind. However, you need to consider all the evidence . 

Essay writing comes with tremendous benefits. It builds a habit of looking at topics from various angles. Additionally, you get an opportunity to express your opinion after thorough research. 

There are three parts to the essay: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. 

Introduction 

One has to catch the reader’s attention from the first line of the introduction. The purpose of this is to arouse curiosity, which then leads your readers to read more.

In the introduction section, you give a little bit of an overview of the topic you’re writing about. It gives readers an insight into what’s coming next .

This would prevent most people from reading the bottom of your essay. Therefore, it’s really important to keep your audience hooked and curious.

Starting the introduction with some statistics or research findings is the best way to accomplish this. The most important thing to write in the introduction is the thesis statement. 

When writing a paragraph in the body section, it’s important to keep sentences linked with each other. They must be coherent.

There should also be backing to your ideas from some relevant studies or sources. The best way to do this is by citing quotations, statistics, and research papers.

Additionally, you should never include irrelevant data in your essay. 

The conclusion part includes a summary of the whole essay. You also write your findings or main points in this section of the essay. 

Is the Article Different From The Essay? 

There is always a thesis statement in an essay, along with reliable sources supporting the argument whereas an article solely represents your idea or opinion.

You’ll see very few articles that are written to persuade someone, while essays are only meant to persuade the readers. 

Is Article Different From The Essay? 

The tone and the structure of the article are indeed different from the essay. The articles are written in simple English, so users of all ages will be able to understand them.

The length of both pieces of writing also differs. There is no limit to the word count when writing an article. An essay can be as long as a page or as short as a paragraph.

It is recommended that an essay be between 1500 and 2000 words in length. 

Articles, Papers, and Essays: Differences and Similarities

 
 It can be as short as a paragraph and as long as an essay.The length of a paper is between 8 to 15 pages. The word count of an essay falls between 1500 to 2000 words. 
 The tone of the article depends on the niche you’re writing in. It can either be formal or informal. The tone of the paper is scholarly. Like other academic writings, the tone of the essay is formal unless you’re writing with humor.
  • Articles, papers, and essays have different purposes in academic and professional writing.
  • Articles inform readers on diverse topics. They engagingly present the author’s viewpoint. They’re often found in magazines or online platforms.
  • Research papers have sections like abstracts, introductions, reviews, methodologies, findings, and conclusions. They aim to fill gaps in the literature .
  • Essays look at different sides of a topic. They give a conclusion backed by facts and careful thinking.
  • Articles can be long or short and can be written in many different ways. Papers need a lot of research and must sound serious and smart. Essays use smart arguments to convince people.
  • These are different types of writing with different lengths, tones, and reasons for writing. Essays try to convince people of something. Papers are written to share information. Articles give people information that’s easy to understand.
  • Knowing these differences is crucial. It helps you communicate well especially when you’re doing school or college work.
  • There are different types of academic writing. Each type has its purpose. They each have different ways to make things easy to understand.
  • When you get the little details of these types of writing, it makes it easier to understand how they work. This helps both in school and at work.

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Difference Between Article and Essay

Articles and essays are both common forms of written communication that are utilized in a variety of sectors of study and vocations. Their goal, organization, and writing style, however, differ.

Difference Between Article and Essay

Articles are pieces of text that are published in a newspaper, magazine, journal, or website, either in print or electronically. It is intended for a big audience. It is founded on surveys, research, data, and analysis, among other things. Articles can be short or somewhat more than 1500 words. It is written with a certain goal in mind and teaches the readers about an idea.

Articles inform readers and keep them up to date by appearing in newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, and, increasingly, websites. Let us use an example to better understand what an article is. Assume that in a research center, a scientist discovered any new notions and published a brief essay in a popular magazine, so that individuals in the same area found it useful and were also informed about a new thing.

Examples of articles include news articles, feature articles, and opinion pieces.

An essay is a formal and comprehensive piece of literature that describes a particular issue or topic analyzed and discussed. It refers to a short piece of writing on a particular subject. Mainly students in their academics are asked to write essays on some topics as a response to a question or proposition. It does not have a specific readership in mind.

Through essays, the writer or narrator expresses his or her personal views or opinion on a particular topic or a question and it is based on an educational and analytical tone. Let’s take an example and understand what is essay clearly suppose a school student has an exam and in the question paper he has been asked to write something explaining about Floods in India which is an example of an essay.

Examples of essays include academic essays, personal essays, and argumentative essays.

Tabular Differences between Article and Essay:

Written on a specific topic. Expresses the author’s opinion on a particular topic.
Informative in nature Persuasive in nature
Usually published in a magazine, newspaper, or website. Can be published in various formats, such as a book or academic journal.
Can be written in a formal or informal style. Can be written in a formal or informal style.
Can vary in length from a few hundred to a few thousand words Can vary in length from a few paragraphs to several pages.
The article has a target readership. An essay has no specific readership.
Articles are slightly long may be up to 1500 words. Essays may be very long and may contain up to 3000 words.
Articles follow the heading and subheading format. Essays may or may not follow the heading and subheading format.
Citation and Reference are not required. Citation and Reference are required.
It is short and a descriptive account of something or some topic.  It is a long account of an event or a concept or a historical happening
Examples: 5 Tips for Traveling on a Budget, The Benefits of Yoga, The Rise of Veganism Examples: The Importance of Budget Travel, Why I Became a Vegan, The Importance of Budget Travel

Conclusion:

In summary, articles and essays are two different forms of written communication that serve different purposes. Articles are used to provide information about a particular topic, while essays are used to express personal opinions or persuade the reader to take a certain course of action. Understanding the differences between the two can help you choose the appropriate format for your writing task.

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  • Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

  • Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
  • Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Behaviorism Cognitive psychology
Dominant from the 1920s to the 1950s Rose to prominence in the 1960s
Mental processes cannot be empirically studied Mental processes as focus of study
Focuses on how thinking is affected by conditioning and environment Focuses on the cognitive processes themselves

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

A Venn diagram showing the similarities and differences between World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

  • Point of comparison A
  • Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

  • The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
  • The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay: A Complete Guide

Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay: A Complete Guide

Compare and contrast essay is an academic text that encourages authors to take a look at the differences between two or more subjects. Read this article to find out how to write a comparative essay for your assignment.

What is a compare and contrast essay?

As the name suggests, compare and contrast papers aim to provide two main perspectives on separate subjects by finding their similarities and dissecting their differences.

Oftentimes, the purpose of compare and contrast essays is to present one subject as a more favorable option. But it can also be used in analytical essay writing to showcase how two subjects are related to each other and help the audience better understand the concepts.

Compare and contrast essay outline

The comparative essay outline is not much different than other academic essays in terms of the outline. The compare and contrast essay outline includes:

  • Introduction , which contains a compare and contrast thesis statement;
  • Body of the essay , which presents the comparisons of two or more subjects of an essay;
  • Conclusion , which summarizes the line of reasoning used in the essay.

The main difference between other types of academic essays and compare and contrast essays is their structure. Let’s explore this in more detail.

Compare and contrast essay structure

The compare and contrast essay structure depends on your approach to comparing the paper subject. There are three main ways to structure your essay: the point-by-point method, the block method, and the similarities vs. differences method.

The point-by-point method: compare and contrast essay

This method involves dedicating each paragraph to a specific point and comparing all subjects related to it. This structure helps to highlight the correlation between the subjects in each important aspect or the differences between them.

For instance, if you compare planes and trains, your comparative essay could include the following paragraphs:

  • Time : how long it takes to get to the destination by plane and by train;
  • Environmental impact : what impact trains and planes have on the environment;
  • Costs : how expensive it is to travel by train and by plane.

This helps your readers instantly understand the similarities and differences between the subjects.

The block method: compare and contrast essay

Another popular approach to structuring the line of argument is the block method. Compare and contrast essays aim to give an overview of resemblances and distinctions between subjects. Unlike the previous approach, the block method in comparative essays allows the author to give a full overview of all subjects separately.

The block method requires you to present all the information about one subject before moving on to the next. While each block discusses one subject comprehensively, you can still compare and contrast within each paragraph or section where relevant. Here is an example of a compare and contrast essay structure:

  • Block 1 : a detailed analysis of the first subject, its features, advantages, and disadvantages;
  • Block 2: a detailed analysis of the second subject + brief overview of the similarities and differences between both topics of discussion.

This structure provides more clarity and allows for a detailed analysis of each subject independently.

Similarities vs. differences method: compare and contrast essay

This method focuses on specifically highlighting the differences and similarities between the subjects. Unlike the previously discussed approaches, this method dedicates separate paragraphs to either similarities or differences, depending on the writer's choice. According to the similarities vs. differences method, the compare and contrast essay structure would look like this:

  • Similarities : discuss similarities between the subjects, and provide details and examples of how these similarities manifest;
  • Differences : provide an overview of the main differences between subjects, compare how these differences manifest, and what they mean in the broader contest.

This method helps the author to conduct a thorough analysis of shared characteristics or contrasting features, which improves the reader's understanding of the relationships between the subjects.

How to write a comparative essay: tips and tricks

While the compare and contrast essay outline may seem familiar, this essay type requires a different approach to preparation and writing. Let’s explore the main steps for writing a perfect comparative essay.

Step 1. Gather your information

To provide a comprehensive analysis of several topics, you must conduct thorough research on them both. You need to make sure that the subjects have common aspects so that the comparison makes sense.

For example, it is perfectly fine to compare and contrast dogs and cats. But trying to compare cats and sharks would prove difficult since both species have little similarities.

Step 2. Create an outline

Making a plan for your future essay is important. It will help you stay on course and not forget about important details. To make a compare and contrast essay outline, you should choose the structure method that you want to use, and base your plan on it.

Step 3. Write an introduction

The first step to solving the issue of how to start a compare and contrast essay is writing an introduction. The introduction helps to engage your audience and grab their attention. It should consist of the following elements:

  • Hook. A hook is a sentence whose purpose is to grab the attention of the audience. It can be a quote, a rhetorical question, and other stylistic devices.
  • Background information . This part introduces the topic of your analysis and helps your audience to learn a bit more about the context.
  • Thesis statement . The compare and contrast thesis statement should clearly state whether you will be focusing on similarities, differences, or both, and why this comparison is significant. This gives your reader a hint for what to expect in the essay.

By following this plan, you can set the stage for a thoughtful and coherent comparison of your chosen subjects.

Step 4. Write the body of the essay

The body of your comparative essay should follow one of the previously described structures. You have the option to choose between the point-by-point method, the block method, and the similarities vs. differences method.

Depending on your choice, each paragraph of your essay will be dedicated to a specific topic. Make sure to start each paragraph with a short introduction, followed by a concise explanation of the similarities and differences between the subjects.

Always use transitional words and phrases like similarly , on the other hand , in contrast to guide the reader through your comparisons and contrasts. These transitions help maintain coherence and clarity in your essay.

Step 5. End your essay with a conclusion

The conclusion of your essay should summarize the key points discussed in your paper to reinforce your thesis. Make sure to briefly recap the similarities and differences you discussed in the body paragraphs. Conclude your essay by emphasizing the importance of the comparison.

Summary: How to write a comparative essay

Writing a comparative essay involves analyzing similarities and differences between two or more subjects, providing clear insights into their relationships and significance. With this handy guide, you now know how to create a comprehensive compare and contrast essay for your studies.

If you have trouble with how to start a compare and contrast essay, you can use essay generator Aithor for assistance. Aithor is a state-of-the-art AI generator created specifically to help with academic writing. Try essay generator Aithor and create a perfect compare and contrast essay right now!

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    The length of both pieces of writing also differs. There is no limit to the word count when writing an article. An essay can be as long as a page or as short as a paragraph. It is recommended that an essay be between 1500 and 2000 words in length. Articles, Papers, and Essays: Differences and Similarities

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  22. Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

    In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you're comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you've already said about the first. Your text is structured like this: Subject 1. Point of comparison A.

  23. Similarities and Differences Between Articles and Essays

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  24. Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay: A Complete Guide

    Body of the essay, which presents the comparisons of two or more subjects of an essay; Conclusion, which summarizes the line of reasoning used in the essay. The main difference between other types of academic essays and compare and contrast essays is their structure. Let's explore this in more detail. Compare and contrast essay structure