how do you start with an essay with contrast and compare about your life now and five years ago ?

Please label your subject so that your question is read by the appropriate teachers. (I am not one of them)

DO NOT start any paper's first draft by writing the introduction! How can you introduce a paper that you haven't written yet?

Follow the writing process:

Prewriting: brainstorm, research, plan, outline, thesis statement

Writing: write first draft by starting with section II of your outline; write introduction after the body of the paper is written; write the conclusion last.

Polishing: revise, concentrating first on the body of the paper, then the intro, then the concl (revision = making sure ideas are logical and sequential and support your thesis); proofread (spelling, grammar, usage, etc.)

Do you have a thesis yet? Have you done your brainstorming (and maybe research) yet? Have you written an outline?

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html#org
from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/

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For comparison/contrast writing:

Whenever you are writing a comparison/contrast paper (paragraph, essay, research paper), you need to plan it out very carefully on paper first.

Try this:

1. Write all the information about one of your topics on one page.
2. Write all the information about the other topic on another page.
3. Then put them together in this order:

1. Intro
2. All about topic A
~~~2A. detail 1
~~~2B. detail 2
~~~2C. detail 3
~~~2D. detail 4
~~~2E. detail 5
3. All about topic B
~~~3A. detail 1
~~~3B. detail 2
~~~3C. detail 3
~~~3D. detail 4
~~~3E. detail 5
4. Concl.

The number of details for each topic will vary depending on your main points. I would include comparisons (how they are similar) in the introduction and conclusion, but sections 2 and 3 and all those details will be stating and explaining how they are different.

There are two recognized patterns for writing comparison/contrast papers. One is casually referred to as "zig-zag,” but can be very confusing for the reader if you don’t use transitions effectively. The other is topic-by-topic (which is what I've outlined above) and is much easier for the reader to follow.

See http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/comparcontrast.html for further help with comparison/contrast writing.

Once you have organized your information, please repost if you’d like feedback from someone here.

To start an essay that contrasts and compares your life now and five years ago, you can follow these steps:

1. Brainstorm: Begin by reflecting on the significant changes that have happened in your life over the past five years. Consider different aspects such as personal growth, career, relationships, and experiences.

2. Identify key points: Select a few key points that highlight the contrasting aspects between your life now and five years ago. For example, you could focus on changes in education, living situation, professional achievements, personal goals, or lifestyle.

3. Create an introduction: Start your essay with an engaging and attention-grabbing introduction. Consider utilizing a thought-provoking question, a striking statistic, or an interesting anecdote relevant to your topic. Make sure to clearly state that you will be comparing and contrasting your life now with your life five years ago.

4. Thesis statement: Your thesis statement should provide a clear overview of the main points you will discuss in your essay. It should also convey the overall purpose of your comparison and contrast.

5. Body paragraphs: Divide your essay into multiple body paragraphs, each focusing on a different aspect of your life that has changed over the past five years. Present detailed examples, specific observations, and concrete evidence to support each point you make. Start each paragraph with a strong topic sentence that directly relates to your thesis statement.

6. Use the compare and contrast approach: In each body paragraph, compare how your life is now and contrast it with how it was five years ago. Point out the similarities and differences between the two periods, while providing an analysis of how these changes have impacted your life.

7. Organization: Arrange your paragraphs in a logical and coherent manner. You can use either a point-by-point or block structure. In the point-by-point structure, you discuss one point of comparison/contrast at a time, alternating between the two time periods. In the block structure, you first discuss your life five years ago, followed by a separate section on your life now.

8. Conclusion: Summarize your main points without introducing any new ideas. Reinforce the significance of the changes you've experienced and reflect on how they have shaped you into the person you are today.

Remember to proofread and revise your essay, ensuring that it flows well and that your ideas are effectively communicated.