4.1: Introduction to the compare and contrast essay. The key to a good compare and contrast essay is to choose two or more topics that connect in a meaningful way. Comparison and contrast simply mean how two things are similar or different. The compare and contrast essay begins with a thesis that clearly states How to Write a Thesis for Compare and Contrast Essays. Thesis statements for compare and contrast essays are tricky because you have at least two topics to touch on instead of just one. The same general guidelines apply to crucial language, details, etc., but you need to pay the same attention to both the abstract and the figures. Social Comparisons: Comparisons between self and others are a fundamental mechanism that influences people's judgments, experiences, and behavior. Psychological research.