13 Compare and Contrast Thesis Examples (General Comparisons)
1. How does culture and tradition impact student achievement?
- In both Japan and the United States, cultural expectations greatly influence academic achievement in high school students.
2. What are the differences between high school and college?
- While there are a number of differences between high school and college, one of the most important is the level of emotional maturity required for success.
3. Which parenting style is most effective?
- While authoritative and permissive parenting are seemingly complete opposites, they have one key similarity: parents who practice both parenting styles encourage their children to make their own decisions.
4. How have gender roles changed throughout history?
- On the surface, it may seem as though women’s roles have changed drastically throughout history; however, a comparison of various eras illustrates how women are still repressed and shamed, especially in sexual expression and behavior.
5. What are the differences between brands of soda?
- Even though many people cannot tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi, there are distinct differences in taste, nutritional content, and advertising.
6. How do classic movie genres compare to current genres?
- While classic musicals used musical numbers to showcase artists, current musicals rely on musical numbers to advance the plot.
7. How is the theme of oppression portrayed in literature?
- Though the plot lines in A Doll’s House and Animal Farm differ greatly, the two share a core theme: oppression.
8. How are the themes of political and social power struggles portrayed in literature?
- The Kite Runner and The Handmaid’s Tale both utilize political and social power struggles to advance the plot and illustrate the core themes.
9. How do characters define fate and free will in literature?
- Harry Potter and Never Let Me Go both examine the notion of whether characters have free will or are destined to live out their fates.
10. How does poetry explore identity?
- The poems 'We Real Cool' by Gwendolyn Brooks and 'My Papa’s Waltz' by Theodore Roethke both explore the struggles young people face while developing their identities.
11. What role do animals play in classic children’s stories and fables?
- While many classic children’s stories include animal characters that are helpful to the protagonist, both Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood portray animals that present a danger to the protagonist.
12. How does literature address the concept of The American Dream?
- The failed pursuit of The American Dream is a prominent theme used to define the protagonists in both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman.
13. In what ways is the theme of alienation portrayed in literature?
- The negative effects of alienation are central themes of both Flowers for Algernon and Catcher in the Rye.