1Pick two subjects that can be compared and contrasted in a meaningful way. The first step to writing a successful compare and contrast essay is to pick two subjects that are different enough to be contrasted, but similar enough to be compared. This means that the subjects aren't so different that you can't find a thing they have in common (such as oreos and kale) or that they shouldn't be so similar (like two very similar soft drinks) that you don't have much to say about their differences. Here are some topics to consider as you pick your two subjects: