Expository ( compare and contrast) essay. Choose a topic and two or three articles/ literary pieces listed for the topic. compare and contrast the pieces you chose, explaining facts and ideas the author demonstrate in them. complete your essay ( 4 pages/ 1,000 words). if this is the very first time for you to write an expository ( compare and contrast essay ) i recommend that you choose the topic of parenting and compare the essay listed for that topic.