A comparative essay contrasts two subjects by highlighting their similarities and differences. The subjects could be related or completely unrelated. This type of essay is a typical assignment for high school and college students. As a result, it is critical to learn proper writing techniques. This blog will provide you with a comprehensive writing guide with the steps you should follow when writing comparative essays.
What is a Comparative Essay?
A comparative essay is one in which the author compares at least two or more items. Depending on the assignment, the author compares two subjects with the same relationship in terms of similarities and differences.
The primary goal of the comparative essay is to:
- Systematically highlight the similarities and differences.
- Make the subject very clear to the readers.
- Compare and contrast two things, describing their benefits and drawbacks.
A comparative essay is also known as a contrast essay or a compare and contrast essay. It compares, contrasts, or compares and contrasts two subjects. The Venn diagram is the best tool for writing a paper comparing two subjects.
Furthermore, a comparative analysis essay discusses the similarities and differences of ideas, items, events, points of view, locations, concepts, and so on. For example, you can contrast two novels. A comparative essay, on the other hand, is not restricted to a single topic. It covers almost every topic or subject that is related in some way.
How to Write a Comparative Essay?
Before beginning to write an essay, it is critical first to understand what it is about. First and foremost, you should understand comparative essay templates. You could write an excellent essay but fail to answer the question. Reading the prompt and highlighting the keywords carefully is the best to identify the exact need. The phrase “compare and contrast” or simply “similarities and differences” appears in most comparative essay questions.
1. Determine the point of comparison
Given the question, you have to develop the basis of comparison. Usually, the question provides the basis of comparison, but there are cases where the author needs to develop the same.
- For instance, a question might ask you to compare capitalism and communism. Because this is a comparative rhetorical analysis essay example with a specific goal, you do not need to go above and beyond.
- Another example would be to compare two political ideologies. This is a broad question, and you must first identify the various political ideologies before identifying any two that you can compare. In such cases, the author must create the basis for comparison on their own.
2. Create the essay’s content
This step entails deciding what will be included in your essay. It entails identifying the similarities and differences between the items under consideration. You must create a list of the similarities and differences between the subjects. This list will help you create an outline for your essay.
This is the step in deciding what will be included in your essay. It entails determining the similarities and differences between the items in question. You must make a list of the subjects’ similarities and differences. This list will assist you in developing an outline for your essay.
3. Create a Comparative Essay thesis statement
A straightforward thesis statement that guides the author is required to develop an essay. It makes no difference whether the basis of comparison is provided by the question or identified by the author. To create the thesis statement, you should first look at the list of comparisons and decide whether the subjects are more similar or entirely different.
A simple comparative essay thesis statement should be developed based on this judgment. This thesis statement should reflect the similarities and differences between the subjects. In complex cases, the essay statement should emphasize both the similarities and differences of the subjects.
4. Create the essay structure
Essays have various structures. A comparative essay is no exception, as it must be organized so that the reader can easily follow the comparisons made in the essay. The main ways a comparative essay can be structured are as follows:
• A Different Approach
The aspect of comparison is entirely handled in one paragraph using this method. This means that an entire paragraph is used to explain in detail one comparison item about the first subject. This is followed by another paragraph explaining the same aspect, but this time it is about the second subject.
This means that the first and second paragraphs explain the same aspect of the comparison but address the first and second subjects separately. As a result, the third and fourth paragraphs will deal with another aspect of the first and second subjects, respectively. This pattern continues until the end of the essay.
Advantages
- Provides more information about the item in comparison, making it easier to deal with two different subjects.
- Creates a well-organized and integrated paper
When to use this method
- Cases in which a detailed comparison is required
- When the comparison points are unrelated
• Method of mixed paragraphs
One paragraph is devoted to explaining how the subjects compare in one area. You start with the first subject and then move on to the second.
Advantages
- Assigns equal weights to the subjects in terms of comparison
- The reader can quickly identify the comparison factor.
When to use this method
- When writing a lengthy comparative essay
- When dealing with complex subjects that necessitate scrutiny
• The Block Method
This is the simplest method, but it is also the most dangerous. The basic idea here is to divide the essay into two sections. The first section is devoted to one subject, and the second is devoted to the other. This means that the first part covers subject one and all of the comparison items, and the second only covers subject two.
However, it would help if you ensured that the first part’s order is strictly followed in the second part to allow for easy following and relation.
When should this method be used?
- When dealing with short essays
- When dealing with straightforward subjects
- When there is no clear relationship between the items of comparison of subject one and subject two
- When you want to build the ideas for subject two from those highlighted for subject one
As previously stated, this is a hazardous method because it can be viewed as one-sided and challenges the reader to relate to the subjects.
Comparative Essay Structure
The structure of your essay is also essential in writing a good comparative essay. It aids the reader’s comprehension of your essay. Furthermore, the structure is more important than the content.
As a result, you must organize your essay so that the reader can quickly go through the comparisons made in it. The two main methods for organizing your comparative essay are as follows:
1. Method of Point-by-Point
The point-by-point or alternating method provides a thorough overview of the items under consideration. Using this method, arrange items according to their similarities and differences.
This method allows the writer to handle two completely different essay subjects during the writing phase. It is highly recommended for situations requiring great depth and detail.
The structure of the point-by-point method is shown below.
Introduction
Body Paragraphs
- Paragraph 1: Point 1 (Item A and B)
- Paragraph 2: Point 2 (Item A and B)
- Paragraph 3: Point 3 (Item A and B)
Conclusion
2. The Block Method
When compared to the point-by-point method, the block method is the simplest. The information is divided into parameters using this method. That is, the first paragraph compares the first subject and all of its items, the second paragraph compares the second, and so on.
However, make sure that the subjects are written in the same order. This method works best for extended essays and complex subjects.
The block method is structured as follows.
Introduction
Body Paragraphs
- Paragraph 1: Item A (Points 1, 2, and 3)
- Paragraph 2: Item B (Points 1, 2, and 3)
Conclusion
Keep these methods in mind and select the one that best suits the subject.
How to Start a Comparative Essay?
We’ve compiled a list of comparative essay formats to help you get started on a well-written comparative essay.
1. Carefully read the instructions
Before you begin, carefully consider the question or essay prompt. Sometimes you have a great idea in your head that does not correspond to the prompt. As a result, go over the prompt and list the key phrases. Check to see if your topic is restricted in any way.
2. Select a Topic
The first step in writing a comparative essay thesis is to select an appropriate topic. Choose a topic or theme that is appealing to the reader and interesting to write about. An intriguing essay topic entices the reader to learn more about the subject. Also, for your comparative essay, try to avoid complicated topics.
3. Make a list of the similarities and differences
Make a list of the similarities and differences between the two subjects you want to discuss in your essay. Furthermore, by constructing your initial plan, this list assists you in deciding the basis of your comparison. Assess the list and develop your argument and thesis statement.
4. Determine the Basis for Comparison
The basis for comparison is the foundation upon which you will compare the subjects. Most of the time, it is assigned to you, so double-check your assignment or prompt. Furthermore, the comparison essay’s primary goal is to inform the reader of something interesting. Your topic must be unique for your argument to be interesting.
5. Conduct your research
Please carry out your research. However, ensure you gather information from credible sources and properly cite it in your essay.
6. Make a Comparative Essay Thesis
The thesis statement determines whether the similarities outnumber the differences overall or vice versa. Your thesis statement will be concise and clear. As a result, create a thesis statement that covers your entire essay. You will easily stick to the essay’s main point if you use a thesis statement.
What Is a Comparative Essay?
After you’ve written your thesis statement, you’ll need to organize your content. The organization structures your essay and keeps you on track. Following the creation of the thesis statement, you should take the following steps. It will assist you in organizing and writing an excellent comparative essay.
1) Comparative Essay Outline
Create a proper comparative essay outline that includes all the essential information you will include in your essay. The outline structure here is similar to that of a traditional essay outline. It is divided into three sections: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
2) Comparative Essay Introduction
The introduction is the first section of an essay that the reader encounters. As a result, you must consider the hook statement. You include a statement at the start of the introductory paragraph to pique the reader’s interest.
Then you can get to the essay’s main point. Provide some context before concluding the introduction with a thesis statement. Use comparative essay introduction examples.
3) Body Paragraphs of a Comparative Essay
The body of an essay will tell the reader everything they need to know about the topic. All information should be written clearly and concisely. The following are some pointers to consider when writing essay body paragraphs:
- The topic sentence appears at the beginning of the essay.
- Each comparison is discussed in its paragraph.
- The essay body usually consists of three paragraphs, varying depending on the subject.
- Alter the transition words within and between paragraphs.
- Each paragraph contains sufficient and relevant information.
- The paragraph’s final sentences include a low-level conclusion.
4) Conclusion of a Comparative Essay
You must restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points in this section. Also, remind the reader why comparing these two subjects is essential. However, avoid including any additional information in the essay’s conclusion.
For your convenience, a detailed comparative essay template format is provided below.
5) Revising and proofreading
You must now begin revising and proofreading your essay. It is a necessary step in producing a good piece of writing. Before submitting or publishing your essay, never skip this step.
Comparative Essay Example (clarified)
It is always critical to read a comparative essay sample. This is because it assists in guiding you on the structure of the essay, thus building your capacity to write a better one. Here is an example of a simple comparative essay.
Different countries have adopted various political and economic ideologies. Capitalism and communism are two of the most important. Despite their apparent differences, these two ideologies share some characteristics. As a result, the purpose of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences between the two.
The first parallel between capitalism and communism is that both operate under democratic governments. A democratic government, in terms of capitalism, allows people to own means of production and use them to create wealth. When it comes to socialism, on the other hand, a democratic government allows for the equal distribution of wealth and all factors related to wealth production.
Second, both political ideologies are subject to government interference. Regardless of how limited government intervention is in capitalism, the state must develop some rules and regulations aimed at curbing practices such as exploitation and monopolistic ventures. On the other hand, the communist system is primarily governed by the government, which is responsible for ensuring that all factors of production are distributed equally.
The first distinction between these two political ideologies is production methods. The means of production in a communist society are solely under the control of the society. On the other hand, individuals in capitalist society own the resources of means of production.
Second, in a communist society, society decides the amount of production and the price of the same commodities. In a capitalist society, on the other hand, an individual determines how much to produce and charge.
Finally, these two political ideologies share similarities in that they function well in a democratic government and are all subject to government intervention. They also differ in terms of who owns the means of production, who decides on the production level, and who sets commodity prices. This implies that a prosperous society should be a diverse society that supports communism and capitalism.
Comparative Analysis Essay
A comparative analysis essay is an essay that compares two different subjects such as people, texts, events, and theories. The focus of a comparative analysis essay outline is mainly on identifying the main similarities or differences between the subjects. With all these skills, you are good to go when writing a comparative essay.
Comparative Essay Topics
Topics for comparative essays are not complicated or complex. Examine this list of essay topics and choose one to write about.
- How do education and employment stack up?
- We are living in a big city or a small town.
- The principal or dean of the college.
- Christmas vs. New Year’s celebration
- Fresh vs. Dried Fruit Which is superior?
- Parallels between philosophy and religion
- Spanish colonization and British colonization
- Is nuclear power used for peace or war?
- Bacteria and viruses
- Fast food vs. home-cooked food
Conclusion
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