How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Essay
A compare-and-contrast essay is a style of essay that points out the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It’s ideal for showing what separates and unites related things or concepts, particularly if the subjects are often confused for each other or unjustly lumped together.
Compare-and-contrast essays have a lot in common with other essay types, but differ in many ways, too—and that’s the heart of comparing and contrasting! By seeing the differences and similarities, the reader better understands each of the subjects by using the other subject as a frame of reference.
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In this guide, we explain how to write a compare-and-contrast essay, including some advanced tips and examples. We discuss how to structure your essay and how to frame your thesis , but first, let’s take a broader look at why comparison essays are so useful.
Purpose of a compare-and-contrast essay
Let’s say you want to write an essay about how great renewable resources are, but you spend a lot of your time explaining how fossil fuels work. To truly understand why renewable resources are so amazing, your reader needs a little background on their alternative, fossil fuels—but the essay’s attention is divided so equally that it’s like there are two topics.
That’s when compare-and-contrast essays function at their best. If two topics relate to each other or define each other, you can better explain them both by showcasing their similarities and differences. That goes double for topics that are often conflated or confused for each other; it helps readers when someone points out exactly what’s the same about them and what’s different.
Unlike argumentative essays or persuasive essays , compare-and-contrast essays deal with multiple topics instead of focusing on one. The downside is that they don’t describe the individual subjects as much as single-topic essays. They’re also a common assignment for college essays since they show the instructor how well you grasp both subjects.
How to write a compare-and-contrast essay
When writing a compare-and-contrast essay, it helps to figure out two things: what your thesis is (the subject matter) and how you plan to structure it.
First things first: You need to choose which subjects you’re comparing. This isn’t always easy, especially if you have to pick the subjects on your own.
For inspiration, here are some compare-and-contrast essay example topics:
- fossil fuels and renewable resources
- Coca-Cola and Pepsi
- Mona Lisa and The Girl with a Pearl Earring
- ’80s punk rock music and ’90s grunge music
- Elon Musk and Thomas Edison
- London in the 1600s and London now
- the LGBTQIA+ community before and after Stonewall
- Roman Empire and Greek Empire
- loop quantum gravity and string theory
- evolution and creationism
- liberalism and conservatism
- fascism and despotism
Once you’ve settled on your subjects, you can begin generating ideas. It helps to first list all the similarities and differences between your subjects . When you see them all written down, you can start formulating connections and decide what structure to use for your compare-and-contrast essay.
If you’re stuck, try making a Venn diagram . This is a visual aid that helps you understand which characteristics your subjects share, and which ones are exclusive.
Looking at your lists, you can then decide on the thesis. To do so, ask yourself a few questions: What are you trying to show in your compare-and-contrast essay? What do you want your reader to take away? For example, do you want to emphasize that Elon Musk is a modern-day Thomas Edison, or that they are tey two very distinct individuals?
Organization
Compare-and-contrast essays follow our own recommended essay structure . While the linked guide goes into more detail, in a nutshell, your compare-and-contrast essay should follow a simple format of beginning, middle, and end:
- Introduction: where you explain your thesis or what your essay will discuss
- Body: where you actually list the similarities and differences of your subjects; the largest section
- Conclusion: where you wrap up and summarize your points
The introduction, usually one or two paragraphs, should include a thesis statement to show the reader what to expect for the rest of your essay. You can write your introduction following the same guidelines as other essay types, though be sure to mention all your subjects. Likewise, you can write an essay conclusion with the standard rules and best practices.
It’s the body where compare-and-contrast essays get tricky. Do you write about both subjects at the same time, or switch back and forth? Let’s talk deeper on this below.
How to structure a compare-and-contrast essay
The hardest part of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay is knowing when to talk about which subject. Essentially, you have three options:
- block method (subject by subject): You discuss one subject in full and then move on to the next subject.
- alternating method (point by point): You discuss one subject’s take on a certain aspect and then another subject’s take immediately afterward, followed by a new aspect.
- similarities and differences: You discuss all the similarities between your subjects and then all the differences, or vice versa (differences first and then similarities).
No matter which option you choose, you have to pay particular attention to topic sentences . Paragraphs in compare-and-contrast essays can get complicated, so it’s crucial to have a good topic or introduction sentence for each paragraph to make the flow of ideas clear.
Block method (subject by subject)
The block method is usually divided into paragraphs: a paragraph about one subject and then a new paragraph about another subject. Take the compare-and-contrast essay example When Nothing Lies Beyond the Mask: Comparing Moby Dick and The Raven . In the first paragraph after the introduction, the author talks only about Ahab from Moby Dick , but in the next paragraph talks only about the narrator from The Raven . Each subject gets its own paragraph.
Using the block method, you can go back and forth like this for pages, covering as many topics as you need. This approach is best for giving each subject its own attention but tends to slightly weaken the connection between the two.
Alternating method (point by point)
As another option, you can break paragraphs up by a specific topic and issue, and in each paragraph discuss both or all subjects. Let’s look at another compare-and-contrast essay example, The Reality of Science Fiction: Comparing Clarke to Cruise . Here, both subjects are discussed in the same paragraph, one right after another.
This approach works best when you want to emphasize the connection between your subjects, or lack thereof. In our example above, the author wishes to highlight just how different the aliens of Arthur Clarke are from those of other authors, particularly H. G. Wells. To emphasize this, the essay author juxtaposes the two points right next to each other in the same paragraph.
Similarities and differences
The third option is quite similar to the alternating approach, with each subject being discussed side by side in the same paragraph. However, the paragraphs aren’t divided by different topics, but instead by what the subjects have in common and what they don’t.
Take a look at the compare-and-contrast essay example Government by the People, for the People has Perished from the Earth , which compares the dystopias of George Orwell’s 1984 and Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We . The first paragraph after the introduction discusses what the governments in the two books have in common, but the next paragraph explains how they differ.
This method works best if you want to focus on a particular similarity or difference between your subjects, or if you want to build up to a powerful conclusion or reveal at the end.
The writing process for compare-and-contrast essays
Want to know how to write a compare-and-contrast essay step by step? The writing process is the same as all essay writing, although adapted specifically for drawing comparisons:
1 Brainstorming — As mentioned above, brainstorming should involve listing all the similarities and difficulties; creating a Venn diagram is a useful method.
2 Preparation — Looking at your brainstorming lists, decide which structuring method would best get your point across: block, alternating, or similarities/differences.
3 Drafting — Here you write your rough draft ; this is the longest and toughest phase.
4 Revising — Does the structure you’ve chosen work? With the first draft finished, you can more easily identify any areas that need to be fixed, revised, or rewritten from scratch.
5 Proofreading — Finally, you want to make sure you corrected all the spelling and grammatical mistakes in your draft. With a writing assistant like Grammarly, this phase is a breeze.
If you want to learn more about this process, read our comprehensive guide on essay writing , which better explains the details.
Tips for writing compare-and-contrast essays
Beyond knowing the full process for crafting a compare-and-contrast essay, it helps to learn a few tips to ensure it shines.
Choose topics that are related
In other words, choose topics that have plenty in common, otherwise, your essay will be all contrasting and no comparing. Typically, subjects in compare-and-contrast essays share a strong connection, such as two people in the same profession or two products in the same category.
Without this unifying thread, the reader is left wondering, “What’s the point of comparing these two things?” Not only will it confound your audience, but you’ll also struggle more to come up with points when writing. Solve these problems before they start by smartly choosing your subjects at the beginning.
Write for clarity
Essays with only one subject can be confusing enough—imagine how complicated it gets with two or more subjects. One of the biggest obstacles with compare-and-contrast essays is communicating clearly so your reader knows which points relate to which subject, and what conclusion the entire essay is building toward.
But when you’re in the heat of a writing session, it can be difficult—and distracting—to stop and evaluate your work for clarity. Luckily, Grammarly offers suggestions to rewrite entire sentences in order to improve the clarity of your writing.
If the writing in your compare-and-contrast essay starts getting messy, Grammarly’s writing suggestions recommend alternative phrasings to clear things up. Just one click and your writing gets the professional editor treatment. Try Grammarly now and see how your writing improves.
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Essay Structure
Writing an academic essay means fashioning a coherent set of ideas into an argument. Because essays are essentially linear—they offer one idea at a time—they must present their ideas in the order that makes most sense to a reader. Successfully structuring an essay means attending to a reader's logic.
The focus of such an essay predicts its structure. It dictates the information readers need to know and the order in which they need to receive it. Thus your essay's structure is necessarily unique to the main claim you're making. Although there are guidelines for constructing certain classic essay types (e.g., comparative analysis), there are no set formula.
Answering Questions: The Parts of an Essay
A typical essay contains many different kinds of information, often located in specialized parts or sections. Even short essays perform several different operations: introducing the argument, analyzing data, raising counterarguments, concluding. Introductions and conclusions have fixed places, but other parts don't. Counterargument, for example, may appear within a paragraph, as a free-standing section, as part of the beginning, or before the ending. Background material (historical context or biographical information, a summary of relevant theory or criticism, the definition of a key term) often appears at the beginning of the essay, between the introduction and the first analytical section, but might also appear near the beginning of the specific section to which it's relevant.
It's helpful to think of the different essay sections as answering a series of questions your reader might ask when encountering your thesis. (Readers should have questions. If they don't, your thesis is most likely simply an observation of fact, not an arguable claim.)
"What?" The first question to anticipate from a reader is "what": What evidence shows that the phenomenon described by your thesis is true? To answer the question you must examine your evidence, thus demonstrating the truth of your claim. This "what" or "demonstration" section comes early in the essay, often directly after the introduction. Since you're essentially reporting what you've observed, this is the part you might have most to say about when you first start writing. But be forewarned: it shouldn't take up much more than a third (often much less) of your finished essay. If it does, the essay will lack balance and may read as mere summary or description.
"How?" A reader will also want to know whether the claims of the thesis are true in all cases. The corresponding question is "how": How does the thesis stand up to the challenge of a counterargument? How does the introduction of new material—a new way of looking at the evidence, another set of sources—affect the claims you're making? Typically, an essay will include at least one "how" section. (Call it "complication" since you're responding to a reader's complicating questions.) This section usually comes after the "what," but keep in mind that an essay may complicate its argument several times depending on its length, and that counterargument alone may appear just about anywhere in an essay.
"Why?" Your reader will also want to know what's at stake in your claim: Why does your interpretation of a phenomenon matter to anyone beside you? This question addresses the larger implications of your thesis. It allows your readers to understand your essay within a larger context. In answering "why", your essay explains its own significance. Although you might gesture at this question in your introduction, the fullest answer to it properly belongs at your essay's end. If you leave it out, your readers will experience your essay as unfinished—or, worse, as pointless or insular.
Mapping an Essay
Structuring your essay according to a reader's logic means examining your thesis and anticipating what a reader needs to know, and in what sequence, in order to grasp and be convinced by your argument as it unfolds. The easiest way to do this is to map the essay's ideas via a written narrative. Such an account will give you a preliminary record of your ideas, and will allow you to remind yourself at every turn of the reader's needs in understanding your idea.
Essay maps ask you to predict where your reader will expect background information, counterargument, close analysis of a primary source, or a turn to secondary source material. Essay maps are not concerned with paragraphs so much as with sections of an essay. They anticipate the major argumentative moves you expect your essay to make. Try making your map like this:
- State your thesis in a sentence or two, then write another sentence saying why it's important to make that claim. Indicate, in other words, what a reader might learn by exploring the claim with you. Here you're anticipating your answer to the "why" question that you'll eventually flesh out in your conclusion.
- Begin your next sentence like this: "To be convinced by my claim, the first thing a reader needs to know is . . ." Then say why that's the first thing a reader needs to know, and name one or two items of evidence you think will make the case. This will start you off on answering the "what" question. (Alternately, you may find that the first thing your reader needs to know is some background information.)
- Begin each of the following sentences like this: "The next thing my reader needs to know is . . ." Once again, say why, and name some evidence. Continue until you've mapped out your essay.
Your map should naturally take you through some preliminary answers to the basic questions of what, how, and why. It is not a contract, though—the order in which the ideas appear is not a rigid one. Essay maps are flexible; they evolve with your ideas.
Signs of Trouble
A common structural flaw in college essays is the "walk-through" (also labeled "summary" or "description"). Walk-through essays follow the structure of their sources rather than establishing their own. Such essays generally have a descriptive thesis rather than an argumentative one. Be wary of paragraph openers that lead off with "time" words ("first," "next," "after," "then") or "listing" words ("also," "another," "in addition"). Although they don't always signal trouble, these paragraph openers often indicate that an essay's thesis and structure need work: they suggest that the essay simply reproduces the chronology of the source text (in the case of time words: first this happens, then that, and afterwards another thing . . . ) or simply lists example after example ("In addition, the use of color indicates another way that the painting differentiates between good and evil").
Copyright 2000, Elizabeth Abrams, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
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- Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples
Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples
Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on November 11, 2022.
Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.
Table of contents
When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.
Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.
- Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
- Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?
Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.
One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.
Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.
As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.
For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.
This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.
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Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.
Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.
Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.
These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.
When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.
The alternating method
In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:
Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.
One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.
The block method
In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:
- Point of comparison A
- Point of comparison B
The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.
Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.
Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.
Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .
Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.
You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.
Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:
- The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
- The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.
It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.
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Comparative Essay
How to Write a Comparative Essay – A Research Guide
Published on: Jan 28, 2020
Last updated on: Dec 19, 2022
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A comparative essay compares the two subjects and shows their similarities and differences. The subjects might have some close relation or may be very different.
This essay type is a common assignment for school and college students. Therefore, it is important to learn how to write properly. In this blog, you will get a complete writing guide for comparative essay writing.
What is a Comparative Essay?
A comparative essay is a type of essay in which an essay writer compares at least two or more items. The author compares two subjects with the same relation in terms of similarities and differences depending on the assignment.
The main purpose of the comparative essay is to:
- Highlight the similarities and differences in a systematic manner.
- Provide great clarity of the subject to the readers.
- Analyze two things and describe their advantages and drawbacks.
A comparative essay is also known as compare and contrast essay or a comparison essay. It analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The Venn diagram is the best tool for writing a paper about the comparison between two subjects.
Moreover, a comparative analysis essay discusses the similarities and differences of ideas, items, events, views, places, concepts, etc. For example, you can compare two different novels (e.g., The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Red Badge of Courage).
However, a comparative essay is not limited to specific topics. It covers almost every topic or subject with some relation.
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Comparative Essay Structure
A good comparative essay is also based on how well you structure your essay. It helps the reader to understand your essay better. Also, the structure is more important than what you write.
Therefore, it is necessary to organize your essay so that the reader can easily go through the comparisons made in an essay. The following are the two main methods in which you can organize your comparative essay.
1. Point-by-Point Method
The point-by-point or alternating method provides a detailed overview of the items that you are comparing. In this method, organize items in terms of similarities and differences.
This method makes the writing phase easy for the writer to handle two completely different essay subjects. It is highly recommended where some depth and detail are required.
Below given is the structure of the point-by-point method.
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)
2. Block Method
The block method is the easiest as compared to the point-by-point method. In this method, you divide the information in terms of parameters. It means that the first paragraph compares the first subject and all their items, then the second one compares the second, and so on.
However, make sure that you write the subject in the same order. This method is best for lengthy essays and complicated subjects.
Here is the structure of the block method.
- Paragraph 1: Item A (Point 1, 2, and 3)
- Paragraph 2: Item B (Point 1, 2, and 3)
Therefore, keep these methods in mind and choose the one according to the chosen subject.
3. Mixed Paragraphs Method
In this method, one paragraph explains one aspect of the subject. As a writer, you will handle one point at a time and one by one. This method is quite beneficial as it allows you to give equal weightage to each subject and help the readers identify the point of comparison easily.
How to Start a Comparative Essay?
Here, we have gathered some steps that you should follow to start a well-written comparative essay.
1. Read the Instructions Carefully
Before starting, you have to analyze the question or essay prompt carefully. Sometimes, you have a great idea in your mind, but it does not match the prompt. Therefore, look over the prompt and create a list of the key phrases. Also, check whether any limits are placed on your topic.
2. Choose a Topic
The foremost step in writing a comparative essay is to choose a suitable topic. Choose a topic or theme that is interesting to write about and appeals to the reader. An interesting essay topic motivates the reader to know about the subject. Also, try to avoid complicated topics for your comparative essay.
3. Develop a List of Similarities and Differences
Create a list of similarities and differences between two subjects that you want to include in the essay. Moreover, this list helps you decide the basis of your comparison by constructing your initial plan. Evaluate the list and establish your argument and thesis statement.
4. Establish the Basis for Comparison
The basis for comparison is the ground for you to compare the subjects. In most cases, it is assigned to you, so check your assignment or prompt.
Furthermore, the main goal of the comparison essay is to inform the reader of something interesting. It means that your subject must be unique to make your argument interesting.
5. Do the Research
In this step, you have to gather information for your subject. If your comparative essay is about social issues, historical events, or science-related topics, you must do in-depth research.
However, make sure that you gather data from credible sources and cite them properly in the essay.
6. Create a Comparative Essay Thesis Statement
The thesis statement decides whether the similarities, on the whole, dominate the differences or vice versa. Your thesis statement will be clear and concise.
Therefore, develop the thesis statement that covers your entire essay. With the help of a thesis statement, you will easily stick to the essay’s main core.
How to Create a Comparative Essay Outline?
After writing the thesis statement, you will have to organize your content. The organization makes your essay structured and keeps you on the right path.
Here are some steps you do after creating the thesis statement. It will help you to organize and write a great comparative essay.
Write a proper comparative essay outline and include all the main information that you add to your essay. Here the structure of the outline is similar to the traditional essay outline. It consists of the following parts: introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Comparative Essay Introduction
The introduction is the first part of an essay that the readers see. Therefore, you have to think about the hook statement. It is a statement that you include at the beginning of the introductory paragraph to grab the reader’s attention.
Then, you can move to the main goal of the essay. Provide some background information and conclude the introduction with a thesis statement.
Comparative Essay Body Paragraphs
The body of an essay will give the reader everything that they want to know about the subject. Write all the information clearly and concisely.
The following are the tips that you need to follow for writing essay body paragraphs.
- The topic sentence is placed at the start of the essay.
- Each point of comparison is discussed in a separate paragraph.
- The essay body usually consists of three paragraphs, but it depends on your chosen subject.
- Use different transition words within and between the paragraphs.
- Each paragraph contains enough and meaningful information.
- The last sentences of the paragraph include a low-level conclusion.
Comparative Essay Conclusion
In this section, you need to restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points. Also, remind the reader why it is important to compare these two particular subjects. However, try to avoid writing any additional information in the conclusion of the essay .
Below is the detailed comparative essay template format for you to understand better.
Format of Comparative Essay
Once you are done with creating the outline and writing your essay, proofread and revise it properly. It is an important step to produce a good piece of writing. Never skip this step before submitting or publishing your essay.
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Comparative Essay Examples
Have a look at these comparative essay examples and get an idea of the perfect essay.
Comparative Essay on Summer and Winter - Example
Comparative Essay on Books vs. Movies - Example
Sample Comparative Essay
Thesis Example of Comparative Essay
Comparative Essay Topics
Comparative essay topics are not very difficult or complex. Check this list of essay topics and pick the one that you want to write about.
- How do education and employment compare?
- Living in a big city or staying in a village.
- The school principal or college dean.
- New Year vs. Christmas celebration.
- Dried Fruit vs. Fresh. Which is better?
- Similarities between philosophy and religion.
- British colonization and Spanish colonization.
- Nuclear power for peace or war?
- Bacteria or viruses.
- Fast food vs. homemade food.
Now, you get a complete writing guide for the comparative essay. However, if you need professional essay writing help, consult MyPerfectWords.com . Our legitimate essay writing service provides great services to students who face a difficulty writing a quality essay.
So, hire the best essay writer online and get the well-written essay on time without any mistakes.
Frequently Asked Question
How long is a comparative essay.
A comparative essay is 4-5 pages long, but it depends on your chosen idea and topic.
How do you end a comparative essay?
Here are some tips that will help you to end the comparative essay.
- Restate the thesis statement
- Wrap up the entire essay
- Highlight the main points
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Comparative essays
Printable version of Comparative Essays (PDF) .
Writing a comparison usually requires that you assess the similarities and differences between two or more theories , procedures , or processes . You explain to your reader what insights can be gained from the comparison, or judge whether one thing is better than another according to established criteria.
Helpful tip: When you are asked to write a comparative essay, remember that, unless you are instructed otherwise, you are usually being asked to assess both similarities and differences . Such essays may be called comparative essays , comparison essays , or compare-and-contrast essays .
How to write a comparative essay
- Establish a basis of comparison A basis of comparison represents the main idea , category , or theme you will investigate. You will have to do some preliminary reading , likely using your course materials, to get an idea of what kind of criteria you will use to assess whatever you are comparing. A basis of comparison must apply to all items you are comparing, but the details will be different. For example, if you are asked to "compare neoclassical architecture and gothic architecture," you could compare the influence of social context on the two styles.
- Gather the details of whatever you are comparing Once you have decided what theme or idea you are investigating, you will need to gather details of whatever you are comparing, especially in terms of similarities and differences . Doing so allows you to see which criteria you should use in your comparison, if not specified by your professor or instructor.
Helpful tip: Organize your criteria in columns or a Venn diagram ; using visual methods to map your pre-writing work can help you to stay on track and more clearly get a sense of how the essay will be structured.
Based on the information in the above table, you could focus on how ornamentation and design principles reveal prevailing intellectual thought about architecture in the respective eras and societies.
- Develop a thesis statement After brainstorming, try to develop a thesis statement that identifies the results of your comparison. Here is an example of a fairly common thesis statement structure: e.g., Although neoclassical architecture and gothic architecture have [similar characteristics A and B], they reveal profound differences in their interpretation of [C, D, and E].
Helpful tip: Avoid a thesis statement that simply states your obvious purpose. e.g., The aim of this essay is to compare [A and B] with reference to [X, Y, and Z].
- Organize your comparison You have a choice of two basic methods for organizing a comparative essay: the point-by-point method or the block method. The point-by-point method examines one aspect of comparison in each paragraph and usually alternates back and forth between the two objects, texts, or ideas being compared. This method allows you to emphasize points of similarity and of difference as you proceed. In the block method , however, you say everything you need to say about one thing, then do the same thing with the other. This method works best if you want readers to understand and agree with the advantages of something you are proposing, such as introducing a new process or theory by showing how it compares to something more traditional.
Sample outlines for comparative essays on neoclassical and gothic architecture
Building a point-by-point essay.
Using the point-by-point method in a comparative essay allows you to draw direct comparisons and produce a more tightly integrated essay.
Helpful tip: Note that you can have more than three points of comparison , especially in longer essays. The points can be either similarities or differences. Overall, in order to use this method, you must be able to apply criteria to every item, text, or idea you are comparing.
- Introductory material
- Thesis: Although neoclassical and gothic architecture are both western European forms that are exemplified in civic buildings and churches, they nonetheless reveal, through different structural design and ornamentation, the different intellectual principles of the two societies that created them.
- Why this comparison is important and what it tells readers
Building a block method essay
Using the block method in a comparative essay can help ensure that the ideas in the second block build upon or extend ideas presented in the first block. It works well if you have three or more major areas of comparison instead of two (for example, if you added in a third or fourth style of architecture, the block method would be easier to organize).
- Thesis: The neoclassical style of architecture was a conscious rejection of the gothic style that had dominated in France at the end of the middle ages; it represented a desire to return to the classical ideals of Greece and Rome.
- Text 1: History and development
- Text 2: Change from earlier form; social context of new form
- Synthesis and analysis: What does the comparison reveal about architectural development?
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10+ Comparative Essay Samples
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Compare and Contrast Sample Essay
Sample Comparative Essay Format
The Concept of Comparative Essays
- A comparative essay is an academic essay that requires students to create a comprehensive and precise comparative report about two things.
- A comparative essay is an organized written material that is meant to provide a comparison that should be easily understood by the target readers. It is set to impress people by providing them the information that they need to be aware of about two subjects and how they differ and/or compare with each other.
- A comparative essay can be written if you have two objects or subjects that can be compared in a level where their similarities and/or differences are relevant or meaningful for a specific purpose.
- A comparative essay can be used in formal writing assignments and it can also be the basis for various research assessments.
- A comparative essay is created through pertaining precise points of comparison. These points should be backed by actual researchers, factual information, and other reliable evidence.
Block Comparative Essay Example
Student Comparative Essay Sample
How to Develop the Content of Your Comparative Essay
- The first thing that you need to do is to be aware of the question that you need to answer. You need to be aware of the essay prompt so you can address the needs of your readers. It is essential for you to be fully knowledgeable of the essence of the question so you can interpret it accordingly. The content that you will write will only be effective if it is related to the question and if it matches the purpose on why the essay is necessary to be written.
- Know whether there are limits for your discussion . Always identify whether you need to know the similarities or the differences between your subjects. Also, you need to know whether the scope of your essay assignment requires you to do any of these or both.
- Select the ideas that you would like to compare. It is important for you to have an in-depth understanding of the kind of comparison that you will write. The framework of your essay should be based on an actual evaluation that can point out how you were able to perceive the similarities or differences of the subject.
- Assess whether you already have sufficient points for comparison. Your ability to present as many valid points as possible can make a lot of clarifications about the unanswered questions that you can enlighten your readers with.
- Once the points of your comparison are already specified, list down whether they are under the similarities or differences of the two subjects. This step can help you be organized throughout the writing process. With easy access to how subjects are compared, you can be guided on how to use them in your content development.
- Evaluate your list. Your list is only your initial view about the subjects being reviewed or assessed. Hence, further evaluation is necessary. Make sure that you will read through the entire list so you can rank them based on their impact and weight of thesis.
- Chronologically arrange your list based on your basis of comparison . Make sure that you will follow a metric when examining the items that you will place in your actual comparative essay.
- Know the approach that you will use when developing your essay content. Will you be theoretical? Will you focus on answering questions for comparison? It is essential for you to be aware of your basis so your approach can provide you with maximum benefits within the entirety of the content development process.
- Research further about your subjects so you can verify whether your claims and initial claims are correct. This can help you create more topics and gather more evidence that can support your comparison.
- Create a thesis statement where your discussion can set its foundation. This will enable you to start writing the comparative essay that you would like to achieve.
Comparative Contrast Essay Template
Printable Comparative Essay Sample
Steps in Organizing Your Comparative Essay Discussion
- Refer to the outline of your comparisons. This is where the items that we have discussed above can be helpful. If you are already guided by your comparisons, then you can easily rank their relevance to the essay that you will write. Referencing your comparisons can make it easier for you to have a thesis statement that you can further discuss.
- Organize your writing strategies. The strategies that you will incorporate into your discussion can make it easier for readers to relate to your point. You need to make sure that your strategies are aligned with your type of comparison and the subjects that you are comparing.
- Properly address your comparisons. For your comparative essay to be highly-usable, you need to make sure that you will implement simplicity within your discussion. Do not make it complicated. The content of your comparative essay should be as simple as possible so that it can be furthermore understood.
- Organize your paragraph structure. The way that you create your paragraph listing can be one of the factors that can either improve or destroy your comparative essay. You should create a draft that can specifically state the items that you will discuss per paragraph. Create statements that can address specific comparisons and divide them per paragraph. Each of your paragraphs should be talking about one subject so you can give focus per comparison aspect.
- Evaluate whether your writing guide is already organized enough. It is essential for you to not overlap subjects of discussion. When organizing your statements, make sure to cover one subject at a time. This will help you create a comparative essay that contains a list of carefully arranged and curated evidence which are further discussed and broken down into relevant specification pieces.
Simple Essay of Comparison Sample
Sample Comparative Essay in PDF
Writing Guide in Creating the Actual Comparative Essay
- Create an introduction to the topic. Your thesis statement should contain the subjects that you will talk about. You also need to create an initial discussion of what your readers can expect to the reader within the content of your comparative essay. A strong validation of your comparison can make your readers more interested to browse through the entire essay document.
- Develop your next paragraphs for discussion. As mentioned above, work per paragraph. Arrange your topics of discussion in a way that each paragraph can specifically state one comparison topic per time. You have to create an interesting discussion so you need to ensure that all your paragraphs are organized and well-written.
- Finalize your comparative essay with a conclusion. Your last paragraph should contain the information about your final thoughts with regards the comparison. How different or similar are the two subjects from one another? How sure are you that your basis is factual and relevant? Create a great impact by having a conclusion that can put together all your points of discussion.
Compare Contrast Essay Sample
Sample Comparative Essay Guide
Factors to Consider When Writing a Comparative Essay
- Your discussion’s organization. Within the entirety of the comparative essay creation, it is very evident that organization is key to success. As a writer, you need to ensure that you have a skeletal plan that can create your discussion more polished and coherent. The discussion of your organization can greatly affect the impression of your readers with regards your knowledge about your topic as well as your level of understanding with what you are talking about.
- Your thesis statement. When creating a comparative essay, you need to stick with an argument that can provide you the framework for the effective dissemination of information. Your thesis statement should be based on the results of your frame of references. You need to analyze your subjects properly so that you can create a stand on how you perceive them in levels of similarities and/or differences.
- Your claims or grounds for comparison. You should always be aware of your selection processes. At the end of the writing activity, you need to validate the importance of comparing two subjects. Always have your grounds of comparison ready so you can ensure your readers that you have followed a particular set of criteria that can enable the objectivity between the selection of two items for comparison. The rationale that you have behind your subject selection can make your comparative essay more appealing.
- Your reference frame. A comparative essay’s frame of reference deals with the way that the writer has created the groupings for the comparison. May it be talking about the similarities, differences, or both of these factors; a comparative essay should be able to have a reference that can identify how the characteristics of ideas, themes, theories or even problems are arranged.
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Academic Writing: Comparative Writing
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- What is it?
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In academic writing (as in life!) we frequently need to compare and contrast things. Sometimes this will be the subject and focus of the whole essay ; other times it may just be a means of providing evidence and material for your argument. Either way, what you are doing is zooming in on the key similarities ( compare) and differences (contrast). You may, for example, be asked to compare two (or more) models, theories or approaches. On a more statistical or quantitative level, you may be asked to compare two sets of data or graphical information.
Analyse and evaluate the relative merits of the Marxist, Feminist and Psychoanalytical interpretations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. (Literature)
Compare and contrast Iceland and Japan with reference to population size and density, land area and use and life expectancy. (Geography)
Describe and explain the key similarities and differences between the economies of Germany and Greece in terms of GDP, average income, employment levels and productivity. (Economics)
Analysing two things side by side in this way is always revealing, often in unexpected ways, and frequently leads to a deeper understanding of the topic. Comparing and contrasting is a valuable exercise because it enables you to see familiar things in new ways, to make connections and discover affinities between things.
In the examples given, you will be expected to describe the essential similarities and differences in each case, but also to draw conclusions. In other words, what has the comparison revealed , overall, and what have you learnt from the exercise of comparing? What is being assessed here is not only your ability to summarize and process often large amounts of information, but also your ability to make inferences, identify patterns, spot significant details and trends – to critically evaluate , in short.
The first stage is to brainstorm so as to generate some initial ideas that you can use in your comparison. The structure and sequence of points can come later – for now it is important to think about the title and the comparison in question and start to make notes.
Take the example of a simple analogy - “the human body is like an engine” (an analogy is, according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, “ a comparison between one thing and another, for the purpose of explanation or clarification”)
To begin with it would be a good idea to make a list of all the points of similarity between the two, for example -
Both require fuel
Both are complex systems
Both require maintenance
Both can convert power into motion
Both need periods of rest/inactivity
Both can get overheated or break down…
Both have a number of different components, with different functions ..
As you are doing this you will very soon begin to think of ways in which they differ from eachother. Make another list for these – for example,
One is a living organism , the other is a machine…
One is made of metal. the other is made up of cells ,,,
The structure of an academic compare/contrast essay will be somewhat more complex than this simple “similarities and differences” plan of course, and will to a large extent be determined by the title. The Iceland/Japan essay above, for example, asks you to consider 5 sub-headings (population size and density, land area etc) Therefore you will need to a) make a plan, and b) gather evidence from your reading and make notes under these headings. As with any essay you will need to frame the body of the essay with an introduction and a conclusion. To use another analogy, an essay is like a journey – you need to signpost where you are heading, both at the beginning and throughout, and to make the reader feel a sense of having conclusively arrived at the end. Bear this in mind when you are planning
The readability and effectiveness of your essay will depend not only upon its use of this kind of structured approach , but also on the fluent and varied use of language – to describe similarities and differences certainly, but also degrees of similarity and difference.Try to use a range of different words and expressions for this. The following are some examples –
Words and phrases for similarity -
x is like/alike/similar to/resembles/is closely related to/shares characteristics with/has much in common with y…
In the same way/in a similar way/similarly…
Words and phrases for difference
X is unlike/different from/differs from/dissimilar to/contrary to/in contrast to
In a rather different way/conversely
Words and phrases for degrees of difference/similarity (adverbs)
Totally/completely/entirely… (different from/the same as etc)
Virtually/practically/more or less…
Almost/nearly/not quite/only just…
Slightly/scarcely/hardly/somewhat/rather/quite …
Approximately/roughly/exactly…
This webpage, from the University of Toronto, gives a clear overview of how best to approach and structure the compare/contrast essay, with examples :
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/comparative-essay
The following books all contain useful chapters on the skills and language of comparing and contrasting, with practice exercises :
Bailey, S, Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students, 3 rd . edn (2011), London, Routledge (pp. 119-125)
Harrison, M, Jakeman, P and Paterson,K, Improve Your Grammar, (2012), Basingstoke, Palgrave (pp.32-35)
Jordan, R ., Academic Writing Course (1999), Harlow, Pearson (pp. 51-57)
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How to Write a Comparative Essay Effectively- Learn with Examples
Table of Contents
In a scholastic career, writing a comparative essay is one of the most common assignments. Generally, to write an engaging comparative essay, you should first pick two topics with enough similarities and dissimilarities, and then compare them in a meaningful way. Moreover, your essay should be well-organized and should have valid comparisons with supporting facts. On the whole, the content should also captivate your readers. In case, you are unsure of how to write a successful comparative essay, check this blog post. Here, we have explained how to write a comparative essay effectively with examples.
Definition of Comparative Essay
What is a Comparative Essay? A Comparative Essay is an essay that contains paragraphs explaining how the two subjects of discussion are either similar or different. It mainly focuses on various ‘compare and contrast’ aspects of the two subjects. Compare will describe the similarities between the subjects while contrast will highlight the differences.
For example, if you are assigned a task to write the Comparison between the Indian Cricket Team and the Australian Cricket Team, then you should do proper research about the two sports teams and discuss the similarities and differences both the teams share in the form of a specific essay structure.
To write a comparative essay, the two topics need not have a close relation, it can also be different. Furthermore, in a comparative analysis essay, you can choose to discuss the similarities and differences of ideas, places, items, views, events, concepts, etc.
What is the Purpose of a Comparative Essay?
The main purpose of a comparative essay is to
- Systematically, present the similarities and differences.
- Give clarity to the readers about the subject of discussion.
- Analyze two things and highlight their advantages and disadvantages.
Steps for Writing a Brilliant Comparative Essay
So, how to write a comparative analysis essay? Simply jumping directly to the topic and generating ideas is not an effective way of writing a compare-and-contrast essay. To address the comparison in a meaningful way, remember to follow the comparative essay writing steps mentioned below.
Analyze the essay topic
If you are given an essay prompt or a question, then, first try to understand what is stated in the question by marking the important words or key phrases. The question for a comparative essay usually contains keywords such as “compare, contrasts, similarities, and differences” with which you can easily identify what you need to present in your essay.
Your essay topic can be specific or general too. For example, if you are asked to compare the Indian Cricket Team and the Australian Cricket Team, then you need to specifically focus only on these two teams. But if your question says, to compare any two International Cricket Teams, then you can research various teams and pick any two ideal teams for your discussion. In the case of general topics, you need to build the basis of comparison by yourself.
List out the key points
If you are clear with your essay prompt, then go ahead and find out what points need to be included in your essay. The content should contain all the similarities and differences. So, list out the main points that you wish to speak about in your essay. The hints you have noted will act as your essay plan with which you need to develop the content. Ignore the less significant points and consider speaking only about the points that add value to your comparison.
Create a Thesis Statement
No matter whether your essay topic is specific or general, you need to create a thesis statement. To build a clear thesis statement, first, analyze the key points you have listed and spot whether your topic is more inclined towards similarities or dissimilarities, and then based on that develop a simple thesis statement. Your thesis statement should highlight the comparisons in a crispy way.
Develop and Structure the content
After creating a thesis statement, develop the key points you have noted and structure the essay by adding paragraphs. The content should be written in a simple manner. Most importantly, your readers should be able to understand what you have discussed in your comparative essay.
Comparative Essay Structure
When you write a comparative essay, make sure to structure the essay in an easy way to deliver the key points of your comparison. Generally, you can write an essay in many different structures.
Here are some important methods that you can use to structure a comparative essay.
Alternating Method
Mixed paragraphs methods, block method.
The alternation method focuses on the discussion of one aspect of comparison in one paragraph. That means, at first you need to pick one item of comparison in relation to the first subject and explain that in detail in the first paragraph. Then, followed by that paragraph, you need to explain the same item of comparison in relation to the second subject. The third and fourth paragraphs will deal with another aspect of comparison in relation to the first and second subjects respectively. Sequentially, explain your comparative points until the end of your essay.
Example: Compare Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy M31
Paragraph 1: Display Features of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Paragraph 2: Display Features of Samsung Galaxy M31
Paragraph 3: Camera Quality of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Paragraph 4: Camera Quality of Samsung Galaxy M31
The alternating method helps to present a well-analyzed paper, and also with this method you can effectively handle two different subjects and explain your items of comparison in a deep and neat manner.
You can use the alternating method to structure your comparative essay if your topic needs a detailed comparison or when the comparison points of two subjects are not related.
Read more topic: What are Narrative Essay Topics?
In this method, one paragraph should be devoted to explaining the subject comparison in one aspect. That means you need to explain one item of comparison with respect to both subjects in a single paragraph.
Paragraph 1: Display Features of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro/ Display Features of Samsung Galaxy M31
Paragraph 2: Camera Quality of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro/ Camera Quality of Samsung Galaxy M31
The mixed paragraph method gives equal weight to the subjects in terms of comparison. In this method, the readers can easily find the comparison factor.
You can use the mixed-paragraph method to write a long comparative essay. Also, this method is effective to deal with complex subjects that need special attention.
The block method is one of the easiest methods in which you can divide the essay into two parts and then, discuss the first subject in one part and the second subject in another part. But here, all the items of comparison in relation to the first subject should be explained in a particular order. When you write the second paragraph, the comparison points should be presented in the same order as explained in the first paragraph.
Paragraph 2: Camera Quality of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Paragraph 3: Display Features of Samsung Galaxy M31
You can use the block method when dealing with a short essay, simple subjects, and multiple subjects. With this method, you can develop the ideas of subject two from the ideas listed in subject one. Also, you can use this method if there is no clear relation between the comparison items of both subjects.
How to Prepare a Comparative Essay Outline?
By now, you have gained an idea of how to structure a comparative essay with the methods such as alternating, mixed paragraphs, and blocks. But to effectively write a comparative essay, you should first create a good comparative essay outline in a specific format.
Discussed here is the Comparative Essay Outline Format. While sketching the comparative essay outline, remember to include the following essential components.
Introduction
Like every other essay, the comparative essay should also begin with an introduction paragraph. In this paragraph, you need to give a glimpse of the essay to the reader in terms of the content. The introduction should be simple, and concise, and should have a clear thesis statement.
It is the heart of the essay where you need to compare and contrast the two subjects in a preferred structure.
End the essay by giving an overview of what you have discussed in the body paragraphs. Your conclusion should be based on the similarities and dissimilarities you have identified and should not be on a personal note.
Comparative Essay Format
Follow the below-mentioned format whenever you are asked to write a comparative essay.
Introduction General Statement (connected to the ideas in thesis – inarguable) Introduction to texts and authors (mention connection to key ideas) Background Information of the Topic Thesis Statement Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence [Abstract opinion] In each body paragraph, you can have up to 5 points. Point 1 [Connect Text with Abstract Opinion] Compare A and B Present Proof Transition statement leading to next point Point 2 Compare another element of A and B Present Proof Connection Statement (review all points and connect to THESIS) Conclusion Review topic Conclusion statement Restate thesis
Comparative Essay Example
For your better understanding, here, we have shared a sample of a Comparative Essay.
Example – A Comparative Essay on summer and winter
Summer and winter are two of the four important seasons in the world. Like winter, the view of plants is also beautiful in summer. Even though there are several similar points between summer and winter, they both have some differences when it comes to clothing, activities, and food.
In summer, because of the extreme hotness, people prefer wearing short pants or skirts. But in contrast, people love to cover their full bodies and protect themselves from the cold climate by wearing long pants, sweaters, scarf, and gloves.
Another difference between summer and winter is the activities. During summer, people like to take part in various activities such as surfing, spending time in the water park, visiting beaches, etc. But such activities are not convenient to do at the time of winter.
The final different thing between them is the food. In summer, because of the temperature, people prefer eating ice creams, watermelons, cucumbers, coconut water, and so on to keep the body cool. On the other hand, during winter, to keep the body warm, people eat hot pot.
Basically, these are the three common things between summer and winter. Besides clothing, activities, and food, a few other differences between them include temperature, daytime, and the views. Even though there are a lot of differences between summer and winter, one can still enjoy the season by doing many fun things.
Wrapping Up
By following the essential points discussed in this post, you can write an engaging comparative essay. After writing, be sure to proofread the content . Remove the errors if there are any and prepare a final draft that addresses both the subjects and their items of comparison in detail.
If you are still not sure how to write a comparative essay, then reach out to us. At greatassignmenthelp.com, we offer 24/7 essay help services at an affordable price. Especially, to assist you in writing an outstanding comparative essay, we have plenty of essay helpers in our team who are skilled enough to draft content for all types of academic essays. According to the essay writing instructions you share with us, our experts will come up with a brilliant well-structured essay on time.
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The ultimate topic list: 81 comparative essay topics.
December 27, 2018
During your career as a student, you will no doubt encounter the comparative essay – if you haven’t encountered it already. It is also known as the compare and contrast essay. This is a pretty complex writing assignment, we agree. However, we can assure you that you can surely write it. Furthermore, we are certain that you will manage to get a top grade. All you need to do is learn how to write comparative essay and then find some exceptional, original comparative essay topics. In this blog post, we will focus on helping you find the best comparative essay topics possible with minimal effort. In fact, we will provide 81 topics for you to choose from. Of course, you can change these best topics 2018 as you like. And yes, the topics are free for you to use as you desire. We are here to help college students with their assignments, and our professional writers are more than happy to provide you with the tips and topics you need to succeed.
What Is a Comparative Essay?
Before we start, let’s talk a bit about the comparative essay. We noticed that many students are having a hard time understanding what this assignment is and what it implies.
Basically, a comparative essay requires you to compare two subjects. Of course, these subjects must have at least some similarities. In your essay, you will compare the subjects – which can be anything you can think of – and note the similarities and the differences. It may sound easy, but be aware that everything you write needs to be properly researched and referenced. Remember, this paper must be written following all relevant academic writing standards.
If you are not familiar with academic writing, we suggest you start learning about it. Another option is to get some help online from an academic writer who has extensive experience with this kind of assignment (and with original comparative essay topics).
Why Comparative Essay Topics Are So Important
Most often, college students who know how to write an academic paper will start writing about the easiest topic they can come across. This is not the way to do it though! You need very interesting comparative essay topics if want a top grade on your paper. Why? Because professors pay a lot of attention to the topic you choose to write about. Think of it this way: your teacher has read hundreds of papers, all of them written on the same couple of topics. It tends to get boring. When you come up with some original, intriguing comparative essay topics, you instantly get bonus points. When you pique the interest of your professor, you can be sure that your paper will stand out from the rest in your class. This is why comparative essay topics are so important.
Ultimate List of 81 Comparative Essay Topics
Beginner’s topics.
- Comparing apples and pears
- Feeling sad versus feeling lonely comparison
- A comparison between hiking and surfing
- Comparing coffee and tea (with effects)
- Driving the car or taking the bus: which is better?
- Stay in a village or move to a big city?
- Humans and orangutans: similarities
General Interest Topics
- The differences between high school and college
- The PhD versus the Master’s degree
- Are education and employment so different after all?
- The major similarities between US and UK English
- Comparing Donald Trump to Barrack Obama
- Are argumentative and persuasive essays the same thing?
- Major differences between the Catholic and the Orthodox churches.
- The differences between legal cannabis use in two states of your choosing.
History Topics
- Comparing the Baroque Epoch to the Renaissance Epoch
- Are there any similarities between the Soviet government and the American government?
- Was King Louis the XIV better than King Henry the VIII?
- Differences between the North and the South ideologies during the Civil War.
- What changed from World War I to World War II (why casualties were far higher in WWII)?
- Comparing Stalin’s regime to Hitler’s regime.
- How similar were Washington’s ideas to Lincoln’s ideas?
- Comparing the United States to the European Union in terms of prosperity.
Political Topics
- Comparing the attributes of the UK Prime Minister to the US President
- Were Fascism and Nazism the same? If not, why?
- Similarities between Barrack Obama and George W. Bush
- President Trump’s border protection measures compared to Obama’s measures
- All political parties are the same in many aspects. Why?
- Compare the situation in Ukraine to the Syrian war.
- The differences between civil union and marriage in the United States
- Comparing the 1950s political regime to Trumps’ administration
Opposite Subjects
- The major differences between male humans and female humans
- Compare eBooks to printed books and find out which is better
- A quick comparison between the Moon and the Sun
- Coke versus Pepsi: which one is better?
- Attending university or getting hired: which is better?
- Comparing red and green: any similarities?
- What are the major similarities between asylums and jails?
- A comparison between Star Trek and Star Wars: Why they are different in all aspects
Social Media Topics
- Facebook and Twitter – Which one to choose?
- Facebook image posting or video posting?
- Comparing Facebook in the US with Facebook in Russia
- Facebook or Myspace when it comes to opportunities to interact with other users
- Social media marketing versus traditional marketing
- Online dating or real-life dating: which is better and why?
- Selling products on Facebook compared to selling products on eBay
- Facebook or Instagram – which is more damaging to college students?
- Comparing emails to traditional mailing: the similarities
- Which is more engaging, video games or smartphone games?
- Searching for jobs traditionally versus searching for jobs online
- Comparing Booking.com to AirBnb: major differences
- Comparing Kaspersky Labs antivirus to BitDefender antivirus
- Wide screen monitors versus ultra-wide monitors for productivity
- AMD or Intel processor? Why?
- Virtual Reality versus real life: similarities
- Comparing Alphabet to Microsoft in terms of product innovation
Philosophy Topics
- Comparing the philosophical views about life and death
- The difference between physical needs and mental needs of human beings
- Choosing a fantasy world over the real world: why?
- Hamlet and Macbeth: comparing the main ideas
- Are historians and philosophers similar? If not, why?
- What makes good good and evil bad?
- Humans are as wild as wild animals in some cases: comparing the two
Literature Topics
- Comparing the Indo-European languages to the Sino-Tibetan languages
- Comparing a drama to a comedy: major differences
- Non-fiction versus fiction literature
- What do you prefer, prose or poetry? Why?
- Comparing Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter (the books, not the movies)
- Comparing Shakespeare’s Othello to his Hamlet
- Comparing a British author to an American Author: Similarities and Differences
- Comparing the Greek Mythology to the Roman Mythology
- Comparing your two most bellowed authors. Any similarities between writing styles?
Most Popular Compare Topics
- Which is more difficult, driving a car or a bicycle?
- Which one do you like most, comic books or novels? Why?
- Comparing the Japanese vision of beauty to the American vision of beauty
- Things that Julius Caesar and Macbeth have in common
- Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump. Any striking similarities?
- Comparing textbooks to tablets for use in schools in the United States
- Which is better, communism or capitalism? Explain why.
- Comparing paid OS (Windows) to free OS (Linux).
- The major differences between South Korea and North Korea
How to Write Comparative Essay: Tips and Tricks
Now that you understand why you need new essay topics and have selected a topic from the comprehensive list above, it’s time for some comparative essay tips. The first tip is to start early – as early as possible. Make sure you have plenty of time to finish your work and then proofread it at least twice (this is the second tip). Make effective use of an outline, which must be created before you start writing the sections. Speaking of sections, make sure you familiarize yourself with the five paragraph essay structure. It’s simple to use, and you don’t even need to know how to write comparative essay to use it. Of course, another tip would be to find the most interesting comparative essay topics. However, make sure that you know at least something about the topic, otherwise it can be pretty difficult to write a paper about it. These tips will surely help you write the best comparative essay in your class. And remember, our best topics 2020 are free to use. Good luck!
Take a break from writing.
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How To Write A Comparative Essay | Year 12 Eng Adv Module A: Textual Conversations
- How To Write A Comparative Essay | Year 12 Eng Adv Module A: Textual Conversations1111
Matrix Blog
English 11-12.
In this article, we will show you how to write a comparative essay, including Module A requirements, different comparative essay structures, dos and don'ts, and an exemplar paragraph of both structures.
Are you confused about the difference between a Module A comparative essay and the other Modules’ essays? Well, you came to the right place! In this article, we will teach you how to write a comparative essay that will address the Module requirements and impress your markers!
How to write a comparative essay:
What is a comparative essay.
- Requirements of a Module A Textual Conversations
Different structures: Integrated vs divided
Dos and don’ts.
- Examples of a paragraph: Integrated vs divided
Want a template to ace those comparative essays?
Download the FREE Comparative Essay Template for a clear scaffold of a comparative essay PLUS recommended word counts for each section and annotations of an exemplar essay.
Comparative essays are essays that require you to examine similarities and differences between two or more different texts to find key themes and messages.
This means that you will need to compare the text’s content, structure, techniques, themes, context and draw conclusions about shared or different ideas and values.
Remember, you will be expected to write paragraphs that compliment each other. This means that you can either write your essay in a divided approach or an integrated one. Don’t worry, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of these approaches in a moment.
Okay, let’s learn how to write a comparative essay!
Requirements of Module A: Textual Conversations
‘Textual Conversations’ is a good metaphor for Module A because you are required to analyse a pair of texts.
The first text is the original version, whereas the second text is usually a re-imagined/re-interpreted version of the original or a text that highly engages with the original.
For example, Shakespeare’s Richard III is the original and Al Pacino’s Looking for Richard film comments on the original, and Romeo and Juliet is the original, whereas Gnomeo and Juliet is a re-imagined text.
So, the texts are having a (one-way) conversation as the newer re-imagined text is commenting on aspects of the older text.
Let’s take a quick look at NESA’s rubric to see what you need to do:
In this module, students explore the ways in which the comparative study of texts can reveal resonances and dissonances between and within texts. Students consider the ways that a reimagining or reframing of an aspect of a text might mirror, align or collide with the details of another text. In their textual studies, they also explore common or disparate issues, values, assumptions or perspectives and how these are depicted. By comparing two texts students understand how composers (authors, poets, playwrights, directors, designers and so on) are influenced by other texts, contexts and values, and how this shapes meaning .
Students identify, interpret, analyse and evaluate the textual features, conventions, contexts, values and purpose of two prescribed texts . As students engage with the texts they consider how their understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of both texts has been enhanced through the comparative study and how the personal, social, cultural and historical contextual knowledge that they bring to the texts influences their perspectives and shapes their own compositions.
By responding imaginatively, interpretively and critically students explore and evaluate individual and common textual features, concepts and values. They further develop skills in analysing the ways that various language concepts, for example motif, allusion and intertextuality, connect and distinguish texts and how innovating with language concepts, form and style can shape new meaning. They develop appropriate analytical and evaluative language required to compose informed, cohesive responses using appropriate terminology, grammar, syntax and structure.
By composing critical and creative texts in a range of modes and media, students develop the confidence, skills and appreciation to express a considered personal perspective.
Source: Module A Rubric from NESA website
Note: If you want to learn more about what Module A is, and break down the rubric, then check out our HSC Guide: Overview of Module A: Textual Conversations .
In simple terms, the Module requires you to focus on 3 main things:
- Identify the similarities and differences between the two texts
- Reflect on the context of the texts and consider how it creates meaning
- Analyse the form, style, composition, and language concepts.
It is crucial that you adequately incorporate these 3 requirements in your Module A essays. Let’s briefly go through what this means for you.
1. Similarities and differences
In the rubric, NESA asks you to explore the ‘resonances and dissonances’ between the two texts to find meaning. When you study the pair of texts together, their resonances and differences will be more noticeable.
So, as you are reading or watching your texts for the 2nd or 3rd time, write notes on the similarities and differences between them. Then categorise them by themes or ideas, and analyse them in more detail. This will help you find relevant and comparable evidence when you are writing your essays.
However, be careful to not fall into the trap of finding meagre links between the texts for the sake of comparing.
The evidence from both texts must have a strong connection to each other and are comparable!
Resonance (aka similarities)
Think of resonance like an echo or reverberation. When a text has a resonance, it usually means that some aspect of another text is appearing, reflecting or being referenced.
This can include themes, values, characters, storyline, setting, techniques, form, structure etc.
However, like an echo, the resonance doesn’t have to be exactly the same as the original; there can be slight alterations.
Dissonance (aka differences)
Dissonances refer to different or clashing things.
For example, Lion King is based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet . However, the setting, characters, and parts of the plot are entirely different.
Often, a composer changes an aspect of the original/previous text to make a commentary. This can be influenced by the shifting contexts of the newer text, which will affect the values and social issues explored in the text.
Context is a crucial element of Module A: Textual Conversations essays. This is one of the key features that distinguish a Module A essay from the other Modules.
In simple terms, context refers to the circumstances surrounding a particular time or event. For Module A, it is the circumstances at the time of the text’s creation .
For instance, the context includes:
- Composer’s personal life
- Social and historical events/movements
- Mainstream (or rising) values and ideology
- Literary or artistic movements
- Cultural or religious circumstances
- Geographic place of the text’s production
- Environmental circumstances
- Political perspectives
- Social conventions
These aspects of the context will ultimately influence the way a text is written, including:
- Issues and themes : Main ideas within a text
- Values : Moral and ethical positions and beliefs
- Societal assumptions : Presumed knowledge that the audience should already know
- Perspectives : Different angles to view and explore a text
- Textual conventions : Accepted practices, or styles of writing
When you are analysing both texts, you need to explore how the composer’s context ultimately shape their texts and compare the two. What you will find is that some things stay the same over time and many others change. These are important points to remember when you are writing your comparative essays.
3. Form, style, composition, and language concepts
Like every essay, you will need to analyse the texts’ form, style, composition, and techniques and see how it creates meaning and why .
The rubric asks you to explore, interpret, analyse and evaluate the following:
- Form : Form refers to the mode of production (eg. film, poetry, novel etc). You will need to examine techniques, patterns, and conventions that are specific to the form (eg. sound and angles in a film)
- Style : The specific way a text is arranged to create meaning, including words, sentences, and images. Style helps distinguish individual composers (eg. Margaret Atwood has a different style of writing compared to Jane Austen) and different historical periods (eg. Shakespeare writes differently from modern composers).
- Composition : This refers to the combination of various elements (eg. literary techniques) to make a whole text.
- Language concepts : These are literary techniques that create meaning like motif, allusions, and intertextuality.
Note: Definition is taken from NESA’s glossary .
It is crucial that your analyses explore all these aspects to demonstrate your strong understanding of the two texts.
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While similar, not all comparative essays are the same – some take an integrated approach others a divided. As you already know, essays begin with an introduction, then body paragraphs and end with a conclusion. This is also the same for Module A comparative essays.
However, there are different ways to structure your body paragraphs to draw out the resonances and dissonances between the two texts. They are integrated responses – with a discussion of both texts in a paragraph – or divided responses – analysis of each text in discrete paragraphs.
It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong structure (neither will get you higher or lower marks); only the one that works for you!
Both structures have their pros and cons. Let’s see what they are, and the steps for how to write a comparative essay using both structures.
Integrated:
An integrated essay will require you to analyse both texts within each themed body paragraph.
Here is a flow chart for you to visualise it:
If you choose to write an integrated response, you can either analyse the texts in an alternating manner or analyse them in two sets of evidence.
Assuming that you need a minimum of 12 pieces of evidence per essay (which you do!) and you have 3 body paragraphs, this is what the two options look like:
- Text 1 – (1 evidence)
- Text 2 – (1 evidence)
- Text 1 – (2 pieces of evidence)
- Text 2 – (2 pieces of evidence)
To successfully do this, ensure that your evidence from both texts is complementary or related to one another.
Here are the pros and cons of writing an integrated response:
A divided approach means that you will analyse 1 text in 1 body paragraph, as opposed to 2.
To write an essay using the divided approach, you will need to develop 2 main arguments (themes). Then dedicate a paragraph for each text, per idea. So, you will have a total of 4 body paragraphs.
Here is a flow chart to help you visualise this approach:
The most common mistake with the divided approach is that students often forget to draw direct links to their other text/paragraph. So, they end up writing a body paragraph that analyses 1 text but doesn’t compare the two.
Remember to always draw direct links between both paragraphs!
Here are some useful comparative words/phrases that will help you draw these explicit connections:
Note: Connective phrases/words that highlight similarities and differences should be consistently used in both the integrated and divided approaches.
Now that you know how to write a divided approach essay, here are the pros and cons of a divided approach:
Now that we know what you need to include in your essays and the different essays structures, let’s summarise the dos and don’ts of writing a Module A essay.
- Find examples that are complementary and comparable
- Always draw explicit and direct links between the 2 texts (especially if you’re using the divided approach because it’s easy to forget to make the direct link)
- Use connective words/phrases to make your comparisons more explicit
- Remember to always link to the Module A rubric requirements
- Analyse the form, composition, style and language concepts of the texts
Don’t:
- Arbitrarily compare 2 pieces of evidence that have meagre links with each other
- Switch between two different structures
- Forget to reflect on both composer’s contexts and see how it influences their composition of the text
Example of a paragraph
When you write a body paragraph, remember to use TEEL to structure your analysis and argument. That is:
- Technique : Introduce your technique/evidence
- Example : Provide an example (quote or description of technique used)
- Effect : How does the technique develop meaning? Analyse it.
- Link : Link the technique and analysis to your thesis/topic sentence and Module rubric.
Now that you know how to write a comparative essay, let’s take a look at some sample paragraphs. We’ll explore an integrated paragraph and a divided paragraph.
Let’s use Shakespeare’s Richard III and Al Pacino’s L ooking for Richard as an example.
Integrated approach example
Divided approach example, looking for your module a text find it here:.
We have articles that provide an overview of some Module A texts and analyse them. Take a look, and see if your text is here:
- Richard III and Looking for Richard – Part 1 and Part 2
- The Tempest and Hag-seed – Part 1 and Part 2
- The poetry of John Donne
- Mrs Dalloway and The Hours – Part 1 and Part 2
- The poetry of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes
Keep your eyes out for our upcoming guide on
- The Poetry of John Donne and Edson’s W;t
Written by Tammy Dang
© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2018. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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How to write a comparative essay
A step-by-step guide with instructions, outlines, and samples
Writing a great comparative essay means highlighting the similarities and differences between two things in a systematic manner. Start by choosing the parameters (items) to compare, write an outline, and fill in the details for each section. Make sure to have an introduction and conclusion.
The comparative essay is one form of document that you will probably be expected to write at some point over the course of your college career. The purpose of this article is to provide you with a thorough overview of the comparative essay. Specific things that will be addressed include:
Purpose of the comparative essay
Explanation of comparative models, how to analyze subjects, elements of a good comparative essay, how to write a great comparative essay.
- Samples/examples
- Best practices and advice
- Additional information
By the end of this article, you should feel more confident about your own knowledge of what a comparative essay is and the best ways to go about writing one (if you haven't decided to buy a comparative essay from Ultius ).
The fundamental purpose of a comparative essay is to elaborate the similarities and differences between two things in a systematic manner.
An effective comparative essay will leave the reader with much greater clarity about the natures and properties of the things that have been compared.
This could potentially serve as a basis for making a decision in favor of one or the other thing.
A comparative essay is different from, for example, an argumentative essay in that the comparative essay does not make a case for either of the two things under comparison. Rather, the point is to simply set up the comparison so that the reader will have as much information about the two things as possible.
Why are comparative essays important?
The comparative essay is an important form of document because when you have to make a decision or choose a side in an argument, you will want to know as much as possible about the two options under consideration—and a good comparative essay on the subject can bring out both the similarities and the differences between the options, thereby clarifying the stakes at play.
For example, a comparative essay could address the similarities and differences between any of the following pairs:
- The Republican Party and the Democratic Party
- Christianity and Marxism
- The Big Bang and creationism
- The Light or Dark side of the Force from Star Wars
- The revolutionary and the reformist perspectives on social change
By developing a comparative essay on any of these pairs, you can not only understand each item of under comparison is a more thorough way, you can also get closer to figuring out which item you prefer.
For example, a solid comparative essay on revolution vs. reformism could not only help you understand what each of these items entails, it can also help you figure out whether you would rather be a revolutionary or a reformist. Likewise, if you only have time to binge watch one show, then a comparative essay could help you figure out whether you would prefer to go with Game of Thrones or Westworld .
When writing a comparative essay, there are several models you can use in order to ensure that you set up your comparison as effectively as possible.
Venn diagram
The Venn diagram is a classic, and surely, you're familiar with it. This is the model of two overlapping circles, where each circle belongs to one item of comparison: features shared by both items (similarities) go in the overlapping middle zone, whereas features that are not shared go in the outer areas. For example, here is a Venn diagram that compares humans against gorillas.
When using the Venn diagram model, it is important to note that the differences must be symmetrical. In other words, every difference you list on one side of the comparison must be matched by a difference on the other side.
For example, if you were comparing Apple and Amazon, then for the parameter of "founder," you can list "Steve Jobs" in one circle and "Jeff Bezos" in the other. But it wouldn't make sense if you just listed one or the other: you must list something for each of the items of comparisons under the selected parameter of comparison.
In the Venn diagram above, the first parameter is "language," so for humans it is listed that we have a capacity of language, whereas for gorillas it is listed that they do not.
You don't need to worry about this kind of symmetry when it comes to the similarities, since you will list the same thing for both items of comparison (which means you only have to list it once, in the overlapping zone). In the example, above, the fact that both humans and gorillas are mammals is thus listed just once in the middle.
The dialectical method
The dialectical method is important within the discipline of philosophy, and it has been used to great effect by thinkers such as Socrates and Hegel and Kierkegaard.
This involves holding two ideas or items in tension with each other, to better clarify not only the ideas themselves but also the dynamic relationship that exist between the ideas. The first idea is called the thesis , and the second idea is called the antithesis .
For example, Romanticism could be dialectically compared against the Enlightenment that came before it, because Romanticism was in some ways a rejection of the previous worldview.
Need help? Essay writing services from Ultius can help you produce a great sample compare and contrast essay.
So, by setting up a comparison between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, it becomes possible to see both the continuities (or similarities) between the one and the other, as well as the contradictions (or differences) between them.
Berlin, Isaiah. The Roots of Romanticism . Princeton: Princeton U P, 2013. Print.
From the table above, it is clear that we are able to understand both Romanticism and the Enlightenment better if we set them up in terms of dialectical contrast.
Clearly, they are different in some important ways (logic vs. passion, for example), but we can also see that they are in continuity with each other (both happened in Western Europe and responded to previous developments). This comparison also leads one to wonder about whether it would be possible to make a synthesis that takes the best from both the thesis and the antithesis
A good comparative essay can lead one to ask such questions and pursue such lines of inquiry.
To analyze your subjects for a comparative essay, you need to identify clear parameters, or axes, in terms of which your two selected items can be compared. For example, in the table above, Romanticism and the Enlightenment were compared along the axis of " epistemology ". But that axis won't be relevant to all subjects.
Your job when preparing to write a comparative essay is to identify the specific axes that are relevant for the items that you are comparing. Why is the comparison interesting, and what insights are you trying produce? The answers to those questions will determine how you decide to frame your comparison.
For example, we could compare the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) against the Democratic Party in terms of the axis of membership. This would reveal that the DSA has far fewer registered members than does the Democratic Party.
We could also compare them on the axis of healthcare policy, where it may be found that the DSA and the Democratic Party agree about the importance of universal coverage. When we look at the axis of economics, though, we may find that the DSA is much more radical in its proposals than the Democratic Party.
The problem of identifying relevance
In principle, any one thing in the world could be compared with any other thing in the world. For example, you could compare your shoe with the moon, and conclude that one similarity is that they both exist within the Milky Way galaxy.
But this would be a meaningless point (even if it may make for some interesting poetry). It is important for you to figure out what exactly you are trying to determine through your comparative essay. What is your purpose for writing it?
This will help you choose two items where setting up a dialectical contrast between them will produce actual insight, and it will also help you to choose the proper parameters by which to compare those items.
For example, suppose that you are running a business, and there are two expansion options open in front of you. It would be logical for you to compare and contrast these options, since this will help ensure that you are making your decision with as much knowledge and insight as possible.
Likewise, one parameter that you are sure to consider is: which option will make your business the most money? If you pick parameters that are meaningless, then you will obtain no real insight that can help you make the important decision.
Using a rubric
Once you have identified both the two items of comparison and the axes along which they will be compared, you can proceed to analyze the items by applying the axes in the form of a table or rubric.
This is what has been done, for example, in the tables that have been developed above in this article. In the left-most column, list the parameters you have selected in order to compare your items. Then, in the top-most row, list the items.
Then go ahead and list the relevant details for each parameter for each of the two items. This will produce a table where you can see how each item measures up against the other for each parameter.
The important thing is to be systematic when you are making your comparison: it should not seem random or arbitrary. Thus, it is important to carefully select both the items and the parameters for comparison, and then to proceed to address each item/parameter combo in turn.
There are several elements that are a part of any good comparative essay.
Effective selection of items
A strong comparative essay has well-chosen items for comparison, with the comparison producing actual insights of value through the juxtaposition of the two items. If the items appear to be chosen for no apparent reason, or if the comparison does not in fact produce insight, then the comparative essay would be quite weak (or at any rate pointless).
The comparative essay is not meant to make an argument in favor of one thing or another, but it is meant to produce knowledge and insight about the two things under comparison. In order to compare and contrast items in an effective way, the two items must be different enough from each other, but they should also not be so different that it just feels absurd to even compare them at all.
Effective selection of parameters of comparison
A good comparative essay not only includes well-selected items of comparison, it also includes well-selected parameters of comparison. Between any two selected items, you could theoretically make an endless number of comparisons.
But a good comparative essay identifies parameters of comparative in terms of salience , or the reasons why anyone would be interested in the comparison in the first place. This can be difficult, because in principle, any comparison could be interesting, depending on the audience of the comparative essay and the intended purpose of the essay.
For example, one could use the parameter of zodiac sign to compare Romantic artists against Enlightenment artists.
This could be very interesting to people who are very serious about the zodiac, but it would probably seem ridiculous to just about everyone else.
But if you were writing for an audience of zodiac fanatics, then this comparison could actually be a success.
So, there is no parameter of comparison that is "inherently" bad. Rather, the point is to find parameters that highlight specific salient aspects of the selected items.
For example, when comparing Romanticism against the Enlightenment, core values would be a solid parameter of comparison, because that will surely help produce insights about how worldviews changed from the one paradigm to another.
Strong organizational structure
If you want your comparative essay to be a success, then it absolutely must have strong organizational structure . This is because an effective comparison must be easy for your reader to follow. It can't just jump all over the place at random, which not only be confusing but could also result in the reader forgetting what the point of the comparison was in the first place.
In general, there are two ways in which you can organize your comparative essay. In the first format, each of the parameters would be considered in the section for similarities and the section for differences.
In the first format the comparative essay is organized in terms of similarities and differences, whereas in the second format the essay is organized in terms of parameters of comparison.
In the second format, both similarities and differences would be considered within each of the parameter sections.
Both these are formats are good, and a strong comparative essay could be built around either one.
The important thing is to have a clear system and to not make your comparisons random.
There needs to be an organizational structure that your reader can easily follow.
There are steps you can follow in order to ensure that your comparative essay has all the elements that will be required in order to make it great.
Ask yourself about your intention
If you have selected two items for your comparative essay, then you should start by asking yourself why you selected those two items. What is it about the two items that made you think it would be a good idea to compare them? (Or if you were assigned the two items, then why do you think those items were selected by your professor?)
The point here is that the items selected for a comparative essay are non-random. They are selected because that specific comparison should be able to yield interesting insights (unlike research papers ).
For example, if you are writing a comparative essay on the dogs vs. cats, then are you writing this from the perspective of evolutionary biology? Or are you perhaps writing it in order to inform potential pet owners who are debating whether they want a dog or a cat?
The purpose of your essay will determine what parameters you will select in order to compare your two items. This means that you should have an intended audience in mind, and you should also have specific questions you would like to know more about.
In short, in order to develop effective parameters for your comparative essay, you have to ask yourself why you are writing it and who would be interested in the insights produced by the essay. This can help ensure you select both appropriate items and appropriate parameters for comparison.
Develop a structural outline
It is very important that you do not just jump into your comparative essay and start writing it without a plan. That is a recipe for disaster, and the comparisons will almost certainly turn out random and confusing. Rather, you should begin with a solid outline .
A good outline will do three main things:
- 1. Identify the selected items of comparison in the introduction/thesis
- 2. Utilize one of the two organizational formats described above
- 3. Provide a roadmap for how you intend to systematically follow through on the comparison
For example, here is how an outline could look for a comparative essay on Romanticism vs. the Enlightenment.
In this sample outline, the format that is used dedicates a paragraph to each of three parameters of comparison, and both similarities and differences are addressed for each of those parameters.
This is the kind of logical flow that you will need to have in order for your comparative essay to turn out great.
Write in a systematic way
A comparative essay is not a place to get too creative with your writing, whether in terms of organization or in terms of style.
Rather, you should focus on simply carrying out your comparison, point-by-point and in a way that is easy for your reader to follow. This can get a little tedious, so if that is a problem for you, then you should make sure that you set aside enough time to work on your comparative essay little by little.
For example, if your essay has three parameters, then you could write a section on the first parameter today, the second parameter tomorrow, and the third parameter the next day.
The important thing is for you to ensure that you consider each of your two selected items in terms of each of your selected parameters. This needs to be done in a smooth and logical manner, such that your reader knows where you are in the comparison. There should be no jumping around, and there should be no departure from the basic format or structure.
Example comparative (compare/contrast) essay
Best practices/tips.
We have now arrived at the end of this guide, and you should have a much better idea of what makes a comparative essay successful and how you can go about writing one. It may be helpful to now summarize some of the main points that have been addressed here.
Let's address five main points.
1. Ensure that you select appropriate items for comparison
The two items that will be compared in your comparative essay should be carefully selected. The items should have some shared features and be in the same "class" of items, but they should also have substantial differences to which you are trying to call attention. If the items are too similar, then there would be no point in the comparison, but if they are too different, that can also make the comparison meaningless.
2. Select effective parameters of comparison
Your comparative essay shouldn't compare anything and everything between your two items; rather, the parameters should be specifically selected to highlight specific, salient similarities and differences. In order to determine what parameters would be effective, you have to ask yourself why you are writing your comparative essay and what sort of insights you intend to produce about the items being compared.
3. Use tools and models in an effective way
The Venn diagram is one tool that can be very helpful in conceptualizing your comparative essay, especially if you are a more visual kind of learner. Tables, rubrics, and outlines will also work to help ensure that you are developing a strong backbone of logic and systematic reasoning for your comparative essay. These and other tools may even help you reconsider your initial choices of items and parameters, if you realize that significant insights are not being produced.
4. Choose an organizational format, and stick with it
There are two main ways in which to structure an effective comparative essay, which have been described above. You can dedicate one section to similarities and one section to differences; or, you can dedicate a section to each of the parameters of comparison. This second option is usually more effective, especially if you are new to comparative essays. But either way, it is crucial that you stick to your chosen format and do not jump around and confuse the reader.
5. Seek assistance if you need it
If you are still uncertain about how to write a successful comparative essay, then Ultius is here to help. Our writer help section has many tools like this one available on various types of essays; we have a huge writer help section that contains all sorts of information on pretty much any writing-related questions you may have; and we also have elite professional writers who can produce a sample comparative essay for you on any subject of your choosing. We are here for you, and if you have any further questions about how to write a comparative essay, then you should feel free to reach out.
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The Comparative Essay
What is a comparative essay.
A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare
- positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States)
- theories (e.g., capitalism and communism)
- figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and Britain)
- texts (e.g., Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth )
- events (e.g., the Great Depression and the global financial crisis of 2008–9)
Although the assignment may say “compare,” the assumption is that you will consider both the similarities and differences; in other words, you will compare and contrast.
Make sure you know the basis for comparison
The assignment sheet may say exactly what you need to compare, or it may ask you to come up with a basis for comparison yourself.
- Provided by the essay question: The essay question may ask that you consider the figure of the gentleman in Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations and Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall . The basis for comparison will be the figure of the gentleman.
- Developed by you: The question may simply ask that you compare the two novels. If so, you will need to develop a basis for comparison, that is, a theme, concern, or device common to both works from which you can draw similarities and differences.
Develop a list of similarities and differences
Once you know your basis for comparison, think critically about the similarities and differences between the items you are comparing, and compile a list of them.
For example, you might decide that in Great Expectations , being a true gentleman is not a matter of manners or position but morality, whereas in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall , being a true gentleman is not about luxury and self-indulgence but hard work and productivity.
The list you have generated is not yet your outline for the essay, but it should provide you with enough similarities and differences to construct an initial plan.
Develop a thesis based on the relative weight of similarities and differences
Once you have listed similarities and differences, decide whether the similarities on the whole outweigh the differences or vice versa. Create a thesis statement that reflects their relative weights. A more complex thesis will usually include both similarities and differences. Here are examples of the two main cases:
Differences outweigh similarities:
While Callaghan’s “All the Years of Her Life” and Mistry’s “Of White Hairs and Cricket” both follow the conventions of the coming-of-age narrative, Callaghan’s story adheres more closely to these conventions by allowing its central protagonist to mature. In Mistry’s story, by contrast, no real growth occurs.
Similarities outweigh differences:
Although Darwin and Lamarck came to different conclusions about whether acquired traits can be inherited, they shared the key distinction of recognizing that species evolve over time.
Come up with a structure for your essay
Alternating method: Point-by-point pattern
In the alternating method, you find related points common to your central subjects A and B, and alternate between A and B on the basis of these points (ABABAB …). For instance, a comparative essay on the French and Russian revolutions might examine how both revolutions either encouraged or thwarted innovation in terms of new technology, military strategy, and the administrative system.
Note that the French and Russian revolutions (A and B) may be dissimilar rather than similar in the way they affected innovation in any of the three areas of technology, military strategy, and administration. To use the alternating method, you just need to have something noteworthy to say about both A and B in each area. Finally, you may certainly include more than three pairs of alternating points: allow the subject matter to determine the number of points you choose to develop in the body of your essay.
When do I use the alternating method?
Professors often like the alternating system because it generally does a better job of highlighting similarities and differences by juxtaposing your points about A and B. It also tends to produce a more tightly integrated and analytical paper. Consider the alternating method if you are able to identify clearly related points between A and B. Otherwise, if you attempt to impose the alternating method, you will probably find it counterproductive.
Block method: Subject-by-subject pattern
In the block method (AB), you discuss all of A, then all of B. For example, a comparative essay using the block method on the French and Russian revolutions would address the French Revolution in the first half of the essay and the Russian Revolution in the second half. If you choose the block method, however, do not simply append two disconnected essays to an introductory thesis. The B block, or second half of your essay, should refer to the A block, or first half, and make clear points of comparison whenever comparisons are relevant. (“Unlike A, B . . .” or “Like A, B . . .”) This technique will allow for a higher level of critical engagement, continuity, and cohesion.
When do I use the block method?
The block method is particularly useful in the following cases:
- You are unable to find points about A and B that are closely related to each other.
- Your ideas about B build upon or extend your ideas about A.
- You are comparing three or more subjects as opposed to the traditional two.
Written by Vikki Visvis and Jerry Plotnick, University College Writing Centre
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Writing a Comparative Essay
Writing a good comparative essay requires that you learn to compare and contrast two or more things. In order to do this, you need a good understanding of each object being compared. Find out what similarities and differences there are between the objects being compared.
Comparing something can be done in various ways, depending on the text type and purpose.
When learning how to compose a comparative essay there are certain points you should always keep in mind: what is your purpose when writing it; is it an academic or a school assignment; is it supposed to be taken as an example by other students who are composing their texts about the same subject?
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Let us look what it means when your teacher asks you to write a comparative essay as an assignment.
What is a comparative essay?
A comparative essay can be defined as any piece of writing in which the author tries to relate two or more things, events etc.
If you want to become successful in your attempt to write a really good piece of writing, you need to outline its structure. Some people think that any essay can be written without taking care of its logical construction, but is that really true? Do you think it is wise to write a paper without knowing where would you start and how will your choice of words influence the general structure of the piece?
What are the steps involved in writing a comparative essay?
First of all, let’s look at what kind of an assignment we have been given. Is it supposed to be a paper for an English class or is it a writing assignment for history? Is this paper meant to be read by young students who are learning about the two chosen subjects, or does it have another purpose?
The first thing you need to do once you start working on your essay is to answer all these questions. Once you know the exact nature of your assignment, you can outline its structure.
What is the purpose of a comparative essay?
The purpose of a comparative essay is to prove that two things, persons, ideas etc. are similar in some way or another. This means that if your assignment is to write an essay for English class on the topic “The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas”, you have to prove that the movie of the same title “The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas” is similar to a book of the same title, by John Boyne.
The first step you should take in your attempt to write a comparative essay is to start reading both texts on which you are going to make comparisons later. You must not rush, but take your time and read both fully, as this is the first crucial stage on the way to writing a brilliant paper. Later you should start thinking about how exactly those two books are alike. What do they have in common? Is it the plot line or the characters’ personalities? Is it an underlying theme of struggle for humanity? You need to find a few points of similarity and you need to do it carefully. There is a possibility that your tutor will require you to explain the differences between both texts in your paper, so remember to pay attention not only to their similarities but also to their differences.
A comparative essay seeks to come up with a comparison between two objects in terms of both similarities and differences. Rather than creating arguments for or against, it provides adequate information between the two items. A student may be asked to compare theories, events, authors, figures, texts, and much more. Learners are likely to encounter this type of essay in their final exam .
Although one may feel the need to provide only similarities, it is expected than one will discuss the differences too. One must prepare adequately before writing this type of essay since it must possess sufficient information on both topics and know how to write a compare and contrast essay .
Pre-writing process
Students must be aware of the content they will include in their essay before they start writing it. This way, their writing process will be simplified and content is stronger and more reliable. Several steps are crucial before settling down to start your essay.
Step by step guide on how to write a comparative essay
A comparative essay paper or comparative research paper can take several forms. You can be asked by your professor to write a comparative research paper between two companies, comparative essay between literary works, comparative research paper on two historic events, among many others. If you are not given a topic, it is up-to-you to come up with a great topic which is easy to write but matches your academic level
1. Read and understand the question
While you may be a great writer and produce an impressive piece, it may not match your instructor’s requirements. Therefore, you must analyze what the instructor expects from the question. The grading rubric is one way of guiding you on how much content is required of you. Some questions may ask the students to simply provide the similarities and differences between objects. However, in other instances, the question may require you to look at the greater picture. For example, one instructor may ask you to compare two poets. Another one may want you to dig deeper to identify the characterization, writing styles, and so on. Ensure that before you can start your research you understand how far the professor expects you to go.
2. Note down the similarities and differences
Your comparative essay identifies the similarities between objects but it must also acknowledge the differences. Therefore, you need to come up with a list containing both the similarities and differences between the items. You may have a long list but only the most significant points will get to your essay. In comparing capitalism and communism, come up with a list that shows how they are similar.
3. Develop a thesis statement
Your thesis statement will guide you on what to write in your comparative paper. Since you have identified the similarities and differences, you can now create a clear thesis statement . This statement is dependent on whether the items are more similar than different and vice versa. A simple thesis statement can focus on the superior content between the similarities and differences. A more complex one, though, will incorporate both within the same sentence. Therefore, you can have a situation where the differences outweigh the similarities or the other way round. You can also create a balance between the two objects. The judgment you make will be the determinant of your thesis statement .
4. Choose appropriate structure of a comparative paper
The structure of your essay shows how you will organize ideas in the body paragraphs. You can adopt any of the following structures for your comparative essay:
Alternating method – comparative essay outline
In this method, you fully exhaust the comparing element of each item in subsequent paragraphs.
Illustration: if you are comparing the technology, military strategy and the administrative systems in government X and Y, you can have the alternating comparative essay outline below;
Paragraph 1: technology of government X
Paragraph 2: technology of government Y
Paragraph 3: military strategy of government X
Paragraph 4: military strategy of government Y
Paragraph 5: the administrative system of government X
Paragraph 6: the administrative system of government Y
This structure gives well-detailed information of elements even when the comparison points are dissimilar
Mixed paragraph approach
In this structure, the writer uses the comparing elements of two items in the same paragraph. Therefore, it is easy for the reader to comprehend the comparisons the writer is making. Using the illustration above, the mixed approach will look like shown below:
Paragraph 1: technology of government X/ technology of government Y
Paragraph 2: military strategy of government X/ military strategy of government Y
Paragraph 3: the administrative system of government X/ the administrative system of government Y
In this structure, the reader can easily identify the comparison element while giving both items equal weight. It is an effective strategy to adopt in long or complex essays requiring close attention.
Block method
This structure of an essay divides your writing into two parts; each devoted to one of the items being compared. This method is recommended for simple and short essays since it can become one-sided, forgetting the other item. The arrangement of the paragraphs is as illustrated below;
Paragraph 2: military strategy of government X
Paragraph 3: the administrative system of government X
Paragraph 4: technology of government Y
Paragraph 5: military strategy of government Y
This approach is suitable when you have more than two items to compare. It can also be used when the items’ points of comparison are not closely related. It can also be adopted when ideas of one item extend from those of the previous one.
Actual Writing
Once you have gathered adequate material and chosen the most appropriate structure for your comparison essay, create an outline . This will now give a rough idea of what the essay looks like from start to end. From there, you can now focus on the introduction , body, and conclusion.
Introduction
This part introduces your comparative ideas by highlighting the items you are comparing and the criteria used. It ends with a thesis statement containing either or both similarities and differences, and your conclusion . The thesis statement can be one or two sentences long.
Body paragraphs
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that tells what you will be discussing. The topic sentence is then followed by the supporting information that you have gathered regarding the element. The last part of each paragraph has a conclusion about the specific idea you have written about. The number of paragraphs will depend on the structure you have chosen and the length of your essay.
This part highlights all the discussed ideas and leaves the reader with some new knowledge. The conclusion you draw should depend on your thesis statement and the tone your instructor expects. Do not lean towards any item if that is not the required output. Ensure that the reader does not feel the presence of some missing information. Finally, review your work and even get the help of another person or contract an editing and proofreading service .
Comparative Essay Outline Example
Creating a good comparative essay outline is a great way to plan your essay . Here’s a helpful example:
Thesis statement : The two texts, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and Mao Zedong’s On The People’s Democratic Dictatorship , offer effective strategies for attaining their respective goals. They succeed through the use of different rhetorical strategies.
- Introduction – identify the two texts and explain how they provide different rhetorical strategies to reach similar goals.
- Body Paragraph 1 – using the first text as your point of reference, explain how it uses or provides rhetorical strategies that help achieve its goal (goals)
- Body paragraph 2 – repeat the process for the second text, explaining how it provides or uses rhetorical strategies to achieve its goal (goals)
- Conclusion – connect the two texts by explaining their use of similar techniques to achieve different goals; summarize main points and restate thesis statement.
Comparative Essay Topics
Comparative essay topics are essay questions which provide a student with an opportunity to compare two things . For example, you might be asked to compare the historical development of two civilizations, or you might be asked to examine similar forces at work in two plays or novels.
Your essay should not simply summarize each element of your comparison text but also analyze the relationship between them and draw conclusions about how they are similar or how they are different.
Some interesting comparative essay topics include:
- How is “Brave New World” similar to and different from “1984” by George Orwell?
- Compare and contrast the structure of Romeo and Juliet to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Evaluate how far the character of Prospero in The Tempest reflects Shakespeare’s own mindset.
- What elements of Edwardian society in England are reflected in the novels of H.G Wells?
- Make an argument for or against the statement that “Don Quixote” is a satire.
- Why were the comedies of Oscar Wilde popular with Edwardian audiences?
- Examine how similar King Lear and Macbeth are as tragic figures.
- Do the plays of Henrik Ibsen present a hopeful message?
- How are Oedipus Rex and Hamlet alike as tragedies?
- Compare the characters of John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller with those in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen?
- Does Shakespeare rework plots or is he an original creator of stories?
- Compare the characters of Shylock to Fagin in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.
- Find examples of how the plays of William Shakespeare criticize the English monarchy, church and society.
- How are characters in “The Tempest” similar to those in other works by Shakespeare?
- List ways that Arthur Miller used elements of Greek tragedy in Death of a Salesman.
- Compare and contrast how William Shakespeare’s plays reflect the beliefs and values of his Elizabethan period with those from other eras.
- What major themes do the plays of Anton Chekhov explore?
These are just example topics and ideas. You can hire essay writers online to come up with custom comparative essay topics and analysis ideas. You can also get ideas from free compare and contrast essay examples on our homework help website .
What is a comparative analysis essay?
A comparative analysis essay is a type of academic essay that requires the writer to compare the features of two or more items. Although there is no universally accepted structure for writing comparative analysis essays, most writers follow roughly the same process:
- Describe the selected items,
- Explain how they are similar,
- Show how they are different,
- Discuss which of the items is more effective,
- Explain your reasoning.
Now you know how to write a comparative analysis essay that will earn you a good grade.
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How To Write An Introduction For a Comparative Essay
There is no doubt in it that essay writings are the most important part of every student’s life. During the studies in schools and colleges, teachers, from time to time, give their students many types of essay writing assignments. Comparative essay writing is one of the most popular essay writing assignments that commonly, teachers prefer to give their students. Through this type of essay writing, teachers can quickly check students’ ability of creativity and their writing skills.
It does not matter whatever type of essay you are writing, ‘the introduction of the essay’ is one of the essential parts to make a successful essay writing. Most of the students seem confused when it comes to writing the introduction of a comparative or comparison essay as the comparative essay is one of the most complicated types of essay that requires a better understanding of two different subjects. If you are also troubling with how to write an introduction for a comparative essay , then you came to the right place here. We are going to provide you ultimate guidance on it.
Table of Contents
What is a Comparative or comparison Essay?
The comparative means to measure or judge two different subjects based on their differences and similarities of each other. Hence comparative essay is one of the types of essay writings that includes an ultimate comparison of two different subjects that have somewhere interrelations in terms of differences and similarities. There will be a possibility that sometime two subjects might have some close relations, even some time utterly different from each other.
In simple words, in the comparison essay, students are required to write a depth comparison of two particular subjects according to the topic of the essay. In both terms of similarities and differences.
Why is the introduction of an essay important?
As we are going to discuss how to write a perfect or successful introduction for a comparative essay. Here the question arises is why the introduction is an essential part of essay writing.
Actually, there is no doubt in it that introduction plays a very important role in every essay writing. If you are not able to write an excellent introduction to your essay, then maybe you may not write a successful essay. The introduction is an essential part of every writing, as it allows your audience to go through your complete writing. If you write a good introduction, only then any reader thinks to go through your complete writing. On the other hand, the introduction also gives your audience an idea about the topic of your essay. Even the introduction gives them an idea of what they can expect from your complete essay.
Top tips on how to write a perfect or well ‘essay Introduction’ for a Comparative Essay-:
As we already discussed, most students seem confused when it comes to writing a good introduction for a comparative or comparison essay. Therefore here are some key points that you should remember while writing your essay introduction. Actually, these points are the top tips of writing an attractive, useful, practical, successful, and perfect essay introduction-:
Understand the question or essay prompt carefully-:
If you are going to write an essay introduction, the first thing that you should remember. That you should have to understand the question of essay writing clearly. For writing a perfect or well introduction of a comparative essay, you have to understand both the two subjects of your essay, on which you are going to write a comparison essay. If you have any doubts regarding both topics, then you can’t be able to write a perfect introduction or complete essay. Thus if you have any doubts regarding the question or essay prompt, then you can take help from your teachers by asking them to clear your doubts.
The entire focus on the Essay-:
While you are writing the introduction of your comparative or comparison essay. From the very beginning, you should always keep in mind that your first concern must be the entire focus on the essay. In the introduction of your essay writing, you may use different main points or thesis statements, but make sure that they all are relevant to both subjects of your comparison essay. In conclusion, we can say that you have to keep in mind that you never distract from the main topic or subjects of the essay during writing your complete introduction. You always have to make your entire focus on the main subjects of the essay.
Reader Oriented-:
If you want to write a successful, informative, and impressive introduction. Then you must write a reader-oriented essay introduction. The first motive of academic essay writings is to impress your teachers and to get good academic grades. So your audience is your teachers. Therefore you have to write such a comparative essay, according to your teacher’s instructions. If your essay introduction is perfectly reader-oriented, then it can easily impress the audience and encourage them to go through a complete reading of essay writing.
Contextualize your topic-:
Here you are writing an introduction for a comparative or comparison essay. Hence you have to write some relevant and reliable background information about both the topics of your comparison essay. The background information ultimately depends on the subjects of your essay. It maybe includes different pieces of information such as -:
- Definition of both subjects;
- Some of the social, historical and social background information or data;
- All current research, debates, or theories, about the subjects.
So you have to mention only all the relevant and reliable facts or background information about your subjects in your essay introduction. It will be more suitable if you provide a general overview of your comparison in the introduction.
Establish your thesis statement-:
As we all know that a well or relevant thesis statement can make your ‘essay introduction’ perfect. If you are writing an essay introduction, then you have to narrow your focus and write about the aim of your essay writing in brief. You can use a perfect thesis statement that can easily describe the purpose or main objective of your writing. While you are writing the essay introduction of a comparative essay, then you must choose a thesis statement that is relevant to both of your comparison subjects. Even your thesis must have to easily support your arguments related to topics.
Always use formal languages-:
If you are writing a comparative essay for your academic assignment, then you have to always keep in mind that you don’t use informal language in your essay writing. As your main purpose is to impress your teacher with impressive and perfect essay writing. So while writing an essay for academics, always make sure to use only formal language.
Keep your essay introduction sufficient-:
It is an essential thing that you should keep in mind while writing an essay introduction. As the introduction is one of the important parts of every essay writing. So while writing an essay introducing your comparative essay, always remember that it only provides all the relevant and reliable information about the topic in brief. Don’t even you try to mention any unnecessary or irrelevant information. Because introduction contains a small part of the overall length of your complete essay, but along with it is an important part of the essay. So make sure to write an introduction with sufficient length and sufficient proper information.
Proofreading or editing-:
If you want to make an effective, impressive, and successful essay introduction. Then after completing your writing, you must have to give some time to proofread your writing.
In simple words, after writing your essay introduction, you should have to take some time to proofread and edit your introduction. During the checking or proofread, if you find any type of grammatical or spelling mistake in your introduction, then you can immediately correct it. Thus you can easily make a useful, perfect, and error-free essay introduction.
Conclusion-:
We have mentioned all the detailed information about how to write a perfect or well introduction for a comparative essay, with the top tips. Hence we hope that our blog will become very helpful for you and will clear all your doubts about it. Still, if you have any confusion regarding the comparative or comparison essay, then don’t feel any hesitation in contacting us anytime at the Australian Assignment . We have a team of experts. Who all are well qualified and have years of experience working in the same field. Our experts are available 24*7 hours to provide you the best solution for all your academic problems. We are offering our services all around the world, including Australia, at a very affordable price. Even we are providing our services to those students who are looking for Assignment Help Adelaide and Assignment help Sydney .
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- Essay on Prison
Comparative Correctional Systems: Free Sample Essay To Follow
Type of paper: Essay
Topic: Prison , Crime , Violence , Europe , Standard , United States , Population , Staff
Words: 2250
Published: 03/08/2023
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Introduction
Violence within prison complexes is common in almost all parts of the world. The violence can originate from staff or inmate. The correctional systems in several countries attempted newer approaches to incarceration in order to avoid violence on prison complexes. There are very few complexes in the world that have reduced rates of violence or can claim to be violence free. Instead of rehabilitation, prisoners face entrapment in a dangerous game. The level of accountability towards prisoners and their safety diminishes in regions such as Asia, Middle East, and South America. The United Nations established a set of international standards for all nations to follow and all subsequent inspections by the global body will have the standard as the official benchmark.
Reasons for prison violence
Violence in prison populations often occur due to poor infrastructure, incompetence of guards, lack of a complaint system, gang violence, and lack of facilities to provide mental health. Contrary to popular belief, much of the violence can originate from trivial issues. The lack of experience and lack of programs for rehabilitation often hinder the possibility of complying with international standards.
Overcrowding
Prison overcrowding is a problem in many countries at present. South American nations have large incarceration rates among under trials which contribute to almost 65% of the overall population. In the United States, an influx of drug related laws in the 1990s convicted repeat drug offenders to ten-year prison sentences based on the quantity of contraband involved. Asian prisons have a large number of convicts and under trials. The allocation of beds, cells, and space utilization often comes under a severe strain whenever the prison is subject to overcrowding. This scarcity of resources leads to acts of violence among the inmates (Abiven, 2014).
Gang allegiance
Gang allegiance does not end when a member leaves the street. Gang members in prison often take sides and indulge in feuding constantly. In addition, some gangs like the Mexican Mafia recruit their members from prison yards. The gang recruitments within prisons depend on the ruthlessness of the inmates. The Mexican Mafia for instance will look to recruit the most dangerous inmates to their ranks. Gang related violence account for over 75% of prison violence overall (Neustatter, 2014).
Budget cuts
The prison budgets for the last decade were minimal. As a result, there were not adequate resources to hire, and train staff. Prison staff predominantly is without proper training to handle difficult situations. Instead of diffusing retrievable situations, the inexperienced staff often imposes violence and solitary confinement to inmates. Studies indicate that these punishments will only result in the increase of the prisoners’ potential for violence. In certain prisons, certain areas of the prison cannot have regular patrols due to staff shortage. With the long hours and inadequate pay, the attrition rates for prison guards are extremely high (Chandler, 2015).
South American prison systems
The South American prisons systems have some of the worst living conditions in the world. The prison complexes are rat-infested and unhygienic. They are also small and inadequate to hold the number of prisoners. This region has the fastest growing prisoner population at present. In addition, the presence of gangs and political prisoners only complicate the issue further. Despite housing several dignitaries in the past, there does not seem to be any improvements. Without space to lie down or even sit down in certain prison complexes, the possibility of violence is high. The South American prisons are also among the most corrupted establishments in the region. Hence, it is relatively easy to smuggle any type of contraband and weapons inside the complex (Abiven, 2014).
International Standards
The United Nations released a set of standards for the treatment and care for inmates. Named in honor of Nelson Mandela, these standards are the minimum requirement for any prison complex. The three key standards for examination in this section pertain to accommodation, segregation, and complaint/feedback facility.
Accommodation
The primary requirement for the standard is accommodation. This standard covers the occupation space, work area, sanitary needs, lighting, health and environment-based amenities, supervision intervals, and ventilation of the spaces. The standard insists that these provisions are the minimum requirements. The space for accommodation reiterates the need to place only one person in a cell. In case of extreme overcrowding, the standard allows temporary occupation by others. The material made available has to the inmate have to meet the temperature, climate, and should remain sufficiently ventilated. Wherever possible, the complex should accommodate artificial lamps to allow inmates to read without difficulty. Inmates should have access to basic sanitary needs and adequate showering space. All cellblocks should have regular supervision by guards to ensure there are no fights. In a dormitory setup, the staff should segregate inmates according to their age, crime, and race to avoid fights (United Nations, 2016).
United States
Almost all the facilities in the United States, inmates have access to the amenities mentioned in the standard, except space. Prison populations are high and the US has the highest conviction rate of 712 per 100,000 people. It is difficult to build new correctional facilities when the economy is hard-pressed. Hence, in certain prisons, the accommodations exceed their capacity by almost forty percent (Couch, 2015).
European Union
Several countries in the European Union have constructed correctional facilities to meet the requirement of the UN standard. Their prisons have several amenities including extracurricular activities such as rock climbing and sun bathing. In countries like Germany and France, where the emphasis is on locking up more people for longer durations of time, the construction of new complexes is underway. Despite their economic problems, the European Union strives to meet the conditions of the standard (The Editorial Board, 2013).
Middle East
Prisons in the Middle East seldom look for approval from international bodies. In fact, many of these prison complexes are out of bounds to any foreign inspection team. Inside sources indicate overcrowding, poor ventilation, inadequate bedding, inadequate lighting, extended use of solitary confinement, disease, and torture as the regular features. Prison guards are both indifferent to the inhumane conditions and brutal when administering punishment (Human Rights Watch, N.d).
Prisons in this region are similar to those in the Middle East. However, access to several of the complexes is possible even for an inspection team. They are overcrowded, poor sanitary infrastructure, limited guard patrols, inadequate lighting, severe space scarcity, and brutal punishments (Foster, 2014). However, there are some prison complexes that defy the odds and make it as the best facilities in the region. The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines is an exception. Hence, it is a region with a mixed agenda when it comes to prison facilities. The region’s meagre economy may also reflect in the poor maintenance of the facilities.
Separation of categories
The standard on segregation requires prison complexes to divide the population on the grounds of sex, age, nature of crime, and nature of imprisonment. The young prisoners kept away from the adult population. The men and women will have separate facilities. Under trials kept separately from convicted felons. White-collar criminals remain segregated from other criminals (United Nations, 2016).
The concept of segregation in prisons is widely in use. All the technicalities in the standards will remain met in most facilities. However, it is not always possible to avoid interactions between white-collar criminals from the others due to space scarcities (Couch, 2015).
The conditions of the standard find large-scale compliance in this region. However, when 16 year-olds face charges as adults, they become part of the adult prison system. Moreover, segregation as per nature of detention might face concerns due to influx of refugees from the south (The Editorial Board, 2013).
There is no concept of segregation in most countries. However, there are exceptions for women and juvenile offenders in select nations. Many of the prisoners are life sentence convicts since the younger inmates face corporal punishment in most establishments (Human Rights Watch, N.d).
Segregation of the prison population is applicable to this region as per sex, and age only. Prison authorities often overlook the other criteria required for the standard (Foster, 2014).
Information to and complaints by prisoners
The standard requires prison authorities to provide each prisoner with a handbook that contains the rights of inmates along with penalties and punishments applicable for misconduct. It also requires the prison authorities to disclose ways to solicit feedback and complaints from the prison population. All prisoners should have knowledge of the contents of the handbook. They should know how to represent themselves to the warden or prison director for complaints. They should not become a target for their complaints. If the prisoner is illiterate, the prison authorities will read out the manual to him/her. The complaining prisoner should receive safeguards and an independent team will investigate the charges (United Nations, 2016). United States There is no uniform compliance to this standard however, there are a large number of prisons that comply with certain aspects of the standard. There are no major investigations to investigate complaints against prison guards unless it is a juvenile detention center due to the short supply of experienced personnel (Couch, 2015).
The European Union nations have their individual compliance for this standard based on the type of prison operated. Countries have policies that make the standard seem plain; for example Switzerland and Netherlands. Others (like Turkey and Austria) have a more conservative approach to this standard (The Editorial Board, 2013).
There is no scope of implementation of this standard anywhere in the region. There cannot be any complaints against authority figures according to their religion and culture (Human Rights Watch, N.d).
The compliance of this standard is sporadic at best. There are not many takers for such standards that bring additional accountability on the prison staff. Attempts to complain will have serious repercussions in several countries (Foster, 2014).
Plan to implement legal standards in South American prisons
The international standards will bring their value in improvement of prison complexes throughout South America. However, these are not prisons that have the infrastructure to handle such changes abruptly. Hence, the implementation of the plan will take place in four phases. The first phase involves segregating all under trials languishing in the prison complexes. These people will not find accommodation in prisons unless they feature in violent crimes. The rest of the under trials are freed from prisons. The action will reduce the prison population to near 100% capacity. At this stage, in phase two, a substantial number of minor or petty criminals will have their sentences commuted to community service and eventually released back into society. The prison populations in the prisons will be at 70-80% capacity after enacting phase two. This reduced population will allow the chance to repair the facilities even by utilizing the inmates occupying the complexes. Once repaired, the facilities will have the amenities prescribed in the standards. As a final phase step, libraries along with computers with limited internet connections made available to prisons. These utilities will come in handy to raise anonymous complaints to the prison board and to help the prison population invest in education during their stay.
Recommendations to prevent prison violence
Prison violence finds its roots to gang affiliations. Hence, the primary goal is to weed out gang influence on the general population. This goal is achievable through segregation and counselling (Neustatter, 2014). The secondary objective is to remove all opportunities that provoke inmates to fight amongst each other. This step is achievable through provision of adequate supplies and ensuring proper accommodation. This will prevent inmates from quarrelling among each other for amenities or facilities such as sanitary installations and bedding materials. Finally, all services within the government machinery function efficiently due to feedback processes. The implementation of a feedback service every quarter will be a worthwhile activity. The feedback service should have ownership outside the prison administration; preferably, with an independent agency that has experience in working with prisoners (United Nations, 2016). Eventually, prisoners are not people who will never rejoin society. How will they learn to coexist in society peacefully and by keeping the law if they do not have the opportunity to experience that type of life behind bars? Only when steps are in place to diffuse prison violence will there be a real drop in recidivism among violent offenders.
Abiven, K. (2014). Latin America's Prisons Are A Violent Nightmare And Getting Worse. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/latin-americas-prisons-are-a-violent-nightmare-and-getting-worse-2014-9?IR=T Chandler, K (2015). Budget cuts threaten prison reform effort. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/7/budget-cuts-threaten-prison-reform-effort/ Couch, R. (2015). These Programs are helping fix a Broken U.S. Prison System. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/recidivism-programs-prison_n_6655392.html Foster, S. B. (2014). Inside a Chinese Prison: An American’s Perspective. Retrieved from: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2014/jun/22/inside-chinese-prison-americans-perspective/ Human Rights Watch Staff (N.d). Prisons in the Middle East and North Africa. Retrieved from: https://www.hrw.org/legacy/advocacy/prisons/mideast.htm Neustatter, A. (2014). The jail that has reduced violence by helping inmates escape from the gang. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/19/gang-violence-young-offender-institutes-prisons The Editorial Board Staff (2013). Lessons from European Prisons. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/opinion/lessons-from-european-prisons.html?_r=0 United Nations Staff (2016). United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules). Retrieved from: http://www.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/1957/06/ENG.pdf
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How to Write a Comparative Essay
Last Updated: November 22, 2022 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 15 testimonials and 85% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,666,130 times.
Perhaps you have been assigned a comparative essay in class, or need to write a comprehensive comparative report for work. In order to write a stellar comparative essay, you have to start off by picking two subjects that have enough similarities and differences to be compared in a meaningful way, such as two sports teams or two systems of government. Once you have that, then you have to find at least two or three points of comparison and use research, facts, and well-organized paragraphs to impress and captivate your readers. Writing the comparative essay is an important skill that you will use many times throughout your scholastic career.
How to Develop the Essay Content
- Many comparative essay assignments will signal their purpose by using words such as "compare," "contrast," "similarities," and "differences" in the language of the prompt.
- Also see whether there are any limits placed on your topic.
- The assignment will generally ask guiding questions if you are expected to incorporate comparison as part of a larger assignment. For example: "Choose a particular idea or theme, such as love, beauty, death, or time, and consider how two different Renaissance poets approach this idea." This sentence asks you to compare two poets, but it also asks how the poets approach the point of comparison. In other words, you will need to make an evaluative or analytical argument about those approaches.
- If you're unclear on what the essay prompt is asking you to do, talk with your instructor. It's much better to clarify questions up front than discover you've written the entire essay incorrectly.
- The best place to start is to write a list of things that the items you are comparing have in common as well as differences between them. [3] X Research source
- You may want to develop a system such as highlighting different types of similarities in different colors, or use different colours if you are using an electronic device.
- For example, if you are comparing two novels, you may want to highlight similarities in characters in pink, settings in blue, and themes or messages in green.
- The basis for your comparison may be assigned to you. Be sure to check your assignment or prompt.
- A basis for comparison may have to do with a theme, characteristics, or details about two different things. [7] X Research source
- A basis for comparison may also be known as the “grounds” for comparison or a frame of reference.
- Keep in mind that comparing 2 things that are too similar makes it hard to write an effective paper. The goal of a comparison paper is to draw interesting parallels and help the reader realize something interesting about our world. This means your subjects must be different enough to make your argument interesting.
- Research may not be required or appropriate for your particular assignment. If your comparative essay is not meant to include research, you should avoid including it.
- A comparative essay about historical events, social issues, or science-related topics are more likely to require research, while a comparison of two works of literature are less likely to require research.
- Be sure to cite any research data properly according to the discipline in which you are writing (eg, MLA, APA, or Chicago format).
- Your thesis needs to make a claim about your subjects that you will then defend in your essay. It's good for this claim to be a bit controversial or up for interpretation, as this allows you to build a good argument.
How to Organize the Content
- Use a traditional outline form if you would like to, but even a simple list of bulleted points in the order that you plan to present them would help.
- You can also write down your main points on sticky notes (or type them, print them, and then cut them out) so that you can arrange and rearrange them before deciding on a final order.
- The advantages of this structure are that it continually keeps the comparison in the mind of the reader and forces you, the writer, to pay equal attention to each side of the argument.
- This method is especially recommended for lengthy essays or complicated subjects where both the writer and reader can easily become lost. For Example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X / Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 2: Stylishness of vehicle X / Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 3: Safety rating of vehicle X / Safety rating of vehicle Y
- The advantages of this structure are that it allows you to discuss points in greater detail and makes it less jarring to tackle two topics that radically different.
- This method is especially recommended for essays where some depth and detail are required. For example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X Paragraph 2: Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 3: Stylishness of vehicle X Paragraph 4: Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 5: Safety rating of vehicle X Paragraph 6: Safety rating of vehicle Y
- This method is by far the most dangerous, as your comparison can become both one-sided and difficult for the reader to follow.
- This method is only recommended for short essays with simplistic subjects that the reader can easily remember as (s)he goes along. For example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X Paragraph 2: Stylishness of vehicle X Paragraph 3: Safety rating of vehicle X Paragraph 4: Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 5: Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 6: Safety rating of vehicle Y
How to Write the Essay
- Body paragraphs first . Work through all that information you've been compiling and see what kind of story it tells you. Only when you've worked with your data will you know what the larger point of the paper is.
- Conclusion second . Now that you've done all the heavy lifting, the point of your essay should be fresh in your mind. Strike while the iron’s hot. Start your conclusion with a restatement of your thesis.
- Intro last . Open your introduction with a "hook" to grab the reader's attention. Since you've already written your essay, choose a hook that reflects what you will talk about, whether it's a quote, statistic, factoid, rhetorical question, or anecdote. Then, write 1-2 sentences about your topic, narrowing down to your thesis statement, which completes your introduction.
- Organize your paragraphs using one of the approaches listed in the "Organizing the Content" part below. Once you have defined your points of comparison, choose the structure for the body paragraphs (where your comparisons go) that makes the most sense for your data. To work out all the organizational kinks, it’s recommended that you write an outline as a placeholder.
- Be very careful not to address different aspects of each subject. Comparing the color of one thing to the size of another does nothing to help the reader understand how they stack up. [15] X Research source
- Be aware that your various comparisons won’t necessarily lend themselves to an obvious conclusion, especially because people value things differently. If necessary, make the parameters of your argument more specific. (Ex. “Though X is more stylish and powerful, Y’s top safety ratings make it a more appropriate family vehicle .”)
- When you have two radically different topics, it sometimes helps to point out one similarity they have before concluding. (i.e. "Although X and Y don't seem to have anything in common, in actuality, they both ....”)
- Even the best writers know editing is important to produce a good piece. Your essay will not be your best effort unless you revise it.
- If possible, find a friend to look over the essay, as he or she may find problems that you missed.
- It sometimes helps to increase or decrease the font size while editing to change the visual layout of the paper. Looking at the same thing for too long makes your brain fill in what it expects instead of what it sees, leaving you more likely to overlook errors.
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- The title and introduction really catch the reader's attention and make them read the essay. Make sure you know how to write a catchy essay title . ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
- Quotes should be used sparingly and must thoroughly complement the point they are being used to exemplify/justify. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
- The key principle to remember in a comparative paragraph or essay is that you must clarify precisely what you are comparing and keep that comparison alive throughout the essay. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
- Avoid vague language such as "people," "stuff," "things," etc. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
- Avoid, at all costs, the conclusion that the two subjects are "similar, yet different." This commonly found conclusion weakens any comparative essay, because it essentially says nothing about the comparison. Most things are "similar, yet different" in some way. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
- Some believe that an "unbalanced" comparison - that is, when the essay focuses predominantly on one of the two issues, and gives less importance to the other - is weaker, and that writers should strive for 50/50 treatment of the texts or issues being examined. Others, however, value emphasis in the essay that reflects the particular demands of the essay's purpose or thesis. One text may simply provide context, or historical/artistic/political reference for the main text, and therefore need not occupy half of the essay's discussion or analysis. A "weak" essay in this context would strive to treat unequal texts equally, rather than strive to appropriately apportion space to the relevant text. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
- Beware of the "Frying Pan Conclusion" in which you simply recount everything that was said in the main body of the essay. While your conclusion should include a simple summary of your argument, it should also emphatically state the point in a new and convincing way, one which the reader will remember clearly. If you can see a way forward from a problem or dilemma, include that as well. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
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- ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/
- ↑ http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/comparative-essay
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/comparing-and-contrasting/
- ↑ http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-comparative-analysis
- ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/compare_contrast.html
- ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/10-7-comparison-and-contrast/
- ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
- How to Structure Paragraphs in an Essay
About This Article
To write a comparative essay, start by writing an introduction that introduces the 2 subjects you'll be comparing. You should also include your thesis statement in the introduction, which should state what you've concluded based on your comparisons. Next, write the body of your essay so that each paragraph focuses on one point of comparison between your subjects. Finally, write a conclusion that summarizes your main points and draws a larger conclusion about the two things you compared. To learn how to do research for your essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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Essay Writing
Welcome to the Purdue OWL
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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.
The Modes of Discourse—Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation (EDNA)—are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these approaches and students’ need to understand and produce them.
This resource begins with a general description of essay writing and moves to a discussion of common essay genres students may encounter across the curriculum. The four genres of essays (description, narration, exposition, and argumentation) are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres, also known as the modes of discourse, have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these genres and students’ need to understand and produce these types of essays. We hope these resources will help.
The essay is a commonly assigned form of writing that every student will encounter while in academia. Therefore, it is wise for the student to become capable and comfortable with this type of writing early on in her training.
Essays can be a rewarding and challenging type of writing and are often assigned either to be done in class, which requires previous planning and practice (and a bit of creativity) on the part of the student, or as homework, which likewise demands a certain amount of preparation. Many poorly crafted essays have been produced on account of a lack of preparation and confidence. However, students can avoid the discomfort often associated with essay writing by understanding some common genres.
Before delving into its various genres, let’s begin with a basic definition of the essay.
What is an essay?
Though the word essay has come to be understood as a type of writing in Modern English, its origins provide us with some useful insights. The word comes into the English language through the French influence on Middle English; tracing it back further, we find that the French form of the word comes from the Latin verb exigere , which means "to examine, test, or (literally) to drive out." Through the excavation of this ancient word, we are able to unearth the essence of the academic essay: to encourage students to test or examine their ideas concerning a particular topic.
Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a number of skills such as close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, persuasion, conciseness, clarity, and exposition. As is evidenced by this list of attributes, there is much to be gained by the student who strives to succeed at essay writing.
The purpose of an essay is to encourage students to develop ideas and concepts in their writing with the direction of little more than their own thoughts (it may be helpful to view the essay as the converse of a research paper). Therefore, essays are (by nature) concise and require clarity in purpose and direction. This means that there is no room for the student’s thoughts to wander or stray from his or her purpose; the writing must be deliberate and interesting.
This handout should help students become familiar and comfortable with the process of essay composition through the introduction of some common essay genres.
This handout includes a brief introduction to the following genres of essay writing:
- Expository essays
- Descriptive essays
- Narrative essays
- Argumentative (Persuasive) essays
- Essay Writing
- Paper Writing
- Dissertation
- Research Paper Writing
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How to Write a Comparative Essay: A Comprehensive Guide
Table of Contents
As we go on with our lives, we can’t help but constantly compare and link various elements in our environment. Be it a newly opened restaurant, a freshly released movie, or a fashion trend, the comparison with previous experiences or items is inevitable. We always try to find the differences and alterations between the two subjects and automatically seize them up with one another.
So, when during college life, students are assigned to craft a comparative essay, it may seem pretty easy and natural at first. Because what’s so difficult in comparing two specific samples, right? In ordinary everyday life, casually making comparisons is indeed something that doesn’t hinder any difficulty. However, the situation can entirely change within the academic territory, where as a rule, at critical moments, the natural ability to compare vacates most of the students. Where to start? What elements to compare? Which writing style and format to use? How to structure the paper? These and other similar questions will be stuck in a student’s head, blocking the way of creative thinking.
To help overcome this common dilemma, we’ve put together a detailed and informative guide that will walk you through the steps of constructing the perfect comparative essay . So, check it out if you want to find effective tips on structuring your paper’s outline, what to include in the content, and, more importantly, how to go about it.
What is a Comparative Essay : Definition
Before you take on the writing, you should have a full understanding of what a comparative essay is. So let’s explore together.
A comparative essay is a piece of academic writing where you compare at least two or more items with the same relation in terms of differences and similarities.
This type of essay is primarily about comparing and contrasting different aspects of the subjects included in the question. In this context, comparing is to find the similarities between the samples, while contrasting is to present their differences.
The core purpose of the comparative essay is to:
- Highlight the differences and similarities in a systematic manner.
- Analyze two specific things and showcase their advantages and drawbacks.
- Provide great clarity of the topic to the audience.
Comparative essays can cover almost any topic on earth as long as there is some connection between the chosen subjects.
How to Start a Comparative Essay
In order to grab the pen and fill the white sheet of paper with quality writing, it’s essential to keep track of some core steps. So, we have gathered the key phases that you should follow to start your comparative essay in a professional manner. Let’s have a look.
#1 Carefully Read the Instructions
Before starting to write, you have to analyze the given question or essay prompt carefully. It will help you stay organized and avoid unrelated things that don’t match the instructions. Also, don’t forget to check whether any limits are placed on your topic.
#2 Pick a Topic
The most vital step in writing a comparative paper is to choose a suitable and actual topic. Pick a theme or topic that is interesting to write about and appeals to the readers. A captivating essay topic motivates the audience to keep reading and know more about the subject.
#3 Create a Thesis Statement
The soul and driving power of your comparative essay is the thesis statement. It’s the part that can decide whether or not your paper will succeed.
The thesis statement should be clear and concise, determining whether the differences, on the whole, dominate the similarities or vice versa. So, when making a statement, ensure it covers the entire essay and represents the main core of the subject.
#4 Create a List of Similarities and Differences
Developing a list of similarities and differences between the two samples you want to include in the essay is the next important thing to do. Such a list helps you to build the base of your comparison by drafting your initial plan.
#5 Establish the Basis for Manual Comparison
You need a solid and unshakable ground for your paper, so it’s necessary to establish a good basis for comparison. In most cases, you can follow the instructions or requirements given to you in the prompt.
Also, the comparison essay’s primary goal is to deliver something interesting to the reader. It means that your topic must be unique and attractive to make your argument interesting.
#6 Do Research
This is the stage where you need to gather all crucial information and materials for your essay. However, always ensure you gather data from credible and trustworthy sources and cite them properly in writing.
Comparative Essay Structure
A good and quality comparative essay mainly depends on how well you structure your paper. A well-organized structure helps the reader understand your essay better and avoid being lost in messy paragraphs. In some cases, the structure is even more important than what you write. Therefore, it is crucial to organize your essay in a way so that the reader can go through the comparisons made in an essay without any difficulties.
In academic writing guidelines, you can find two main methods in which it’s recommended to organize your comparative essay . So let’s have a look.
Point-by-Point Method
This method, also known as the alternating method, gives a detailed overview of the samples you are comparing. In this method, you should organize items regarding differences and similarities.
Here is the structure of the point-by-point method you can follow:
- Introductory Part
- Body Paragraphs
- Paragraph 1: Point 1 (Items A and B)
- Paragraph 2: Point 2 (Items A and B)
- Paragraph 3: Point 3 (Items A and B)
- Conclusion.
The point-by-point option makes it easier for the writer to handle two different essay subjects. This option is recommended mostly for cases where more depth and details are required.
Block Method
The block method is simpler and easier than the point-by-point method. Here, you need to divide the information and data you have in terms of special parameters. It means that the first paragraph should compare the first subject and all its specifics, then the second one should compare the second, and so on.
Here is the structure of an essay that uses the block method.
- Introduction
- Paragraph 1: Item A (Points 1, 2, and 3)
- Paragraph 2: Item B (Points 1, 2, and 3)
Also, it’s important to write the subject in the same particular order. This method is perfect for lengthy essays and complicated topics.
Mixed Paragraphs Method
The next method you can use when writing a comparative essay is called the mixed paragraphs method. Here the algorithm is very simple: one paragraph explains one aspect of the topic. This method is quite a good option as it lets you give equal attention to each subject and help the audience to identify the point of comparison easily.
How to Create a Comparative Essay Outline
An outline is vital for writing your comparative essay without going off track. By having the right direction and plan, you can make sure all the essential information and data are at hand and minimize the chance of forgetting some key aspects of your topic.
Here, the structure and organization of the outline are quite similar to the traditional essay outline . It consists of 3 main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Each of them should have a clear message and match the required formatting style.
Comparative Essay Introduction
The introduction is the opening part of an essay; therefore, it should be as interesting and informative as possible to grab the reader’s attention. It must identify the subject of your focus in a concise way and ensure it’s captivating enough to impress the audience and make them go on with reading.
The introductory part of your essay should include the key statement of your paper, introduce the topic you are discussing, and map out the entire structure of the writing.
Comparative Essay Body
The body of a comparative essay is the core part that should give the reader everything they want to know about the subject under discussion.
You need the following essentials for writing effective essay body paragraphs.
- The topic sentence should be placed at the start of the writing.
- Each point of comparison is introduced in a separate paragraph.
- The essay body should have at least three paragraphs depending on your picked subject and requirements.
- The use of different transition words within and between the paragraphs is a must.
- Each paragraph should contain clear and meaningful information.
- The last part of the paragraph should cover a low-level conclusion.
Also, each paragraph should be to the point and clearly explain the described topic.
Comparative Essay Conclusion
In this section of your essay, you can restate the thesis statement and summarize the key points of the subject. Also, point out the significance of comparing the given subjects. When writing a conclusion, it’s essential to avoid giving unnecessary information. Instead, keep it as short and compact as possible.
Comparative Essay Format
Universities and colleges are real perfectionists when it comes to formatting and writing styles. This may seem like a source of anxiety for many students. However, academic writing should be consistent across disciplines to aid instructors in efficiently referencing work and applying it to their studies.
You may be required to write a paper in MLA or APA format for a comparative essay , depending on your course and educational institution. So, before starting your writing, make sure to check the instructions and requirements and follow the format mentioned in your assignment. Based on the given format, you will need to keep some rules and styles characteristic of that type of writing.
Writing a Comparative Essay : Key Elements to Success
Any good comparative essay has some essential elements and steps behind its success. That’s why to craft an essay that can compete with professional ones, it’s vital to follow the key tips and strategies mentioned below.
Carefully Selected Items
A strong and quality comparative paper should have well-chosen subjects for comparison. If the samples appear to be picked for no apparent reason, or if the topic under comparison does not, in fact, give enough insight, then the essay can be pretty weak or even pointless.
Such an essay doesn’t require you to make an argument in favor of one item or another. Instead, it aims to produce insight and give knowledge about the two subjects under comparison. In order to compare and contrast samples in an effective way, the chosen subjects must be different enough from each other. Still, at the same time, the difference should not reach the absurdity level, where you don’t have anything to compare at all.
Effectively Picked Parameters for Comparison
A good comparative essay should include not only well-chosen items but also carefully picked parameters for comparison. In theory, you can make an endless number of comparisons between any two items.
However, a good essay points out parameters of comparative in terms of prominence or the reasons why the reader should be interested in the topic in the first place.
Strong Organizational Structure
The final element you need to pay close attention to if you want your comparative essay to be a success is the structure of your writing. This is because an excellent comparison should be easy for a reader to follow and catch up. It can’t just randomly jump all over the place, causing confusion and resulting in the reader forgetting what the key point of the topic was in the first place.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, writing a comparative essay can be quite easy and simple if you follow a systematic way of doing and organizing things. Just map out a good outline, determine the key points of your comparison, draft a structure and build your writing without any hassling issues or difficulties.
How Do You Start a Comparative Essay?
Choosing the topic and items for comparison is the key step in starting a comparative essay writing process. Pick a topic, make a well-organized outline, check out the requirements, create a thesis statement and build your core content around it. Also, don’t forget about a meaningful and informative concluding section.
What Are The 5 Steps of Writing a Comparative Essay?
The main steps to writing an exceptional comparative essay are the following:
- Pick a compare-and-contrast subject.
- Find and note down core similarities and differences.
- Research for supporting details and material.
- Outline the main concepts of your essay.
- Build your paper on the collected information.
What Makes a Good Comparative Essay?
A serious approach to the topic, well-organized structure, proper formatting, to-the-point comparisons and arguments, and good insight are the key factors determining whether your comparative essay will succeed or not.
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What is a comparative analysis essay?
How to start writing the comparative essays of different types
Define what you will compare in your essay.
- For instance, you have two objectives like two countries and some aspect of their policies. So you do not have to reach for something beyond the given topic.
- But if you are asked to compare countries without mentioning what aspects you should focus on, you will have to think about it a bit more.
Pick the content for your comparative essay writing
Define the main idea of the essay, design the structure of your future essay, types of comparative essays, comparing the alternatives.
Essay with mixed paragraphs
Essay with blocks, comparative essay body structure, ideas for comparative essay topics.
- Similarities and differences between the US and Australian GDP figures.
- Comparison of the events during WW I and WW II.
- Compare the main ideas of capitalism and communism.
- Describe differences of the healthcare systems in Canada and the USA.
- Compare two football teams.
- Various governmental systems and their common features.
- Influential people: what do they have in common?
- What are the differences between Christianity and Hinduism?
- Living in a big city vs living in the suburbs.
- Two car brands comparison considering their influence on the market in general.
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- A Research Guide
- Writing Guide
- Essay Writing
How to Write a Comparative Essay
You should definitely know what is a comparative essay before you get to writing. A comparative essay is a composition made of many paragraphs that try to explain how two subjects are either similar or different. These essays are mainly about comparing and contrasting various aspects of the subjects in question. In this context, to compare is to identify the similarities between the subjects while to contrast is to describe their differences. They are not limited to specific topics; they can cover almost every topic on earth as long as the subjects have some relation.
What is a Comparative Essay – a short definition
How to start a good comparative essay – tips.
Before starting to write an essay , it is very important first to understand what it is about. First of all, you should know what does comparative mean. You might write an essay full of good ideas but fail to answer the question. It is therefore advisable to first study the prompt at length highlighting the key words to identify the exact need. Most comparative essay questions usually have the phrase “compare and contrast” or simply “similarities and differences”.
Read also: Best ways to start an essay .
- Identify the basis 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 example, a question may ask you to compare between capitalism and communism. This is a question with a clear objective hence you don’t have to go an extra mile.
- Another case may be to compare any two political ideologies. This is a general question and you have to figure out the various political ideologies then identify any two that you can compare. Such instances requires the author to develop the basis of comparison by themselves.
- Develop the content of the essay
This step involves identifying what will feature in your essay. It involves identifying the similarities and differences of the items in comparison. You need to develop a list of ways in which the subjects are the same and how they are different. This list will enable you to develop the initial plan of the essay.
The list should be thoroughly evaluated so that only the main points of comparison are considered for the essay. The focus should be mainly on the points that are related and those that are of less significance should be canceled.
- Come up with a Thesis
For an essay to be developed there must be a clear thesis statement that guides the author. This doesn’t matter whether the basis of comparison is given by the question or has been identified by the author.
In order to come up with the thesis statement, you should first look at the list containing the various aspects of comparison then decide whether the subjects tend to be more similar or they are quite different. Based on this judgment a simple comparative essay thesis statement should be developed. This thesis statement should be a reflection of how the subjects share similarities and how they are different. In complex cases, the essay statement should highlight both the similarities of the subjects while not forgetting their differences.
Read also: How to write a reflective essay ?
- Develop the essay structure
Essays have different structures. A comparative essay is therefore not an exception since it must be organized in such a way that the comparisons made in the essay can be easily followed by the reader.
The following are the main methods in which a comparative essay can be structured.
- Alternating Method
In this method, the aspect of comparison if fully handled in one paragraph. What this means is that a full paragraph is used in explaining in detail one item of comparison in relation to the first subject. This will then be followed by another paragraph that also explicitly explains the same aspect but now it deals with the second subject. This is to say that the first and second paragraph explains the same aspect of comparison but deals with the first and second subject respectively. This therefore means the third and fourth paragraph will be dealing with another aspect but for the first and second subject respectively. This sequence goes on until the end of the essay.
- Gives more details about the item in comparison making it easy to handle two different subjects
- Produces a well analyzed and integrated paper
When to use this method
- Cases where detailed comparison is needed
- When the points of comparison are not related
- Mixed paragraphs method
Here one paragraph is devoted to explaining the way the subjects compare based on one aspect. This means that you begin by handling the first subject then finish by tackling the second one.
- gives the subjects equal weights in terms of comparison
- the reader gets to identify the comparison factor easily
- When dealing with a long comparative essay
- When dealing with complex subjects that need close attention
- Block Method
This is quite the easiest method though very dangerous. The basic principle here is to divide the essay into two parts. The first part devoted to one subject and the second part devoted to the other subject. This means that subject one and all the items of comparison involved are explain in the first part then the second part handles only subject two.
However, you should be keen to ensure that the order of the first part is strictly followed in the second part to allow for easy following and relation.
- When dealing with short essay
- When dealing with simple subjects
- Cases where there is no clear relation between items of comparison of subject one and subject two
- When you want to build the ideas of subject two from those highlighted for subject one
- When dealing with many subjects
Note: As mentioned earlier, this is a very dangerous method because one can view it as one sided and it also poses a challenge to reader in the process of relating the subjects.
How to come up with a comparative Essay Outline
At this point, we have killed the elephant in the room, which is developing the content of our comparative essay and deciding the essay structure that we are going to use. We are now left with writing the essay. The essay format of a comparative essay is just like that of any other essay, and it should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Read also: “Where can I ask a professional writer to write me an essay ?”
- Introduction
The introduction paragraph is mainly about giving the reader a glimpse of the essay in terms of its content and the expectation of the reader. It should therefore be simple and clear. It should also have a thesis statement that highlights the purpose of the essay and what is going to be discussed not forgetting a simple conclusion.
- Body Paragraphs
At this stage, you are just transferring what you had while identifying the things about the subject you are going to compare and organizing them in the preferred structure.
Just a reminder:
- The topic sentence should introduce the reader to what the paragraph handles
- Discussion of the aspect is done in the middle of the paragraph
- The last part of the paragraph should carry a low-level conclusion about the aspect discussed in the paragraph
- The paragraph should have enough information as too much or too less may render it meaningless
- Every paragraph should handle a single aspect e.g. it is quite unreasonable to compare the size of one subject to the color of another.
The conclusion is meant to give the reader an overview of the essay. This is made up of a review of what has been captured in the body paragraph followed by a conclusion about the two subjects. The conclusion should be a product of the identified similarities and differences and NOT of personal preferences.
NOTE: Ensure that you REVISE your work.
There are always some small errors that you may not notice while writing your essay. Once you are done with everything, and you still have time left before submitting your work, make sure you go through it to remove some small errors that might cost you a good grade.
Read also: Essay writing service reviews can help choose the best expert on the market.
Comparative Essay Topics
The list of topics that can fall under this docket is endless. However, there are some common topics such as:
- Compare and contrast between the GDP figures of US and Australia
- A comparative essay on the events of World War I and World War II
- Comparison between political ideologies such as capitalism and communism
- Positions on issues, e.g., Healthcare in the US and Australia
- Comparison between various Sports teams
- Different Systems of government.
- Comparison between various influential people.
- A comparative essay on religion, e.g., Christianity and Hinduism
- Comparison between various texts
- Comparison in technology such as comparing between different cars
Here is the list of the best comparative essay writing services:
Comparative Essay Example (clarified)
It is always very important to go through a comparative essay sample. This is because it helps in guiding you on the structure of the essay and therefore building your capacity to write a better one.
Here is a simple sample of a comparative essay.
Some political and economic ideologies have been adopted by different countries. The major ones include capitalism and communism. Despite the fact that these two ideologies have staunch differences, they also have some similarities. This paper, therefore, aims at looking at the various similarities and differences between the two.
The first similarity between capitalism and communism is that they both work in a democratic government. For capitalism, a democratic government allows people to own means of production and use the same in creating wealth. On the other hand, when it comes to socialism, a democratic government allows for the equal distribution of wealth and all the factors related to wealth production.
Secondly, both the two political ideologies are subjected to government intervention. In capitalism, regardless of the fact that the government intervention is limited, it is very vital for the state to come up with some rules and regulations aimed at curbing practices such as exploitation and monopolistic ventures. On the other, the communism system is mainly under the government, and the government is tasked to ensure that all the factors of production are equally distributed.
The first difference between these two political ideologies is the aspect of means of production. In a communist society, the means of production are solely under the custody of the society. On the other hand, the resources of means of production are owned by individuals in the capitalist society.
Secondly, in the communist society, the society decides on the amount of production and determines the price of the same commodities. On the other hand, in the capitalist society, an individual is in charge of the amount he/she want to produce and also the price to charge.
In conclusion, it is clear that these two political ideologies have similarities such as they both work well in a democratic government and are all subject to government intervention. They are also different regarding who owns the means of production, who decides on the level of production and the prices of the commodities. This, therefore, means that to have a successful society, it should be a mixed society that supports both communism and capitalism.
Read also: Professional essay help online – get a perfect essay quickly.
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 is mainly on identifying the main similarities or differences between the subjects. With all these skills you are good to go when it comes to writing a comparative essay.
Keep on reading to expand your knowledge and understand how to write a research paper outline .
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To write a good compare-and-contrast paper, you must take your raw data—the similarities and differences you've observed—and make them cohere into a meaningful argument. Here are the five elements required. Frame of Reference.
A compare-and-contrast essay is a style of essay that points out the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It's ideal for showing what separates and unites related things or concepts, particularly if the subjects are often confused for each other or unjustly lumped together.
Essay Structure. Writing an academic essay means fashioning a coherent set of ideas into an argument. Because essays are essentially linear—they offer one idea at a time—they must present their ideas in the order that makes most sense to a reader. Successfully structuring an essay means attending to a reader's logic.
When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method. The alternating method In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you're comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison.
What is a comparative essay? A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States) theories (e.g., capitalism and communism)
A comparative essay is a type of essay in which an essay writer compares at least two or more items. The author compares two subjects with the same relation in terms of similarities and differences depending on the assignment. The main purpose of the comparative essay is to: Highlight the similarities and differences in a systematic manner.
1. Begin by Brainstorming With a Venn Diagram. The best compare and contrast essays demonstrate a high level of analysis. This means you will need to brainstorm before you begin writing. A Venn diagram is a great visual tool for brainstorming compare and contrast essay topics.
Writing a comparison usually requires that you assess the similarities and differences between two or more theories, procedures, or processes. You explain to your reader what insights can be gained from the comparison, or judge whether one thing is better than another according to established criteria.
A comparative essay is an academic essay that requires students to create a comprehensive and precise comparative report about two things. A comparative essay is an organized written material that is meant to provide a comparison that should be easily understood by the target readers.
For example, a comparative essay using the block method on the French and Russian revolutions would address the French Revolution in the first half of the essay and the Russian Revolution in the second half. If you choose the block method, however, do not simply append two disconnected essays to an introductory thesis.
Academic Writing: Comparative Writing. Analyse and evaluate the relative merits of the Marxist, Feminist and Psychoanalytical interpretations of Shakespeare's Macbeth. (Literature) Compare and contrast Iceland and Japan with reference to population size and density, land area and use and life expectancy. (Geography)
A Comparative Essay is an essay that contains paragraphs explaining how the two subjects of discussion are either similar or different. It mainly focuses on various 'compare and contrast' aspects of the two subjects. Compare will describe the similarities between the subjects while contrast will highlight the differences.
Basically, a comparative essay requires you to compare two subjects. Of course, these subjects must have at least some similarities. In your essay, you will compare the subjects - which can be anything you can think of - and note the similarities and the differences.
Divided: A divided approach means that you will analyse 1 text in 1 body paragraph, as opposed to 2. To write an essay using the divided approach, you will need to develop 2 main arguments (themes). Then dedicate a paragraph for each text, per idea. So, you will have a total of 4 body paragraphs.
Writing a great comparative essay means highlighting the similarities and differences between two things in a systematic manner. Start by choosing the parameters (items) to compare, write an outline, and fill in the details for each section. Make sure to have an introduction and conclusion.
A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare. positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States) theories (e.g., capitalism and communism) figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and Britain)
A comparative essay seeks to come up with a comparison between two objects in terms of both similarities and differences. Rather than creating arguments for or against, it provides adequate information between the two items. A student may be asked to compare theories, events, authors, figures, texts, and much more.
For writing a perfect or well introduction of a comparative essay, you have to understand both the two subjects of your essay, on which you are going to write a comparison essay. If you have any doubts regarding both topics, then you can't be able to write a perfect introduction or complete essay.
Check out this awesome Model Essay On Comparative Correctional Systems for writing techniques and actionable ideas. Regardless of the topic, subject or complexity, we can help you write any paper! Check out this awesome Model Essay On Comparative Correctional Systems for writing techniques and actionable ideas. Regardless of the topic, subject ...
A comparative essay about historical events, social issues, or science-related topics are more likely to require research, while a comparison of two works of literature are less likely to require research. Be sure to cite any research data properly according to the discipline in which you are writing (eg, MLA, APA, or Chicago format). 7
Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a number of skills such as close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, persuasion, conciseness, clarity, and exposition. As is evidenced by this list of attributes, there is much to be gained by the student who strives to succeed at essay writing.
Choosing the topic and items for comparison is the key step in starting a comparative essay writing process. Pick a topic, make a well-organized outline, check out the requirements, create a thesis statement and build your core content around it. Also, don't forget about a meaningful and informative concluding section.
The first thing to define before starting working on your comparative essay is the main idea. It should display a comparison of something. Even if you will write great thoughts you will fail with completing the task without comparing two subjects. Depending on the topic and the discipline you may have to compare or contrast something displaying ...
Writing a comparative essay involves the following steps: 1. Determine your topic and comparison. After reading the prompt for your essay, determine what you are asked to compare. Your essay may be about two non-fiction topics such as comparing historical events, or it could involve discussing two pieces of literature such as poems by two ...
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 is mainly on identifying the main similarities or differences between the subjects. With all these skills you are good to go when it comes to writing a comparative essay.