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.
What is a 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.
Know How to Write a 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.
Standard Structure of a Comparative Essay
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
Alternating 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?
Mixed Paragraphs Methods
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.
Example: Compare Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy M31
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.
Block Method
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.
Example: Compare Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy M31
Paragraph 1: Display Features of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Paragraph 2: Camera Quality of Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Paragraph 3: Display Features of Samsung Galaxy M31
Paragraph 4: Camera Quality 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.
Body
It is the heart of the essay where you need to compare and contrast the two subjects in a preferred structure.
Conclusion
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.
Format of a Comparative Essay
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.
Conclusion
By following the essential points discussed in this post, write an engaging comparative essay by addressing both the subjects and their items of comparison in detail. But after preparation, make sure to proofread the content and then submit the essay. In case, you are unsure of how to write a comparative essay, then quickly contact us.
