How to Write a Comparative Essay Dayton OH

Steps

1. Analyze the question carefully. Do your research to make sure that you have a complete understanding of both things being compared. You will benefit from the research when you come to write your essay and can easily compare similar aspects.
2. Write the introduction. Start with a general point which establishes the similarity between the two subjects then move to the specific (exact) focus of the essay. The reader must understand which points you will be examining and which points you will not be examining within the comparison. At the end of the introduction, declare your preference or describe the significance of the two subjects.

Tips

• Comparative essay writing is a required task at colleges and universities. The essays should be properly written.
• 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.
• Examine not only the separate objects, but what happens or what we can learn when they are brought together.
• Make sure you have a great topic sentence. Get the reader interested; make the reader want to read on.
• Make sure not to repeat yourself.
• Use plain language in your comparative essay.
• Ensure that all your points are addressed.
• And as well have strong focus directly on the topic

Warnings

• 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.
  • 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. And if you can see a way forward from a problem or dilemma, include that as well.
• Avoid, at all costs, the conclusion that the two subjects are "similar, yet different." This commonly found conclusion weakens any comparative essay.
• Do not use the terms, "there", or vague language such as "people", "stuff", "you", "things" etc.

Sources and Citations

• Compare and contrast essay - compare and contrast essay sample
• term papers

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to How to Write a Comparative Essay. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.