A comparative essay requires students to compare/contrast at least 2 (perhaps some more) things. Those things will vary depending on the task. The writing of the comparative essay is an essential ability you’ll make use of repeatedly during your university or college studies. Thus, you need to learn to do it well, and those tips will show you how.
- Choose what you will be comparing
Target items that can clearly be contrasted or compared. As an example, if you should be examining a concept, analyze the contrary of that concept. Alternately, if you should be analyzing an individual, like a leader of the certain organization, select another person for contrast or comparison. Never attempt to compare a person and a chair, or Barocco and sandwiches.
- List the qualities
Split the paper in two. One side of the paper should be for the first subject, and second, consequentially, for the second subject you have chosen. Then, start to list the commonalities and distinctions that instantly spring to mind. Pay attention to traits that either tend to be shared or are opposed amongst the two subjects or items. Take into account that for a balanced work, you need to make synchronous comparisons.
While you make your list, is it obvious why you are contrasting and comparing these subjects? Do you prefer a certain subject over another? If so, ensure you are assessing each part in a fair way. A bulleted list helps keep everything balanced.
As soon as you’ve created a list, think whether there are any more commonalities or differences between the items. In case there are, focus your essay on comparing. If there are many distinctions (or if the distinctions are just more fascinating), focus on contrasting. If you have a balance of differences and similarities, you may give full attention to speaking about this balance.
- Begin early.
Excellent essays just are not written a few hours before they are due. Start the essay as early as you can. Even if you do not need to seek advice from any outer sources like books or articles, it takes some time to come up with a profound thesis statement for the paper. Waiting through to the last second suggests your projects will be rushed or ankle-deep and therefore can make your grade bad.
- Build your thesis.
There are numerous guidelines a thesis for compare and contrast essay can take. Nonetheless, it must always make an argument which explains the reason why it is valuable to place both of these subjects together in the first place. Demonstrate the audience how one subject is much more appealing compared to the other. Help viewers make a substantial distinction between the chosen subjects, and present the similarities and differences in them.
- Choose a structure to follow.
There are many approaches to arranging a comparative essay. What type you select is dependent upon what really works perfectly for your ideas. Keep in mind that it is possible to change the structure in the future in case you decide it does not suit your paper.
- Think of an outline.
Outlining the essay will allow you to work on the key ideas and provide you with a layout to adhere to while you build your work. Regardless of how you chose to arrange the essay, you will have to have this kind of sections in the paper:
- Introduction. This part comes very first and provides the fundamental data regarding the subjects which will be discussed in the essay. It must include your thesis statement as well as the course of the work.
- Body. These paragraphs are the most informative in the essay, as the body is the place where you supply the details and proof for your claims. Every part or paragraph should deal with a new set of evidence. It must present and assess the evidence so that you can link those proofs to the thesis statement and support it. Many essays assigned at the high school may just require three body paragraphs, but in case you do not have any restrictions, feel free to use as much space as you need as long as what you write is relevant and interesting. Present the counter-arguments. This section acknowledges the existence of various arguments that were not presented and talks about the reasons those arguments tend to be flawed or are not used.
- Conclusion. This part recaps the work and information presented. It will restate the thesis, but frequently in a way which provides more details or sophism compared to the introduction. Keep in mind: your readers have most of the information you provided them with the reason why your argument is reliable. There is no need to paraphrase what you already said without giving more substantial explanations and linking all the info in the paper.