Comparative Essay Template
Question:
Introduction
 Key Details of both texts (Title,
Author, Genre, brief description)
 A clear line of argument in
response to the topic
 List the main ideas to be developed
in the body – in the order they
appear
Body Paragraph One
T: Topic sentence - Main idea and how
both texts address it eg: Both Kernot and
(Author B) use (technique/ setting/etc) to
explore the theme of…
E: Example from text A – Quote
E: Explain how quote supports the topic
statement
- Author intent
- Audience response
E: Example from text B – Quote
E: Explain how quote supports the topic
sentence
- Author intent
- Audience response
E: Elaborate on the connection between
the texts
- Similarities
- Differences
- Effectiveness
L: Link – Summarise and link back to the
question eg: It is clear that both Kernot and
(Author B) have successfully developed the
theme of … through …
Body Paragraph Two
T: Topic sentence - Main idea and how
both texts address it eg: Both Kernot and
(Author B) use (technique/ setting/etc) to
explore the theme of…
E: Example from text A – Quote
E: Explain how quote supports the topic
statement
- Author intent
- Audience response
E: Example from text B – Quote
E: Explain how quote supports the topic
sentence
- Author intent
- Audience response
E: Elaborate on the connection between
the texts
- Similarities
- Differences
- Effectiveness
L: Link – Summarise and link back to the
question eg: It is clear that both Kernot and
(Author B) have successfully developed the
theme of … through …
Body Paragraph Three
T: Topic sentence - Main idea and how
both texts address it eg: Both Kernot and
(Author B) use (technique/ setting/etc) to
explore the theme of…
E: Example from text A – Quote
E: Explain how quote supports the topic
statement
- Author intent
- Audience response
E: Example from text B – Quote
E: Explain how quote supports the topic
sentence
- Author intent
- Audience response
E: Elaborate on the connection between
the texts
- Similarities
- Differences
- Effectiveness
L: Link – Summarise and link back to the
question eg: It is clear that both Kernot and
(Author B) have successfully developed the
theme of … through …
Conclusion
 Summary of the main points – link
them together
 Summary of the central argument
 Answer the essay question!