Writing a Comparative
Essay
Comparing & Contrasting
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What Does a Comparative Essay Do?
• it takes a topic and narrows it down to a few (2+
people, 2+ places, 2+ things, 2+ ideas)
• it identifies and discusses similarities between
these
• it identifies and discusses differences between
them
• it sometimes helps people choose one or form
an opinion about them
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You Can Compare or Contrast Many Things
1. animals or people
2. explanations or ideas
3. stories or other writings
4. results of two experiments
5. places to visit
Can you think of more things to compare?
Choose two!
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Once you've decided what to compare,
how do you begin?
You brainstorm! You research!
You make a list!
Jot down ideas and findings
before you start writing the essay itself:
• whatever facts you already know about each
• facts that you learn when you look up your topics
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Making Your List
Example: Comparing two seasons
•Spring: warmer, flowers bloom, trees
bloom, before summer, beginnings
•Autumn: cooler, leaves change, brilliant
colors, before winter, endings
Similarities: bright colors, temperature changes
Differences: plants reviving in spring, plants fading in
autumn; warming up in spring, cooling down in autumn
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Develop a thesis statement from the
comparisons
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Is there something important, significant, or interesting
in the similarities and differences on my list?
2. What have I discovered about the two subjects?
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Create an initial thesis statement based on your
answers
Example: "Although there is exquisite
beauty in both the seasons of spring and
autumn, there are also important
distinctions which make each season
unique."
This thesis statement may change as you learn
more. But it gives you a starting point to work from.
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Two Ways to Organize and Write Your
information
1. By Block - Deal with each subject
completely on its own, covering major
points as they relate to that subject.
2. By Point - Deal with each major point
one by one, comparing the two subjects
under each point.
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Block Organization
Sample Outline
I. Introduction
II. Spring
A. temperature
B. events
C. time period
III. Autumn
A. temperature
B. events
C. time period
IV. Conclusion
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Point-by-Point Organization
Sample Outline
I. Introduction
II.Temperature
A. spring
B. autumn
III. Events
A. spring
B. autumn
IV. Time Period
A. spring
B. autumn
V. Conclusion
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Tips for Choosing your
Organizational Style
• Block style works better for shorter essays.
• Point style works better for longer essays.
Two reasons the style is important:
1. It helps you stay organized as you write.2. It
helps the reader to follow along.
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After You Finish the Essay
Questions to ask:
1. Can the reader relate to the topic?
2. Will the reader understand what you've written?
3. Will the reader agree with your points?
4. Will the reader think you have good support for
your conclusion?
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The end.
More free ESSAY WRITING resources:
the thesis statement
the introduction
the conclusion
types of essays (narrative, persuasive,
comparative, expository)
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Eight-week ESSAY WRITING courses:
elementary school
middle school
high school
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