ENG 4U: Comparison Essays
Comparative Essays: Alternate
Formats
• Block format
Essentially, the block format looks like two
separate essays. You discuss one subject in its
entirety before moving on to the next. This
method is usually reserved for longer papers.
Comparative Essays: Alternate Formats
• Point by point or ping-pong style
You alternate between discussing a point of
comparison for two subjects all the way through
the paper. This is my preferred method to use.
The Introduction: Essential elements
• Your introduction must begin with a “general
lead” that does not mention either the work
you’re studying, the author, or any of the
characters. It is designed to gently focus the
attention of the reader. As such, it should deal
with the topic in a very general way.
• i.e. If you’re doing the topic #6 for who is the
more suitable leader for Denmark – Claudius or
Hamlet, you should discuss the concept of
leadership, or examples of successful leaders
from history.
The Introduction: Essential Elements
• Next, you require a one line summary of the play
(slanted to focus on your topic of discussion)
which also mentions the author and title. The
example below deals with the comparison
between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and
Horatio.
• i.e. William Shakespeare’s 1603 tragedy, Hamlet
is the tale of a young prince obsessed with
avenging the death of his father while navigating
between associates who are, or falsely pose as
friends.
The Introduction: Essential Elements
• Every essay requires a thesis and three proofs
(i.e. the plan of development). In a
comparative essay, the plan of development is
the criteria upon which you’ll be comparing or
contrasting the characters.
The Block Arrangement
• Question: Which is the better vacation to take? A
beach vacation or a mountain vacation?
• In your introduction, you state your thesis (i.e.
which is the better vacation to take) as well as the
three criteria which you’ll base your decision on.
(i.e. A beach vacation is the better holiday to
take because of the favourable climate, the types
of activities one can participate in, and the
locations one has to choose from.)
Block #1
• You discuss everything there is to say about
Mountain vacations first (according to the criteria
laid out in the plan of development).
• Climate
• Types of activities
• Locations
• Between paragraphs you need a transition
statement that tells the reader what will be
discussed next.
Transition Statements
Comparing
• Also
• In comparison
• By the same token
• Likewise
• Similarly
• At the same time
Contrasting
• However
• Whereas
• On the other hand
• Yet/and yet
• Instead
• By contrast/ in contrast
• On the contrary
• Conversely
• but
Block #2
• You discuss everything there is to say about beach
vacations (according to the criteria laid out in the plan
of development AND in the same order they were
discussed in block #1).
• Climate
• Types of activities
• Locations
You end with a concluding paragraph that restates the
thesis and summarizes your plan of development. It is
also wise to leave the reader with something to think
about for further study about this topic.
Ways to Start Conclusions Creatively
• At the end of the day
• In the final analysis
• In conclusion/ To conclude
• It may be said with confidence that
• Upon closer analysis
(or some combination of the above
constructions)
Ping Pong/ Alternating Format
The introduction is the same as it was for the block
format.
• For the first body paragraph, take the first point
of comparison (climate) and discuss it as it relates
to mountain vacations first, and then beach
vacations.
• Repeat the process for the next two points of
comparison, making sure to follow the same
order (i.e. mountains first, beaches second).
Sample Comparative Essay: The PingPong Method
• Question: What is the better housing choice;
a house or a condominium?
• The first step is to think of possible points of
comparison. You won’t necessarily use all of
them, but getting out all of your potential
proofs on paper gives you a fall back plan if
you find one of your proofs is
underdeveloped.
Introduction (note that this is not a formal
literary paper so there is no summary)
• General lead:
Young adults striking out on their own are
faced with a difficult decision regarding housing.
The housing market is awash with properties
waiting for tenants. However, the decision can
only be made after careful consideration of
several factors.
Introduction continued…
• Plan of development and thesis…
One must take cost, available space, and
included amenities into account when determining
which method of housing is better. On a balance, a
single, free-hold home is the best form of housing.
Body paragraph #1
• Topic sentence (be sure that it is always
connected to the thesis statement). It may
feel like you’re being repetitive, but remember
that your purpose is to prove your side of the
argument.
One factor that illustrates how a free-hold,
single home is a better housing choice for a
young adult is cost.
Body Paragraph #1 continued…
• Condominiums are more expensive than free hold homes taxed at a
comparable rate despite the misleading sticker price.
Condominium corporations charge high maintenance fees monthly,
regardless of whether or not there are any repairs to be made or
whether or not said repairs are required for the unit one lives in.
Residents are even charged these fees regardless of the age of the
building. Even brand new buildings require residents to pay these
exorbitant fees. On the other hand, a free-hold home offers more
freedom in this regard. The owner may do any repairs they require
themselves, or may choose a contractor to their liking.
Furthermore, they do not have o pay for lighting or heating
common areas that the resident may not make much use of. When
all of the expenses are totalled, a free-hold home is considerably
less expensive to live in than a condominium of comparable value.
In addition to cost, another factor which suggests that a free hold
house is a better choice of living arrangement is space.
Body Paragraph #2
Free-hold houses are better than condominiums because they
offer considerably more living space for their residents than
condominiums. Condominium units often have very little storage
space: perhaps amounting to a locker inconveniently located in a
common area. They have no back garden to recreate in or
entertain. As such, they are neither child, nor pet friendly.
Children and pets need fresh air and space to run around and
recreate. Some buildings do not even allow pets! A condominium,
regardless of how large it may seem in blueprints, is unable to
satisfy these needs. In contrast, free-hold homes come equipped
with a basement, an attic, and more often than not, a garage in
order to hold everything from luggage to old hockey equipment. A
free-hold home, regardless of its square footage, has some green
space for children or pets to play in, or for residents to sun-bathe
on. Furthermore, free-hold homes are better because they offer
amenities that come at a premium in condominium units.
Body Paragraph #3
Condominium units often lack the useful features that come
standard in a free-hold home. The types of amenities should always be
taken into consideration when choosing a residence. For example,
external water hoses are often no available for use by residents. This
makes mundane tasks like washing the dog, or polishing the car,
inconvenient and expensive. A condo resident is forced to pay for these
services out of pocket at an alternate location. Condominium units also
forbid the planting of terrace gardens, or barbequing on balconies. The
condo corporation can restrict many activities in the building that owners
of free-hold properties take for granted. A corporation can even fine a
resident for hanging drapery that does not suit their tastes. On the
contrary, free-hold homes have water-supplies that can be used at the
owner’s discretion; making washing duties much easier. House residents
can garden or barbeque to their heart’s content. They are free to
decorate their home as they choose without fear of a condo corporation
second guessing their personal taste. These amenities and freedoms
make free-hold homes a superior choice for prospective residents.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it may be said with confidence
that the ideal living space for a young adult, striking out on
their own, is a free hold home. They are less expensive, have
more usable living space, and offer more useful amenities.
The housing market offers many choices. The key to making
the right choice is conducting sound research before making
any decision that can have long term repercussions.
Note that the thesis and plan of development have been
clearly restated. There is also a sentence which leaves the
reader with a point to consider that extends beyond the essay
itself.
Now it’s up to you!
Use the ping pong method to write a short essay on
one of the following topics:
1. Which is the better pet: cats or dogs?
2. “Country living is superior to city living.” Prove
or disprove this statement.
3. Coke or Pepsi? Let the cola war begin!
4. College is a better form of post secondary
education than university. Prove or disprove this
statement.
5. A topic of your choosing…
ENG 4U Comparative Essay
Hamlet
• You will write an introductory and first body
paragraph for one of the following topics.
Please pick your second favourite (as you’ll
want to save your first choice for a later
activity). You may only use the play, Hamlet,
as a resource. Outside research is neither
required nor permitted.
Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Either Fortinbras or Laertes is an excellent foil for Hamlet in this play.
Using three points of comparison, demonstrate how this is the case.
Gertrude and Ophelia are closer in character than they appear at first
glance. Using three points of comparison, demonstrate the validity of
this statement.
Parents cannot be trusted to act in the best interests of their children.
Select two parental figures in Hamlet and demonstrate the veracity of
this assertion.
Horatio exhibits the qualities of a true friend in contrast with
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Write a comparative essay on Hamlet’s
“friends.”
Compare and contrast the roles of Hamlet and Claudius in the tragedy
that engulfs the characters by Act V. Who is to blame?
Claudius is a more suitable leader for Denmark than Hamlet is. Discuss.
Requirements for the full-length
formal essay
• You are to write the rough copy entirely in class.
You will have one week. You may use your lunch
hours, spare, or before or after school to write in
my presence. However, you are not permitted to
take the papers home until a rough copy has
been completed. I will sign the rough copy to
ensure that it was done entirely in school. You
may type the good copy, but it must match the
rough copy done in class. No papers will be
accepted after the week is finished, so do some
pre-planning before you enter class on the first
day.