Same Difference: Writing a Comparative
Analysis
Let's say that you've been asked to write a compare and contrast essay about two articles. Both
essays discuss the same topic, but they come at it from different perspectives, and ultimately
reach different conclusions. This is NOT a simple “pro and con” assignment! Your job, rather,
is to analyze exactly how the authors make their argument about the same topic differently.
Finding a Thesis: Yours and Theirs
That's where the thesis comes in--the overall point made by each of the two authors, and the
overall point you are going to make in your comparative analysis. You will have to know,
accurately, what each of the two essays has to say. This means you’ll need to find the thesis
statements (or infer the thesis statements from your reading). You’ll also have to identify the
main points each essay addresses, and what each author has to say about them. Once you have
a good sense of the authors’ content, you can begin the task of outlining your own thesis, using
the comparative thesis formula I’ve suggested.
Once you have a clear thesis, then and only then can you go about the important task of
outlining your essay as you select and arrange details that allow you to achieve your writing
purpose.
The Rules of Fair Play
As you craft your outline and first draft, keep in mind these guidelines for "fair play" when it
comes to writing a comparative analysis.
Rule #1: When analyzing your subjects, use the same criteria for each. If you talk about beach
balls, sand, and temperate weather in first essay, you must also discuss those same criteria for
the second essay, in the same order. This is called PARALLELISM.
Rule #2: Don't try to tilt the outcome. It's fine to have a preference, but it’s not fine to omit or
to puff up information. Conduct the comparison in a balanced, objective manner and let the
facts speak for themselves. This assignment is built on summary, and as we know, summary is
meant to be an accurate assessment of the author’s purpose and argument.
Rule #3: Recognize that any comparison will produce similarities and differences. But your job
is not to produce an arbitrary list of similarities and differences. Rather, it is to identify
differences within similarities.
Organizing the Compare-Contrast Essay
You will find these Fair Play rules at work in the two arrangements most often used in comparecontrast essays: the subject-by-subject pattern, the point-by-point pattern, and the hybrid
pattern. The subject-by-subject pattern focuses on each subject, one at a time. For example,
after an introduction paragraph that provides the thesis of the comparison, the two essays
would be discussed separately. Note that the same criteria are used for each essay, in the same
order:
Subject-by-Subject Pattern
A. Introduction + your thesis statement
B. Essay 1 thesis
1. What does Essay 1 have to say about
main subject A
2. …main subject B
3. …main subject C
C. Essay 2 thesis
1. What does Essay 2 have to say about
main subject A
2. . …main subject B
3. . …main subject B
D. Conclusion
A point-by-point pattern, on the other hand, provides a side-by-side analysis of the two essays,
and might look something like the outline below. Note that the same criteria for discussion now
have their own paragraphs.
Point-by-Point Pattern
A. Introduction + your thesis statement
B. Main subject A
1. What does Essay 1 have to say about
main subject A
2. What does Essay 2 have to say about
main subject A
C. Main subject B
1. What does Essay 1 have to say about
main subject B
2. What does Essay 2 have to say about
main subject B
D. Main subject C
1. What does Essay 1 have to say about
main subject C
2. What does Essay 2 have to say about
main subject C
D. Conclusion
Also note that Essay 1 always comes first in the analysis provided by each paragraph, followed
by Essay 2.
A hybrid pattern is more complex, because it requires more nuance and a more perfect sense
of accuracy and purpose. There is also more room for creative analysis, within the general
requirements of a comparative analysis. It might look a bit like the outline below.
Hybrid Pattern
A. Introduction + your thesis statement
B. Targeted overview of Essay 1’s
argument
C. Targeted overview of Essay 2’s
argument
D. Author 1’s key complication of the topic
E. Author 2’s key complication of the same
topic
F. Author 1’s further elaboration of the
topic
G. Author 2’s further elaboration of the
same topic
H. Conclusion
D. Conclusion
Which Pattern is Better to Use?
The pattern you choose depends on two factors: length of the paper and complexity of the
subject matter. A subject-by-subject approach provides a strong overview and simple
organization. However, in a more complex analysis, the point-by-point and hybrid approaches
help keep both subjects in continuous focus. The point-by-point organizational structure
makes technical analyses more understandable for the reader by breaking them down, point by
point, and discussing only one point at a time. The hybrid approach to organization depends on
a clearly grasped sense of nuance and difference within similarity.
Transition Words and Phrases
Finally, don't forget the key transition words and phrases that you will need as you weave back
and forth in your analysis. Likewise, in comparison, in contrast, on the other hand, however, on
the contrary, and many more help your reader follow along as you navigate between the topics
in your comparative analysis essay. However, don’t rely on these terms to do all your work for
you just by sticking them in. Some work better than others, and content-specific transitions
may thrive more on subordinate expressions like while, where, although, and so on.
Adapted by Dr. Howe from UMUC’s handout on Compare and Contrast essays at the Effective
Writing Center.