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The Comparison Essay
The comparison essay is exactly as its name suggests i.e. an academic essay where comparisons are made. It is really a simple variation on the classic academic essay structure with the addition of specific directives.
Structuring a Comparison Essay
As stated above, the structure of a comparison essay is as for most academic essays. Something like this:
- Introduction
- Main body
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
This is the basic outline of the structure for a comparison essay but different emphasis will be placed on different areas according to the comparisons being made.
Writing a Comparison Essay
You need to prepare for writing your comparison essay by making a list of the differences and similarities of the texts or topics you have been asked to compare. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I being asked to compare?
- What are the specific qualifiers influencing the comparison?
- What are the differences between the texts/topics to be compared?
- What are the similarities between the texts/topics to be compared?
If you look at these one by one, it might help you to make some decisions as to how you wish to approach the comparison essay that you have been asked to write.
Another decision you need to make is how you intend to make the comparison i.e. the methodology you are going to adopt. Basically, there are two standard ways to approach a comparative essay:
- Taking each topic in turn, apply the methodology you have selected to each then summarise the comparison towards the end of the essay.
- Adopt a thematic approach, whereby you subject each text/topic to examination by means of a definite term, for example, effectiveness, and skip back and forth between the texts.
The first approach is probably an easier method to use for comparison essays but will involve you in a certain amount of repetition. The second option is more complex but is ultimately liable to produce a better comparative essay. Decide on which you feel more comfortable with and/or will be the more effective for the purposes of your particular comparison essay and stick to it throughout: whatever you do, don’t attempt to combine the two, though, because you will end up with a confused essay.
Some final tips on writing a successful Comparison Essay
- Ensure that you are directing your comparison exactly as specified.
- Make sure that you use evidence effectively throughout, especially if you are comparing literary texts where style and language are so important.
- Adhere rigorously to the referencing style required by your academic institution, in your essay and bibliography.
- Try to balance your comparison comparing each text/topic equally as well as presenting a balanced argument.
- Conclude with a strong summation and synthesis of your comparison.
- Ensure that you employ good Standard English throughout.
If you adhere to these tips, as well as following the advice given earlier, then you should have the tools to build a successful comparison essay.
