what are the 5 steps of writing a comparative essay

Comparative Essay

How to Write a Comparative Essay – A Complete Guide

10 min read

What is a Comparative Essay?

A comparative essay is a type of essay in which an essay writer compares at least two or more items. The author compares two subjects with the same relation in terms of similarities and differences depending on the assignment.

The main purpose of the comparative essay is to:

Highlight the similarities and differences in a systematic manner.
Provide great clarity of the subject to the readers.
Analyze two things and describe their advantages and drawbacks.

A comparative essay is also known as compare and contrast essay or a comparison essay. It analyzes two subjects by either comparing them, contrasting them, or both. The Venn diagram is the best tool for writing a paper about the comparison between two subjects.

Moreover, a comparative analysis essay discusses the similarities and differences of themes, items, events, views, places, concepts, etc. For example, you can compare two different novels (e.g., The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Red Badge of Courage).

However, a comparative essay is not limited to specific topics. It covers almost every topic or subject with some relation.

Comparative Essay Structure

A good comparative essay is based on how well you structure your essay. It helps the reader to understand your essay better.

The structure is more important than what you write. This is because it is necessary to organize your essay so that the reader can easily go through the comparisons made in an essay.

The following are the two main methods in which you can organize your comparative essay.

Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point or alternating method provides a detailed overview of the items that you are comparing. In this method, organize items in terms of similarities and differences.

This method makes the writing phase easy for the writer to handle two completely different essay subjects. It is highly recommended where some depth and detail are required.

Below given is the structure of the point-by-point method.

Block Method

The block method is the easiest as compared to the point-by-point method. In this method, you divide the information in terms of parameters. It means that the first paragraph compares the first subject and all their items, then the second one compares the second, and so on.

However, make sure that you write the subject in the same order. This method is best for lengthy essays and complicated subjects.

Here is the structure of the block method.

Therefore, keep these methods in mind and choose the one according to the chosen subject.

Mixed Paragraphs Method

In this method, one paragraph explains one aspect of the subject. As a writer, you will handle one point at a time and one by one. This method is quite beneficial as it allows you to give equal weightage to each subject and help the readers identify the point of comparison easily.

How to Start a Comparative Essay?

Here, we have gathered some steps that you should follow to start a well-written comparative essay.

Choose a Topic

The foremost step in writing a comparative essay is to choose a suitable topic.

Choose a topic or theme that is interesting to write about and appeals to the reader.

An interesting essay topic motivates the reader to know about the subject. Also, try to avoid complicated topics for your comparative essay.

Develop a List of Similarities and Differences

Create a list of similarities and differences between two subjects that you want to include in the essay. Moreover, this list helps you decide the basis of your comparison by constructing your initial plan.

Evaluate the list and establish your argument and thesis statement .

Establish the Basis for Comparison

The basis for comparison is the ground for you to compare the subjects. In most cases, it is assigned to you, so check your assignment or prompt.

Furthermore, the main goal of the comparison essay is to inform the reader of something interesting. It means that your subject must be unique to make your argument interesting.

Do the Research

In this step, you have to gather information for your subject. If your comparative essay is about social issues, historical events, or science-related topics, you must do in-depth research.

However, make sure that you gather data from credible sources and cite them properly in the essay.

Create an Outline

An essay outline serves as a roadmap for your essay, organizing key elements into a structured format.

With your topic, list of comparisons, basis for comparison, and research in hand, the next step is to create a comprehensive outline.

Here is a standard comparative essay outline:

How to Write a Comparative Essay?

Now that you have the basic information organized in an outline, you can get started on the writing process.

Here are the essential parts of a comparative essay:

Comparative Essay Introduction

Start off by grabbing your reader's attention in the introduction . Use something catchy, like a quote, question, or interesting fact about your subjects.

Then, give a quick background so your reader knows what's going on.

The most important part is your thesis statement, where you state the main argument , the basis for comparison, and why the comparison is significant.

This is what a typical thesis statement for a comparative essay looks like:

Comparative Essay Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you really get into the details of your subjects. Each paragraph should focus on one thing you're comparing.

Start by talking about the first point of comparison. Then, go on to the next points. Make sure to talk about two to three differences to give a good picture.

After that, switch gears and talk about the things they have in common. Just like you discussed three differences, try to cover three similarities.

This way, your essay stays balanced and fair. This approach helps your reader understand both the ways your subjects are different and the ways they are similar. Keep it simple and clear for a strong essay.

Comparative Essay Conclusion

In your conclusion , bring together the key insights from your analysis to create a strong and impactful closing.

Consider the broader context or implications of the subjects' differences and similarities. What do these insights reveal about the broader themes or ideas you're exploring?

Discuss the broader implications of these findings and restate your thesis. Avoid introducing new information and end with a thought-provoking statement that leaves a lasting impression.

Below is the detailed comparative essay template format for you to understand better.

Comparative Essay Format

Comparative Essay Examples

Have a look at these comparative essay examples pdf to get an idea of the perfect essay.

Comparative Essay on Summer and Winter

Comparative Essay on Books vs. Movies

Comparative Essay Sample

Comparative Essay Thesis Example

Comparative Essay on Football vs Cricket

Comparative Essay on Pet and Wild Animals

Comparative Essay Topics

Comparative essay topics are not very difficult or complex. Check this list of essay topics and pick the one that you want to write about.

How do education and employment compare?
Living in a big city or staying in a village.
The school principal or college dean.
New Year vs. Christmas celebration.
Dried Fruit vs. Fresh. Which is better?
Similarities between philosophy and religion.
British colonization and Spanish colonization.
Nuclear power for peace or war?
Bacteria or viruses.
Fast food vs. homemade food.

Tips for Writing A Good Comparative Essay

Writing a compelling comparative essay requires thoughtful consideration and strategic planning. Here are some valuable tips to enhance the quality of your comparative essay:

Clearly define what you're comparing, like themes or characters.
Plan your essay structure using methods like point-by-point or block paragraphs.
Craft an introduction that introduces subjects and states your purpose.
Ensure an equal discussion of both similarities and differences.
Use linking words for seamless transitions between paragraphs.
Gather credible information for depth and authenticity.
Use clear and simple language, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
Dedicate each paragraph to a specific point of comparison.
Summarize key points, restate the thesis, and emphasize significance.
Thoroughly check for clarity, coherence, and correct any errors.

Transition Words For Comparative Essays

Transition words are crucial for guiding your reader through the comparative analysis. They help establish connections between ideas and ensure a smooth flow in your essay.

Here are some transition words and phrases to improve the flow of your comparative essay:

Transition Words for Similarities

Correspondingly
In the same vein
In like manner
In a similar fashion
In tandem with

Transition Words for Differences

On the contrary
In contrast
Nevertheless
In spite of
Notwithstanding
On the flip side
In contradistinction

Check out this blog listing more transition words that you can use to enhance your essay’s coherence!

In conclusion, now that you have the important steps and helpful tips to write a good comparative essay, you can start working on your own essay.

However, if you find it tough to begin, you can always hire our professional essay writing service .

Our skilled writers can handle any type of essay or assignment you need. So, don't wait—place your order now and make your academic journey easier!

Frequently Asked Question

How long is a comparative essay.

A comparative essay is 4-5 pages long, but it depends on your chosen idea and topic.

How do you end a comparative essay?

Here are some tips that will help you to end the comparative essay.

Restate the thesis statement
Wrap up the entire essay
Highlight the main points

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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How to Write a Comparative Essay

Last Updated: May 19, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,682,439 times.

Perhaps you have been assigned a comparative essay in class, or need to write a comprehensive comparative report for work. In order to write a stellar comparative essay, you have to start off by picking two subjects that have enough similarities and differences to be compared in a meaningful way, such as two sports teams or two systems of government. Once you have that, then you have to find at least two or three points of comparison and use research, facts, and well-organized paragraphs to impress and captivate your readers. Writing the comparative essay is an important skill that you will use many times throughout your scholastic career.

Comparative Essay Outline and Example

How to Develop the Essay Content

Step 1 Analyze the question or essay prompt carefully.

Many comparative essay assignments will signal their purpose by using words such as "compare," "contrast," "similarities," and "differences" in the language of the prompt.
Also see whether there are any limits placed on your topic.

Step 2 Understand the type of comparison essay you are being asked to write.

The assignment will generally ask guiding questions if you are expected to incorporate comparison as part of a larger assignment. For example: "Choose a particular idea or theme, such as love, beauty, death, or time, and consider how two different Renaissance poets approach this idea." This sentence asks you to compare two poets, but it also asks how the poets approach the point of comparison. In other words, you will need to make an evaluative or analytical argument about those approaches.
If you're unclear on what the essay prompt is asking you to do, talk with your instructor. It's much better to clarify questions up front than discover you've written the entire essay incorrectly.

Step 3 List similarities and differences between the items you are comparing.

The best place to start is to write a list of things that the items you are comparing have in common as well as differences between them. [3] X Research source

Step 4 Evaluate your list to find your argument.

You may want to develop a system such as highlighting different types of similarities in different colors, or use different colours if you are using an electronic device.
For example, if you are comparing two novels, you may want to highlight similarities in characters in pink, settings in blue, and themes or messages in green.

Step 5 Establish the basis for your comparison.

The basis for your comparison may be assigned to you. Be sure to check your assignment or prompt.
A basis for comparison may have to do with a theme, characteristics, or details about two different things. [7] X Research source
A basis for comparison may also be known as the “grounds” for comparison or a frame of reference.
Keep in mind that comparing 2 things that are too similar makes it hard to write an effective paper. The goal of a comparison paper is to draw interesting parallels and help the reader realize something interesting about our world. This means your subjects must be different enough to make your argument interesting.

Step 6 Research your subjects of comparison.

Research may not be required or appropriate for your particular assignment. If your comparative essay is not meant to include research, you should avoid including it.
A comparative essay about historical events, social issues, or science-related topics are more likely to require research, while a comparison of two works of literature are less likely to require research.
Be sure to cite any research data properly according to the discipline in which you are writing (eg, MLA, APA, or Chicago format).

Your thesis needs to make a claim about your subjects that you will then defend in your essay. It's good for this claim to be a bit controversial or up for interpretation, as this allows you to build a good argument.

How to Organize the Content

Use a traditional outline form if you would like to, but even a simple list of bulleted points in the order that you plan to present them would help.
You can also write down your main points on sticky notes (or type them, print them, and then cut them out) so that you can arrange and rearrange them before deciding on a final order.

The advantages of this structure are that it continually keeps the comparison in the mind of the reader and forces you, the writer, to pay equal attention to each side of the argument.
This method is especially recommended for lengthy essays or complicated subjects where both the writer and reader can easily become lost. For Example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X / Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 2: Stylishness of vehicle X / Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 3: Safety rating of vehicle X / Safety rating of vehicle Y

Step 3 Alternate the subjects in each paragraph.

The advantages of this structure are that it allows you to discuss points in greater detail and makes it less jarring to tackle two topics that radically different.
This method is especially recommended for essays where some depth and detail are required. For example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X Paragraph 2: Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 3: Stylishness of vehicle X Paragraph 4: Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 5: Safety rating of vehicle X Paragraph 6: Safety rating of vehicle Y

Step 4 Cover one subject at a time thoroughly.

This method is by far the most dangerous, as your comparison can become both one-sided and difficult for the reader to follow.
This method is only recommended for short essays with simplistic subjects that the reader can easily remember as (s)he goes along. For example: Paragraph 1: Engine power of vehicle X Paragraph 2: Stylishness of vehicle X Paragraph 3: Safety rating of vehicle X Paragraph 4: Engine power of vehicle Y Paragraph 5: Stylishness of vehicle Y Paragraph 6: Safety rating of vehicle Y

How to Write the Essay

Body paragraphs first . Work through all that information you've been compiling and see what kind of story it tells you. Only when you've worked with your data will you know what the larger point of the paper is.
Conclusion second . Now that you've done all the heavy lifting, the point of your essay should be fresh in your mind. Strike while the iron’s hot. Start your conclusion with a restatement of your thesis.
Intro last . Open your introduction with a "hook" to grab the reader's attention. Since you've already written your essay, choose a hook that reflects what you will talk about, whether it's a quote, statistic, factoid, rhetorical question, or anecdote. Then, write 1-2 sentences about your topic, narrowing down to your thesis statement, which completes your introduction.

Organize your paragraphs using one of the approaches listed in the "Organizing the Content" part below. Once you have defined your points of comparison, choose the structure for the body paragraphs (where your comparisons go) that makes the most sense for your data. To work out all the organizational kinks, it’s recommended that you write an outline as a placeholder.
Be very careful not to address different aspects of each subject. Comparing the color of one thing to the size of another does nothing to help the reader understand how they stack up. [15] X Research source

Be aware that your various comparisons won’t necessarily lend themselves to an obvious conclusion, especially because people value things differently. If necessary, make the parameters of your argument more specific. (Ex. “Though X is more stylish and powerful, Y’s top safety ratings make it a more appropriate family vehicle .”)
When you have two radically different topics, it sometimes helps to point out one similarity they have before concluding. (i.e. "Although X and Y don't seem to have anything in common, in actuality, they both ....”)

Even the best writers know editing is important to produce a good piece. Your essay will not be your best effort unless you revise it.
If possible, find a friend to look over the essay, as he or she may find problems that you missed.
It sometimes helps to increase or decrease the font size while editing to change the visual layout of the paper. Looking at the same thing for too long makes your brain fill in what it expects instead of what it sees, leaving you more likely to overlook errors.

Expert Q&A

The title and introduction really catch the reader's attention and make them read the essay. Make sure you know how to write a catchy essay title . Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
Quotes should be used sparingly and must thoroughly complement the point they are being used to exemplify/justify. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 2
The key principle to remember in a comparative paragraph or essay is that you must clarify precisely what you are comparing and keep that comparison alive throughout the essay. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2

Avoid vague language such as "people," "stuff," "things," etc. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
Avoid, at all costs, the conclusion that the two subjects are "similar, yet different." This commonly found conclusion weakens any comparative essay, because it essentially says nothing about the comparison. Most things are "similar, yet different" in some way. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
Some believe that an "unbalanced" comparison - that is, when the essay focuses predominantly on one of the two issues, and gives less importance to the other - is weaker, and that writers should strive for 50/50 treatment of the texts or issues being examined. Others, however, value emphasis in the essay that reflects the particular demands of the essay's purpose or thesis. One text may simply provide context, or historical/artistic/political reference for the main text, and therefore need not occupy half of the essay's discussion or analysis. A "weak" essay in this context would strive to treat unequal texts equally, rather than strive to appropriately apportion space to the relevant text. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
Beware of the "Frying Pan Conclusion" in which you simply recount everything that was said in the main body of the essay. While your conclusion should include a simple summary of your argument, it should also emphatically state the point in a new and convincing way, one which the reader will remember clearly. If you can see a way forward from a problem or dilemma, include that as well. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/
↑ http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/comparative-essay
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/comparing-and-contrasting/
↑ http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-comparative-analysis
↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/compare_contrast.html
↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/10-7-comparison-and-contrast/
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
How to Structure Paragraphs in an Essay

About This Article

To write a comparative essay, start by writing an introduction that introduces the 2 subjects you'll be comparing. You should also include your thesis statement in the introduction, which should state what you've concluded based on your comparisons. Next, write the body of your essay so that each paragraph focuses on one point of comparison between your subjects. Finally, write a conclusion that summarizes your main points and draws a larger conclusion about the two things you compared. To learn how to do research for your essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Comparative Essays

Writing a comparison usually requires that you assess the similarities and differences between two or more theories, procedures, or processes. You explain to your reader what insights can be gained from the comparison, or judge whether one thing is better than another according to established criteria.

How to Write a Comparative Essay

1. Establish a basis of comparison

A basis of comparison represents the main idea, category, or theme you will investigate. You will have to do some preliminary reading, likely using your course materials, to get an idea of what kind of criteria you will use to assess whatever you are comparing. A basis of comparison must apply to all items you are comparing, but the details will be different.

For example, if you are asked to “compare neoclassical architecture and gothic architecture,” you could compare the influence of social context on the two styles.

2. Gather the details of whatever you are comparing

Once you have decided what theme or idea you are investigating, you will need to gather details of whatever you are comparing, especially in terms of similarities and differences. Doing so allows you to see which criteria you should use in your comparison, if not specified by your professor or instructor.

Appeal to Greek perfection
Formulaic and mathematical
Appeal to emotion
Towers and spires
Wild and rustic
Civic buildings

Based on this information, you could focus on how ornamentation and design principles reveal prevailing intellectual thought about architecture in the respective eras and societies.

3. Develop a thesis statement

After brainstorming, try to develop a thesis statement that identifies the results of your comparison. Here is an example of a fairly common thesis statement structure:

e.g., Although neoclassical architecture and gothic architecture have [similar characteristics A and B], they reveal profound differences in their interpretation of [C, D, and E].

4. Organize your comparison

You have a choice of two basic methods for organizing a comparative essay: the point-by-point method or the block method.

The point-by-point method examines one aspect of comparison in each paragraph and usually alternates back and forth between the two objects, texts, or ideas being compared. This method allows you to emphasize points of similarity and of difference as you proceed.

In the block method, however, you say everything you need to say about one thing, then do the same thing with the other. This method works best if you want readers to understand and agree with the advantages of something you are proposing, such as introducing a new process or theory by showing how it compares to something more traditional.

Sample Outlines for Comparative Essays on Neoclassical and Gothic Architecture

Building a point-by-point essay.

Using the point-by-point method in a comparative essay allows you to draw direct comparisons and produce a more tightly integrated essay.

1. Introduction

Introductory material
Thesis: Although neoclassical and gothic architecture are both western European forms that are exemplified in civic buildings and churches, they nonetheless reveal through different structural design and ornamentation, the different intellectual principles of the two societies that created them.

2. Body Sections/Paragraphs

Ornamentation in Text 1
Ornamentation in Text 2
Major appeal in Text 1
Major appeal in Text 2
Style in Text 1
Style in Text 2

3. Conclusion

Why this comparison is important?
What does this comparison tell readers?

Building a Block Method Essay

Using the block method in a comparative essay can help ensure that the ideas in the second block build upon or extend ideas presented in the first block. It works well if you have three or more major areas of comparison instead of two (for example, if you added in a third or fourth style of architecture, the block method would be easier to organize).

Thesis: The neoclassical style of architecture was a conscious rejection of the gothic style that had dominated in France at the end of the middle ages; it represented a desire to return to the classical ideals of Greece and Rome.
History and development
Change from earlier form
Social context of new form
What does the comparison reveal about architectural development?
Why is this comparison important?

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Writing effective comparison/contrast essays, 1. brainstorming and prewriting.

Recall that a comparison/contrast essay serves the purpose of examining the similarities and/or differences between two subjects. When you compare things, you show their similarities; when you contrast things, you show their differences.

The first step in writing a comparison/contrast essay is to brainstorm ideas and decide upon a topic. It's important that you find two things that have enough similarities or differences in order to be able to effectively compare or contrast them. If you choose two things that are too similar, you’ll struggle to find meaningful differences. If you choose two things that are too different, you’ll struggle to find meaningful comparisons.

During the brainstorming stage of the writing process, you can use a variety of activities to help you generate ideas for your topic. It can be helpful to make a list of similarities and differences between your two subjects, then choose the ones that are most important to use in your comparison/contrast essay.

This will help you to see the multitude of similarities and differences, and then focus in on the most important ones to use in your essay:

Clustering, or mapping, is another way to generate ideas using words, shapes, and lines that show the connections between those ideas.

There are unending things that you can compare/contrast, and choosing two might seem overwhelming. Some common themes for a comparison/contrast essay may include events (Battle of Fort Sumter versus Battle of Sewell’s Point), situations (riding the bus versus driving to work), people (a CEO versus a CFO of a company), and places (London versus Tokyo).
A good approach for beginner writers can be to pick two things that are in the same overarching category (foods, animals, locations, people, events, etc.) but differ in some significant ways. This can make it easier to see the similarities as well as the differences.
Don’t forget to consider the "So what?" question when deciding on your topic. Why are you choosing this topic? Why should anyone care? Is it at all meaningful? You should be able to explain to your readers why it is useful that they understand the similarities or differences between these two topics.
Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. (historical figures)
The 1960s and today (two eras in time)
Pop music and country music (genres of music)
Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres (talk show hosts)
Online college courses and in-person college courses (ways to take college courses)
Communism and socialism (belief systems)
Solar power and wind energy (energy types)

As you narrow your focus, you will need to determine which points of comparison or contrast are most important. The number of points of comparison or contrast that you settle on will be driven by the topic you choose. However, for the comparison/contrast essay you’ll be writing for this course, you will need to focus in on two or three main points of comparison or contrast.

As you know, an outline can be a useful tool during prewriting to help you further develop the ideas and organization of your essay. Creating an outline will help you plan the way in which you want to organize your body paragraphs, and which details you want to include in each. This will help you to produce a sort of roadmap for your essay.

2. Drafting a Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement is the cornerstone of any academic essay. During the brainstorming and prewriting steps, you will have selected a topic and chosen your strongest main points to either compare or contrast within your essay. This will help you further develop your thesis statement.

A good thesis statement should convey the main points of your essay and should avoid being overly generic.

Instead, a good thesis statement should provide more information on which points of comparison or contrast will be discussed in the essay. Below are some templates you can consider as you begin to draft your thesis statement. A good thesis statement is not required to follow one of these patterns, but as a beginning writer, you may find that they provide a helpful starting point.

For an essay contrasting two subjects, your thesis statement may look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} may appear similar, but they differ in {first point of contrast}, {second point of contrast}, and {third point of contrast}.

Or, if you are comparing two subjects, your thesis statement might look something like this:

{Subject 1} and {Subject 2} do not appear to have a lot in common, but they are very similar in {first point of comparison}, {second point of comparison}, and {third point of comparison}.

A thesis statement might meaningfully contrast two subjects using the template above, like this:

Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses.

Notice how the primary emphasis in the above thesis is about how the two cities differ based on the three points the author chose to focus on: job opportunities, income, and living expenses. This thesis statement gives the reader a clear idea of the specific points of contrast that will be covered within the body of the essay.

3. Methods of Organization

Now that you have your working thesis statement, you’re ready to begin thinking about how to organize the body paragraphs within your essay.

The point-by-point method
The block method

You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other.

3a. Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point method, also known as the alternating format method, is one method of paragraph development and organization for a comparison/contrast essay.

When you use the point-by-point method, you are choosing one point of comparison and then writing one paragraph about each of your subjects that shows how they are similar or different.

IN CONTEXT If you are comparing two fast-food restaurants, McDonalds and Burger King, you would first determine your points of comparison. Let’s say you're going to focus on similarities in costs, menus, and taste. Your first body paragraph would consider the costs at McDonalds, and your second body paragraph would consider the costs at Burger King. Your third and fourth body paragraphs would consider the menus at McDonalds and Burger King, and your final two body paragraphs would consider the taste of the food at both restaurants.

This method of organizing is usually easier for the reader to follow, as the main points of the body paragraphs alternate in sequence between subjects.

To demonstrate this method, let’s take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses." In this case, the author is focusing on the differences between the two cities in regard to three main points.

Introduction + thesis statement
Body paragraph 1: Job opportunities in Paris
Body paragraph 2: Job opportunities in Tokyo
Body paragraph 3: Average income in Paris
Body paragraph 4: Average income in Tokyo
Body paragraph 5: Living expenses in Paris
Body paragraph 6: Living expenses in Tokyo

3b. Block Method

The block method, also known as the subject-by-subject method, is another method of paragraph development and organization in a comparison/contrast essay.

As the name implies, if you choose the block method, you will consider all of your points of comparison or contrast for one subject in the first two or three body paragraphs of your essay, and then discuss the same main points for the second subject in the remaining body paragraphs.

IN CONTEXT If you're contrasting your local grocery store with the giant superstore outside of town, you would first determine your points for contrast. You might choose to focus on the differences in prices, convenience, and atmosphere. You would begin the body of the essay by devoting one paragraph each to these three points about your local grocery store; then, you would write three paragraphs that show how the superstore is different according to those same points.

hint If you choose this method, pay special attention to transition use to help guide your reader.

To demonstrate this method, let’s again take the thesis statement, "Paris and Tokyo are both large metropolitan cities, but they differ in terms of their job opportunities, average income, and living expenses."

Body paragraph 2: Average income in Paris
Body paragraph 3: Living expenses in Paris
Body paragraph 4: Job opportunities in Tokyo
Body paragraph 5: Average income in Tokyo

4. Using Transitions

Given that comparison/contrast essays analyze the relationship between two subjects, it is also helpful to have some transitions on hand that will cue the reader to such analysis.

These words and phrases help to highlight the points you are trying to make by signaling the relationships between the subjects in a clear way.

Below are some sample transitional words and phrases that you may use to indicate a comparison or contrast.

summary In this lesson, you learned how to begin putting your comparison/contrast essay together by first starting with brainstorming and prewriting, then moving on to drafting a thesis statement . There are two methods of organization for the body of a comparison/contrast essay that you can choose from: the point-by-point method and the block method . The specific way in which you organize your body paragraphs will be largely determined by your topic and subjects, your audience, and your purpose. Whichever method you choose, using transitions effectively can help readers follow along with your main points. Best of luck in your learning!

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Writing Tips

Tips for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

5-minute read
19th August 2022

Compare and contrast essays are a specific form of academic essay with unique requirements, so if you’re a student , it’s important that you to know how to write one. Luckily, we’ve pieced together this guide to help you plan, structure, and put together your essay, complete with tips for comparing and contrasting.

Let’s begin.

1. What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

As you may have guessed, when writing a compare and contrast essay, you’ll need to do two things:

Compare the similarities between two or more given subjects.
Contrast their differences.

Compare and contrast essays are a common essay style because they allow your teacher or lecturer to assess your understanding of two theories, research methods, literary techniques, or other subjects. These subjects are usually related and may sometimes be confused with one another or are in conflict with each other.

By comparing and contrasting the subjects, you can also improve your analysis skills .

Some examples of compare and contrast essay titles include:

Compare and contrast a Shakespearean sonnet with a Petrarchan sonnet. What are the similarities and differences between anabolic and catabolic reactions? How were Nehru’s political beliefs similar to Gandhi’s? How did they differ?

2. Planning a Compare and Contrast Essay

As with any essay, before you begin writing, you should have a plan . In this case, you’ll first need to identify the similarities and differences between your subjects.

You can do this by writing out a list of all the qualities each subject possesses. Then, you can pick out any similar qualities that show up in both lists, and any qualities that are unique to just one of them. If you’re a visual learner, you might want to draw this as a Venn diagram .

Once you have all the similarities and differences prepared, consider which of them will be the most useful to include in your essay. Ask yourself:

How much can you write about each point?
What will your conclusion be, and which points support it?
How will each point fit into your essay’s structure?

To answer that last question, let’s take a look at some ways to structure your essay.

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3. Structuring a Compare and Contrast Essay

Now that you’ve got a plan for your essay, it’s time to organize it. There are three main structures you can follow when writing a compare and contrast essay:

The block structure: All of the information about one subject (e.g., Shakespearean sonnets) is presented in the first few paragraphs, followed by the subject it’s being compared and contrasted with (e.g., Petrarchan sonnets).
The alternating structure: One similarity or difference between both subjects (e.g., rhyme scheme) is explored in one paragraph, followed by a paragraph on another similarity or difference (e.g., use of imagery), and so on.
The similarities and differences structure: All the similarities between both subjects are presented, followed by the differences.

There are benefits to each of these structures. The block structure, for example, can be easier to write, while the alternating structure presents each similarity and difference clearly, and the similarities and differences structure focuses on those points rather than the subjects themselves.

So, when deciding which structure to use, consider what would work best for your essay. If you intend to cover each subject in detail, for example, you might want to choose the block structure.

On the other hand, if you want to emphasize the connections between each subject, the alternating structure might be best.

Finally, if you want to conclude that the subjects are either overwhelmingly similar or different to each other, the similarities and differences structure may work in your favor.

Whichever structure you follow, though, you’ll need to include a strong introduction and conclusion.

Your introduction should:

Establish the subjects you will be comparing and contrasting.
Provide some background about their connection (e.g., “Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets are poetic forms common in the 14th to 19th centuries”).
Explain what you aim to achieve with your essay.

Meanwhile, your conclusion should:

Summarize the main similarities and differences you have identified.
Make a point regarding the relationship between your subjects.

4. Things to Remember

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when writing your compare and contrast essay:

Ensure you are comparing or contrasting the same criteria between each subject. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to compare the line length of a Shakespearean sonnet with the rhyme scheme of a Petrarchan sonnet, as these are two separate categories.
Always address both subjects of your essay in any introductions, conclusions, and topic sentences.
Use comparison words and phrases such as “similarly,” “like,” and “in the same way” when comparing subjects.
Use contrast words and phrases such as “in contrast,” “however,” and “whereas” when contrasting subjects.
As with any essay, make sure to back up any arguments you make with evidence and credible sources .

Expert Academic Proofreading

Once you’ve written your compare and contrast essay, don’t forget to have it proofread. Our dedicated essay editing team is available 24/7 to help polish your paper. Try us out with a free proofreading and editing sample .

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How to Write a Comparison Essay From Start to Finish

Ah, how well I remember the panicked days of frantically googling “How to write a comparison essay?” and "what is a comparative essay"??" and even in my darkest moments, “what is an essay????”

Also called a comparative essay or a contrast essay , this type of essay is a kind of academic writing where you, the author, analyze any similarity or difference between two subjects.

These can be ideas, people, events, books, concepts, or other pretty much anything. The main point purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to shed light on the subjects and provide clarity on their relative characteristics.

Usually, you get assigned these as a student, or as a college essay assignment. But sometimes you have a professional writing reason to write them: perhaps writing research paper, maybe as a reviewer or a critic, or if you're a journalist or an academic. It's also a common essay prompt in exams.

They are actually one of my favorite types of essay writing because they involve a lot of research and giving opinions– which I adore doing.

Let's dive into exactly how to write one of these essays, step by step. For the sake of illustration, I'll be using the essay topic of contrasting and comparing my two cats, Astrid and Chumbo, as an example.

How sweet are these two!

Step Zero: Laying the groundwork: Pick two topics

(You can skip this if you already have topics selected.)

Part of the fun of any good research paper is selecting what you're going to compare and contrast. These are your main two goals:

Stay on target

Make sure you're not trying to compare apples to oranges.

The subjects you choose to compare should be relevant to the context or purpose of your essay. If you're writing for a literature class, pick two novels, or two characters. If you're in biology class, pick two separate evolutionary theories or two famous researchers.

Your subjects don't have to be identical, but they should have enough in common to warrant a comparison – hence the essay. For instance, comparing two different genres of music can be insightful, but comparing music to a type of food might be too disparate unless you have a very specific and unique angle in mind.

Tip: I find it useful to outline my essay before I start my writing process, just to make sure I'll have enough to compare and contrast on. If you're hesitating, go ahead and follow the steps in an essay outline format, rather than writing the whole thing.

If you're really struggling, you can use a Venn diagram to visually understand the difference and similarities between your topics before writing anything.

Step One: Begin at the beginning

Every essay needs an introduction, and a compare and contrast essay is no different. Your comparative essay introduction should include:

An introduction of each topic. Briefly explain to your reader what each topic is.

A thesis statement . This is where you'll spoil the ending and explain which of the two topics you prefer best, and why, or explain why you're comparing or contrasting the two topics.

For example, my essay introduction could be something like:

“Since getting my two cats, Astrid and Chumbo, people have often asked me which my favorite is. Astrid is smaller, more cuddly, but also more anxious. Conversely, Chumbo is large and in charge – but not as affectionate. In this essay, I'll compare and contrast the two cats.”

The first sentence is my thesis statement, and the next statement shows a brief intro of each topic for my contrast essay.

Writing a good thesis statement

Your main goals: be clear, tell your readers what they should take away from all your research, and be the heart of your essay.

Here are some examples:

Both Darwin's theory of evolution and Lamarck's theory of evolution provide insights into the development of species, but they differ fundamentally in their explanations of trait inheritance.

While both '1984' by George Orwell and 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley depict dystopian futures, they differ significantly in their portrayal of individual freedom and the means of societal control.

You can see that these are specific, direct, and let you build on these to draft your contrast essay to completion.

Step Two: Research time.

I remember when I first wrote my very first contrast essay. We were assigned to write a comparison between sea and tree octopodi.

Hilariously, if you google Tree Octopus, you do get a hit. But it's all fake information, created to help teach students not to rely on everything they read on Google (or ChatGPT, more probably in these days).

For your important textual evidence – AKA the specific details, quotes, facts, or information from a text (like a book, article, or document) that you use to support the details in your essay – you want something a little more reliable.

Where will you find the information you need for this contrast essay? Here are my three tips to stay sharp and make sure you're only writing based on real, trustworthy info:

Start with Scholarly Databases: Platforms like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or PubMed have loads of academic papers and articles.

Use Libraries: Physical and online libraries have curated collections of books, journals, and more. Librarians are also an excellent resource to ask for help or direction.

Evaluate Online Sources: Not all online sources are created equal (as we've seen). Check the author's credentials, the publication date, and the reputation of the website or publication.

Step Three: Pick your poison.

Luckily for you, there are two pretty widely accepted methods of writing a comparative essay: the Block Method and the Point-by-Point Method.

Block Method

With this method of writing, each of your two topics gets its own contrasting section, or block. You'll first write a sentence introducing your two topics, like, “In this essay, I will compare and contrast Astrid and Chumbo.”

This is known as your topic sentence .

Then, dig into Topic A, detail by detail, each housed in a body paragraph. After that, you'll explore your second subject, by the same points, paragraph by paragraph.

For example, my contrast essay could compare Astrid and Chumbo like this:

Topic A: Astrid.

Physical appearance: slender, long, orange and white fur, pink nose

Personality: nervous, goblin-like, cuddly

Likes and dislikes: Loves tuna, cuddles. Hates being alone, dogs.

Topic B: Chumbo

Physical appearance: chunky, floofy, big

Personality: friendly, clownish.

Likes and dislikes: Loves chicken, going outside. Hates rain.

You can see how I contrast the two topics by section.

By contrast, a point-by-point essay is structured by individual points, rather than topic. Each paragraph should cover one argument for both topics.

For example, in my hypothetical Astrid vs Chumbo compare and contrast essay, I might structure it like this:

Item A: Physical appearance

Astrid: slender, long, orange and white fur, pink nose

Chumbo: chunky, floofy, big

Item B: Personality…

And so on for each point. This allows you to highlight each similarity and difference, even very subtle differences, to better effect.

When should you use each type of essay structure?

Each essay type has its place, though I prefer the PbP method almost always for an entire essay, and only use the Block Method if I'm including a section on differences inside a difference kind of essay, such as a reflective essay or a narrative essay. For lengthy essays, the PbP is clearest.

P-b-p method:

Use this one for deeper, more detailed essays where you don't want your reader losing track of where they are in a longer paragraph.

Here's a contrast essay example that uses this method on Netflix vs Hulu.

Block method:

By comparison, use this one when you want to compare things on a more casual level, or if you're only writing a short section to contrast two topics.

Here's a contrast essay that uses the block method, looking at the difference between certain drugs.

Step Four: The comparison or contrast touches

One of the criterion of writing that distinguishes this essay from other kinds are the transitional words used throughout.

Here's a list of some of the best transition words to use:

Comparison Transition Words:

in comparison

in the same way

equivalently

in a similar manner

"Astrid is a very loyal cat, in that she never leaves my side. Comparably , Chumbo is not as physically snuggly, but he will almost always be in the same room as me."

Contrast Transition Words :

in contrast

on the contrary

on the other hand

“In terms of size, Chumbo is a hefty 22.4 pounds, whereas Astrid is a daintier 12.3 pounds.”

Step Five: Bring it home.

Last but not least, you'll want to write a comparative essay conclusion repeating either your learned opinion on the better of the two, or explaining what the reader should take away.

Normally, writers find it easiest to simply reword their thesis statement, highlight some of the most compelling reasons why, and call it a day.

“In conclusion, Astrid and Chumbo are both superb cats, each with their own merits. Astrid is snugglier and more affectionate, while Chumbo is the more handsome of the two, and has a goofier personality.”

There should not be any new information in the conclusion.

And you're done! You've written your essay like an absolute champ. Hand it in and congratulate yourself on a job very well done.

FAQ Section

Still have questions? Here's the FAQ section.

How long should a comparison essay be?

As long as it needs to be! If you're in high school, it's probably on the shorter end - 300 to 500 words or so. If you're in college, it's probably closer to 1000-2000 words. If it's a professional assignment, you (or your boss) knows better than me.

Can I compare more than two topics in one essay?

Certainly. For the block method, just add another block, repeating the same items per block. For the PbP method, simply include the information on your third (or nth) topic per point.

What if I can't find enough similarities or differences?

Then that means you either haven't done enough research, or you didn't pick good topics. Go back to the drawing board, dig through some more papers or articles on the subject, and try again.

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5 Key Steps to Writing an Exceptional Compare and Contrast Essay

by Suzanne Davis | Oct 25, 2021 | Writing Essays and Papers

It isn’t complicated.

But writing an exceptional compare and contrast essay does take effort and planning. An excellent compare and contrast paper reveals something unique about a topic. It dives into the topic and reflects on the importance of what is compared and contrasted to enlighten its readers.

So, creating an essay or paper that does this requires preparation and action.

You need to write in-depth details about the subjects they compare and contrast and analyze and critique the characteristics of the subjects in your essays and papers.

Here are 5 essential steps to help you create a top-notch compare and contrast paper. See how they help you plan and write a paper with great content and critical thinking.

Step 1: Choose a Compare and Contrast Topic

A compare and contrast essay or paper analyzes 2 or more subjects for similarities and differences. These subjects have something in common. For example, you can write about 2 versions of the same movie. The movies are of the same subject but are from different years.

Your paper could compare and contrast the original Ghostbusters (1984) movie with the remake Ghostbusters (2016). Here you will describe the similarities and differences between these 2 films. Then consider which one is better and why it’s better.

There are a vast number of topics you can compare and contrast. Some ideas for you are:

Compare and contrast world leaders.
Compare and contrast home, public, and private schools (you can select all of these or choose 2 categories).
Compare and contrast characters in a novel.
Compare and contrast wind energy and solar energy.
Compare and contrast 2 or 3 works of art from the same artist.

These are ideas to get you thinking, but there is an almost limitless list of subjects you can use. Brainstorm your ideas and select what interests you.

Step 2: Select Similarities and Differences

Now that you have 2 or 3 subjects you want to compare and contrast, think of each subject’s characteristics or points. Two approaches you can use are the Venn Diagram and Listing.

Venn Diagram

A Venn Diagram shows similarities and differences of subjects. It has 2 overlapping circles with a wide space in the middle. This space shows what the subjects have in common. Each circle represents a subject. List similar characteristics or points in the overlapping section. All other points are in the outer part of the circles. See the Compare and Contrast Paper Venn Diagram below.

Compare and Contrast Paper Venn Diagram

But what if you are comparing and contrasting 3 subjects? Add a third circle to the Venn Diagram. Part of the third circle overlaps with the other circles. See the Compare and Contrast Paper Venn Diagram–3 Subjects below. There is also overlapping space between the 2 subjects. Two subjects may have something in common that differs from the third.

Compare and Contrast Writing 3-Subject Venn Diagram

Compare and Contrast Essay Venn Diagram–3 Subjects

You can even add a 4th subject with another circle (although your Venn Diagram may get a little too crowded).

In your diagram, write down the points of each subject in a circle. Everything the subjects have in common goes in a shared space. Every different characteristic goes to the other part of the circle. This activity gives you a visual representation of what is in common or different with each element.

The listing method also helps you select the points you want to focus on in a paper. To do this activity, write the title/name of each subject you’re comparing and contrasting. List all of the characteristics of each subject. Then highlight or circle the things that are similar or in common. The things that aren’t highlighted are contrasting characteristics. Listing helps you discover what points to compare and contrast.

Step 3: Find Supporting Details and Evidence

Next, you need to find evidence that will show how the points for each subject compare and contrast with the elements of the other subject(s). For example, if you compare and contrast two world leaders, you want to find facts about each person. It could be evidence of decisions they made, quotes from things they said or did, etc.

As you find evidence, ask yourself the question, “So, what?” Here are some questions to help you figure out your conclusion:

What is the significance of each piece of evidence?
What conclusion can you draw from it?
How does this piece of evidence relate to other supporting details or evidence you found?

The “So, what?” question deepens your thinking about the content of your paper. It shows your critical analysis of each subject and point. The analysis makes your paper more meaningful than a paper that only tells the reader what is similar and different. Once you can answer, “So, what?” go on to outline your paper.

Step 4: Outline Your Compare and Contrast Essay

It’s easier to write a compare and contrast paper when you outline your content first. There are 2 common ways to structure a compare and contrast essay or paper : Subject by Subject or Point by Point.

Subject by Subject

This approach is where you write about one subject and its characteristics. Then when you finish describing that subject, you write about the second subject and its characteristics. After you’ve covered both subjects, you write a section about the similarities and differences between them. Here is the outline:

I. Introduction —hook, general background information, and thesis statement

II. Body –Write about each of the Subjects

PART A Subject 1 —points and evidence
PART B Subject 2 —points and evidence

III. Similarities and Differences –describe the similarities of each subject and then differences.

IV. Conclusion — summary of thesis and significance of the paper (“So, what?”)

If you have a third subject, add a PART C section to the body of your outline.

Point by Point

This approach is where you organize your content around the points you want to make. Here you would write the point and then show how it relates to each subject. The Point by Point format works well in papers, but it is harder to do in a compare and contrast essay. The outline for Point by Point is:

I. Introduction — hook, general background information, and thesis statement

PART A Point 1 — relationship to Subject 1, and the relationship to Subject 2
PART B Point 2— relationship to Subject 1, and the relationship to Subject 2
PART C Point 3–relationship to Subject 1, and the relationship to Subject 2

II. Conclusion —summary of thesis and significance of your paper (“So, what?”)

When you have more points you want to make, add them to the body of your compare and contrast paper. If you have 3 subjects, you can add the third subject to each point.

Both of these outlines help you structure a compare and contrast paper. Select the one that makes sense to you. If you can’t decide, outline your content both ways and see which one looks more logical. Organize your academic essay or paper so that it is easy for your reader to follow.

Step 5: Write Your Compare and Contrast Essay or Paper

The more planning and preparation you do, the easier it is to write your paper. in this writing process phase, take the content in your outline and put it into writing., write all the parts of your paper, and engaging introduction, a well-developed body, and a memorable conclusion. make sure you include in-text citations. and end with a meaningful statement showing your reader the significance of your essay or paper. .

When you finish your paper, revise it. For tips on revising your writing, check out the post, http://Academic Revising 101: The Essential Essay Revision Checklist” https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/academic-revising-101-the-essential-essay-revision-checklist/.

Do you really need to follow this 5-step process?

Do you have to follow every step in this process? Do you have to write an outline? No. But these 5 steps will help you write an in-depth compare and contrast essay, paper, or any other comparison project. An exceptional essay or paper that shows a high level of analysis that stands out to your professor.

The critical thinking your compare and contrast essay or paper demonstrates is what makes your writing outstanding. Grammar, writing mechanics, and writing style are important, but your paper is fluff unless you show a deep understanding of your topic. Follow this 5-step process so that you can prepare, plan and write a first-rate compare and contrast essay!

Are you stuck thinking of ideas to write about? Download a copy of Nail Your Research Paper Topic!

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9 Easy Steps for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

Posted on November 17, 2023 November 17, 2023

Compare and contrast essays are common assignments in middle and high school English classes. They frequently show up in college as well, and while this task may not be explicitly given to professionals, the ability to compare two subjects critically during the writing process is crucial to academics of every age.

Once you master this type of essay , you will see benefits throughout your life. Strong comparison skills will help you write better college entrance essays and argue your point in debates. These skills will improve your test scores and deepen your college papers. Looking professionally, they could aid in easily convincing team members of anything from a new workflow software to a functional coffeemaker to a promotion.

In order to write a good compare and contrast essay , though, you need the ability to formulate a highly-researched and well-structured piece of academic writing . That means understanding the type of essay assigned, familiarizing yourself with this specific writing process , and knowing how to effectively incorporate transition words . It also requires a firm grasp of different styles of citations , in order to lend confidence to your argument and give proper credit to others.

Let’s take a look at what exactly a comparison essay is, what purpose its writing serves, and how to write one in nine easy steps.

What is a Compare and Contrast Essay ?

A compare and contrast essay is exactly what it sounds like. You take two – or sometimes more – items and evaluate the similarities and differences between them. Your paper might tackle any subject, such as science, history, economics, literature, or philosophy.

Comparing essays are different from other types of essays that are commonly assigned in school. For instance, a descriptive essay usually pertains to one subject, book, or idea, exploring it in detail. A persuasive essay, on the other hnad, tries to convince the reader to take one specific course of action.

The main aspect of contrast essay topics is that they consider two subjects or ideas at once. Some of the most common contrast essay examples include comparisons between:

Exploring two different scientific methods for similarities and differences in approach
Reading contextually two classic novels from the same time period
Examining contrasting political systems in the United States or abroad
Looking at two different cultures to see values and practices they share and, conversely, do not share
Considering two possible approaches to a moral or logistical problem
Exploring two methods of farming specifically focusing on productivity, simplicity, and empirical evidence

You could theoretically use this organizational structure to examine two items within the same category for almost any subject.

Purpose of a Compare and Contrast Essay

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to point out all the similarities and all differences between two nouns, ideas, et cetera. Considering two ideas fully can naturally transition into an ability to argue for or against a position or stance.

In debate, for example, comparing and contrasting is a critical skill as you must be able to examine the topic from both angles. Obviously, you need to make a case for your own side of the debate, however it is critical you see the other side’s point of view as well. Otherwise, you will find yourself completely unprepared for their arguments. Therefore, comparing the benefits, ideological underpinnings and rhetorical styles that best match both sides of an issue is an excellent lifelong skill.

In literature, you will benefit from the ability to compare two books for themes, writing style, word choice, characterization, and more. Doing so helps you become a better writer yourself, as well as understand the complexity of the human condition.

Knowing how to develop a solid argument, moreover, helps you:

Deepen your critical thinking skills
Develop eloquence in your speaking and writing
Practice using skills such as outlining and reading for clues
Explore how context changes meaning

Now let’s explore exactly how to write one, step by step.

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

You will complete your compare and contrast essay in three main stages: researching, writing and proofreading. While this might sound like an overly formal approach, it is effective because it allows you to organize your main points ahead of time, using any visual aid you might need to see the similarities and differences.

Once you’ve laid out your points of comparison , you can group them according to likeness. There are two methods for this we will discuss: the alternating method and the block method . These will allow you to craft your main thesis and insert appropriate transitions where needed. Then you’ll add an introduction and conclusion to round out the paper before moving on to proofreading.

Make sure you spend enough time on the research phase. It is tempting to skip over this part and launch into the writing, bypassing the less-exciting step of examining your sources thoroughly. However, this is a good way to miss important points that might reinforce or work against your argument.

Step 1: Conduct Initial Research

Your initial research should answer questions such as:

What sources will I use (if given a choice by my teacher or professor)? Do I need additional sources to support or strengthen the research from my first ones? Do I have enough information to write the paper?
Do my subjects have enough in common that comparing and contrasting them will be useful? Apples and oranges might be different, but they are at least both types of fruit; apples and cats aren’t a very useful comparison at all.
Has anyone else compared these two subjects before? Should I take a look at their work to see what to do/not to do?

Step 2: List Out Similarities & Differences

Next, it’s time to list out what is similar and what is different between your two items. Let’s say you are contrasting two books from the 1800s. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley are both early examples of science fiction, so they make a good pair.

Start by using a Venn diagram , chart, or another visual tool to make a side by side comparison. You might include setting, plot, characters, year written and year set, mood, themes, tone and appearances throughout later pop culture. Make sure your points of comparison are grouped together so you’re not searching for the corollaries later.

Step 3: Develop a Thesis Statement

Once you have rough compare and contrast sentences written out, you can then craft a topic sentence . This is also known as a thesis or thesis statement , in which you lay out the main argument you will make.

For instance, you might write “While The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley both use elements of speculative fiction and folklore differently, they speak to the same innate fear that our humanity is a fragile thing.” This shows the reader that you are going to share both the differences (the main writing elements) and similarities (themes) in the paragraphs to come.

Having established the case you will make, it is time to turn those rough points and thesis sentences into a fully fleshed-out paper. Let’s move on to the writing.

Step 4: Create an Outline

Armed with your main points , you should now elevate your rough content into an outline. There are two main ways to structure a compare and contrast essay ; the alternating method and the block method .

Alternating Method : In this method, you alternate between one item and another, back and forth. So in our example, you would first tackle the setting of both books, comparing and contrasting. Next, are the characters, with similarities and differences as well. Work your way down the list, speaking about both subjects in turn. This will buffer your argument throughout.
Block Method : With this approach, you instead tackle all aspects of one topic in a block , then the other, subject by subject . That means you would address how Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde uses the setting, characters, time period, and so forth completely. Then you move on to do the same with Frankenstein . In the second block, it makes sense to call out the first book repeatedly, but you will save the main thrust of your argument for the conclusion.

Either approach allows you to create a rough outline of your main points , with additional brainstorming when needed. Afterwards, you can begin with the actual fleshing out of the paper.

Step 5: Write the Introduction

Once you have a thesis statement and an essay outline , the actual essay writing becomes much simpler. Start with the introduction, and plan to have the thesis you created at the end of the intro paragraph(s). Lead up to that statement with a brief description of both items you’re comparing (in this case, the two novels), including pertinent subject matter information such as the author, writing periods, and overarching themes.

Step 6: Write the Body Paragraphs

The most important component of your essay structure is the body paragraphs, and standard essay form asks for three paragraphs. If your essay is longer, instead of using a single paragraph for the first subject , second subject and so on, you might use a whole section. Either way, you will use the first body paragraph as a compare and contrast in the alternating method , or a thorough treatment of the first subject overall. Then, you will address the second subject , and so forth.

Step 7: Write the Conclusion

The conclusion should wrap up your essay overall, driving home the main point of your thesis. Be sure to restate it, not verbatim, but quite closely near the top of your concluding paragraph.

Next, it’s time to make sure you don’t have any outstanding errors or plagiarism that might ruin your grade. Always proofread a paper before turning it in to ensure you are submitting your best work.

Step 8: Check for Spelling & Grammar

First, use a spellchecker to catch errors. Most word processing software offers this tool for spelling and grammar. If you take this approach, make sure it is set correctly to your language and dialect, or mistakes will slip through. Alternatively, you can use an online service, which will help take your writing to the next level.

Step 9: Check for Citation Errors

While most students are honorable and do their own work, it is possible to get caught accidentally plagiarizing simply because you do not know the proper citation rules. For instance, you need to source every quote from a novel, even if you are using the same novel repeatedly and have already cited it in your paper . Sadly, even unintentional plagiarism can lead to serious academic and career consequences, so you must be vigilant.

Luckily, that won’t happen if you use a plagiarism checker like Quetext . Not only does it identify where sources are needed, but it will also help you catch instances of similar wording, which might also require a source citation . Overall, it allows you to:

Verify your writing for originality so you don’t get caught for plagiarism , even while summarizing or paraphrasing
Flag content in need of citations
Add in-text MLA/APA/Chicago-style citations where needed
Create MLA/APA/Chicago Style citations for references page

Understanding the meaning, purpose and benefits of a compare and contrast essay will enable you to tackle them more effectively from now on. This is especially true if you use the nine steps listed above, which will earn you points in both high school and college courses. That is, if you properly check that you have not plagiarized from any of your sources.

Using a plagiarism checker will benefit you not only in academic settings, but also in all instances of future writing. Even unintentional plagiarism can lead to severe negative consequences regardless of your profession or standing. Plagiarism checkers provide a simple way to ensure you have properly cited and paraphrased all your writing, and give you peace of mind before submitting any work.

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How to write a comparative essay

A step-by-step guide with instructions, outlines, and samples

Writing a great comparative essay means highlighting the similarities and differences between two things in a systematic manner. Start by choosing the parameters (items) to compare, write an outline, and fill in the details for each section. Make sure to have an introduction and conclusion.

The comparative essay is one form of document that you will probably be expected to write at some point over the course of your college career. The purpose of this article is to provide you with a thorough overview of the comparative essay. Specific things that will be addressed include:

Purpose of the comparative essay

Explanation of comparative models, how to analyze subjects, elements of a good comparative essay, how to write a great comparative essay.

Samples/examples
Best practices and advice
Additional information

By the end of this article, you should feel more confident about your own knowledge of what a comparative essay is and the best ways to go about writing one (if you haven't decided to buy a comparative essay from Ultius ).

The fundamental purpose of a comparative essay is to elaborate the similarities and differences between two things in a systematic manner.

An effective comparative essay will leave the reader with much greater clarity about the natures and properties of the things that have been compared.

This could potentially serve as a basis for making a decision in favor of one or the other thing.

A comparative essay is different from, for example, an argumentative essay in that the comparative essay does not make a case for either of the two things under comparison. Rather, the point is to simply set up the comparison so that the reader will have as much information about the two things as possible.

Why are comparative essays important?

The comparative essay is an important form of document because when you have to make a decision or choose a side in an argument, you will want to know as much as possible about the two options under consideration—and a good comparative essay on the subject can bring out both the similarities and the differences between the options, thereby clarifying the stakes at play.

For example, a comparative essay could address the similarities and differences between any of the following pairs:

The Republican Party and the Democratic Party
Christianity and Marxism
The Big Bang and creationism
The Light or Dark side of the Force from Star Wars
The revolutionary and the reformist perspectives on social change

By developing a comparative essay on any of these pairs, you can not only understand each item of under comparison is a more thorough way, you can also get closer to figuring out which item you prefer.

For example, a solid comparative essay on revolution vs. reformism could not only help you understand what each of these items entails, it can also help you figure out whether you would rather be a revolutionary or a reformist. Likewise, if you only have time to binge watch one show, then a comparative essay could help you figure out whether you would prefer to go with Game of Thrones or Westworld .

When writing a comparative essay, there are several models you can use in order to ensure that you set up your comparison as effectively as possible.

Venn diagram

The Venn diagram is a classic, and surely, you're familiar with it. This is the model of two overlapping circles, where each circle belongs to one item of comparison: features shared by both items (similarities) go in the overlapping middle zone, whereas features that are not shared go in the outer areas. For example, here is a Venn diagram that compares humans against gorillas.

When using the Venn diagram model, it is important to note that the differences must be symmetrical. In other words, every difference you list on one side of the comparison must be matched by a difference on the other side.

For example, if you were comparing Apple and Amazon, then for the parameter of "founder," you can list "Steve Jobs" in one circle and "Jeff Bezos" in the other. But it wouldn't make sense if you just listed one or the other: you must list something for each of the items of comparisons under the selected parameter of comparison.

In the Venn diagram above, the first parameter is "language," so for humans it is listed that we have a capacity of language, whereas for gorillas it is listed that they do not.

You don't need to worry about this kind of symmetry when it comes to the similarities, since you will list the same thing for both items of comparison (which means you only have to list it once, in the overlapping zone). In the example, above, the fact that both humans and gorillas are mammals is thus listed just once in the middle.

The dialectical method

The dialectical method is important within the discipline of philosophy, and it has been used to great effect by thinkers such as Socrates and Hegel and Kierkegaard.

This involves holding two ideas or items in tension with each other, to better clarify not only the ideas themselves but also the dynamic relationship that exist between the ideas. The first idea is called the thesis , and the second idea is called the antithesis .

For example, Romanticism could be dialectically compared against the Enlightenment that came before it, because Romanticism was in some ways a rejection of the previous worldview.

Need help? Essay writing services from Ultius can help you produce a great sample compare and contrast essay.

So, by setting up a comparison between Romanticism and the Enlightenment, it becomes possible to see both the continuities (or similarities) between the one and the other, as well as the contradictions (or differences) between them.

Berlin, Isaiah. The Roots of Romanticism . Princeton: Princeton U P, 2013. Print.

From the table above, it is clear that we are able to understand both Romanticism and the Enlightenment better if we set them up in terms of dialectical contrast.

Clearly, they are different in some important ways (logic vs. passion, for example), but we can also see that they are in continuity with each other (both happened in Western Europe and responded to previous developments). This comparison also leads one to wonder about whether it would be possible to make a synthesis that takes the best from both the thesis and the antithesis

A good comparative essay can lead one to ask such questions and pursue such lines of inquiry.

To analyze your subjects for a comparative essay, you need to identify clear parameters, or axes, in terms of which your two selected items can be compared. For example, in the table above, Romanticism and the Enlightenment were compared along the axis of " epistemology ". But that axis won't be relevant to all subjects.

Your job when preparing to write a comparative essay is to identify the specific axes that are relevant for the items that you are comparing. Why is the comparison interesting, and what insights are you trying produce? The answers to those questions will determine how you decide to frame your comparison.

For example, we could compare the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) against the Democratic Party in terms of the axis of membership. This would reveal that the DSA has far fewer registered members than does the Democratic Party.

We could also compare them on the axis of healthcare policy, where it may be found that the DSA and the Democratic Party agree about the importance of universal coverage. When we look at the axis of economics, though, we may find that the DSA is much more radical in its proposals than the Democratic Party.

The problem of identifying relevance

In principle, any one thing in the world could be compared with any other thing in the world. For example, you could compare your shoe with the moon, and conclude that one similarity is that they both exist within the Milky Way galaxy.

But this would be a meaningless point (even if it may make for some interesting poetry). It is important for you to figure out what exactly you are trying to determine through your comparative essay. What is your purpose for writing it?

This will help you choose two items where setting up a dialectical contrast between them will produce actual insight, and it will also help you to choose the proper parameters by which to compare those items.

For example, suppose that you are running a business, and there are two expansion options open in front of you. It would be logical for you to compare and contrast these options, since this will help ensure that you are making your decision with as much knowledge and insight as possible.

Business associates meeting around a laptop.

Likewise, one parameter that you are sure to consider is: which option will make your business the most money? If you pick parameters that are meaningless, then you will obtain no real insight that can help you make the important decision.

Using a rubric

Once you have identified both the two items of comparison and the axes along which they will be compared, you can proceed to analyze the items by applying the axes in the form of a table or rubric.

This is what has been done, for example, in the tables that have been developed above in this article. In the left-most column, list the parameters you have selected in order to compare your items. Then, in the top-most row, list the items.

Then go ahead and list the relevant details for each parameter for each of the two items. This will produce a table where you can see how each item measures up against the other for each parameter.

The important thing is to be systematic when you are making your comparison: it should not seem random or arbitrary. Thus, it is important to carefully select both the items and the parameters for comparison, and then to proceed to address each item/parameter combo in turn.

There are several elements that are a part of any good comparative essay.

Effective selection of items

A strong comparative essay has well-chosen items for comparison, with the comparison producing actual insights of value through the juxtaposition of the two items. If the items appear to be chosen for no apparent reason, or if the comparison does not in fact produce insight, then the comparative essay would be quite weak (or at any rate pointless).

The comparative essay is not meant to make an argument in favor of one thing or another, but it is meant to produce knowledge and insight about the two things under comparison. In order to compare and contrast items in an effective way, the two items must be different enough from each other, but they should also not be so different that it just feels absurd to even compare them at all.

Effective selection of parameters of comparison

A good comparative essay not only includes well-selected items of comparison, it also includes well-selected parameters of comparison. Between any two selected items, you could theoretically make an endless number of comparisons.

But a good comparative essay identifies parameters of comparative in terms of salience , or the reasons why anyone would be interested in the comparison in the first place. This can be difficult, because in principle, any comparison could be interesting, depending on the audience of the comparative essay and the intended purpose of the essay.

For example, one could use the parameter of zodiac sign to compare Romantic artists against Enlightenment artists.

This could be very interesting to people who are very serious about the zodiac, but it would probably seem ridiculous to just about everyone else.

But if you were writing for an audience of zodiac fanatics, then this comparison could actually be a success.

So, there is no parameter of comparison that is "inherently" bad. Rather, the point is to find parameters that highlight specific salient aspects of the selected items.

For example, when comparing Romanticism against the Enlightenment, core values would be a solid parameter of comparison, because that will surely help produce insights about how worldviews changed from the one paradigm to another.

Strong organizational structure

If you want your comparative essay to be a success, then it absolutely must have strong organizational structure . This is because an effective comparison must be easy for your reader to follow. It can't just jump all over the place at random, which not only be confusing but could also result in the reader forgetting what the point of the comparison was in the first place.

In general, there are two ways in which you can organize your comparative essay. In the first format, each of the parameters would be considered in the section for similarities and the section for differences.

In the first format the comparative essay is organized in terms of similarities and differences, whereas in the second format the essay is organized in terms of parameters of comparison.

One version of the comparative essay compares the similarities and differences between subjects

In the second format, both similarities and differences would be considered within each of the parameter sections.

The second version of the comparative essay compares the parameters of both the similarities and differences

Both these are formats are good, and a strong comparative essay could be built around either one.

The important thing is to have a clear system and to not make your comparisons random.

There needs to be an organizational structure that your reader can easily follow.

There are steps you can follow in order to ensure that your comparative essay has all the elements that will be required in order to make it great.

Ask yourself about your intention

If you have selected two items for your comparative essay, then you should start by asking yourself why you selected those two items. What is it about the two items that made you think it would be a good idea to compare them? (Or if you were assigned the two items, then why do you think those items were selected by your professor?)

The point here is that the items selected for a comparative essay are non-random. They are selected because that specific comparison should be able to yield interesting insights (unlike research papers ).

For example, if you are writing a comparative essay on the dogs vs. cats, then are you writing this from the perspective of evolutionary biology? Or are you perhaps writing it in order to inform potential pet owners who are debating whether they want a dog or a cat?

The purpose of your essay will determine what parameters you will select in order to compare your two items. This means that you should have an intended audience in mind, and you should also have specific questions you would like to know more about.

In short, in order to develop effective parameters for your comparative essay, you have to ask yourself why you are writing it and who would be interested in the insights produced by the essay. This can help ensure you select both appropriate items and appropriate parameters for comparison.

Develop a structural outline

It is very important that you do not just jump into your comparative essay and start writing it without a plan. That is a recipe for disaster, and the comparisons will almost certainly turn out random and confusing. Rather, you should begin with a solid outline .

A good outline will do three main things:

1. Identify the selected items of comparison in the introduction/thesis
2. Utilize one of the two organizational formats described above
3. Provide a roadmap for how you intend to systematically follow through on the comparison

For example, here is how an outline could look for a comparative essay on Romanticism vs. the Enlightenment.

Sample outline of a comparative essay about Romanticism and the Enlightenment

In this sample outline, the format that is used dedicates a paragraph to each of three parameters of comparison, and both similarities and differences are addressed for each of those parameters.

This is the kind of logical flow that you will need to have in order for your comparative essay to turn out great.

Write in a systematic way

A comparative essay is not a place to get too creative with your writing, whether in terms of organization or in terms of style.

Rather, you should focus on simply carrying out your comparison, point-by-point and in a way that is easy for your reader to follow. This can get a little tedious, so if that is a problem for you, then you should make sure that you set aside enough time to work on your comparative essay little by little.

For example, if your essay has three parameters, then you could write a section on the first parameter today, the second parameter tomorrow, and the third parameter the next day.

The important thing is for you to ensure that you consider each of your two selected items in terms of each of your selected parameters. This needs to be done in a smooth and logical manner, such that your reader knows where you are in the comparison. There should be no jumping around, and there should be no departure from the basic format or structure.

Example comparative (compare/contrast) essay

Best practices/tips.

We have now arrived at the end of this guide, and you should have a much better idea of what makes a comparative essay successful and how you can go about writing one. It may be helpful to now summarize some of the main points that have been addressed here.

Let's address five main points.

1. Ensure that you select appropriate items for comparison

The two items that will be compared in your comparative essay should be carefully selected. The items should have some shared features and be in the same "class" of items, but they should also have substantial differences to which you are trying to call attention. If the items are too similar, then there would be no point in the comparison, but if they are too different, that can also make the comparison meaningless.

2. Select effective parameters of comparison

Your comparative essay shouldn't compare anything and everything between your two items; rather, the parameters should be specifically selected to highlight specific, salient similarities and differences. In order to determine what parameters would be effective, you have to ask yourself why you are writing your comparative essay and what sort of insights you intend to produce about the items being compared.

3. Use tools and models in an effective way

The Venn diagram is one tool that can be very helpful in conceptualizing your comparative essay, especially if you are a more visual kind of learner. Tables, rubrics, and outlines will also work to help ensure that you are developing a strong backbone of logic and systematic reasoning for your comparative essay. These and other tools may even help you reconsider your initial choices of items and parameters, if you realize that significant insights are not being produced.

4. Choose an organizational format, and stick with it

There are two main ways in which to structure an effective comparative essay, which have been described above. You can dedicate one section to similarities and one section to differences; or, you can dedicate a section to each of the parameters of comparison. This second option is usually more effective, especially if you are new to comparative essays. But either way, it is crucial that you stick to your chosen format and do not jump around and confuse the reader.

5. Seek assistance if you need it

If you are still uncertain about how to write a successful comparative essay, then Ultius is here to help. Our writer help section has many tools like this one available on various types of essays; we have a huge writer help section that contains all sorts of information on pretty much any writing-related questions you may have; and we also have elite professional writers who can produce a sample comparative essay for you on any subject of your choosing. We are here for you, and if you have any further questions about how to write a comparative essay, then you should feel free to reach out.

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How to write comparative essay

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Introduction

A comparative analysis essay is a distinctive form of academic writing that invites you to explore and evaluate the relationships between two or more subjects, highlighting both their similarities and differences. Crafting such an essay can be both challenging and rewarding, as it demands critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to construct a well-structured argument. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the step-by-step process of composing an effective comparative analysis essay, focusing on answering the crucial question: "How to write a comparative analysis essay?"

Step 1: Understanding the Comparative Analysis Essay Question

Before you begin writing, it's essential to grasp the nuances of the comparative analysis essay question you are tasked with. This question serves as the guiding principle for your entire essay. It will typically ask you to compare and contrast specific aspects of the subjects under examination. Some common prompts might include:

"Compare and contrast the themes of two novels you have studied."
"Examine the differences and similarities in the historical contexts of two events."
"Compare the character development in two different Shakespearean plays."

Step 2: Determine the Basis for Comparison

The key to answering the comparative analysis essay question effectively is to identify the basis for comparison. This step involves selecting the specific aspects or criteria you will use to evaluate the subjects. For instance, if you are comparing two novels, your basis for comparison might include themes, characters, narrative structure, or symbolism.

Step 3: Become Familiar with the Source Materials

In-depth familiarity with the source materials is essential for writing a successful comparative analysis essay. Take the time to thoroughly read, watch, or research the subjects you are comparing. This will enable you to provide a comprehensive analysis and draw insightful conclusions.

Step 4: Choose an Appropriate Structure

The structure you choose for your comparative analysis essay plays a pivotal role in how you present your arguments. The three common structural approaches are:

a. Block Structure: Dedicate separate sections to each subject, discussing their similarities and differences separately.

b. Alternating Structure: Alternate between discussing the subjects' similarities and differences in each paragraph.

c. Woven Structure: Seamlessly weave together comparisons and contrasts throughout your essay.

Step 5: Prepare an Outline

Creating a well-organized outline is a crucial step in the writing process. An outline helps you structure your thoughts, ensuring a logical flow of ideas and a coherent argument that directly addresses the comparative analysis essay question.

Step 6: Write an Introduction with a Thesis Statement

Your introduction should provide context for your essay and include a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement should directly respond to the comparative analysis essay question and outline the key aspects you will explore.

Step 7: Develop the Body of Your Essay

The body of your essay is where you present your comparisons and contrasts based on the chosen structure. Utilize evidence from your source materials to support your arguments, keeping a balanced and fair evaluation.

Step 8: Write a Conclusion Summarizing Your Main Points

In your conclusion, reiterate the central similarities and differences discussed throughout the essay. Restate your thesis statement and offer a final insight or reflection related to the comparative analysis essay question. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Conclusion:

Answering the question "how to write a comparative analysis essay" necessitates a methodical approach that involves understanding the essay question, determining the basis for comparison, immersing yourself in the source materials, selecting an appropriate structure, outlining your essay, crafting a well-structured introduction and body, and summarizing your key points in the conclusion. By adhering to these steps, you can confidently address the comparative analysis essay question and create an engaging essay that effectively communicates your analysis and insights, achieving a deeper understanding of the subjects under examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a comparative essay? Answer: A comparative essay is an academic writing form that requires comparing and contrasting two or more subjects or ideas.
How do I choose a topic for a comparative essay? Answer: The topic choice depends on your interests and objectives. You can select topics with similar or contrasting characteristics to explore.
What structure works best for a comparative essay? Answer: There are several structures, such as block, alternating, and woven. The choice depends on your topic and how you want to organize your argument.
How do I write an introduction for a comparative essay? Answer: The introduction should provide context and a clear thesis statement, indicating your main comparisons and contrasts.
How do I conclude a comparative essay? Answer: In the conclusion, recap the main points of comparison, restate your thesis, and offer final thoughts on your comparative analysis.

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Essay Writing

How to Write a Comparative Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

What is comparative essay
Structure and outline
Tips how to start
Step-by-step guide
Comparative essay format
Comparative essay topics
Comparative essay example

What is a Comparative Essay?

How to write a comparison essay: structure and outline.

The topic sentence should introduce the reader to what the paragraph handles.
A discussion of the aspect is done in the middle of a paragraph.
The last part of the paragraph should carry a low-level conclusion about the aspect discussed in the paragraph.
The paragraph should present enough information, as too much or too less may render it meaningless.
Every paragraph should handle a single aspect, e.g., it is quite unreasonable to compare the size of one object to the color of another .

Tips on How to Start a Comparative Essay

Step-by-step writing guide to write a comparative analysis, step 1: identify the basis of the comparison..

For example, a question may ask you to compare capitalism and communism and write the arguments. This question has a clear objective; hence you don’t have to go the extra mile.
Another case may be to compare any two political ideologies. It is a general question, and you have to figure out the various political ideologies and then identify any two that you can compare. Such instances require the author to develop the basis of comparison by themselves and write it down.

Step 2: Develop the content of the essay.

Step 3: come up with a thesis., step 4: develop the comparative essay structure., step 5: write your compare essay..

Comparative Essay Format

Alternating method;.

Gives more details about the item in comparison, making it easy to handle two different points;
Produces a well-analyzed and integrated paper.
Cases where detailed comparison is needed;
When the points of comparison are not related.

Mixed paragraphs method;

gives the issues equal weights in terms of comparison;
the reader gets to identify the comparison factor easily.
When dealing with a long comparative essay;
When dealing with complex topics that need close attention.

Block Method;

When dealing with short essays;
When dealing with simple topics;
Cases where there is no clear relation between items of comparison of point one and point two;
When you want to build the ideas of question two from those highlighted for question one;
When dealing with many issues.

Comparative Essay Topics

Compare and contrast the GDP figures of the US and Australia.
A comparative essay on World War I and World War II events.
Comparison between political ideologies such as capitalism and communism.
Positions on issues, e.g., Healthcare in the US and Australia.
Comparison between various Sports teams.
Different Systems of Government.
Comparison between various influential people.
A comparative essay on religion, e.g., Christianity and Hinduism,
Comparison between various texts,
Comparison in technology, such as comparing different cars,

Comparative Essay Example (Clarified)

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The Writing Process | 5 Steps with Examples & Tips

Published on April 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on December 8, 2023.

Good academic writing requires effective planning, drafting, and revision.

The writing process looks different for everyone, but there are five basic steps that will help you structure your time when writing any kind of text.

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Step 1: prewriting, step 2: planning and outlining, step 3: writing a first draft, step 4: redrafting and revising, step 5: editing and proofreading, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the writing process.

Before you start writing, you need to decide exactly what you’ll write about and do the necessary research.

Coming up with a topic

If you have to come up with your own topic for an assignment, think of what you’ve covered in class— is there a particular area that intrigued, interested, or even confused you? Topics that left you with additional questions are perfect, as these are questions you can explore in your writing.

The scope depends on what type of text you’re writing—for example, an essay or a research paper will be less in-depth than a dissertation topic . Don’t pick anything too ambitious to cover within the word count, or too limited for you to find much to say.

Narrow down your idea to a specific argument or question. For example, an appropriate topic for an essay might be narrowed down like this:

Doing the research

Once you know your topic, it’s time to search for relevant sources and gather the information you need. This process varies according to your field of study and the scope of the assignment. It might involve:

Searching for primary and secondary sources .
Reading the relevant texts closely (e.g. for literary analysis ).
Collecting data using relevant research methods (e.g. experiments , interviews or surveys )

From a writing perspective, the important thing is to take plenty of notes while you do the research. Keep track of the titles, authors, publication dates, and relevant quotations from your sources; the data you gathered; and your initial analysis or interpretation of the questions you’re addressing.

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Especially in academic writing , it’s important to use a logical structure to convey information effectively. It’s far better to plan this out in advance than to try to work out your structure once you’ve already begun writing.

Creating an essay outline is a useful way to plan out your structure before you start writing. This should help you work out the main ideas you want to focus on and how you’ll organize them. The outline doesn’t have to be final—it’s okay if your structure changes throughout the writing process.

Use bullet points or numbering to make your structure clear at a glance. Even for a short text that won’t use headings, it’s useful to summarize what you’ll discuss in each paragraph.

An outline for a literary analysis essay might look something like this:

Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
Introduce the research question: How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
Answer the research question
Indicate areas for further study

Once you have a clear idea of your structure, it’s time to produce a full first draft.

This process can be quite non-linear. For example, it’s reasonable to begin writing with the main body of the text, saving the introduction for later once you have a clearer idea of the text you’re introducing.

To give structure to your writing, use your outline as a framework. Make sure that each paragraph has a clear central focus that relates to your overall argument.

Hover over the parts of the example, from a literary analysis essay on Mansfield Park , to see how a paragraph is constructed.

The character of Mrs. Norris provides another example of the performance of morals in Mansfield Park . Early in the novel, she is described in scathing terms as one who knows “how to dictate liberality to others: but her love of money was equal to her love of directing” (p. 7). This hypocrisy does not interfere with her self-conceit as “the most liberal-minded sister and aunt in the world” (p. 7). Mrs. Norris is strongly concerned with appearing charitable, but unwilling to make any personal sacrifices to accomplish this. Instead, she stage-manages the charitable actions of others, never acknowledging that her schemes do not put her own time or money on the line. In this way, Austen again shows us a character whose morally upright behavior is fundamentally a performance—for whom the goal of doing good is less important than the goal of seeming good.

When you move onto a different topic, start a new paragraph. Use appropriate transition words and phrases to show the connections between your ideas.

The goal at this stage is to get a draft completed, not to make everything perfect as you go along. Once you have a full draft in front of you, you’ll have a clearer idea of where improvement is needed.

Give yourself a first draft deadline that leaves you a reasonable length of time to revise, edit, and proofread before the final deadline. For a longer text like a dissertation, you and your supervisor might agree on deadlines for individual chapters.

Now it’s time to look critically at your first draft and find potential areas for improvement. Redrafting means substantially adding or removing content, while revising involves making changes to structure and reformulating arguments.

Evaluating the first draft

It can be difficult to look objectively at your own writing. Your perspective might be positively or negatively biased—especially if you try to assess your work shortly after finishing it.

It’s best to leave your work alone for at least a day or two after completing the first draft. Come back after a break to evaluate it with fresh eyes; you’ll spot things you wouldn’t have otherwise.

When evaluating your writing at this stage, you’re mainly looking for larger issues such as changes to your arguments or structure. Starting with bigger concerns saves you time—there’s no point perfecting the grammar of something you end up cutting out anyway.

Right now, you’re looking for:

Arguments that are unclear or illogical.
Areas where information would be better presented in a different order.
Passages where additional information or explanation is needed.
Passages that are irrelevant to your overall argument.

For example, in our paper on Mansfield Park , we might realize the argument would be stronger with more direct consideration of the protagonist Fanny Price, and decide to try to find space for this in paragraph IV.

For some assignments, you’ll receive feedback on your first draft from a supervisor or peer. Be sure to pay close attention to what they tell you, as their advice will usually give you a clearer sense of which aspects of your text need improvement.

Redrafting and revising

Once you’ve decided where changes are needed, make the big changes first, as these are likely to have knock-on effects on the rest. Depending on what your text needs, this step might involve:

Making changes to your overall argument.
Reordering the text.
Cutting parts of the text.
Adding new text.

You can go back and forth between writing, redrafting and revising several times until you have a final draft that you’re happy with.

Think about what changes you can realistically accomplish in the time you have. If you are running low on time, you don’t want to leave your text in a messy state halfway through redrafting, so make sure to prioritize the most important changes.

Editing focuses on local concerns like clarity and sentence structure. Proofreading involves reading the text closely to remove typos and ensure stylistic consistency. You can check all your drafts and texts in minutes with an AI proofreader .

Editing for grammar and clarity

When editing, you want to ensure your text is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. You’re looking out for:

Grammatical errors.
Ambiguous phrasings.
Redundancy and repetition .

In your initial draft, it’s common to end up with a lot of sentences that are poorly formulated. Look critically at where your meaning could be conveyed in a more effective way or in fewer words, and watch out for common sentence structure mistakes like run-on sentences and sentence fragments:

Austen’s style is frequently humorous, her characters are often described as “witty.” Although this is less true of Mansfield Park .
Austen’s style is frequently humorous. Her characters are often described as “witty,” although this is less true of Mansfield Park .

To make your sentences run smoothly, you can always use a paraphrasing tool to rewrite them in a clearer way.

Proofreading for small mistakes and typos

When proofreading, first look out for typos in your text:

Spelling errors.
Missing words.
Confused word choices .
Punctuation errors .
Missing or excess spaces.

Use a grammar checker , but be sure to do another manual check after. Read through your text line by line, watching out for problem areas highlighted by the software but also for any other issues it might have missed.

For example, in the following phrase we notice several errors:

Mary Crawfords character is a complicate one and her relationships with Fanny and Edmund undergoes several transformations through out the novel.
Mary Crawford’s character is a complicated one, and her relationships with both Fanny and Edmund undergo several transformations throughout the novel.

Proofreading for stylistic consistency

There are several issues in academic writing where you can choose between multiple different standards. For example:

Whether you use the serial comma .
Whether you use American or British spellings and punctuation (you can use a punctuation checker for this).
Where you use numerals vs. words for numbers.
How you capitalize your titles and headings.

Unless you’re given specific guidance on these issues, it’s your choice which standards you follow. The important thing is to consistently follow one standard for each issue. For example, don’t use a mixture of American and British spellings in your paper.

Additionally, you will probably be provided with specific guidelines for issues related to format (how your text is presented on the page) and citations (how you acknowledge your sources). Always follow these instructions carefully.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Revising, proofreading, and editing are different stages of the writing process .

Revising is making structural and logical changes to your text—reformulating arguments and reordering information.
Editing refers to making more local changes to things like sentence structure and phrasing to make sure your meaning is conveyed clearly and concisely.
Proofreading involves looking at the text closely, line by line, to spot any typos and issues with consistency and correct them.

Whether you’re publishing a blog, submitting a research paper , or even just writing an important email, there are a few techniques you can use to make sure it’s error-free:

Take a break : Set your work aside for at least a few hours so that you can look at it with fresh eyes.
Proofread a printout : Staring at a screen for too long can cause fatigue – sit down with a pen and paper to check the final version.
Use digital shortcuts : Take note of any recurring mistakes (for example, misspelling a particular word, switching between US and UK English , or inconsistently capitalizing a term), and use Find and Replace to fix it throughout the document.

If you want to be confident that an important text is error-free, it might be worth choosing a professional proofreading service instead.

If you’ve gone over the word limit set for your assignment, shorten your sentences and cut repetition and redundancy during the editing process. If you use a lot of long quotes , consider shortening them to just the essentials.

If you need to remove a lot of words, you may have to cut certain passages. Remember that everything in the text should be there to support your argument; look for any information that’s not essential to your point and remove it.

To make this process easier and faster, you can use a paraphrasing tool . With this tool, you can rewrite your text to make it simpler and shorter. If that’s not enough, you can copy-paste your paraphrased text into the summarizer . This tool will distill your text to its core message.

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Introduction

A comparative essay is an academic writing style that requires you to compare and contrast two or more subjects, ideas, or topics. The primary aim is to draw meaningful relationships and analyze the similarities and differences between them. To successfully write a comparative essay, follow the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide.

Step 1: Choose Your Topic

Begin by selecting an appropriate topic for your essay. Whether your task is assigned or not, it’s essential to choose something that interests you and engages the reader. Make sure that the subjects share similarities and differences to ensure your essay remains relevant and focused.

Step 2: Understand Your Method of Comparison

There are two common methods of comparison: the alternating method and the block method.

1. The Alternating Method : In this method, you will alternate between the subjects throughout your essay. In each paragraph, you will discuss a certain aspect of one subject followed by its counterpart in the other subject.

2. The Block Method: With this method, you will dedicate one half of your essay to discussing one subject in its entirety before moving on to the other subject. This approach is useful when comparing very different items or when there are several ideas to discuss per subject.

Choose a method that best suits your chosen subjects and overall purpose.

Step 3: Develop Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement sets the foundation for your entire essay by expressing your position on the subjects being compared. It should be concise, clear, and invite further examination from your reader. Keep in mind that it must address both similarities and differences between the subjects.

Step 4: Conduct Research

Research both subjects thoroughly to gather relevant information that supports your thesis statement. Use credible sources such as books, articles, or journals and take notes as needed. Remember to keep track of your sources for citation purposes in accordance with your formatting style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago).

Step 5: Create an Outline

Before you start writing, create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure logical progression. A typical comparative essay outline might follow this structure:

1. Introduction

– Hook to grab reader’s attention

– General background information on the subjects

– Thesis statement

2. Body Paragraphs

– Comparison/Contrast Point 1

– Subject A

– Subject B

– Comparison/Contrast Point 2

– (Add additional points as needed)

3. Conclusion

– Restate the thesis statement in a summarized manner

– Recap of main arguments discussed

– Final thoughts on the comparison

Step 6: Write the Essay

Using your outline as a guide, begin writing your essay. Make sure to maintain clarity and coherence, utilizing appropriate transition words to ease the reader through your analysis. Avoid presenting new information and ensure that each paragraph supports your thesis statement.

Step 7: Proofread and Edit

Give yourself some time before revisiting your essay to proofread and edit it. Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors. Additionally, ensure that your arguments are clear, concise, and well-supported.

A well-crafted comparative essay can be a fascinating and insightful exploration into various subjects. Following these steps will help you create a compelling piece that showcases meaningful relationships between seemingly unconnected ideas or topics. Good luck!

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A comprehensive guide on writing comparative essays for nursing students, carla johnson.

October 5, 2023
How to Guides

As nursing students, you’ll often find yourself tasked with writing various types of essays to enhance your critical thinking and communication skills. One common essay type you’ll encounter is the comparative essay. Comparative essays require you to compare and contrast two or more subjects, analyzing their similarities and differences. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of writing comparative essays tailored for nursing students.

What You'll Learn

I. Understanding the Comparative Essay

Before diving into the writing process, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals of a comparative essay. This type of essay aims to evaluate and discuss the relationships between two or more subjects. Nursing students may be asked to compare and contrast different medical treatments, healthcare systems, nursing theories, or patient care practices.

1. Selecting the Subjects

The first step in writing a comparative essay is choosing suitable subjects. Ensure that your chosen topics are related and have enough similarities and differences to make a meaningful comparison. For instance, you might compare two different nursing care models , such as the medical model and the holistic model.

2. Define Your Purpose

What is the goal of your comparative essay? Are you trying to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of two approaches, or are you aiming to advocate for one over the other? Clarify your purpose to guide your analysis and argument.

II. Preparing the Groundwork

Once you have your subjects and purpose in mind, it’s time to gather the necessary information and organize your thoughts effectively.

1. Research Thoroughly

In nursing, accurate and up-to-date information is crucial. Collect information from reputable sources like peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, government reports, and healthcare organizations’ websites. Take detailed notes, highlighting key points, statistics, and relevant case studies .

2. Create an Outline

An outline helps you structure your essay and ensure a logical flow of ideas. Divide your essay into sections, such as introduction, background information, comparison, analysis, and conclusion. Each section should have a clear purpose.

III. Writing the Comparative Essay

Now that you have laid the groundwork, let’s delve into the actual writing process.

1. Introduction

The introduction serves as a roadmap for your essay. It should:

Provide a brief overview of the subjects you are comparing.
State your thesis or main argument.
Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling hook.
Provide a brief background or context for the subjects.

For instance, in a comparative essay comparing two nursing care models, you might start with a compelling statistic about the rising importance of holistic care and introduce the medical model as the traditional approach.

The body of your comparative essay is where you present your analysis of the subjects. Follow these steps for an effective body:

a. Provide Clear and Concise Information

In separate paragraphs or sections, discuss each subject you are comparing. Start by presenting objective information about each subject, such as its history, principles, or key components. Ensure your information is balanced and unbiased.

b. Identify Similarities and Differences

After presenting the basic information, delve into the heart of your comparison. Identify the key similarities and differences between the subjects. Use evidence from your research to support your claims.

c. Analyze the Significance

Don’t stop at pointing out similarities and differences; explain why they matter. How do these comparisons impact nursing practice, patient outcomes, or the healthcare system as a whole? Analyze the implications of your findings.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion ties everything together and reinforces your main argument. In your conclusion, you should:

Summarize the key points of your comparison.
Restate your thesis or main argument.
Provide insights into the significance of your comparison.
Offer any recommendations or implications for further research.

IV. Refining Your Comparative Essay

Once you’ve completed your initial draft, it’s time to refine your essay for clarity and coherence.

1. Proofreading and Editing

Review your essay for grammar and spelling errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and concise. Read your essay aloud to check for awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.

2. Citations and References

Properly cite all the sources you used in your essay. Follow the citation style specified by your instructor or institution, such as APA, MLA , or Chicago.

3. Peer Review

Seek feedback from peers or professors. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Writing a comparative essay can be a rewarding experience for nursing students. It not only helps you develop critical thinking skills but also enhances your ability to analyze and communicate complex healthcare concepts. By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can confidently tackle your comparative essays and excel in your nursing studies. Remember that when you need expert assistance, contact our writing services . Our team of experienced writers can assist you in researching, drafting, and editing your comparative essays, ensuring that they meet the highest academic standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you start a comparative essay?

To start a comparative essay, begin with a captivating introduction that provides a brief overview of the subjects you are comparing, states your thesis or main argument, and grabs the reader’s attention with a compelling hook.

What are the 5 steps of writing a comparative essay?

The five steps of writing a comparative essay are as follows:

Selecting the subjects for comparison.
Defining your purpose and thesis.
Researching thoroughly to gather relevant information.
Creating an outline to organize your essay’s structure.
Crafting the essay, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

What is a comparative essay format?

A comparative essay typically follows a format that includes an introduction, body paragraphs for each subject of comparison, and a conclusion. Each body paragraph should discuss one aspect of the subjects’ similarities or differences.

How many paragraphs are in a comparative essay?

A comparative essay typically consists of five paragraphs, including an introduction, three body paragraphs (one for each subject of comparison), and a conclusion. However, the number of paragraphs may vary depending on your specific assignment and the depth of your analysis.

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COMMENTS

Comparative Essay
The foremost step in writing a comparative essay is to choose a suitable topic. Choose a topic or theme that is interesting to write about and appeals to the reader. An interesting essay topic motivates the reader to know about the subject. Also, try to avoid complicated topics for your comparative essay. Develop a List of Similarities and ...
Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay
In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you're comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you've already said about the first. Your text is structured like this: Subject 1.
How to Write a Comparative Essay (with Pictures)
2. Use a mixed paragraphs method. Address both halves of the comparison in each paragraph. This means that the first paragraph will compare the first aspect of each subject, the second will compare the second, and so on, making sure to always address the subjects in the same order.
Guide To Writing a Comparative Essay
How to write a comparative essay Writing a comparative essay involves the following steps: 1. Determine your topic and comparison After reading the prompt for your essay, determine what you are asked to compare. Your essay may be about two non-fiction topics such as comparing historical events, or it could involve discussing two pieces of ...
Comparative Essays
How to Write a Comparative Essay. 1. Establish a basis of comparison. A basis of comparison represents the main idea, category, or theme you will investigate. You will have to do some preliminary reading, likely using your course materials, to get an idea of what kind of criteria you will use to assess whatever you are comparing.
The Comparative Essay
A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare. positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States) theories (e.g., capitalism and communism) figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and Britain)
Writing Effective Comparison/Contrast Essays
1. Brainstorming and Prewriting. Recall that a comparison/contrast essay serves the purpose of examining the similarities and/or differences between two subjects. When you compare things, you show their similarities; when you contrast things, you show their differences. The first step in writing a comparison/contrast essay is to brainstorm ...
PDF The Comparative Essay
comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare. events (e.g., the Great Depression and the global financial crisis of 2008-9) Although the assignment may say "compare," the assumption is that you will consider both the ...
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
1. Pick Two Subjects to Compare and Contrast. A compare and contrast assignment will ask you, unsurprisingly, to compare and contrast two things. In some cases, the assignment question will make this clear. For instance, if the assignment says "Compare how Mozart and Beethoven use melody," you will have a very clear sense of what to write ...
Tips for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay
Summarize the main similarities and differences you have identified. Make a point regarding the relationship between your subjects. 4. Things to Remember. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when writing your compare and contrast essay: Ensure you are comparing or contrasting the same criteria between each subject.
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
1. Begin by Brainstorming With a Venn Diagram. The best compare and contrast essays demonstrate a high level of analysis. This means you will need to brainstorm before you begin writing. A Venn diagram is a great visual tool for brainstorming compare and contrast essay topics.
How to Write a Comparison Essay From Start to Finish
Step One: Begin at the beginning. Every essay needs an introduction, and a compare and contrast essay is no different. Your comparative essay introduction should include: An introduction of each topic. Briefly explain to your reader what each topic is. A thesis statement.
5 Key Steps to Writing an Exceptional Compare and Contrast Essay
Here are 5 essential steps to help you create a top-notch compare and contrast paper. See how they help you plan and write a paper with great content and critical thinking. Step 1: Choose a Compare and Contrast Topic. A compare and contrast essay or paper analyzes 2 or more subjects for similarities and differences.
9 Easy Steps for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay
Step 4: Create an Outline. Armed with your main points, you should now elevate your rough content into an outline. There are two main ways to structure a compare and contrast essay; the alternating method and the block method. Alternating Method: In this method, you alternate between one item and another, back and forth.
How To Write A Comparative Essay
Writing a great comparative essay means highlighting the similarities and differences between two things in a systematic manner. Start by choosing the parameters (items) to compare, write an outline, and fill in the details for each section. Make sure to have an introduction and conclusion. The comparative essay is one form of document that you ...
How to Write a Comparative Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Understanding the Comparative Analysis Essay Question. Before you begin writing, it's essential to grasp the nuances of the comparative analysis essay question you are tasked with. This question serves as the guiding principle for your entire essay. It will typically ask you to compare and contrast specific aspects of the subjects under ...
How to Write a Comparative Essay: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 5: Write your compare essay. After you have collected all the arguments, definitions, and materials for creating the paper, you are ready to write the college assignment. State the collected facts and details in your comparative essay. Write your point of view and dive into the details.
The Writing Process
Step 1: Prewriting. Step 2: Planning and outlining. Step 3: Writing a first draft. Step 4: Redrafting and revising. Step 5: Editing and proofreading. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the writing process.
How to Write a Comparative Essay
A comparative essay is an academic writing style that requires you to compare and contrast two or more subjects, ideas, or topics. The primary aim is to draw meaningful relationships and analyze the similarities and differences between them. To successfully write a comparative essay, follow the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide ...
A Comprehensive Guide On Writing Comparative Essays For Nursing
What are the 5 steps of writing a comparative essay? The five steps of writing a comparative essay are as follows: Selecting the subjects for comparison. Defining your purpose and thesis. Researching thoroughly to gather relevant information. Creating an outline to organize your essay's structure.
What are the steps to writing a comparative essay?
When writing a comparative essay, you need to identify your basis for comparison and contrast, choose the similarities and differences, develop your essay content, develop the structure, and establish your comparative essay.. Identify your basis for comparison and contrast. This way, you will better identify the main topic of your essay, and you can decide the particular interest you want to ...
What are the 5 steps of writing a comparative essay?
5 steps of writing a comparative essay are: Choose a subject to contrast and compare. Select the points of similarity and difference. Look for more evidence and data. Make an outline for your essay that includes a comparison and contrast.

How to Write a Comparative Essay – A Complete Guide

What is a Comparative Essay?

Comparative Essay Structure

How to Start a Comparative Essay?

Choose a Topic

Develop a List of Similarities and Differences

Establish the Basis for Comparison

Do the Research

Create an Outline

How to Write a Comparative Essay?

Comparative Essay Introduction

Comparative Essay Body Paragraphs

Comparative Essay Conclusion

Comparative Essay Examples

Comparative Essay Topics

Tips for Writing A Good Comparative Essay

Transition Words For Comparative Essays

Transition Words for Similarities

Transition Words for Differences

Frequently Asked Question

How do you end a comparative essay?

Keep reading

How to Write a Comparative Essay

Comparative Essay Outline and Example

How to Develop the Essay Content

How to Organize the Content

How to Write the Essay

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Tips for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

1. What Is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

2. Planning a Compare and Contrast Essay

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How to Write a Comparison Essay From Start to Finish

Step Zero: Laying the groundwork: Pick two topics

Step One: Begin at the beginning

Writing a good thesis statement

Step Two: Research time.

Step Three: Pick your poison.

Block Method

When should you use each type of essay structure?

Step Four: The comparison or contrast touches

Step Five: Bring it home.

FAQ Section

How long should a comparison essay be?

Can I compare more than two topics in one essay?

What if I can't find enough similarities or differences?

A Foolproof Editing Checklist to Take Your Work from 0 to 100

5 Key Steps to Writing an Exceptional Compare and Contrast Essay

It isn’t complicated.

Step 1: Choose a Compare and Contrast Topic

Step 2: Select Similarities and Differences