Essay writing is an essential skill that helps you demonstrate your knowledge and view on a topic. Your professor will assign you to write a comparative essay to evaluate your subject knowledge, and analytic and research skills. Knowing how to write an essay will sharpen your writing skills and improve your performance. Continue reading this blog to learn how to write a compelling piece.
What is a comparative analysis essay?
A comparative analysis essay is an academic essay that analyses two or more subjects with the same relation by discussing their similarities and differences. The paper helps the reader to identify how the subjects are similar and where they diverge. Support your findings with empirical data and provide examples to prove your position.
The purpose of a comparative essay is to;
- Analyze two subjects and explain their advantages and disadvantages
- Provide the reader with great clarity
- Outline the similarities and differences
How to write a comparative essay?
Knowing how to write a comparative analysis essay helps you gain knowledge on the topic, improve your analytic skills, and practice your research skills. Below are steps for writing a comparative essay;
- Read the instructions
Before writing the essay, read and analyze the question or prompt and check for limits.
- Select a topic
If your professor has not provided, choose an interesting theme to motivate the reader to know more about the subjects.
- Brainstorm
Brainstorm and list similarities and differences between the two subjects you will include in your essay. This list will help you decide on the basis of comparison and evaluate your thesis statement and argument.
- Establish the basis of comparison.
Identify the bases for comparison from the prompt and follow it throughout the paper. If your assignment’s instruction does not specify the basis, select at least three points and establish if you need a broad or a detailed comparison.
- Research
Conduct in-depth research about your subjects using credible sources and cite them properly. Research while noting the key points and relevant references to avoid missing vital information.
- Formulate a thesis statement.
Create a concise thesis statement informing the reader about your primary purpose and reasons for choosing the basis of comparison. It decides if the similarities dominate the differences or vice versa.
- Develop an outline
Develop an essay outline to help you organize relevant information about the subjects. An outline enables you to structure your paper and enhance a logical flow of information. You can use bullet points to list relevant information about the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. You can structure your essay using a point-by-point or block pattern, which depends on your organization.
- Compose your essay
Once you have a detailed outline, start composing your essay using the outline as a guide.
- The introduction paragraph
The introduction paragraph is the first part that the reader sees. Therefore, begin with an attention grabber to capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to continue reading. Then, provide some background information and end the paragraph with a thesis statement.
- Body paragraphs
The body paragraph provides all the relevant information the reader wants. Begin each section with a topic sentence explaining the main idea you will discuss in the entire paragraph. Provide similarities and differences between the subjects at a similar weight and use linking words and phrases to enhance a narrative flow. Then, you should provide facts and evidence to support your arguments.
- The conclusion paragraph
End your essay with a conclusion paragraph summarizing your main points and restating the thesis statement. Also, state the relevance of the comparison to remind the reader of the significance of the main topic. Finally, provide a strong closing statement that leaves the reader with a final impression or a thought-provoking insight.
- Proofread ad edit
Once you are done composing your work, review it to correct errors that may interfere with readability.
Comparative essay outline
You can structure your comparative essay in two ways depending on the organization; organization by criteria (point-by-point pattern) and organization by item (block pattern). Below are different outlines that you can use while writing your essay;
- Point-by-point essay outline
Point-by-point pattern discusses similarities and differences one by one. You should evaluate each point on particular criteria, followed by the next issue against another.
- Introduction
- Hook statement
- Introduce the topic
- Thesis statement
- The body paragraph
- The first paragraph
- Topic sentence
- The first argument about the first subject and its analysis
- The first argument about the second subject and its analysis
- The second paragraph
- Topic sentence
- The second argument about the first subject and its analysis
- The second argument about the second subject and its analysis
- The third paragraph
- Topic sentence
- The third argument about the first subject and its analysis
- The third argument about the second subject and its analysis
- Conclusion
- Summarize the main points
- Provide the relevance of the subjects
- Strong closing statement
- Block method outline
Block pattern discusses one subject and its analysis in one paragraph and the next subject in the next paragraph. You can use this method when comparing more than two subjects or if your subjects have no apparent relation.
- Introduction
- Hook statement
- Introduce the topic
- Thesis statement
- The body paragraphs
- The first paragraph
- Topic sentence
- The first argument about the first subject and its analysis
- The second argument about the first subject and its analysis
- The third argument about the first subject and its analysis
- The second paragraph
- Topic sentence
- The first argument about the second subject and its analysis
- The second argument about the second subject and its analysis
- The third argument about the second subject and its analysis
- The third paragraph
- Explain the comparison in the first and second body paragraph
- Clarify any ambiguity or confusion
- Provide real-life application of evidence and facts you discussed
- Conclusion
- Summarize the main points you discussed
- State the relevance of the subjects
- Strong closing statement
Comparative essay example
Topic: Convectional vs. alternative medicine
Science has improved the quality of many services and products. However, traditional methods are still used in various spheres of life including medicine. Along with conventional medicine based on science and technology, there is alternative medicine which are practices that were established long ago. These two methods have proved their effectiveness since they have a long-standing history.
These two methods differ in their approach to diagnosis. Conventional medicine deals with every abnormality independently separate from an individual personality or the environment. On the other hand, alternative medicine relates the body to the environment, and an imbalance between the two leads to diseases. It sees health as a long process; people should maintain proper nutrition, mental exercise, and body care to live healthily.
Conventional medicine relies on surgery and treatment while also considering these principles, making it practical for managing critical conditions but less efficient in healing chronic illness. Alternative medicine is affordable compared to conventional medicine and guarantees more robust and stable results. It also requires a lot of time and commitment to heal and hence does not guarantee positive results quickly.
Conventional medicine relies on chemically made drugs and trusts scientifically approved treatment and diagnosis methods. On the other hand, alternative medicine uses natural components such as herbs and ancient practices of dealing with illnesses, such as yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, massage, acupuncture, etc.
In conclusion, conventional and alternative medicine differ in understanding and treatment of diseases. Conventional medicine focuses more on a quick fix which makes it very effective in treating critical conditions and uses scientifically approved treatment and diagnosis methods. While alternative medicine sees the environment and the body as a holistic system, diseases occur due to the imbalance of the two and rely on natural components and ancient techniques.
Comparative essay topics
Selecting a topic is the first step while writing an essay influencing the writing process. The following are unique ideas that you may consider while writing a comparative essay;
- Is freedom better than liberty?
- Males vs. females
- Compare real and nominal GDP
- Differentiate oral and written communication
- Qualitative vs. quantitative data
- Which is healthier, running or swimming?
- Compare and contrast public and private school
- Is a virus infection worse than a bacterial infection?
- Differentiate Samsung phones and Apple phones
- Which is better, flying or driving?
- Which is more effective in losing weight, dieting or exercising?
- What do people prefer, fiction or non-fiction?
- How was sport performed before and after COVID-19?
- How is philosophy defined in Greece versus Russia?
- How to differentiate good and poor economy
- Morning exercise vs. evening exercise
- High-school vs. college parties
- Which is a healthier choice between cake and ice cream?
- Compare and contrast Obama’s and Trump’s presidencies
- Life in Japan before and after World War 11
Final word
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