how to start a comparison essay example

how to start a comparison essay example

How to Write an Effective Comparison Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Introduction to Comparison Essays

Comparison essays are a key component of many college assignments, applying to a wide variety of subjects including language arts and their respective literature, liberal arts, arts, and design professions, as well as any disciplines in the realms of research science or business and social management. Students majoring in computer science, mass media, and broadcast journalism should also know how to compose a comparison essay. A critical aspect of comparison essays is to discuss how using a criterion-based grading system and the art of structure and text design behind the essay is worth the most credit to the final grade received for the paper.

This essay guide will illustrate how to write comparison essays that are successful in terms of text design, art, and structure for a higher final grade. In the paper, the text’s organization determines the art of an A+ essay greatly. The guide builds on the consensus of the academic world: the power of using standards to assess the importance of something. Additionally, this guide lists actual, published essay-writing conceptual frameworks that are sourced in practical criteria, and include examples of using those criteria in real-world practice. Finally, this guide details how to establish criteria, gather information, and structure a comparison strategy to produce the essay.

2. Choosing a Topic and Establishing a Thesis Statement

Before sitting down to write this paper, you need to decide whether you are going to be talking about two separate things or if you are going to explore how two certain things relate and invite discussion based on those things. The next thing you need to do is pick out what those two things are and whether or not they are going to be similar or different, and whether or not you are writing about the positive or negative aspects of the two. Once those things are established, you are going to write what your thesis statement is. This will cover what it is exactly and end with what I will be talking about with each piece of this paper.

This effectively covers what it is exactly that you are going to be talking about, and it will effectively cover what is being covered in the paper by the end of your thesis. This will lead and guide the decision-making process that will lead to a successful paper being written in the first place. If you do not have a clear topic and purpose in your mind, it is very likely that the reader will be confused with what is being shown to them. You don’t want your reader to be confused because you did not have enough purpose and direction. In order to continue with your paper, pick a topic and direction, and be sure that this is presented in the appropriate areas. For instance, don’t pick a thesis for an argumentative first paragraph!

3. Structuring Your Essay: Point-by-Point vs. Block Method

There are two approaches to structuring a comparison essay: the point-by-point method and the block method. Both methods allow you to discuss similar aspects in different texts or topics, but the method you choose will largely depend on your objective.

A comparison essay can either focus on similarities or differences. These are the key words to keep in mind when deciding which method to use. Comparing things focuses on similarities, while contrasting discusses differences.

Tips: – Point-by-point structure: After you have introduced and explained your topics, use each paragraph to discuss a single point of comparison between the two topics. (Circle the topic of the paragraph in the margin alongside a ‘P’.) For example, “One point of important comparison between the two essays is the…” The effect of this point in the first topic is…” In the corresponding paragraph of the second text…” – After collecting your points, use subsequent paragraphs to discuss further points. This method is not effective unless there are many clear comparisons to discuss.

– Block structure: Different points of comparison are discussed for each text in turn. Begin with a brief discussion of the topic, and then compare/contrast throughout the paragraph. It is essential to make it clear which text you are discussing at all times.

4. Incorporating Evidence and Examples

One of your primary jobs in a comparison essay – in any argumentative essay – is to provide evidence to back up the various claims you make. Some types of evidence give more support to a claim than others do. The most authoritative type of evidence comes from experts in the field. This might be from scholarly journals or published books, or it might be from newspapers and articles of general interest. No opinion can match the authority of a statement or research study from an expert on a particular subject. Another type of evidence is factual information. This is also generally accepted, though it is less exact than the kind of evidence that comes directly from experts. Sometimes experts disagree about facts, and the facts may also be open to debate. A third type of evidence comes from personal interviews and/or observations. In some cases, you may be an “expert” because of your own experience (though you would still need to back up your opinions with “hard” evidence from the other sources).

Writers often use personal examples in the body of the paper to support their arguments. These can be moving personal stories that make the gorge rise, but you do not have them at your disposal – in which case, suggest your reader turns his gaze to a particular picture or friend. The point is that you pass on to him or her something of the excitement you felt when you were there and witnessed it. It is fine, however, if the body of your essay is primarily symbolic or abstract – it merely has to convince the reader that what you are saying is true.

5. Crafting a Strong Conclusion

The conclusion focuses on the summary of the main thoughts and the outcomes of a comparison or contrast essay. Often, a conclusion states an opinion about the two subjects, explains or gives ideas, and leaves a lasting impression to make a statement about the essay’s success or subjects’ importance. When you write the conclusion of your comparison essay, you will want to write as many of the following as you can in order to impress the reader.

Question: What is the purpose of a conclusion in a comparison or contrast essay? How is it different from an introduction?

Answer: The conclusion tells the reader the points or ideas they need to reconsider. The introduction soothes the reader into the essay by telling how it all started. The conclusion provides the reader with a mirror of their experience during the essay.

The last paragraph of a comparison or contrast essay should suggest a sense of completeness and the significance of the most important point. After creating a thesis statement, the conclusion is the next step. It should be summed up and the thesis statement re-stated. Write down the key ideas for the body of your essay. All of these points are supporting your thesis statement. In your essay, describe each idea, point by point, in a paragraph or section. Lower the ends of the two sections. In two to four sentences, write a summary of the main point on the topic. That will ultimately be the thesis of your essay. This helps to find the words and phrases, as well as ideas, that match both subjects. It helps convey a sense of the importance of the two subjects under comparison.