Comparative Essay

What is it, and how to write it.

1. positions on an issue (e.g., responses to
midwifery in Canada and the United A comparative essay asks that you compare at
States) least two (possibly more) items. These items
will differ depending on the assignment
2. theories (e.g., capitalism and communism)
3. figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and
Britain)
4. texts (e.g., Shakespeare’s Hamlet and
Macbeth)
5. Pictures or Art (e.g., Van Gogh’s paintings
before and after his asylum)
6. events (e.g., the Great Depression and the
global financial crisis of 2008–9)
Comparing and The First step- Observe each
book/article/movie/photo minutely

Contrasting Jot down the highlights- do this for each piece

Can you see similarities? Can you see contrast? Jot

You can focus on the similarities them down separately
between the two items, on the
differences, or on both the similarities The main focus of a comparative essay is Analysis.
and the differences. Your goal is to That must reflect. In-depth understanding of each
show—in a meaningful way—how piece is crucial
these items are similar or different,
what their strengths and weaknesses
are, or what their advantages and
disadvantages are
What Next? Once you have listed similarities and differences, decide
whether the similarities on the whole outweigh the
differences or vice versa. Create a thesis statement that
reflects their relative weights. A more complex thesis will
usually include both similarities and differences. Here are
examples of the two main cases:

1. Differences outweigh similarities: While Callaghan’s “All

the Years of Her Life” and Mistry’s “Of White Hairs and
Cricket” both follow the conventions of the coming-of-age
narrative, Callaghan’s story adheres more closely to these
conventions by allowing its central protagonist to mature.
In Mistry’s story, by contrast, no real growth occurs.

2. Similarities outweigh differences: Although Darwin and

Lamarck came to different conclusions about whether
acquired traits can be inherited, they shared the key
distinction of recognizing that species evolve over time.
Structure of the Essay There are two basic ways to organize a comparison
essay—the block method and the point-by-point
method.

1. Block Method

Present one subject and all its points of

comparison. Then do the same for the second
subject. Discuss each subject completely
without interruption

2. Point-by-point Method

Include both subjects in one point of

comparison before moving on to the next point
of comparison
BLOCK METHOD P-by-P METHOD
Paragraph 1: Introduction Thesis: There are two
solid options for data storage, each with pros and Paragraph 1: Introduction Thesis: There are two solid options
cons for data storage, each with pros and cons.

Paragraph 2: Cloud data storage Paragraph 2: Cost

cloud data storage

Cost
traditional data storage
ease of use
Paragraph 3: Ease of use
reliability
cloud data storage
Paragraph 3: Traditional data storage
traditional data storage
Cost
Paragraph 4: Reliability
ease of use cloud data storage

reliability traditional data storage

Paragraph 4: Conclusion Paragraph 5: Conclusion

P-by-P Method OR Alternating Method does
a better job of highlighting similarities and
differences by juxtaposing your points about
A and B. It also tends to produce a more
tightly integrated and analytical paper.
Consider the alternating method if you are
able to identify clearly related points
between A and B. Otherwise, if you attempt
to impose the alternating method, you will
probably find it counterproductive.
The block method is particularly useful in the
following cases:
• You are unable to find points about A and B that are
closely related to each other.
• Your ideas about B build upon or extend your ideas
about A. •
You are comparing three or more subjects as
opposed to the traditional two.
Class Exercise

Fin.