Comparative essays are relatively new in the VCE curriculum, and most learners might be unfamiliar with them. They can be a source of confusion but are not impossible to master. Like other essays, structure is the most important part of a comparative essay to ensure you have the right end result.
If you’re staring down a comparative essay and don’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through the steps necessary for a good end product.
What is a Comparative Essay?
Comparative essays are a form of academic writing that examines the similarities and differences between two ideas. They are commonly used by college students and students involved in fields of research or education to support their theories about an issue, text, event, or other text. Comparative essays are also referred to as compare-and-contrast essays.
In the comparative essay, the student is given two or more subjects to determine their similarities or differences. They must clarify the reasons to their audience through a detailed and well-supported composition. Students in years 10, 11, and 12 taking General English will likely encounter a comparative essay. However, it’s also not unusual for students in younger grades to be asked to write comparative essays or have similar assignments in other subjects, such as writing a history essay.
The Purpose of a Comparative Essay
Students should understand the purpose of a comparative essay to ensure it captures its essence perfectly when writing.
A comparative essay’s fundamental purpose is to systematically elaborate on the similarities and differences between two things.
An effective and well-detailed comparative essay should give the reader better clarity about the nature and properties of the things being compared. The essay could also serve as the basis for deciding in favour of one or another thing.
A comparative essay does not make a case for either of the two things being compared. Instead, it sets up the comparison so that the reader obtains as much information about the two things as possible, and they can make a case or choose what they want themselves.
Comparative Essay Models
When tackling a comparative essay, there are several models you can use to set up your comparison as effectively as possible. These models include:
Venn Diagrams
The Venn diagram is a classic that most students are familiar with. It features a model of two overlapping circles, each circle belonging to one item of comparison. The similarities between the two items go in the overlapping middle zone, and the features that are not shared go in the outer areas.
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When using the Venn diagram model, you should remember 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.
When it comes to similarities, you won’t need to worry about symmetry because you will list the same thing for both items of comparison, and you only have to list it once in the overlapping zone.
The Dialectical Method
The dialectical method is essential in the discipline of philosophy and has been used to great effect. It involves holding two ideas or items in tension to better clarify the ideals and their dynamic relationship.
The first idea is called the thesis, and the second one is called the antithesis. Comparing the two ideas allows one to see similarities and contradictions.
Comparative Essay Structure
Comparative essays, like other essays, must have an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Although you can structure the essay in several ways, the elements remain the same.
Introduction
In a comparative essay, the introduction should include an overview and short synopsis of the texts you’re comparing, your thesis statement and an outline of your arguments.
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs contain all the evidence and arguments and are by far the longest part of your essay. In the body, you also compare and analyse the texts.
Conclusion
The conclusion should not introduce any new information but rather summarise your arguments and restate your thesis.
How to Write a Comparative Essay
Introduction
The introduction is as important as the body, if not more important. It sets the tone for the rest of the essay and captures the reader’s attention. The introduction should be carefully thought out and put together.
The introduction must be the right length, considering that it should also include your thesis statement and outline of your arguments. It shouldn’t be too long or too short.
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A good practice is to keep your introduction about 10% of your total word count. Because the introduction is the first thing readers will see, it should address the overall question with clarity, and you can do this in your thesis statement.
The Body Paragraph
In the body of the essay, you can have two to four paragraphs, depending on the essay’s word count. Each paragraph should only surround one argument or idea that supports your thesis. You can choose one of two ways to structure the body of the essay:
- Compare and contrast both texts in the same paragraph for each idea
- Dedicate paragraphs to each text individually
Either method is acceptable, but you should be aware of some limitations. In the first method, you should evenly analyse both texts. You cannot appear to favour one side over the other. It is also essential to remember to analyse in adequate depth to support your argument when using this method.
With option two, you should also remember that you are comparing both sides of the text. The best way to do this is to use comparative texts such as, however, in contrast, and conversely among others to ensure you’re still meeting the requirements of this type of essay.
Conclusion
The most important factor to remember in your conclusion is that it should not introduce any new arguments but rather summarise what you’ve already covered in the body and up to that point, including restating the essay’s arguments.
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Like the introduction, you should aim to keep your conclusion approximately 10% of our overall word count. Like the introduction, the conclusion is a vital part of the essay, and being the last thing a reader sees, it should give them a lasting impression and be difficult to forget.
Comparative Essay Writing Tips
Comparative essay writing is something that students can easily master. However, with a few tips, the learning process can be easier, and students can easily organise their thoughts and transfer them to their writing.
- Students should create a well-structured outline that helps them stay focused and ensure that their arguments flow logically from one point to the next.
- Don’t forget to always link back to your thesis statement
- Keep making references as you go. Do not leave it to the last minute because it is easy to forget
- Emphasise the differences and similarities, and ensure you clearly highlight the differences and similarities between the two subjects.
- Include concrete examples to illustrate your points and make your writing more persuasive.
Closing Remarks
Comparative essays can be challenging for students at first. Still, after grasping the essay’s structure and outline and outlining their thoughts and ideas, students should find it much easier to write and capture their thoughts backed up with references and data.
