How to write a comparative essay

The writing of comparative essays is a task that Philosophy is almost always responsible for. It consists of giving the written opinion about two positions, which are compared among them to reach a final conclusion. Do you know how to write a comparative essay ? In .com we explain step by step how to do it.

Steps to follow:

one

First of all, you have to be clear about what topics you will deal with in your essay : what you want to explain and under what positions or perspectives you will do it.

two

It begins with an observation of a general nature that establishes the similarity between the two subjects, then passes the focus of the essay to the concrete (exact). The reader must understand what points will be examined and what points will not be examined in the comparison. At the end of the introduction, state your preference or describe the meaning of the two subjects.

3

Next, you must describe the first position you are going to discuss. Make a detailed exposition of its characteristics, its history, its consequences and all the development that you consider appropriate. Continue your comparative essay should expose the characteristics of the second position on what you want to speak. It deepens as much as in the first.

4

Examples of how to write a comparative essay

  • Paragraph 1: Messi's preferred position / Ronaldo's preferred position.
  • Paragraph 2: Messi individual game style / Ronaldo individual game style.
  • Paragraph 3: Messi aerial game / Ronaldo aerial game.

Another example:

  • Paragraph 1: Teamwork of Messi.
  • Paragraph 2: Teamwork of Ronaldo.
  • Paragraph 3: Messi stopped ball.
  • Paragraph 4: Ronaldo stopped ball.
  • Paragraph 5: Achievements of Messi.
  • Paragraph 6: Ronaldo's achievements.

5

You must write a final closing paragraph, by way of conclusion, in which you expose a confrontation between the two positions. Try to create a fight between them so that the reader gets involved. The conclusion should give a brief and general summary of the most important similarities and differences. It must end with a personal statement, an opinion, and the "what then?" - what is important about the two things that are compared.

It should leave readers feeling that all the different threads of this essay have been put together in a coherent way, that they have learned something - and should be sure that this is the end - that they do not look around to look for pages missing.

6

And finally, your personal assessment . In it you must expose with what stance you stand in solidarity and why you prefer it to the other. Reason your argument considering all your previous exposition.

Tips
  • You must be consistent with the exposition of your ideas.
  • The essays are always subjective, so you have to make it very clear which position convinces you the most.
  • If time is not a problem, the best way to review the essay is to leave it for a day. Go for a walk, eat something, have fun and forget. Then it's time to go back to the text, find problems and solve them. This must be done separately, that is, first find all the problems you can without correcting them. Although the idea of ​​doing it at the same time is tempting, it is smarter to do it separately. Effective and fast.