10 Easy Steps to Writing a Comparative Essay

Step 1: Themes and Issues a) What are the key themes or issues that you observed in your primary text? b) Make a brainstorm web of these BIG IDEAS (the one that ends up interesting you the most will eventually become your topic).

Step 2: Similarities and Differences List the similarities and differences that you observe between the two texts that you are comparing for your essay. List them in a T-Chart. One text will be referred to as Text A the other will be referred to as Text B. Text A Text B

Step 3: Analysis Incorporate your analysis into the comparisons that you have done in Step 2. For example, if you are incorporating a literary criticism, discuss its presence for the relevant comparisons. If you are planning on reviewing archetypes in your essays, discuss how they are relevant in your comparisons of both texts, etc. Comparison 1)

Comparison 2)

Comparison 3)

Comparison 4)

Comparison 5)

ETC.

Step 4: Theme vs. Analysis Reflect on how your theme fits into your analysis from Step 3. For example. if your theme is The Quest for Identity, and your literary criticism that you are using to conduct your analysis is Feminist Criticism, then perhaps you could consider how social norms from the time period of your text play a role in the female character finding her femininity and independence: thus, her identity.

Step 5: Brainstorm Create a brainstorm web, to list as many ideas as you think you will explore in your essay. Try not to over-think it. Get your creative-juices flowing! Put your topic in the middle.

Step 6: Group Group similar ideas together using a highlighter or place symbols beside similar ideas. For example, if you notice that your ideas are naturally being grouped into before, during or after, or men, women and children, place the same symbol (**) or highlight all of the men ideas, then the women ideas, and then the children ideas. Step 7: Method Choose your method. A comparative essay can be structured in three different ways. You must choose one. The Letter represents your text while the number represents your arguments. Method 1: Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 A1,B1 A2,B2 A3,B3 Method 2: Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5 Paragraph 6 A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 B3 Method 3: Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5 Paragraph 6 A1 B1 A2 B2 A3 B3

Step 8: Thesis Create a Thesis. This can be broken down into specific parts to help you come up with a clear and concise message for your essay. Topic (Big Idea): Stance (Yes or No): Link (ex// because): Argument #1: Argument #2: Argument #3: Step 9: Outline Create an outline using either a separate sheet of paper or an essay graphic organizer. Outline all of your topic sentences, then your points and last your proof. NOTE: Important Question: Does each topic sentence PROVE my BIG IDEA on its own? A good topic sentence (Argument) and thesis is like a mathematical equation. Argument 1 =Thesis (Supports thesis or demonstrates that it is true) Point 1 + Proof 1 = Argument Point 2 + Proof 2 = Argument Point 3 + Proof 3 = Argument This model should exist for each argument (or your three paragraphs). Step 10: Write! Go ahead and write your essay. Dont forget about the stages of writing, and ensure that you leave time for thorough editing!