Q&A for How to Write a Comparative Essay

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What is a comparative essay?

Christopher Taylor, PhD
English Professor
Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Christopher Taylor, PhD

English Professor

Expert Answer

A comparative essay asks you to compare (and usually contrast) two or more items. The items you compare can range from texts to arguments to positions on an issue, and more.

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Question

What is a comparative essay outline?

Christopher Taylor, PhD
English Professor
Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Christopher Taylor, PhD

English Professor

Expert Answer

There is no specific outline form for a comparative essay. You can choose any style of outline that helps organize the way you plan to discuss the similarities between your two items.

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Question

How do you form an argument for an essay?

Christopher Taylor, PhD
English Professor
Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Christopher Taylor, PhD

English Professor

Expert Answer

Start by making sure you understand the specific directions of your assignment. Then list the similarities and differences between your central items and look for patterns in order to find an argument.

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Question

How do I start a comparative essay on water and oil?

Community Answer

It depends. Are you comparing their uses, their properties or something else? Just take what you are comparing and, in effect, summarize what your argument/s are going to be. So for example: Imagine living in a world without water? Now one without oil... Which one is worse? Water and oil are both non-renewable resources that our planet is quickly running out of. Saving water, however, should be prioritized as water is the basis for most life on earth.

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How do I start my compare and contrast about extrovert vs introvert?

Community Answer

You could start by defining the terms and talk about how the two different types function in society.

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How often do I compare?

Community Answer

In general (but depending on the length and topic of the essay), there should be 3-4 points of comparison. Whenever a point is made about one topic it should be compared with a directly linked point from the other topic.

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Question

But how do you compare the two subjects?

Community Answer

Make lists of the subjects' similarities and differences. Discuss them in your essay.

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Question

How do I write an introductory paragraph comparing three different texts?

Community Answer

It's always a good idea to start with an outline. An introduction simply tells the reader what the paper is going to be about. Introduce your topic: which texts are you comparing and why? What point are you trying to make?

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Question

Can I start my introduction with the hook?

Afriasia A. Bermúdez-Crespín

Community Answer

That's exactly what you should do! When you start your intro with an attention-grabbing sentence, you're keeping your reader's attention.

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How do I start my introduction?

Community Answer

Add some background information about the topic, and how what you are comparing are similar, such as characteristics or behaviors.

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Question

How do I start a comparative essay?

Community Answer

Begin with something that draws the reader in, and makes them want to read the paper. Then, introduce the topics you are comparing.

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Question

How do I compare two arguments?

Ravenwolf123

Community Answer

Look at the problem, question, or topic at hand. Put yourself into the place of each side of the argument. Look at the two contrasting opinions and try to see the reason in each of them. What is similar? What about the arguments is dissimilar? Is one argument superior to the other?

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Question

Should I write the differences in one paragraph when writing a comparative essay?

Community Answer

Generally, in a comparative essay, you should have two separate paragraphs for each passage you are going to compare/contrast.

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Question

How do I compare schools in an essay?

Community Answer

It is in the same format as any other comparative essay, remember to use comparative words though such as 'whereas', 'compared to', 'whilst one was', 'even though' or 'on the other hand'.

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