How to write the best comparative essay
Crafting an essay requires a perfect combination of vocabulary, creativity and agility. There are different kinds of essays which, though follow the same basic foundation, are meant for different purposes. Comparative essays are one such kind that, as suggested by the name, are used to compare two or more aspects of a certain topic. These are commonly confused with argumentative essays. However, you must understand the difference between the two.
Argumentative essays aim at analyzing two sides of an issue and then representing the author’s point of views with valid reasoning. On the other hand, comparative essays aim at showcasing the assets and liabilities of two sides without biasing at any one so that the reader has full liberty to choose whichever he considers best.
Comparative essays are used in many sectors due to its ease of representing contrasting data in the same piece of writing. Hence, it is important for an aspiring student who wishes to score well in an interview. The skill of writing a comparative essay will also help you to present your researched topic in a wholesome manner. This type of essay will give you a strong hold over a meeting where you are supposed to lead.
In this article, I will explain how to write a comparative essay step by step. There are no strict rules while doing so but these tips will make the whole process easier.
1. Read comparative essays.
There is no fixed tone that is to be followed and neither is there any tough format. However, simply putting across facts one after the other can be boring for the reader. You have to learn how to state facts in a creative manner without biasing your views. This is exactly why I suggest you read other comparative essays. You will find amazing comparative essays at any techy websites where they review two or more products simultaneously.
2. Research about the topics
In a comparative essay, it is essential to study both the advantages and disadvantages of all the topics you are supposed to write about. Since facts are the most important aspect of this essay, you are supposed to research thoroughly and rely on only trusted sources. If you are not sure about a certain fact, then it is better not to include it in your essay. Remember that the reader may make a decision based on your essay. As a writer, never lose your credibility among readers.
3. Arrange data in tabular form
Once you have researched your topic well, I suggest you arrange all the information in the form of a table. This table will help you to clearly identify all the differences and similarities among the chosen variants. If you visit any of the product review sites, you must have come across such a table place just above the essay. This is to give an overview of the concept to the reader who doesn’t have enough time and prefers skimming through your essay. If the reader feels attracted by the table’s objective, he further begins reading your essay to get a detailed description of each of the points. However, it is not necessary to place your table above the essay because it might decrease the chances of your essay being read. This table could be more useful while writing the essay and not as a supplement.
4. Explain each variant
The table you drew in step three is your reference while formatting your essay. You are now supposed to expand each point, whether difference or similarity, in detail. The table only briefs you about every aspect but the readers are looking for information all at once and you are supposed to provide that. Do not just expand the titles but talk about why each point is similar or different.
5. Follow a sequence
Mostly, I have noticed, that writers get confused while talking about one aspect and tend to move to the previous or upcoming aspect because they happen to be interlinked. This confuses the readers and they decide not to read. Basically, a haphazard way of writing makes your essay super undesirable since it creates more confusion than what already existed. It is important for you to decide which aspects are dependent on each other and hence, those should be discussed first in the essay.
6. Do not make it boring
A systematic approach is essential but does not keep listing each point one after the other in a dragged and monotonous tone. It is wiser to explain the similarities first and then go on to the differences, comparing each aspect one by one. You can add your short remarks here and there. However, these remarks should be extremely short and should not deviate the reader from the actual topic.
7. Include advantages and disadvantages
The assets and liabilities are the core of every comparative essay. People read these essay because they are not able to select one of the variants and the aim of this essay is to simplify the understanding of the benefits and issues. You might add your remarks here such as ‘Apple could have done better’ or ‘Samsung improved most of their shortcomings in this version’. Remember that the remarks help keep the reader on track in a fun way and should not belong to or overcome the true meaning of any sentence.
8. Introduction
In the first paragraph, you should give a brief description of every topic you will be covering in your comparative essay. Many writers feel the need to accommodate the similarities among the variants in the first paragraph itself. This is because while writing product reviews, authors feel that the readers are looking for the differences rather than the similarities since the latter may already be known. For instance, two successive products of Apple may have similar appearance or features which the reader might have found out about. The introduction will help the reader to assert his prior conclusions.
9.The body of the essay
The first paragraph makes the reader feel at ease with what he already knows or clarifies any prior misconceptions. However, now the readers want to know what features the latest product has. Basically, you are supposed to compare all the variants using the differences in the second paragraph which is also called a body of the essay. Each difference might have an advantage or disadvantage which should be discussed alongside each point.
10. Conclusion
By now, you are already done with the statement of facts and comparison of variants. The ultimate objective of this essay to compare and let the reader know which variant is better in terms of certain parameters. Once, you finish describing each aspect, the reader will have to make a choice.
Hence, in the final paragraph, you supposed to conclude your essay by reviewing one variant as better. In other words, state the variant with more advantages as superior. Remember that you cannot incline towards one variant without proven facts.
Comparative essays are widely used to discuss various topics and being able to write one is an ability any employer would seek for in his potential employee. However, comparative essays are much easier to weave out rather than argumentative essays because the former is based on absolute facts. You just need a little bit of creativity to arrange all the necessary facts in a sequence.
