How To Write A Comparison/Critical Analysis Essay
A comparative analysis compares two or more things, for instance "two texts, two theories, two historical figures, two scientific processes, and so on.†A comparative analysis can be about two similar things that have crucial differences or two similar things with crucial difference yet have surprising commonalities.
Below are some guidelines on how to construct a comparative analysis essay:
Make An Argument
A comparative analysis requires you to make an argument. You will need to describe or define two elements but the heart of the paper comes with your argument about how they compare. Do not put too much effort on describing each element, rather focus on making an argument about how the two compare.
Constructing And Structuring The Paper
In order to come up with a good comparative analysis essay, you need to take your raw data, the similarities and differences observed and make them cohere into a meaningful argument. You can use a few approaches here:
- Comparative Approaches
- Basic comparative approach: weigh A and B equally
- Lens Approach: weigh A less heavily than B, use A as a lens through which to view B. Lens comparisons are useful for illuminating, critiquing, or challenging the stability of a thing that seemed understandable before the analysis.
Organizing The Paper
There are two basic ways to organize your paper
- In text-by-text, you discuss all of A, then all of B
- In point-by-point, you alternate points about A with comparable points about B
If you think that B extends A, you can use the text-by-text scheme. If you think A and B are engaged in a debate then a point-by-point scheme will draw attention to the conflict. Regardless of which organizational scheme you choose, note that your paper will be much more interesting if you get to the heart of your argument.
Linking
In a comparative analysis, the thesis depends on how the two things that you have chosen to compare actually relate to one another. Do they corroborate, extend, contradict, complicate, correct, or debate one another? You should include a clear thesis on your introduction that places the comparative argument right up front.
Using A Frame Of Reference
A frame of reference is the context within which you place the two things you want to compare and contrast. In other words, you have grouped the two items you have chosen under the umbrella. The frame of reference may consist of a question, problem, theory, theme, or idea. The best frames of reference are constructed from specific sources rather than your own thoughts or observations. Most assignments tell you what the frame of reference is and most courses provide sources for constructing it.