LibGuides: Comparative Analysis Guide: Home

Comparative analysis

A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare:

positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States)
theories (e.g., capitalism and communism)
figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and Britain)
texts (e.g., Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth)
events (e.g., the Great Depression and the global financial crisis of 2008–9)

Although the assignment may say “compare,” the assumption is that you will consider both the similarities and differences; in other words, you will compare and contrast.

From "The comparative essay", Vikki Visvis & Jerry Plotnick, in Writing Advice, University of Toronto, accessed 5/06/2017, <http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/comparative-essay/>

Literary Comparison

A literary comparison essay is an essay that examines two or more works in relation to one another. It examines a select set of similarities and differences. When reading for analysis, you are not reading for a surface understanding, you are reading to understand why things happen and what the deeper meaning behind a character is, or a setting, or an event.

Block vs Point-by-point Comparative Essay Structure

To deconstruct the topic thoroughly: rewrite the topic in your own words; ask questions of the topic; brainstorm ideas, list your key points in order to ensure that you do not ignore any key element of the topic. Consider which quotations and/or specific text references you can draw on to illustrate and illuminate your key points. Order your points to allow for a logical and cohesive discussion and ensure that you have selected enough examples and quotations for each text to enable sufficient comparison to unfold.

Harvard Writing Center: How to write a comparative analysis
An article outlining the five elements required to write a good compare-and-contrast essay.
Using Textual Evidence
A collection of tips on quoting and using textual evidence and the technique of close reading, as well as some basic literary terminology you may find helpful to know.

Literary devices and terms
List of literary devices with detailed definition and examples.
Author's craft: Literary devices
A useful website that explains the use of literary devices and their effects.
Compare and contrast transition words
Some compare and contrast transition words to help in your writing.
Comparative linking phrases
Some key phrases or words that you might want to use when linking sentences and paragraphs in a comparative analysis.
Transitioning - beware of velcro
A velcro transition will not persuade an essay's readers that they are in the hands of a serious writer with something serious to say.
Types of papers: Compare and contrast
To write a compare/contrast essay, you’ll need to make NEW connections and/or express NEW differences between two things.
Comparative essay terminology
Flashcards and audio - also links to a quiz.

Sample compare/contrast essays

Sample compare-contrast essay outline
A sample outline for an essay comparing and contrasting Achilles’ and Odysseus’ attitudes toward war. Although this sample mentions only one paragraph per topic sentence, you may have more than one paragraph supporting each main point.
Comparing two novels
How to compare two novels in a comparative essay with examples.