Comparison Essay

Here's a good working definition of COMPARISON WRITING: Holding up two alike, but not identical, objects or situations for the sake of discovering their similarities and differences with the objective of concluding that one is superior.

Content...

1. Choose two things as your subject. Not one. Not more than two. TWO things.

2. Choose two things that are categorically alike, but specifically different. They must be enough alike that they're comparable. Owning a horse compared to owning a guinea pig is NOT a suitable comparison. Owning a quarter horse compared to owning an Arabian would be suitable for comparison. 

Begin with narrow categories. "Cars" is too broad because you can't compare just any two cars. You could not, for example, write a good comparison essay on the Hummer vs. a Prius. There are far too many dissimilarities. A Ford 150 and Chevy Silverado (both full-size trucks) would work.

3.  Keep the comparisons parallel. Since the subjects will be similar, your treatment of them must also be similar. If you mention a certain detail about one, make sure you also include that detail for the other. It would be illogical to do otherwise. 


Organization...

There are two ways to organize a comparison essay. We'll look at a hypothetical subject to outline each method: country life vs. city life...

1. opposing pattern - use this if you want your emphasis to be on the 2 subjects being compared.

I. Life in the Country
   a. Food
   b. Work
   c. Recreation
II. Life in the City
   a. Food
   b. Work
   c. Recreation

2. alternating pattern - use this if you want your emphasis to be on the points of comparison.

I. Food
   a. in the country
   b. in the city
II. Work
   a. in the country
   b. in the city
III. Recreation
   a. in the country
   b. in the city

Notice that both methods keep a logical sequence. The points of comparison are in the same order in the both parts of the opposing pattern, and the subjects being compared in the same order for each of the three parts of the alternating pattern.


Interest...

This is a highly prescriptive essay format. You don't have a lot of freedom in terms of organization. That doesn't mean it should be dull reading. One of the best ways to ensure that your writing is interesting is by being interested yourself in the subject, and you are free in that decision.  


MODEL ESSAY...

The following is a short and simple example of the alternating pattern. Notice the frequent use of contrasting transtions such as however, and on the other hand. In fact, each body paragraph has such a transition between the two groups being compared. And while it's a good model for structure, it's not a very developed essay.

A pull on an eyelid, a pat on the wrist--either of these gestures could lead to confusion for an American in Paris. In fact, years of French language classes practicing je, tu, il, and bonjour may not be enough preparation for an American to communicate with a French person. Most people know that residents of France and the United States speak different languages. However, few people know that body language in the two countries can be just as different.

The difference in hand signals could lead to cultural misunderstandings between Americans and the French. For example, an American visiting France may be surprised when a waiter brings him three cups of coffee even though he only ordered two. His problem? He held up his index finger and his middle finger to indicate the number two. Since the French start counting on the thumb, however, the waiter understand that hand gesture to mean three.

Hand signals are not the only difference in body language between Americans and the French. Facial expressions can also be different in the two countries. An American who asks a French person for her opinion may be surprised when she reacts by frowning. Americans tend to smile a lot, especially when responding to questions. The French, on the other hand, sometimes react y pouting the lips. This facial gesture shows that a French person is thinking.

The French also greet each other in a different way than Americans do. Every time they meet or say goodbye, French friends and family members kiss on the cheeks or shake hands. Americans, on the other hand, do not touch nearly as often when they greet each other. In fact, unless the parting will be a long one, oftentimes, Americans will simply say good-bye with no touching at all.

A frustrated American with an extra cup of coffee and a pouting companion will probabaly find the unexpected surprise of a kiss or a handshake quite refreshing. However, an American visiting France may still need more than a dictionary to communicate with the French. 

"A Writer's Model"; Elements of Language, 3rd course; Holt, Rinehart, and Winston; Austin, Texas 2001.