The Comparative The Comparative EssayEssay

Pay Attention well . . . For this Pay Attention well . . . For this is the format you should is the format you should follow for this Essay & follow for this Essay &

possibly your Exampossibly your Exam

A Brief OverviewA Brief Overview Like the other essays you have written Like the other essays you have written

throughout your years in high school, throughout your years in high school, there are many common elements there are many common elements repeated in the comparative essay.repeated in the comparative essay.

However, with this essay you will be However, with this essay you will be dealing with two textsdealing with two texts

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph Begin general, gradually becoming more Begin general, gradually becoming more

specific. specific.

Step 1:Step 1: The General StatementThe General Statement Step 2:Step 2: The Narrowing StatementThe Narrowing Statement Step 3:Step 3: Introduction of your Introduction of your two two textstexts, ,

along with your along with your three major arguments.three major arguments. Step 4:Step 4: Thesis StatementThesis Statement

NOTE:NOTE: The Thesis Statement is the only The Thesis Statement is the only Step which must be ONE sentence.Step which must be ONE sentence.

The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement Your thesis statement Your thesis statement must bemust be

argumentativeargumentative – this means the argument is – this means the argument is debatable.debatable.

It has an It has an opinionopinion and a and a topic.topic. It It must bemust be ONE sentence ONE sentence only.only. It becomes the It becomes the focusfocus for your entire essay – for your entire essay –

every other sentence in your essay seeks to every other sentence in your essay seeks to prove this statement.prove this statement.

Your thesis must consider the comparison Your thesis must consider the comparison you will be discussing.you will be discussing.

NOTE:NOTE: You will be creating your own topic You will be creating your own topic (one will not be given to you by me), thus, (one will not be given to you by me), thus, you will be developing your own thesis.you will be developing your own thesis.

The Introduction Continued . The Introduction Continued . . . . .

Thus, the introductory paragraph of Thus, the introductory paragraph of your comparison essay is quite your comparison essay is quite similar to your essays of the past . . . similar to your essays of the past . . .

But . . . But . . . Now you are referring to two texts.Now you are referring to two texts. Now you are drawing attention to the Now you are drawing attention to the

comparison you will be drawing comparison you will be drawing between the two texts.between the two texts.

Body Paragraph – General Body Paragraph – General InfoInfo

You must have a clear You must have a clear topic sentencetopic sentence at the at the beginning of each body paragraph. beginning of each body paragraph.

The topic sentence is The topic sentence is ONE sentence onlyONE sentence only.. All your points must be substantiated by the use All your points must be substantiated by the use

of evidenceof evidence You will always follow the You will always follow the

point-proof-link/explanation (ppl) format, follow point-proof-link/explanation (ppl) format, follow by the appropriate citation.by the appropriate citation.

PointPoint = the first way you are proving your = the first way you are proving your argument. argument.

ProofProof = appropriately structured paraphrasing = appropriately structured paraphrasing LinkLink = the analysis. = the analysis.

FormattingFormatting 33 body paragraphs. body paragraphs. Each paragraph will be quite long.Each paragraph will be quite long. Each body paragraph has a clear Each body paragraph has a clear topic topic

sentencesentence which states the comparison you which states the comparison you will be drawing and introduce the main will be drawing and introduce the main argument for this paragraph.argument for this paragraph.

You will have You will have 2 – 4 Points of Comparison 2 – 4 Points of Comparison in this ONE paragraph.in this ONE paragraph.

ComparisonComparison is made is made ININ this paragraph. this paragraph.

Formatting continued . . . Formatting continued . . . Each body paragraph would follow Each body paragraph would follow

the following format:the following format:

Topic sentence (apples and oranges)Topic sentence (apples and oranges) Apples ppl #1, oranges ppl #1, comparisonApples ppl #1, oranges ppl #1, comparison Apples ppl #2, oranges ppl #2, comparisonApples ppl #2, oranges ppl #2, comparison Apples ppl #3, oranges ppl #3, comparisonApples ppl #3, oranges ppl #3, comparison Apples ppl #4, oranges ppl #4, comparisonApples ppl #4, oranges ppl #4, comparison Concluding Sentence.Concluding Sentence.

Concluding Paragraph Concluding Paragraph Similar to the format you have been Similar to the format you have been

taught in the past.taught in the past. Re-state (in an original manner) your Re-state (in an original manner) your

thesis statement and your main thesis statement and your main arguments.arguments.

Include reflective thought – leave your Include reflective thought – leave your reader thinking.reader thinking.

Basically, wrap up your essay with Basically, wrap up your essay with eloquence.eloquence.

The Standard RulesThe Standard Rules You must write in the You must write in the present tense.present tense. Never refer to yourself in the first personNever refer to yourself in the first person (“I”, “My (“I”, “My

opinion”, “Me”, etc.)opinion”, “Me”, etc.) Do not use contractionsDo not use contractions (ie. use “cannot” vs. (ie. use “cannot” vs.

“can’t”) in your writing . . . Use contractions only “can’t”) in your writing . . . Use contractions only in the original quotation.in the original quotation.

You must have a properly formatted You must have a properly formatted works cited works cited pagepage – on a separate sheet. – on a separate sheet.

Give your essay an Give your essay an original title original title andand number your number your pages.pages.

Always Always indentindent new paragraphs. new paragraphs. ItalicizeItalicize your text titles.your text titles. Double spaceDouble space your essay. your essay. Use Use transitional wordstransitional words and sentencesand sentences to connect to connect

your ideas and create strong, flowing unity of your ideas and create strong, flowing unity of thought.thought.

Most ImportantlyMost Importantly Think deeply . . . Think deeply . . . Plan effectively . . . Plan effectively . . . Manage your time . . . Manage your time . . . Have fun with this . . . Have fun with this . . .