You make comparisons between things all the time, for example, whenever you have to make a decision. What will you eat for breakfast, cereal or a bagel! Where will you live, in an apartment or a dormitory? What will you study at the university, physics or mathematics? In order to make your decision, you look at the merits of each choice. You compare their differences and similarities. Then you choose the best option.
What Is a Comparison Essay?
In a comparison essay, you compare things. The subjects of this kind of essay are two ideas that are related in some way. You can focus on the similarities between the two things, on the differences, or on both the similarities and the differences. Your goal is to show your readers how these subjects are similar or different, what their strengths and weaknesses are, or what their advantages and disadvantages are.
Like other essays, the comparison essay has an introductory paragraph that contains :ahook and a thesis statement, three or four body paragraphs, and a concluding para- graph. (See Unit 1 for a review of the structure of an essay.)
PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
There are two basic ways to organize a comparison essay, the block method and the point-by-point method.
Block Method
With the block method, you present one subject and all its points of before you do the same for the second subject. With this organization, you discuss each subject completely without interruption.
Here is an example of the organization of a comparison essay about the social behavor of Russians and Americans.
Introduction paragraph 1 hook, thesis
Body paragraphs 2-3 Russian social behavior
• at parties
• in school
• at home
paragraphs 4-5 American social behavior
• at parties
• in school
• at home
Conclusion paragraph 6 restated thesis, opinion
Point-By-Point Method
With the point-by-point method, you present both subjects under one point of com- parison before moving on to the next point. Here is an example of the topic of the social behavior of Russians and Americans, organized with the point-by-point method.
Introduction paragraph 1 hook, thesis.
Body paragraph 2 At parties
• Russian social
• American social behavior
paragraph 3 In school
• Russian social behavior
• American social behavior
paragraph 4 At home
• Russian social behavior
• American social behavior
Conclusion paragraph 5 restated thesis, opinion
With both the point-by-point and the block method, the writer sometimes ends with an opinion as to which of the two subjects is preferable.
CHOOSING A METHOD OF ORGANIZATION
How do you know which method of organization is better for your comparison essay? Consider the following information about each method.
Block method.
•You develop each subject completely, without interruption.
• It may be difficult for readers to see the parallel points of comparison between your two subjects. Some rereading or more critical reading of cer- tain parts of the essay may be necessary.
Point-by point method:
• Both subjects are presented in each paragraph, so readers go back and forth between the two subjects.
• The parallel points of comparison may be easier to see. * As you decide which method to use, consider your subjects (how complex are they!), your readers (which method will make it easier for them to follow these particular subjects?), and your writing style (which method are you mote comfortable with?).
EXAMPLE COMPARISON ESSAY
A good way to lead how to write a comparison essay is to study an example.
Not As Different As You Think (block method)
All countries in the world are unique. They are different from one another in location, size, culture, government, climate, and lifestyles. However, many countries share similarities. Some may think that because Brazil and the United States are in different hemispheres, these two nations have nothing in common. On the contrary, they share many similarities.
One important similarity is their size. Both Brazil and the United States are large countries. Brazil covers almost half of the South American continent. Few Brazilians can say that they have traveled extensively within its borders. Because of Brazil's large Size, its weather varies greatly from one area to another. Like Brazil, the United States takes u a significant portion of its continent (North America), so most Americans have vi ited only a few of the fifty states. In addition, the United States has a wide range oi climates. While the Northeast is experiencing snowstorms, cities like Miami, Florida, can have temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another similarity between Brazil and the United States is the diversity of ethnic groups, Brazil was colonized by Europeans, and its culture has been greatly influenced by this fact. However, the identity of the Brazilian people is not solely a product of Western civilization. Brazil is a "melting pot" of many ethnic groups that immigrated there and mixed with the native people. The United States also has a diversity of ethnic groups representing the early colorists from northern Europe as well as groups from Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, and South America. The mixture of cultures and customs has worked to form ethnically rich cultures in both countries.
Finally, individualism is an important value for both Brazilians and Americans. Brazil works hard to defend the concept of freedom of choice. Citizens believe that they have the right to do and be whatever they desire as long as they don't hurt others. Individualism and freedom of choice also exist in the United States, where freedom is perhaps the highest value of the people. Some may believe that the desire for individual expres.ion is divisive and can make a country weak. However, the ability of people to be whatever they want makes both countries strong.
Although Brazil and the United States are unique countries, there are remarkable similar ties in their size, ethnic groups, and personal values. Some people tend to believe that their culture and country are without equal. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that people as a whole have more in common than they generally think they do.
Education in the East and the West (Point-by-Point method)
Americans have often asked me why I came from Taiwan to study in the United States, They expect me to say something like "to learn English." However, to me, coming here to study involves more than just learning English. It involves an opportunity to experience a completely different educational system. Because I have studied in both countries, I have seen several areas in which education in Taiwan and education in the United States are different.
Students' expectations in the classroom in Taiwan are different from those in the United States. Generally speaking, Taiwanese students are quieter and participate less in class. They are not encouraged to express their ideas unless asked. They are taught that asking teachers a question is seen as a challenge to the teacher's authority: There is little emphasis on developing student creativity and thinking skills. Students are expected to memorize everything they are assigned. However, in the United States the curriculum emphasizes individual thinking, group discussion, and self-expression. Unlike their Taiwanese counterparts, American students are encouraged to ask questions, express their own opinions, and think for themselves.
In addition, there is a great disparity in the educational goals of Taiwanese and American schools. After twelve years of compulsory education, Taiwanese students have to pass an entrance exam in order to get into a university. The higher students score on this test, the better the university they can enter. Taiwanese culture puts a strong emphasis on university admission because geeing into the right university can guarantee future success. As a result, schools often "teach to the test" instead of providing more moral, social, and physical education In contrast, the goals of the American educational system include the ding students how to lean and helping them reach their maximum potential. American teachers give their students the freedom to think and solve problems on their own, they do not merely prepare students to answer questions for an entrance exam.
The last obvious difference between the two countries educational systems is the role of extracurricular activities such as sports programs and special interest club5. Even though every Taiwanese school claims that it pays equal attention to moral, Intellectual, and physical education. the real focus is on passing the university admissions exam. Little emphasis is placed on activities outside of the classroom. Teachers can even borrow time from extracurricular activities to give students more practice in the areas where they have weaknesses. On the other hand, American educational institutions consider the development of social and interpersonal skills as important as the development of intellectual skills. It is believed that by participating in these outside activities, students can demonstrate their special talents, level of maturity, and leadership qualities.
Education is vital to everyone's future success. While it may take ten years to grow a tree, a sound educational system may take twice as long to take root. Although Taiwan and the United States have different educational systems, both Countries have the same ultimate goal: to educate their citizens as well as they can. This goal can be reached only if people take advantage of all the educational opportunities given to them. That is why I came to the United States to study, grow, and become a better person
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