How to Write Comparative Essays in

Literature

A comparative essay is a writing task that requires you to compare two or more items. You
may be asked to compare two or more literary works, theories, arguments or historical
events. In literature, a comparative essay typically asks you to write an essay comparing
two works by the same writer. For example, you may be asked to write a comparative essay
comparing two plays written by William Shakespeare.

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 Assumption:
Although an essay may simply state to compare
two literary texts, the assumption is that you
should contrast the texts as well. In other words,
your comparative essay should not only
compare but also contrast the literary texts, it
should address the similarities and differences
found within the texts.

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 3-Develop a List of
Identify the Basis for
Comparison Similarities and Differences
After you identify your basis for comparison,
you should examine the literary texts for
similarities and differences. The similarity and
differences should focus on the basis of
comparison. For example, you might
conclude that in “Sense and Sensibility”
women appear strong willed and confident,
while in “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” women
appear weak willed and two-dimensional.
You will use these observations, along with
your list of similarities and differences, to
construct your thesis statement and an
outline for your comparative essay.

Develop a Thesis Statement

and Structure
Once you have compiled a list of similarities
In writing your comparative essay, you
and differences and decided what you want
should first identify the basis for the
to focus on, you should then develop your
comparison. The basis of comparison
thesis statement. A thesis statement is the
allows you to look for the similarities and
essay’s main argument, and it should reflect
differences between the two texts. You
the relative significance of each similarity and
might be provided with an essay question or
difference. A good thesis statement will
you might have to come up with your own
typically include both similarities and
topic. In either case you need to begin by
differences and take a certain position about
identifying the basis for your comparison.
which is more important. The structure of
For example, an essay question might ask
your comparative paper should consist of an
you to compare the representation of
introductory paragraph, with a thesis
women in Jane Austen's “Sense and
statement at the end, a number of supporting
Sensibility” and in Ernest Hemingway's “For
paragraphs and a conclusion. The purpose of
Whom the Bell Tolls.” In this example, the
the supporting paragraphs is to support your
basis for comparison is the representation
thesis statement. You may group them as
of women. If the directions only ask you to
you say fit. For instance, you might discuss
compare two literary works then you will
one literary work at a time or focus first on
need to develop your own basis for
the similarities between the works and then
comparison. For example, a basis for
on the differences. Always end your essay
comparison may be representations of
with a concluding paragraph that summarizes
women or minorities or theme, mood,
the information in the essay.
tension or any other literary element that is
appears in both texts.

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