How To Create A Body Paragraph For A Comparative Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide
What is Comparative Essay?
A comparative essay demands comparison between two things. In this case, you may have to compare between them or write for the similarities and differences of both the sides. The topics may vary from comparing between texts (in literature) to social theories, from society trends to statistical figures and so on.
Introduction: A Significant Part of Comparative Essay
Though body of the articles holds the utmost importance, no one can under-estimate the significance of introduction. First you need to understand the topic clearly. After that, you can go straight towards the focal point of your article. You need to describe the similarities and differences of both sides in brief. End the intro with your preference.
Body Paragraph of a Comparative Essay Guide
There is no set rule about how to write body paragraph of such essay. There are some widely set patterns and you need to pick out of them.
- Before you start, think about- whether the similarities between the items are greater than the differences or vice-versa.
- The body of the comparative essay can be ranged from 3-6 paragraphs. There are two popular methods based on which a comparative essay’s body part can be constructed.
Method 1/ Alternating Method:
Suppose you are given the topic of First World War and Second World War. Through this method, the body shall look as following-
- Para 1- the context behind World War 1 and what propelled it.
- Para 2- the context behind World War 2 and what propelled it.
- Para 3- military strategy and weapons used in world war 1
- Para 4- military strategy and weapons used in world war 2
- Para 5- outcomes of world war 1
- Para 6- outcomes of word war 2.
If you know the marked difference between two items and are confident about your knowledge, then you may construct the body paragraph in this way. It is also admired by scholars most.
Method 2/ Block Method:
In this method, the first three paragraphs should be devoted to point A and the next three to point B. Suppose the topic of the assignment is a comparative study between football and basketball.
- Para 1-3: how football needs strategizing, power play and team work.
- Para 4-6 how basketball needs strategizing, power play and team work.
If you are discussing more than two subjects or a topic where you don’t have concrete ideas about item B- then this method works wonderfully. But don’t make this body paragraph looks like two disjointed pieces-stitched together.