8.6: Essay Type- Comparing and Contrasting Literature

Compare and Contrast Essay Basics

The Compare and Contrast Essay is a literary analysis essay, but, instead of examining one work, it examines two or more works. These works must be united by a common theme or thesis statement. For example, while a literary analysis essay might explore the significance of ghosts in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, a compare/contrast essay might explore the significance of the supernatural in Hamlet and Macbeth.

Literary Analysis Thesis Statement:

While Horatio seems to think the ghost of Old Hamlet is a demon trying to lead Hamlet to death, and Gertrude and Claudius think it is a figment of Hamlet's insanity, Hamlet's status as an unreliable narrator and the ghost actually symbolizes the oppression of Catholics during Shakespeare's time period.

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement:

The unreliable narrators paired with the ghosts in both Hamlet and Macbeth symbolize the oppression of Catholics in Shakespeare's time period.

Essay Genre Expectations

• Tone: formal, scholarly
  • Use first-person pronouns sparingly (you, me, we, our)
  • Avoid colloquialisms
  • Spell out contractions
  • Use subject-specific terminology, such as naming literary devices
• Texts: two or more
• Avoid summary. Aim for analysis and interpretation
• MLA formatting and citations

Organization

While the literary analysis essay follows a fairly simple argumentative essay structure, the compare and contrast essay is slightly more complicated. It might be arranged by:

• Literary work (the block method)
• Topics/subtopics (the point-by-point method)

In general, ensure each paragraph supports the thesis statement and that both literary works receive equal attention. Include as many body paragraphs as needed to build your argument.

First Option for Organization: The Block Method

In this first option for organization, you will need to discuss both literary works in the introduction and thesis statement, but then the body of the paper will be divided in half. The first half of the body paragraphs should focus on one literary work, while the second half of the body paragraphs should focus on the other literary work.

1. Introduction
   1. Background of topic
   2. Background of works related to topic
   3. Thesis Statement
2. Body paragraphs in first half of the essay analyzing one literary work
   1. Topic sentence
   2. Introduction of evidence
   3. Evidence from the first literary work
   4. Explanation of evidence
   5. Analysis of evidence
   6. Transition
3. Body paragraphs in second half of the essay analyzing the other literary work
   1. Topic sentence
   2. Introduction of evidence
   3. Evidence from the second literary work
   4. Explanation of evidence
   5. Analysis of evidence
4. Conclusion
   1. Restatement of thesis in new words
   2. Summary of essay arguments
   3. Take-away

Second Option for Organization: The Point-by-Point Method

With this second option for organization, you may decide to write about both literary works within the same body paragraph every time, or you may choose to consistently alternate back and forth between the literary works in separate body paragraphs.

1. Introduction
   1. Background of topic
   2. Background of works related to topic
   3. Thesis Statement
2. 1-2 body paragraphs making a point of comparison or contrast between both literary works
   1. Topic sentence
   2. Introduction of evidence
   3. Evidence from both literary works
   4. Explanation of evidence
   5. Analysis of evidence
   6. Transition
3. 1-2 body paragraphs making another point of comparison or contrast between both literary works
   1. Topic sentence
   2. Introduction of evidence
   3. Evidence from both literary works
   4. Explanation of evidence
   5. Analysis of evidence
4. Conclusion
   1. Restatement of thesis in new words
   2. Summary of essay arguments
   3. Take-away