How to write an essay with a comparative description? Usually in this kind of work you have to show the similarities and differences between two objects or characters.
Two types of comparisons
You can either study and examine in detail each object or character, give it a separate characteristic, without making differences and without trying to find similarities, or you can point out the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, intentionally comparing them and immediately analyzing and summing up results. Usually, the writer is free to choose the order in which similarities and differences are identified.
Here are some tips. Always choose two characters or two objects that have enough grounds for comparison in order to get the required number of words in the essay. It should be a volume of 350 or more. You need at least three points for which you will make a comparison. Do not forget to formulate a thesis at the beginning of the essay that you willjustify by telling the reader why you chose the characters.
There are two main comparison methods.
1. Give a comparative description of the hero or object separately in each paragraph. What does it mean? If, for example, you have chosen an essay on the topic "Comparative characteristics of Pechorin and Onegin", in this case, you can first talk about one hero, and then about another, and in conclusion draw a conclusion.
2. But the second method is considered more convenient, where heroes are compared point by point. Keep in mind that you can compare characters from the same book or from different works, as long as they are either similar or one is a prototype of the other.
Temporary essay plan
So, on what points can you compose an essay "Comparative characteristics of two heroes"?
- The appearance of the hero (speech, clothes, behavior, facial expression, details of appearance).
- The origin of the hero, his social status, education.
- Lifestyle.
- Relationships with other heroes.
- Love and friendship in the lives of heroes.
- The fate of the hero (at the end of the work).
Comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin (overview)
1. Speaking about these two characters, it is worth noting that both were often thoughtful, withdrawn. Both of them have a very high opinion of their own person, are arrogant, do not consider other people.
2. Both are we althy, in moneydo not feel the need. Competent, educated.
3. Onegin leads a secular life, from which he is tired. Pechorin is also accepted in society, but, unlike Onegin, he is a military man, he serves.
4-5. Onegin is arrogant, but one cannot say that he is a hypocrite. In an explanation with Tatyana, he refuses her quite coldly, but he also argues his refusal. Neither one nor the other know how to be friends. Lensky was for Onegin only a dreamy youth who could be laughed at. Pechorin could have acquired an excellent comrade in the person of Maxim Maksimych, but he did not need friends and did not know how to maintain friendship. Pechorin intrigues for the sake of laughter and entertainment, for example, he takes Princess Mary away from his friend. Even Bela he stole to amuse his pride. He treats people as a means to his ends.
6. Onegin, many years later, realizes that he lost Tatyana's love and bitterly regrets it. Pechorin, as we learn from Maxim Maksimych, is dying somewhere in Persia.
Comparison of two works
Sometimes there are tasks where you will need to compare two novels. Your first task will be to develop a good plan for analyzing both novels. You can do this by creating a few simple lists of features that might be comparable. For each novel, you need to determine the list of characters and their roles in the story, important characteristics and all the key points, time periods and the time in which the characters live, the main characters. You can also try to come up with topics that could becomparable.
Approximate topics for character matching
- Man against nature (what is the hero fighting for and what is his goal?).
- Individual versus society (does each of the main characters feel like an outsider?).
- The struggle between good and evil (which side is the hero on?).
- Life path (what cruel lessons does the hero get from life and how do they help him in becoming a personality?).
The task usually immediately gives direction, which characters need to be taken for comparison, what points of contact between them to find. But if there is no specific plan, don't worry: you have more freedom to be creative! When giving the task to compare two novels, the teacher sets the goal - to get you to read not superficially, but more thoughtfully. Delving into what is written, you will begin to understand the deeper meaning of the novel.
Example of comparative characteristics
Take for comparison two novels: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain and "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane. Both of these works tell about the life path of heroes who begin to realize their place in the world, having gone through a cruel school of life. Here are some comparisons you could make:
- Both characters should learn the concept of "civilized behavior" in the societies where they exist.
- Each protagonist has an opinion on the male role model.
- Each main character leaves their home and faces problems.
To write a comparison about these two characters in the novels, you can create your own list of similarities. Be sure to explain how these similarities (and differences) are comparable to build your thesis. Here's an example: "both characters, Huck Finn and Henry Fleming, embark on a journey of discovery, with each boy learning a lot when it comes to traditional notions of honor and courage."
Use an outline to keep your essay structured correctly. When comparing two characters from different novels, try to make a list of their similarities as detailed as possible.
For example:
- Both characters are young people.
- Both are ambitious.
- Both fall under female influence.
The list goes on and on. If you approach him responsibly and scrupulously, he will help you in your work.
But not only in the literature they talk about a similar technique. This type of work is very popular in biology classes. They are already talking, for example, about the comparative characteristics of classes of flatworms or monocots and dicots.
