How to write an essay with a comparative description? Usually in such works you should 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 hero, give it a separate characteristic, without making any differences and not trying to find similarities, or you can point out the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, deliberately comparing them and immediately analyzing and summing up the results. Typically, the writer can independently choose the procedure for determining similarities and differences.
Here are some suggestions. Always choose two heroes or two objects that have enough reason to compare to type the required number of words in the essay. It should be a volume of 350. At least three points are required on which you will make a comparison. Do not forget to formulate the thesis at the beginning of the essay, which you will justify by telling the reader what purpose you chose the heroes for.
There are two main methods of comparison.
1. Give a comparative description of the hero or item separately at each point. 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 tell first about one hero, and then about another and conclude in conclusion.
2. But the second method is considered more convenient, where the characters are compared point by point. Keep in mind that you can compare characters from one book and from different works, if they are either similar, or one is a prototype of the other.
Sample writing plan
So, on what points can the essay "Comparative Characterization of Two Heroes" be compiled?
- The appearance of the hero (speech, clothing, behavior, facial expression, details of appearance).
- The origin of the hero, his social status, education.
- Lifestyle.
- Relations 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 Speaking of these two characters, it is worth noting that both were often thoughtful, withdrawn. And he and the other very high opinions about their own person, arrogant, do not reckon with other people.
2. Both are wealthy; they don’t feel the need for money. Literate, 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.
4-5. Onegin is arrogant, but it cannot be said that he is a hypocrite. In the explanation with Tatyana, he refuses her rather coldly, but also argues his refusal. Neither one nor the other can not 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, takes Princess Mary with his friend. He even stole Bel to amuse his vanity. It refers to people as a means to achieve their goals.
6. Onegin, many years later, realizes that he has lost Tatyana’s love and bitterly regrets it. Pechorin, as we learn from Maxim Maksimych, dies somewhere in Persia.
Comparison of two works
Sometimes you come across tasks where you will need to compare two novels. Your first task will be to develop a good analysis plan for both novels. You can do this by creating some simple lists of those attributes that can 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 be comparable.
Approximate topics for matching characters
- Man is against nature (what is the hero fighting for and what is his goal?).
- An individual against society (does each of the main characters feel like an outsider?).
- The struggle between good and evil (on which side is the hero?).
- Life path (what cruel lessons does the hero receive from life and how do they help him in becoming a person?).
The task usually immediately gives direction, which characters you need to take for comparison, what common ground between them to find. But if there is no specific plan, do not worry: you have more freedom for creative search! Giving the task to compare two novels, the teacher sets a goal - to make you read not superficially, but more thoughtfully. By delving into what is written, you will begin to understand the deep meaning of the novel.
Comparative example
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 must learn the concept of "civilized behavior" in those societies where they exist.
- Each protagonist has an opinion on the role model of a man.
- Each protagonist leaves his home and faces problems.
To write a comparative description of these two heroes of the novels, you can create your own list of similarities. Be sure to explain how these similarities (and differences) are comparable to create your thesis. Here is an example: "both characters, Huck Finn and Henry Fleming, embark on a journey full of discoveries, and each boy begins to realize a lot when it comes to traditional ideas about honor and courage."
Use a plan so that the composition has the correct structure. Comparing two heroes from different novels, try to make the most detailed list of their similarities.
For instance:
- Both characters are young people.
- Both are ambitious.
- Both fall under female influence.
The list goes on. If you approach him responsibly and scrupulously, he will help you in your work.
But not only in the literature they speak of a similar technique. This type of work is very popular in biology classes. They already speak, for example, of a comparative characterization of the classes of flatworms or monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.