When crafting an essay, comparisons can be a powerful tool to support your thesis and add weight to your arguments. By utilizing comparisons, you can effectively demonstrate how your ideas fit into the bigger picture and make your writing harder, better, faster, and stronger.
But what exactly is a comparison? In simple terms, it is a way of measuring the similarities between two or more things, while also highlighting differences. This is why comparisons are often used in conjunction with contrasts in persuasive writing.
In terms of structure and logic, comparisons can be divided into two types: comparative and superlative. Comparative comparisons establish a relationship of more or less between two things, while superlative comparisons indicate the most or the least within a group.
For instance, saying "The Enterprise is a larger ship than the Voyager" is a comparative comparison, while stating "The Enterprise is the largest ship in the fleet" is a superlative comparison. In both cases, the adjective "large" is used to define the type of comparison being made.
Comparisons can also incorporate adverbs, known as comparative adverbs, which come in two forms: comparative and superlative. These adverbs describe verbs or actions, for example, "The dwarf ate more hardily than the other adventurers" uses the comparative adverb "hardily", while "During the dance, the dwarf was the least lively member of the gang" utilizes the superlative adverb "lively."
The use of comparisons in essay writing is essential as they serve to emphasize similarities and proportions between things. For instance, stating that "Bunting Beach has a rat problem" may not have as strong of an impact as saying "According to a study by RatMetric, Bunting Beach has the most rats per person among cities of its size." This comparison effectively shows the scale and severity of the issue, making it a more powerful piece of evidence.
Furthermore, comparisons can serve as a point of reference, particularly for non-expert audiences. For instance, in the comparison between Windingo's water supply and the safe lead level, the latter statement is more convincing as it provides a tangible and easily understandable ratio.
So how can you effectively incorporate comparisons into your English essay? Let's take a look at an example: "Although Robin Hood is portrayed as a villain in this retelling of the classic tale, he remains among the most charitable men in Nottingham. On page 129, Robin Hood gives five hundred coins to the sheriff’s daughter. Compare that to Sir Guy, the would-be hero. Through the first 300 pages, Sir Guy spends 'nine-hundred coins on his attempts to thwart the royal suck-up, Robin Hood.' (302) If you tally up the monies that Sir Guy counts in his journal entries, he stole 1245 coins." This comparison effectively showcases the stark contrast between Robin Hood's selfless actions and Sir Guy's selfish ones, making it a convincing argument.
In summary, understanding the power of comparisons in writing can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your essay by providing context, highlighting similarities and differences, and appealing to your audience's understanding. So the next time you're writing an essay, don't forget the impact of comparisons – they can make your arguments harder, better, faster, and stronger.
When incorporating comparison in your writing, it is essential to keep in mind these helpful tips:
Key Takeaways:
In writing, comparison is a technique used to evaluate the similarities between two or more things. It is an essential tool for writers as it allows them to provide perspective and relevance to their topic in relation to the world.
There are two types of comparison, comparative and superlative. Comparative comparisons illustrate a relationship between two things, demonstrating more or less. On the other hand, superlative comparisons indicate the most or least within a group of things.
For instance, according to a study conducted by RatMetric, Bunting Beach has the highest rate of rats per person among cities of its size. This comparison effectively highlights the alarming rat infestation in Bunting Beach.
Incorporating comparison in your writing allows you to put your ideas into perspective and make them more convincing to your audience. By utilizing comparison, your arguments can effectively convey the significance of your topic, making it more impactful.
