In the course of your degree program, you might be required to critique ideas, theories, and personalities. These assignments are usually aimed at testing your critical thinking and ability to analyze various aspects/ concepts you have encountered.
Here, we will look at how to write a comparative analysis thesis and highlight the tips to ensure success in your paper.
What is a comparative analysis dissertation?
A comparative analysis dissertation is an academic paper that takes an analytical approach to compare two or more ideas. This type of essay may analyze the differences in ideologies, beliefs, events, texts, and historical personalities.
Like all academic papers, comparative analysis dissertations are based on factual evidence as opposed to personal inclinations. As such, these essays call for extensive research to compare the strengths and weaknesses of ideas and show your disposition toward the elements under comparison.
Can comparative analysis be used for a dissertation?
Going by the above comparative analysis definition, these kinds of tasks are a staple for a college dissertation. However, a college-level comparative dissertation is more intricate and analyzes complex ideas, calling for a detailed analysis of the items under comparison.
How to write a comparative analysis dissertation
A lot of consideration should be put into preparing a comparative analysis dissertation. With multiple ideas to investigate, you could easily lose track of the bigger picture. As such, we recommend that you use the following steps when approaching your dissertation.
- Identify the basis of comparison
Before you start on your paper, analyze the prompt and gauge the elements that you are required to analyze among various ideas. This will help you determine the comparative framework for your paper and to gauge the necessary considerations for each parameter you will be analyzing.
Here, check the comparative words and phrases used in your essay prompt and thus determine the approach to take as you prepare your dissertation.
- Perform extensive research on the topics
After defining your comparison essay, investigate the extent to which both ideas have been investigated and highlight their similarities and differences. Also, check for weak arguments in both papers and determine how they can be exploited to prepare a strong argument.
We recommend that you use a Venn diagram to better organize the similarities and differences of the ideas you are investigating.
- Develop a thesis statement
With your argument in mind, write a concise statement that fully describes your paper. For instance, if your paper will gauge the differences between a learner-centered and teacher-centered approach, your thesis may be:
A case study of the impact of the learner-centered and student-centered approach on a learner’s performance.
- Prepare an outline
Organize the ideas you gained during research into paragraphs and define the approach to take in comparing the ideas. Your outline will help you to write your paper with ease without the distractions from various ideas you encounter as you write your paper.
Comparative analysis thesis format
There are two methods to write your comparative dissertation and ensure a smooth flow of ideas. These methods are the point-by-point format and the block format.
Point-by point format
The point-by-point format involves the analysis of one aspect of both items in each body paragraph. This approach is great for expressing the differences and similarities between various ideas.
Block format
The block format exhausts the characteristics of one item, followed by the next. However, ensure that the ideas are expressed in the same order, allowing a reader to easily revert to the earlier paragraph and compare an idea.
How to do a comparative analysis: outline of a comparative analysis
The comparative essay comprises an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction comprises the thesis statement, a summary of your argument, and background on the topic. This shows the reader your reasoning behind various arguments and also that you have duly done the necessary research for the topic.
The body of the paper is divided into paragraphs containing a topic sentence, a final sentence, and an argument. This format allows your reader to see the flow of ideas and also to avoid various errors in your argument.
We recommend that you use transition words to help the reader follow your argument easily while understanding your dispositions on each idea. Finally, your conclusion ties down your ideas and reiterates your key observation and inclinations regarding the items under comparison.
Final take
We hope that this guide has helped resolve your confusion. Feel free to engage us for a custom example of comparative analysis and help with various concepts you might struggle with. We wish you all the best in your dissertation.
