- 1). Defer writing an introduction until the body of the essay is complete. For people who insist they must "always start at the beginning," this is a classic opportunity to reach outside this comfort zone and be pragmatic. After all, how do you know how to introduce an essay if you don't yet know what you're going to say? Introducing a "blank" essay is a little like introducing a stranger; it should be avoided in pleasant company.
- 2). Seize upon the ways the books are "very" similar and "very" different -- as opposed to only vaguely similar and vaguely different. This can help make your paper will be stronger and more authoritative. The tighter the connection you can make between the two books, the clearer your points will be to your reader. This said, do not strain to make a point. If you find yourself trying to create a weak link in either a comparison or contrast, abandon it promptly.
- 3
Effective paragraphs that flow easily often display a strong unity of ideas.Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
Brainstorm and prepare to write. Set up a system that works for you. Try creating two word processing documents, one named "Comparisons" and the other "Contrasts." Underneath these headings, write down the main components of any book: chapter titles and organization, supporting ideas (including research and sources), examples, explanation and description. Underneath these headings, jot down how the two books are alike or dissimilar according to these terms. - 4). Cite specific examples and quotations to buttress your points, as these will become the heart and soul of your analysis. Approach these paragraphs as you would any paragraph: write a strong topic sentence -- in this case, one that clearly identifies your observation of a keen similarity or dissimilarity -- and amplify the thought with examples and the writer's own words to illustrate your observation.
- 5). Devote some of your analysis to the most subjective terms of your essay: the writers' tone, use of language and grammar and general writing style. Make sure the examples you cite are representative of the writers' cumulative work.
- 6). Review your brainstorming and preparation exercise before writing a suitable introduction that sets the stage for the essay and a conclusion that ties all of your observations together succinctly. Avoid the glib and obvious: "These two books are alike in some ways and different in others." Remember that you are analyzing these books as an active, thinking reader, so be compelling, if not provocative. As long as you can support your assertions in a meaningful way, your readers are bound to respect your analysis.
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