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How to Compare Two Novels in Comparative Essay

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Writing Essays
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English Grammar
M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
B.A., History, Armstrong State University

At some point in your literature studies, probably just about the time you get really good at finding the theme of a novel and coming up with a sound analysis of a single literary piece, you will be required to compare two novels.

Your first task in this assignment will be to develop a good profile of both novels. You can do this by making a few simple lists of traits that might be comparable. For each novel, identify a list of characters and their roles in the story or important characteristics, and any important struggles, time periods, or major symbols (like an element of nature).

You may also attempt to come up with book themes that could be comparable. Sample themes would include:

Man versus nature (is each main character battling the elements?)
Individual versus society (does each main character feel like an outsider?)
Struggle between good and evil (are your characters involved in good v. evil scenarios?)
Coming of age (do the main characters experience a tough lesson that makes them grow?)

Your assignment will most likely give you direction as to whether you should find specific characters, story characteristics, or overall themes to compare. If it is not that specific, don't worry! You actually have a little more leeway.

Comparing Two Novel Themes

The teacher's goal when assigning this paper is to encourage you to think and analyze. You no longer read for a surface understanding of what happens in a novel; you are reading to understand why things happen and what the deeper meaning behind a character is a setting or an event. In short, you are expected to come up with an interesting comparative analysis.

As an example of comparing novel themes, we will look at The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Red Badge of Courage . Both of these novels contain a "coming of age" theme since both have characters who grow a new awareness through tough lessons. Some comparisons you could make:

Both characters have to explore the notion of "civilized behavior" in the societies where they exist.
Each main character has to question the behavior of his male role models and his male peers.
Each main character leaves his childhood home and encounters challenges.

To craft an essay about these two novels and their similar themes, you would create your own list of similarities like those above, using a list, chart, or a Venn diagram .

Sum up your overall theory about how these themes are comparable to create your thesis statement . Here is an example: "Both characters, Huck Finn and Henry Fleming, embark on a journey of discovery, and each boy finds new understanding when it comes to traditional notions about honor and courage."

You will use your common characteristic list to guide you as you create body paragraphs .

Comparing Main Characters in Novels

If your assignment is to compare the characters of these novels, you would make a list or Venn diagram to make more comparisons:

Both characters are young men
Both question society's notion of honor
Both witness behavior that makes them question their role models
Both have a nurturing female influence
Both question their former beliefs

Comparing two novels is not as difficult as it sounds at first. Once you generate a list of traits, you can easily see an outline emerging.

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Helping new authors get the publicity they deserve, how to write an essay comparing two books.

Writing A Good Comparative Essay

Quite often in English (especially Literature) nowadays, students are being asked to write detailed essays – “controlled assessments” comparing themes in two books. I am quite enjoying writing these How-To’s whilst I am reading books, and I think that they can be beneficial and useful. I know last year I had to write an extended piece on ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’. This post is inspired and based on my work for that.

Comparing Books

Here are my three main points on doing a good job.

~ Know the books ~ Know the quotes (relevant ones) ~ How to analyse a quote

Know the Books

Whatever books you are comparing, you need to know them inside out, upside down and underwater. Honestly, I had an A4 exercise book dedicated to OM&M, and one to AIS. You need to know the plot line in great detail, the characters, their roles within the book, their responsibilities, their personalities, the way they change throughout the books, the backgrounds and it’s always helpful to know the number of hairs on their head. You need to know when and why the author wrote the books, and what message he or she was trying to give. I had pages dedicated to Arthur Birling, and the way George treats Lennie. In my opinion, you should read the books through so you get an understanding of the plot and characters. Then you should re-read the book chapter by chapter, making notes on all the characters and all the major events in the books (and any minor ones that are relevant). Write down how the characters progress, and what impression they seek to give. By now, you should be getting pretty hot on these books. So now, you should go through the book making lists of quotes you like and think you could use. Every quote has something to say, and you need to get a feel for the best ones. More on this next.

Quotes are the heart and soul of your essay. Literally the whole thing is based around them. When making lists of quotes, you must be diligent in grouping them usefully. List them by character, by theme, by chronological order and anything else that may be of use to you. You need to know your quotes off by heart. This is no mean feat, but it makes the whole process far easier, especially if you are writing for an exam (it saves you wasting time seeking out the quotes in the book and copying them out that way). Quotes are your means of backing up what you’re saying in your paragraph.

How To Analyse a Quote

In school, we used the ‘seven steps to success’ method of analysing quotes. I know it sounds cheesy, but it works very well, so here they are.

1. Find a relevant quote. 2. What is the suggested meaning of the quote. 3. Individual words within the quote. 4. Alternative interpretation. 5. Writers’ purpose. 6. Key words. 7. Social historical context.

Find a relevant quote: Whatever point you are trying to prove, you need to choose a quote that has a lot to say about it. Once you’ve analysed a lot of quotes in practice (which you should do lots of!) you’ll be able to choose quotes like a true professional. This one comes with time.

Suggested meaning: Here, you should write the basic meaning of the quote, and what it is saying about the character (if it is a speech quote of course. Not all of the best quotes are speech quotes). You should go into quite a lot of detail here. A quote is teeming with information, you need to pick it apart and lay it out on the page.

Individual words: This is a great part of it, you can really show off here. Pick a really interesting word,maybe something unusual. I can’t remember the exact quote, but Curley’s Wife wears ostrich feather shoes in OM&M. The fact that they are ostrich feathers is fairly ostentatious, as if she is trying to put herself across as a more classy type. It is also a large, strong bird, but being flightless it will never fly away nor escape, just as CW is trapped on the ranch. Finally, an ostrich will stick its head in the sand when in trouble, instead of trying to avoid its problems. So you see? That’s just an example for you.

Alternate interpretation: This is another place where you can really show how clever you can get. If you can come up with a really good alternate interpretation of a quote that shows another aspect of things, then that’s some serious points. Try for an analogy or such like, or even try to link it to another quote.

Writers’ purpose: It’s really good to be able to talk about what you think the author wants to get from his audience by using that particular quote. Is he or she trying to bias you against a certain character, or shock you in some way? In OM&M for example, the author has the characters talk about Curley’s Wife in a negative manner before we even meet her, so we tend to think badly of her from the off. Read into the quote!

Keywords: I don’t really know why this one comes in at number six, as you must be using key words and phrases all though your analysis. Sure, you could say ‘on the other hand’, but why say that when you could say ‘juxtapose to this’ – be flamboyant with your language.

Social Historical Context: This is the hardest one of them all in my opinion. It is very impressive if you can weave Social Historical Context (SHC) into your quote analysis. You’ll need to research what was going on in the time that the book was set. For example, in AIS, womens’ rights was starting to happen. It’s pre-WWII, and Birling voices his opinion on this. Thirdly, it’s also roundabout the time of the titanic. The Titanic can be used an analogy: the Birling family, like the Titanic, are unsinkable. That is until the iceberg of the Inspector crashes through them, and they all start to fall apart. In OM&M, it is set in dustbowl America, where George and Lennie are bindlebums. Try and link things like this in your analysis.

You don’t need to use every one of these in your analysis, but it’s best to try. Maybe you can’t think of an alternative interpretation for a quote, or you’re struggling to link it to SHC. Don’t sweat it, it’s okay. Neither do you have to do this in order. As long as you try to incorporate those elements you should get some good analysis down.

It is likely you’ll have to compare to books relating to a common theme. Say “Compare How The Theme of Loss is Portrayed in OM&M and AIS” might be an exam question. Thus, you must have quotes relating to loss in each book. Since you should have a list of ‘loss’ quotes, use these. There are many different models you can use in writing an essay like this. You could have paragraphs on how they are similar and how they differ, or you could dedicate your paragraphs to a pair of characters (there are often a pair of characters, one from each book, that are similar enough to compare). The most important thing is the comparison. Each paragraph should have at least one quote from each book.

Introduction and Conclusion

The introduction doesn’t have to be too impressive, just a few lines. Rephrase the question, name both of the book title and authors. Give a very brief summary of each plot if you like. If you can, insert an interesting quote here. You might like to write how you are going to compare the books, too. The conclusion however, must be top notch. You need to come to a conclusion (this may be obvious, but some people are very vague. Be forthright!). You should sum up and revisit your better points. It’s good to put your own opinion in, say which book you preferred the way whatever it is being portrayed in. Definitely get some quotes in here, don’t analyse them of course, just weave them in. I think if you can finish with a really good quote, that’s very impressive. For example, if you were comparing it, you could finish with “and it really was ‘much ado about nothing'”. Bang.

I hope I have given you enough information on how to write a good essay comparing two books. I doubt this post will be as popular as the ‘How To Write A Book Review’ post, but I believe it could be invaluable if a student happens to come across it. Comment with any questions.

I am plowing my way through ‘Going Postal’ right now, but I am rather busy. I might put another review up first.

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Acknowledgments

A multiple book review essay involves assessing the quality of two or more books that cover the same overall subject area [e.g., analysis of the European debt crisis] or that are related to each other in a particular way [e.g., applying grounded theory methods to study student access to education]. The review is written in the form of a short scholarly paper [essay] rather than as a descriptive book review. The purpose is to compare and contrast the works under review, to identify key themes and critical issues, and to evaluate each writer's contributions to understanding the overarching topics common to each book. Professors assign reviews of multiple books to help students gain experience critically evaluating the ways in which different researchers examine and interpret issues related to a specific research problem.

Erwin, R. W. “Reviewing Books for Scholarly Journals.” In Writing and Publishing for Academic Authors . Joseph M. Moxley and Todd Taylor. 2 nd edition. (Lanham, MD: Roman and Littlefield, 1997), pp. 83-90.

How to Approach Writing Your Review

Developing an Assessment Strategy

An important first step in approaching how to write a review of two or more books is to identify and think critically about the research problem that ties each of the books together. This information is usually summarized in the preface or introductory chapter of each book. The challenge is to develop an argument about each book you are reviewing and then clearly compare, contrast, and ultimately synthesize your analysis into an well organized and well supported essay.

Think of a multiple book review essay as a type of compare and contrast paper similar to what you may have written for a general issue-oriented composition class . As you read through each book, write down questions concerning what you want to know about each book and answer them as you read [remember to note the page numbers from the book you got the information from so you can refer back it later!]. Which questions to ask yourself will depend upon the type of books you are reviewing and how the books are related to each other.

Here are a series of questions to focus your thinking:

What is the thesis—or main argument—of each book? If the author wanted you to get one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? What has the book accomplished?
What exactly is the subject or topic of each book? Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion? Can you detect any biases? What is the approach to the subject [topical, historical, analytical, chronological, descriptive]?
How does the author of each book support his or her argument? What evidence [i.e., sources cited and data collection] does each author use to prove their point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the author's information [or conclusions] conflict with other books you've read, courses you've taken, or just previous assumptions you had about the research problem under study?
How does the author structure their argument? What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument make sense to you? Does it persuade you? Why or why not? Were there any questions left unanswered? Were limitations to the study effectively addressed?
How has each book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the books to others? Why or why not? In what ways have the books collectively expanded your understanding of the research problem?

Beyond the content of the book, you may also consider some information about each author and the circumstances of the text's production:

Who is the author? Nationality, political persuasion, education, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. Does it matter, for example, that the author is affiliated with a particular organization? What difference would it make if the author participated in the events he or she writes about? What other topics has the author written about? Does this work build on prior research or does it seem to represent a new area of research?
What is each book's genre? Out of what discipline do they emerge? Do they conform to or depart from the conventions of its genre? These questions can provide a historical or other contextual standard upon which to base your evaluations. If you are reviewing a book described as the first book ever written on the subject, it will be important for your readers to know this. Keep in mind, though, that declarative statements about being the “first,” the "best," or the "only" book of its kind can be a risky unless you're absolutely certain because your professor [presumably] has a much better understanding of the overall research literature.

Bazerman, Charles. Comparing and Synthesizing Sources. The Informed Writer: Using Sources in the Disciplines. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Comparing and Contrasting. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Comparison and Contrast Essays. Writing Support Centre. University of Western Ontario; Hartley, James. “Reading and Writing Book Reviews Across the Disciplines.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 57 (July 2006): 1194-1207; Walk, Kerry. How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Paper. Writing Center. Princeton Writing Program; Rhetorical Strategies: Comparison and Contrast. The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Visvis, Vikki and Jerry Plotnick; Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay. The Comparative Essay. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay. CLRC Writing Center. Santa Barbara City College.

Structure and Writing Style

I. Bibliographic Information

Provide the essential information about each book using the writing style asked for by your professor [e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.]. Depending on how your professor wants you to organize your review, the bibliographic information represents the heading of your review. In general, they would be arranged alphabetically by title and look like this:

Racing the Storm: Racial Implications and Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina . Hillary Potter, ed. (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2007. 320 pp) The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe . David L. Brunsma, David Overfelt, and J. Steven Picou, eds. (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2007. 288 pp.) Through the Eye of Katrina: Social Justice in the United States . Kristin A. Bates and Richelle S. Swan, eds. (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2007. 440 pp.) Reviewed by [your full name]

II. Thesis Statement

The thesis statement of an essay that compares and contrasts multiple works should contain an idea or claim that unites the discussion of each text under review . It should include the argument that will be advanced in support of the claims being made. To begin, ask yourself: What is the overarching subject or issue that ties together all of the books? Why is it important? In most scholarly works, the author(s) will state the purpose of their book in the preface or in an introductory chapter. Look for common themes or points of divergence among the books.

If you cannot find an adequate statement in the author's own words or if you find that the thesis statement is not well-developed, then you will have to compose your own introductory thesis statement that does cover all the material. The comparative thesis statement will vary in length depending on the number and complexity of the books under review. Regardless of length, it must be succinct, accurate, unbiased, and clear.

If you find it difficult to discern the overall aims and objectives of each book [and, be sure to point this out in your review if you believe it to be a deficiency], you may arrive at an understanding of the purpose by asking yourself a the following questions:

Scan the table of contents because it can help you understand how the book is organized and will aid in determining the author's main ideas and how they are developed [e.g., chronologically, topically, historically, etc.].
Why did the authors write on this subject rather than on some other subject?
From what point of view is each work written?
Were the authors trying to provide information, to explain something technical, or to convince the reader of a belief’s validity by dramatizing it in action?
What is the general field or genre, and how does each book fit into it? If necessary, review related literature from other books and journal articles to familiarize yourself with the field.
Who is the intended audience for each book? Is it the same or are the books intended for difference sets of readers?
What is each author's style? Is it formal or informal? You can evaluate the quality of the writing style by noting some of the following standards: coherence, clarity, originality, forcefulness, accurate use of technical words, conciseness, fullness of development, and fluidity.
How did the books affect you? Were any prior assumptions you had on the subject that were changed, abandoned, or reinforced after reading the books? How are the books related to your own personal beliefs or assumptions? What personal experiences have you had that relate to the subject?
How well has each book achieved the goal(s) set forth in the preface, introduction, and/or foreword?
Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

A useful strategy to help organize your thoughts is to create a table with a column for each book and rows for each question. Enter your answer to each book in the chart. When completed, you'll have an easy guide to how each author has addressed the questions.

NOTE: Your thesis statement underpins the purpose of your review and helps the reader understand how the books are related. However, while a book review essay should evaluate books about the same topic [e.g., hurricane Katrina recovery], there may not be an overarching issue that ties the books together. If this is the case, then the thesis could, for example, center around the diversity of issues scholars have chosen to examine a topic or the fractured nature of scholarship on the subject.

ANOTHER NOTE : Your thesis statement should include the rationale for why the key points you highlight or compare and contrast among the books being reviewed were deliberate and meaningful and not random. Explain their significance.

III. Methods of Organizing the Essay

Organization is critical to writing an essay that compares and contrasts multiple works because you will most likely be discussing a variety of evidence and you must be certain that the logic and narrative flow of your paper can be understood by the reader. Here are some general guidelines to consider:

If your professor asks you to choose the books to review, identify works that are closely related in some way so they can be easily compared or contrasted.
Compare according to a single organizing idea [e.g., analysis of how each author assessed the effectiveness of post-Katrina recovery efforts].
Choose a method of development [see below] that works well with your organizing idea.
Use specific and relevant examples to support your analysis.
Use transitional words or phrases to help the reader understand the similarities and differences in your subject.
Conclude your paper by restating your thesis, summarizing the main points, and giving the reader a final "so what" answer to the major similarities and/or differences that you discussed [i.e., why are they important?

There are two general methods of organizing your multiple book review essay. If you believe one work extends another, you'll probably use the block method; if you find that two or more works are essentially engaged in a debate or examine a topic from different perspectives, the point-by-point method will help draw attention to the conflict. However, the point-by-point method can come off as a rhetorical ping-pong match. You can avoid this effect by grouping more than one point together, thereby cutting down on the number of times you alternate from one work to another. No matter which method you choose, you do not need to give equal time to similarities and differences. In fact, your paper will be more interesting if you state your main argument(s) as quickly as possible. For example, a book review essay evaluating three research studies that examine different interpretations of conflict resolution among nations in the Middle East might have as few as two or three sentences in the introduction regarding similarities and only a paragraph or two to set up the contrast between the author’s positions. The rest of the essay, whether organized by block method or point-by-point, will be your analysis of the key differences among the books.

The Block Method Present all the information about A, and then present parallel information about B. This pattern tends to work better for shorter book review essays, and those with few sub-topics. The method looks like this:

I. Introduction A. Briefly introduce the significance of the overall subject matter B. Thesis Statement --First supporting point --Second supporting point --Third supporting point II. First book A. Summary of book --Relationship of work to first point --Relationship of work to second point --Relationship of work to third point III. Second book A. Summary of book --Relationship of work to first point --Relationship of work to second point --Relationship of work to third point IV. Third book A. Summary of book --Relationship of work to first point --Relationship of work to second point --Relationship of work to third point V. Conclusion A. Restate thesis B. Briefly summarize how you proved your argument The Point-by-Point Method Present one point about A, and then go to the parallel point about B. Move to the next point, and do the same thing. This pattern tends to work better for long book review essays and those with many sub-topics. The method looks like this:

I. Introduction A. Briefly introduce significance of overall subject matter B. Thesis statement II. Brief explanation of first book III. Brief explanation of second book IV. First comparative point A. Relation of point to first book B. Relation of point to second book V. Second comparative point A. Relation of point to first book B. Relation of point to second book VI. Third comparative point A. Relation of point to first book B. Relation of point to second book VII. Conclusion A. Restate thesis B. Briefly summarize how your proved your argument

IV. Critically Evaluate the Contents

Regardless of whether you choose the block method or the point-by-point method, critical comments should form the bulk of your book review essay . State whether or not you feel the author's treatment of the subject matter is appropriate for the intended audience. Ask yourself:

Has the objectives of each author(s) been achieved?
What contribution do the books make to the field of study or discipline?
Is the treatment of the subject matter objective?
Are there facts and evidence that have been omitted, either in one of the books or collectively?
What kinds of data, if any, are used to support each author's thesis statement?
Can the same data be interpreted to alternate ends?
Is the writing style clear and effective?
Do the books raise important or provocative issues or topics for discussion and further research?
What has been left out?

Support your evaluation with evidence from the text of each book and, when possible, in relation to other sources. If relevant, make note of each book's format, such as, layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there maps, illustrations? Do they aid in understanding the research problem? This is particular important in books that contain a lot of non-textual elements, such as tables, charts, pictures, and illustrations.

NOTE: It is important to carefully distinguish your views from those of the authors, so that you don’t confuse your reader.

V. Examine the Front Matter and Back Matter

Front matter refers to anything before the first chapter of the book. Back matter refers to any information included after the final chapter of the book . Front matter is most often numbered separately from the rest of the text in lower case Roman numerals [i.e. i-xi ]. Critical commentary about front or back matter is generally only necessary if you believe there is something that diminishes the overall quality of the work [e.g., the indexing is poor] or there is something that is particularly helpful in understanding the book's contents [e.g., foreword places the book in an important context].

The following front matter may be included in a book and may be considered for evaluation when reviewing its overall quality:

Table of contents -- is it clear? Is it detailed or general? Does it reflect the true contents of the book?
Author biography -- also found as back matter, the biography of author(s) can be useful in determining the authority of the writer and whether the book builds on prior research or represents new research. In scholarly reviews, noting the author's affiliation can be a factor in helping the reader determine the overall validity of the work [i.e., are they associated with a research center devoted to studying the research problem under investigation].
Foreword -- the purpose of a foreword is to introduce the reader to the author as well as the book itself, and to help establish credibility for both. A foreword may not contribute any additional information about the book's subject matter, but it serves as a means of validating the book's existence. Later editions of a book sometimes have a new foreword prepended [appearing before an older foreword, if there was one], which may be included to explain in how the latest edition differs from previous ones.
Acknowledgements -- scholarly studies in the social sciences often take many years to write, so authors frequently acknowledge the help and support of others in getting their research published. This can be as innocuous as acknowledging the author's family or the publisher. However, an author may acknowledge prominent scholars or subject experts, staff at key research centers, or people who curate important archival collections. In these particular cases, it may be worth noting these sources of support in your review.
Preface -- generally describes the genesis, purpose, limitations, and scope of the book and may include acknowledgments of indebtedness to people who have helped the author complete the study. Is the preface helpful in understanding the study? Does it provide an effective framework for understanding what's to follow?
Chronology -- also may be found as back matter, a chronology is generally included to highlight key events related to the subject of the book. Do the entries contribute to the overall work? Is it detailed or very general?
List of non-textual elements -- a book that contains a lot of charts, photographs, maps, etc. will often list these items after the table of contents in order that they appear in the text. Is it useful?

The following back matter may be included in a book and may be considered for evaluation when reviewing the overall quality of the book:

Afterword -- this is a short, reflective piece written by the author that takes the form of a concluding section, final commentary, or closing statement. It is worth mentioning in a review if it contributes information about the purpose of the book, gives a call to action, or asks the reader to consider key points made in the book.
Appendix -- is the supplementary material in the appendix or appendices well organized? Do they relate to the contents or appear superfluous? Does it contain any essential information that would have been more appropriately integrated into the text?
Index -- is the index thorough and accurate? Are elements used, such as, bold or italic fonts to help identify specific places in the book?
Glossary of Terms -- are the definitions clearly written? Is the glossary comprehensive or are key terms missing? Are any terms or concepts mentioned in the text not included?
Footnotes/Endnotes -- examine any footnotes or endnotes as you read from chapter to chapter. Do they provide important additional information? Do they clarify or extend points made in the body of the text?
Bibliography/References/Further Readings -- review any bibliography, list of references to sources, and/or further readings the author may have included. What kinds of sources appear [e.g., primary or secondary, recent or old, scholarly or popular, etc.]? How does the author make use of them? Be sure to note important omissions of sources that you believe should have been utilized.

NOTE: Typically, multiple book review essays do not compare and contrast the quality of the back and front matter unless the books share a common deficiency [e.g., poor indexing], the front or back matter is particularly important in supplementing the primary content of the books, or one book stands out in regards to the quality of information presented in the front or back matter.

VI. Summarize and Comment

Your conclusion should synthesize the key similarities and differences among the books and their collective contributions to understanding of the research problem. Avoid re-stating your assessment word for word; your goal is to provide a sense of closure and to leave the reader with a final perspective about the overall topic under review and whether you believe each book has effectively contributed to the overall research literature on the subject. Do not introduce new information in the conclusion. If you've compared the books to any other studies or used other sources in writing the review, be sure to cite them at the end of your book review essay.

Bazerman, Charles. Comparing and Synthesizing Sources. The Informed Writer: Using Sources in the Disciplines. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Comparing and Contrasting. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Comparison and Contrast Essays. Writing Support Centre. University of Western Ontario; Rhetorical Strategies: Comparison and Contrast. The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Hartley, James. “Reading and Writing Book Reviews Across the Disciplines.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 57 (July 2006): 1194-1207; Hooker, Fran and Kate James. Apples to Oranges: Writing a Compare and Contrast Paper. The Writing Center. Webster University; Oinas, Päivi and Samuli Leppälä. “Views on Book Reviews.” Regional Studies 47 (2013): 1785-1789; Visvis, Vikki and Jerry Plotnick. The Comparative Essay. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay. CLRC Writing Center. Santa Barbara City College.

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Last Updated: Nov 13, 2024 9:40 AM
URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments

Organizing Academic Research Papers: Multiple Book Review Essay

Purpose of Guide
Design Flaws to Avoid
Glossary of Research Terms
Narrowing a Topic Idea
Broadening a Topic Idea
Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
Academic Writing Style
Choosing a Title
Making an Outline
Paragraph Development
Executive Summary
Background Information
The Research Problem/Question
Theoretical Framework
Citation Tracking
Content Alert Services
Evaluating Sources
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Tertiary Sources
What Is Scholarly vs. Popular?
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Using Non-Textual Elements
Limitations of the Study
Common Grammar Mistakes
Avoiding Plagiarism
Footnotes or Endnotes?
Further Readings
Annotated Bibliography
Dealing with Nervousness
Using Visual Aids
Grading Someone Else's Paper
How to Manage Group Projects
Multiple Book Review Essay
Reviewing Collected Essays
About Informed Consent
Writing Field Notes
Writing a Policy Memo
Writing a Research Proposal
Acknowledgements

A multiple book essay involves writing a review of two or generally no more than six books that cover the same overall subject area [e.g., analysis of European debt crisis] or that are related to each other in a particular way [e.g., applying grounded theory methods to study student access to education]. The reviews are written in the form of a short scholarly paper [essay] rather than as a descriptive review of the books. The purpose is to compare and contrast the works under review, identifying key themes and critical issues and assessing each writer's contributions to understanding the general topics discussed in each book. Professors assign reviews of multiple books to help students gain experience in evaluating the ways in which different researchers examine and interpret issues related to a specific research problem.

How to Approach Writing Your Review

Developing an Assessment Strategy

As with reviewing a work of collected essays, you must think critically about the research problem under study by multiple authors before you begin writing. The challenge is to develop an argument about each book you are reviewing and then clearly compare, contrast, and ultimately sythesize the themes into an well organized and well supported essay.

Think of a multiple book review essay as a type of compare and contrast paper similar to what you may have written for a general issue-oriented composition class . As you read through each book, write down the following questions and answer them as you read [remember to note the page numbers and from which book you got the information from so you can refer back it later!]. Which questions are most useful will depend upon the type of books you are reviewing and how they are related to each other.

Here are a series of questions to focus your thinking:

What is the thesis—or main argument—of each book? If the author wanted you to get one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? What has the book accomplished?
What exactly is the subject or topic of each book? Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion? Can you detect any biases? What is the approach to the subject (topical, analytical, chronological, descriptive)?
How does the author of each book support his or her argument? What evidence does each author use to prove his or her point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the author's information [or conclusions] conflict with other books you've read, courses you've taken, or just previous assumptions you had about the research problem under study?
How does the author structure his or her argument? What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument make sense to you? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
How has each book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the book to others? Why or why not?

Beyond the content of the book, you may also consider some information about the author and the circumstances of the text's production:

Who is the author? Nationality, political persuasion, training, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. Does it matter, for example, that the author is affiliated with a particular organization? What difference would it make if the author participated in the events he or she writes about? What other topics has the author written about? Does this work build on prior research or does it seem to represent a new area of research?
What is the book's genre? Out of what discipline does it emerge? Does it conform to or depart from the conventions of its genre? These questions can provide a historical or other contextual standard upon which to base your evaluations. If you are reviewing the first book ever written on the subject, it will be important for your readers to know this. Keep in mind, though, that declarative statements about being the “first,” the "best," or the "only" book of its kind can be a risky unless you're absolutely certain because your professor [presumably] has a much better understanding of the overall research literature.

Bazerman, Charles. Comparing and Synthesizing Sources . The Informed Writer: Using Sources in the Disciplines. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Comparing and Contrasting . The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Comparison and Contrast Essays. Writing Support Centre. University of Western Ontario; Walk, Kerry. How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Paper. Writing Center. Princeton Writing Program; Rhetorical Strategies: Comparison and Contrast . The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Visvis, Vikki and Jerry Plotnick; Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay. The Comparative Essay. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay . CLRC Writing Center. Santa Barbara City College.

Structure and Writing Style

I. Bibliographic Information

II. Thesis Statement

The thesis statement of an essay that compares and contrasts multiple works should contain an idea or claim that unites a discussion of the texts under review . It should include the argument that will be advanced in support of the claims that is being made. To begin, ask yourself: "What is the overarching subject or issue that ties together all of the books?" Why is it important?" In most scholarly works, the author(s) will state the purpose of their book in the preface or in an introductory chapter.

If you cannot find an adequate statement in the author's own words or if you find that the thesis statement is not well-developed, then you will have to compose your own introductory thesis statement that does cover all the material. For a book review essay, this thesis statement will vary in length depending on the number and complxity of books. Regardless of length, it must be succinct, accurate, unbiased, and clear.

If you find it difficult to discern the overall aims and objectives of the book [and, be sure to point this out in your review if you believe it to be a deficiency], you may arrive at an understanding of the purpose by asking yourself a the following questions:

Why did the author write on this subject rather than on some other subject?
From what point of view is the work written?
Was the author trying to give information, to explain something technical, or to convince the reader of a belief’s validity by dramatizing it in action?
What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it? Review related literature from other books and journal articles to familiarize yourself with the field, if necessary.
Who is the intended audience?
What is the author's style? Is it formal or informal? You can evaluate the quality of the writing style by noting some of the following standards: coherence, clarity, originality, forcefulness, correct use of technical words, conciseness, fullness of development, and fluidity.
Scan the Table of Contents because it can help you understand how the book is organized and will aid in determining the author's main ideas and how they are developed [e.g., chronologically, topically, etc.]
How did the book affect you? Were any prior assumptions you had on the subject changed, abandoned, or reinforced due to this book? How is the book related to your own course or personal agenda? What personal experiences have you had that relate to the subject?
How well has the book achieved its goal(s)?
Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

NOTE : Be sure that your thesis statement includes the rationale behind why your choice of what points to compare and contrast were deliberate and meaningful and not random!

III. Methods of Organization

If your professor asks you to choose the books to review, identify works that are closely related in some way so they can be easily compared or contrasted.
Compare according to a single organized idea.
Choose a method of development [see below] that works well with your organizing idea.
Use specific and relevant examples to support your analysis.
Use transitional words or phrases to help the reader understand the similarities and differences in your subject.
Conclude your paper by restating your thesis, summarizing the main points, and give the reader the final "so what" of the major similarities and/or differences that you discussed. Why are they important?

There are two general methods of organizing your book review essay. If you believe one work extends another, you'll probably use a block method; if you find that two or more works are essentially engaged in a debate, a point-by-point method will help draw attention to the conflict. However, the point-by-point method can come off as a rhetorical ping-pong match. You can avoid this effect by grouping more than one point together, thereby cutting down on the number of times you alternate from one work to another. No matter which method you choose, you do not need to give equal time to similarities and differences. In fact, your paper will be more interesting if you state your main argument(s) as quickly as possible. For example, a book review essay evaluating three research studies that examine different interpretations of conflict resolution among nations in the Middl East might have as few as two or three sentences in the introduction regarding similarities and only a paragraph or two to set up the contrast between the author’s positions. The rest of the essay, whether organized by block method or point-by-point, will be your analysis of the key differences among the books.

I. Introduction A. Briefly introduce the significance of the overall subject matter B. Thesis Statement --First supporting point --Second supporting point --Third supporting point II. First book A. Summary of book --Relationship of work to first point --Relationship of work to second point --Relationship of work to third point III. Second book A. Summary of book --Relationship of work to first point --Relationship of work to second point --Relationship of work to third point IV. Third book A. Summary of book --Relationship of work to first point --Relationship of work to second point --Relationship of work to third point V. Conclusion A. Restate thesis B. Summarize how you proved your argument The Point-by-Point Method Present one point about A, and then go to the parallel point about B. Move to the next point, and do the same thing. This pattern tends to work better for long book review essays and those with many sub-topics. The method looks like this:

IV. Critically Evaluate the Contents

Has the purpose of the book been achieved?
What contribution does the book make to the field?
Is the treatment of the subject matter objective?
Are there facts and evidence that have been omitted?
What kinds of data, if any, are used to support the author's thesis statement?
Can the same data be interpreted to alternate ends?
Is the writing style clear and effective?
Does the book raise important or provocative issues or topics for discussion and further research?
What has been left out?

Support your evaluation with evidence from each text and, when possible, in relation to other sources. If relevant, make note of each book's format, such as, layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there maps, illustrations? Do they aid in understanding the research problem? This is particular important in books that contain a lot of non-textual elements, such as tables, charts, and illustrations.

NOTE : It is important to carefully distinguish your views from those of the authors, so that you don’t confuse your reader.

V. Examine the Front Matter and Back Matter

Back matter refers to any information included after the final chapter of the book. Front matter refers to anything before the first chapter. Front matter is most often numbered separately from the rest of the text in lower case Roman numerals [i.e. i-xi ]. Critical commentary about front or back matter is generally only necessary if you believe there is something that diminishes the overall quality of the work or there is something that is particularly helpful in understanding the book's contents.

The following back matter may be included in a book and should be considered for evaluation when reviewing the overall quality of the book:

Table of contents --is it clear? Does it reflect the true contents of the book?
Author biography --also found as back matter, the biography of author(s) can be useful in determining the authority of the writer and whether the book builds on prior research or represents new research. In scholarly reviews, noting the author's affiliation can be a factor in helping the reader determine the overall validity of work [i.e., are they associated with a research center devoted to studying the research problem under investigation].
Foreword --in a scholarly books, a foreword may be written by the author or an expert on the subject of the book. The purpose of a foreword is to introduce the reader to the author as well as the book itself, and attempt to establish credibility for both. A foreword does not contribute any additional information about the book's subject matter, but it serves as a means of validating the book's existence. Later editions of a book sometimes have a new foreword prepended [appearing before an older foreword if there was one], which might explain in what respects that edition differs from previous ones.
Preface --generally describes the genesis, purpose, limitations, and scope of the book and may include acknowledgments of indebtedness to people who have helped the author complerte the study. Is the preface helpful in understanding the study? Does it effectively provide a framework for what's to follow?
Chronology --also found as back matter, a chronology is generally included to highlight key events related to the subject of the book. Does it contribute to the overall work? Is it detailed or very general?
List of non-textual elements --if a book contains a lot of charts, photographs, maps, etc., they will often be listed in the front.
Afterword --this is a short, reflective piece written by the author that takes the form of a concluding section, final commentary, or closing statement. It is worth mentioning in a review if it contributes information about the purpose of the book, gives a call to action, or asks the reader to consider key points made in the book.
Appendix --is the supplementary material in the appendix or appendices well organized? Do they relate to the contents or appear superfluous? Does it contain any essential information that would have been more appropriately integrated into the text?
Index --is the index thorough and accurate? Are there elements such as bold text, to help identify specific parts of the book?
Glossary --are the definitions clearly written? Is the glossary comprehensive or are key terms missing?
Endotes/Footnotes --check any end notes or footnotes as you read from chapter to chapter. Do they provide important additional information? Do they clarify or extend points made in the body of the text?
Bibliography/Further Readings --review any bibliography or further readings the author may have included. What kinds of sources [e.g., primary or secondary, recent or old, scholarly or popular, etc.] appear in the bibliography? How does the author make use of them? Make note of important omissions.

NOTE : In reviewing multiple works, compare and contrast the quality of the back and front matter. Be sure to highlight works where the front or back matter is particularly well-organized or effective in supplementing the main content.

VI. Summarize and Comment

Your conclusion should synthesize the key similarities and differences among the books. Avoid stating restating your assessment word for word; your goal is to provide a sense of closure and to leave the reader with a final perspective about the overall subject under review and whether you believe each book has effectively contributed to the overall research literature on the subject. Do not introduce new information or ideas in the conclusion.

Bazerman, Charles. Comparing and Synthesizing Sources . The Informed Writer: Using Sources in the Disciplines. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Comparing and Contrasting . The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Comparison and Contrast Essays. Writing Support Centre. University of Western Ontario; Rhetorical Strategies: Comparison and Contrast . The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Hooker, Fran and Kate James. Apples to Oranges: Writing a Compare and Contrast Paper. The Writing Center. Webster University; Visvis, Vikki and Jerry Plotnick. The Comparative Essay . The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay . CLRC Writing Center. Santa Barbara City College.

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Organize a Multiple Book Review Essay

How to define this type of essay.

Multiple book review essays are assignments that involve evaluating two or more books covering the same subject matter (for example, the debt crisis in Europe) or books that relate to one another in a certain way (for example, how to apply grounded theory methodologies to education and students’ access to the same). These types of reviews, which examine the quality of the texts, are written as short academic papers (or essays), not as descriptive reviews. The primary purpose is comparing and contrasting the books being reviewed, identifying important themes and crucial issues, and assessing the contributions that individual writers make towards helping readers understand the overall topics that each set of books has in common. A lot of professors give these assignments to students to help them get better at critically analyzing and evaluating how the various researchers investigate or look at and interpret a particular research question or problem and the issues associated or related to it.

Approaches to Writing This Type of Review

Develop a Strategy for Assessing the Books

One of the most important first steps in the approach you take to writing a review involving two books or more is the identification of the research question or problem that link the books, and to think about this in a critical manner. TThe biggest challenge, possibly, is developing a sound argument for each of the books being reviewed and then comparing and contrasting them in a clear way before synthesizing your overall analysis into a successful essay that is adequately supported and properly organized.

It can help to think of this type of review essay as an assignment that involves comparing and contrasting, similar to the ones you might have been asked to write on a general topic for some writing class. While you are reading the books, make a note of anything you would like to know about each of them. Answer these questions as you continue reading (do not forget to take a note of the different books’ page numbers where you have questions so that you can come back to these later). The questions you ask will generally depend on the book type and how each one relates to the other.

The following are some questions to keep your thinking focused:

Can you identify the primary argument – or thesis – in each book? If, for example, the book’s author had intended you to leave with one key idea, what do you think this would be? How do you think each book compares or contrasts to the wider world? What accomplishment would you attribute to each book?
Looking at each of the books, what do think its exact topic or subject is? Is the manner in which the author deals with the topic adequate? Are there any obvious biases that you can detect? What sort of approach has the author taken towards the topic i.e. is it a topical, descriptive, chronological, or analytical one?
What means does each book’s author use to support their respective arguments? In trying to prove their various points, what examples or evidence does each of the authors use? Is the evidence they have chosen convincing? Why do you find it convincing or not convincing? Does the information in any of the books (or any of the conclusions) differ or conflict with the information in any other books that you have read, assumptions you have had regarding the research question or problem, or with any other courses, you have participated in?
What method does each author use to structure their particular arguments? Is the whole made up of individual parts and, if so, what are these? Do you find the argument in each book makes good sense? Are you persuaded by it and, if so, why does it or does it not make sense?
Is your understanding of the topic or subject improved by each of the books and how? Do you think you would recommend any or all of these books to other readers? Why would you recommend them or why would you not recommend them?

Aside from the content of each book, there is some author-related information you might want to consider along with the particular circumstances in which each text was produced:

Looking at each book, who is its author? What is their personal background or history, nationality, academic interests, political interests, and is there any historical information or context that could provide important information about how the book took shape? Is it, for instance, significant that a book’s author belongs to some organization or other? Would it make any or much difference if the author had taken part in the events or situations described in their book? Are there any other subjects any of the authors have written books about? Does the work in any or all of the books build on previous research or do you feel it deals with a completely new field or area?
What is the genre of each book? Which field or discipline does it come from? Do the texts comply with or deviate from the usual norms and conventions of their genre? The answers to these and similar questions can be useful for providing a sound historical or background context or for providing some other standard you could use to base your review’s analysis and evaluations upon. If a book you are reading and reviewing is the first that has been written on a particular subject, it is important to tell readers this. However, you should remember that declarations about a book being the “very first,” “very best” or “only one” of its type can carry certain risk unless you are entirely certain. This is because your tutor or professor probably understands the available literature or research material on a topic or subject better than you do.

Structure and Style of Writing

In a bibliography and for reference purposes, it is necessary to provide key information about every text using whatever style of citation your tutor or professor asks for i.e. APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA, and so on. While much depends on the method a professor or tutors requires you to use for organizing your book review, the bibliographic or reference information is likely to represent your paper’s heading. Generally speaking, entries are usually arranged in alphabetical order according to title as per the following fictional examples:

Riding out the Storms: The Racial Consequences and Other Lessons that Can be Learned from Hurricane Disasters . Hank Porter, ed. (Boston, MA: Jenson Books, 2010. 240 pp) The Important Sociology Implications of a Hurricane: Thoughts on Modern-Day Catastrophes . Daphne A. Greene, Bryan Davidson, and B. Joshua Chantrelle, eds. (Boston, MA: Wyman and Oldfield, 2010. 304 pp.) From the Eye of the Storm: The USA and Social Integrity . Justin B. Bateman and Racquel C. Hanson, eds. (Tampa, FL: Florida University Press, 2010. 394 pp.)

Reviewer: [Insert name here]

In an essay where your task is to compare and contrast several books, the central thesis statement should encompass a claim or idea that brings the texts you are discussing together. This statement should also contain an argument that you will continue to advance to support your ideas and claims. Start by asking yourself this: “What main issue or subject is it that links all these books together? Why is this issue or subject important?” In the majority of academic texts, the author or authors tend to say – in the book’s preface or introduction chapter – what the purpose of the work is. Your aim should be to look for any themes the books have in common and also for discrepancies or areas of disagreement.

If it is the case you are unable to identify a suitable statement or quotation from the author – i.e. something in their own words – or where you think a book’s thesis statement is not sufficiently developed, you will need to write your own thesis to encompass or unite all the content you are reviewing. The length of these thesis statements may vary with much dependent on how many books you are reviewing and the complexity of these. Yet, irrespective of its length, your thesis statement should be clear, accurate, succinct, and without bias.

In the event you have difficulty working out the overriding aims and the objectives of each of the books (and you should draw attention to this in the review you are writing if you think it is a fault or deficiency), it should be possible for you to get some understanding of the overall purpose if you ask these next questions or complete the suggested actions:

Look through the different books’ ToC (tables of content) because these will show you how the content is structured and organized and it will help you determine what the author’s primary idea is and the manner in which this is advanced and developed (for example, by topic, in chronological order, and so on).
Why do you think these authors wrote about this particular subject and not another subject?
What viewpoint is each of the works written from?
What was each author attempting to do i.e. were they attempting to provide information, explain some technical concept, or trying to persuade readers about the validity of a belief by showing it through an action or by somehow dramatizing it?
In general terms, what genre or field do the books belong to and how do they fit into this? Where necessary, you should review any related literature or materials from various other journal articles and books in order to become more familiar with the subject and/or field.
Who i.e. what audience do you think each of the books is intended for? Is the audience the same for each book or are they aimed at different groups of readers?
What writing style does each author use i.e. formal or perhaps informal? The style quality can be evaluated by making a note of certain standards such as accuracy in the way technical terminology is used, clarity, coherence, conciseness, fluidness, originality, level of development, and how forceful the language is.
How were you affected by the different books? Did you have any assumptions about the subject before you started reading, what were these, were they reinforced upon reading any or all of the texts, or were your assumptions altered or changed once you had finished reading? Did any or all of the books relate in any way to your personal views, assumptions, or beliefs? Do any of your own experiences relate to or differ from the books’ subject matter?
Does each of the books achieve the aims or goals set out in the book’s preface, foreword, or introduction and, if so, how well do they do this?
Do you think you would recommend any of these books to other readers? Moreover, why would you recommend them or not recommend them?

Using a table is a good way of helping a writer to organize their thoughts and ideas. So, if you use this strategy, create columns within your table for each of the books and use rows for your questions. Put the answers to your questions under the name of each of the books. When this chart is complete, it will act as a useful guide showing you at a glance how each of the questions has been addressed by the respective author.

Important note: The thesis statement you create will underpin the primary purpose of the book review you are writing and it will help readers to see and understand how all books are linked or related. Nevertheless while the aim of this type of essay is to evaluate a number of books on the same subject or topic (e.g. dealing with and recovering from hurricanes), it may be there is not one overall issue linking all of the texts together. So, for instance, in this eventuality you could center your thesis on the diversity and range of issues the authors have written about or the disconnected nature of available knowledge on the subject matter.

Additional note: Still dwelling on the your essay’s thesis statement, it is important to note that this should contain the rationale behind the main points you draw attention to or it should indicate – by means of comparing and contrasting – whether the likeness and differences among the different books were meaningful and intentional rather than randomly chosen. You need to explain how and why these are significant.

In an essay where multiple books need to be compared and contrasted, the method of organization is crucial, not least because it is very likely the writer will be discussing a range of evidence. Therefore, they need to be sure that the way the narrative of their essay flows and its logic is easy for the reader to understand. Below are a few general rules worth considering:

If a professor says you may choose books for your review, you should try to identify ones that somehow relate closely to one another. This will make it easier for you to compare and contrast them.
When comparing, do so on the basis of some single organizational principle or idea i.e. an evaluation of how the different authors assess the efficiency of post-hurricane recovery.
Decide on a developmental method that is complementary to the organizing principle you have chosen.
Choose relevant and specific examples for supporting the analysis work you do.
Use transitions (suitable words and phrases) to help readers understand the likenesses and differences that apply to the subject.
End your review essay with a restatement of your central thesis, a summary of the key points, and a last “what does it matter” for readers in respect of the main likenesses and differences discussed in earlier parts of your paper. In what way are these important and why?

Generally speaking, a review essay of this type can be organized in one of two ways. If it is the case you think one particular work expands or elaborates on another, it is possible you will use a method called the “block.” And should you discover that two books or more examine or debate a particular topic from various perspectives, you may want to use a method called the “point-by-point” to help you highlight any possible conflict(s). This latter method can, however, seem like a rhetorical game of Ping-Pong. This effect can be avoided if you group some points together, thus reducing how often you have to go back and forth from one text to others.

Regardless of whichever method you opt for, it will not be necessary to devote the same amount of time to the likenesses and the differences. In truth, your essay will be of greater interest if the primary argument or arguments are set out as early as is possible. Take, for instance, an essay that evaluates three different research projects that look at the various interpretations of how best to resolve conflict among Middle Eastern nations. The introductory section of such an essay might not have more than two or perhaps three sentences dwelling on likenesses and just one or two paragraphs setting up the contrasts in the positions taken by the different authors. You will use the remainder of this essay, regardless of whether it uses the block or point-by-point method, for analyzing the primary differences as these appear in your chosen books.

The Method Known as “Block”

With this method, you should set out all information from Book One, followed in parallel fashion with information from Book Two. Very often, this method is more effective for book review essays that are shorter and ones with not many sub-topics. This is how this method should look:

Introduce in brief terms the overall topic or subject matter and why this is important.
Your thesis sentence/statement
Your first point (in support of your argument)
Your second point
Your third point
Summarize this book
How book relates to 1 st supporting point
How book relates to 2 nd supporting point
How book relates to 3 rd supporting point
Restatement of thesis
Brief summary showing how argument has been proved.

The Method Known as “Point-by-Point”

Set out a point about Book One, followed in parallel fashion with a point about Book Two. Often, this method is more effective in book reviews that are longer and ones with a lot of sub-topics. This is how this method should look:

Introduce the topic or subject matter in brief terms and say why this is important.
Explain Book One in Brief Terms
Explain Book Two in Brief Terms
Say how this point relates to book one
Say how this point relates to book two
Brief summary showing how argument has been proved

Irrespective of what method you choose – block or point-by-point, the largest portion of this type of essay should be comprised of critical evaluation. Say if you feel the way the author has treated the subject matter is suitable or not for the targeted audience. Ask these questions of yourself:

Do you think the authors have achieved the purpose they intended?
Do these books contribute to the discipline or field they belong to?
Have the authors treated the subject or topic in an objective manner?
Has any evidence or facts been left out in any or all of the books?
What types of data does each author use to support their thesis statements i.e. if indeed any data is used?
Would it be possible to interpret this data for any other ends or purposes?
How effective and clear is the style of writing?
Are any controversial or important topics or issues raised in any of the books that need to be discussed and researched further?
Has anything been left out and, if so, what?

Your evaluation of the different books should be supported with sound evidence from each of the books and, wherever possible, from other credible sources. Where appropriate and relevant, make a note about the format of each of the books e.g. its typography, binding, layout, and so on. Do any of the books contain any illustrations, maps, etc? Do these help our understanding of the research question or problem? This is of special importance in the case of books with lots of elements other than text i.e. where there are illustrations, charts, graphs, tables, and so forth.

NB: Please remember to separate your own views from the views of the authors of the books you have read to avoid confusing readers.

A reference to a book’s front matter means any matter or information that appears before the book’s first section or chapter. A reference to a book’s back matter means any matter or information that appears past the books last chapter. Usually, front matter should be given separate numbering from the book’s main text in small-case Roman numbers e.g. i, ii, iii, etc. In most cases, it is necessary only to provide critical comments on front and back matter where you believe these contain some material that reduces or diminishes a book’s overall appearance or quality – for example, poor indexing or if something is especially helpful for comprehending the content of a book – for example, the foreword of the book places it in a unique context.

A book may contain the front matter described below and this may be taken into account for evaluation purposes while reviewing a book’s overall appearance and quality:

Tables of content: Are these clear? Are they general or quite detailed? Do they accurately reflect the book’s contents?
Lists of the non-textual aspects of a book: These lists are used in books that have lots of images, maps, graphs, charts, and so on. They usually come after the ToC and in the same order as they are presented in the text. Are the lists in the books you are reviewing useful?
Biographical information about the author: This can also appear as part of a book’s back matter. This is useful for determining the author’s authority and for establishing whether or not the book adds to previous research or is based on fresh research. Making reference to an author’s credentials or affiliations can help readers reach a decision about the book’s validity e.g. is the author affiliated to a research body or organization that is dedicated to studying the research question or problem covered in the book.
The book’s foreword: The foreword section in a book serves the important purpose of introducing the author and their book to the reader and it can help establish trust and credibility in both respects. Forewords do not usually contribute any extra information about the subject matter of the book, but they can be used to validate the existence of the work. Sometimes, forewords are prepended in new editions – i.e. they are placed before the earlier edition’s foreword – and their purpose may be to explain the differences between the new edition and earlier versions.
The Acknowledgements Section: It is often the case that academic research and studies in the different social sciences fields can take several years to complete. Therefore, it is commonplace for authors to acknowledge the support and assistance they received from others in completing their work and getting it published. Sometimes, acknowledgements can be quite innocuous – nothing more than a recognition of a publisher or family members. However, authors of such works may also acknowledge important scholars, subject matter experts, the staff in research labs or study centers, curators of critical archives and collections, librarians, and so on. In cases like these, you may want to note these support sources in your book review essay.
A Book’s Preface: TThis usually describes the purpose, scope, limitations, and genesis of a book and may acknowledge the author’s indebtedness to various people who have assisted with the completion of a particular study or project. Did the preface help you better understand this body of work? How good a framework does it offer in terms of understanding what is to come?
The book’s chronology: In some cases, this also appears as a book’s back matter. Essentially, authors use chronologies (where appropriate) to draw attention to important events concerning the book’s subject matter. Do you think the entries you have reviewed make any valuable contribution to the work? Is the chronology in the books you are reviewing quite general or quite detailed?

Below is a list of some of the back matter you might find in a book and this may be taken into account for evaluation purposes while reviewing a book’s overall appearance and quality

The Afterword: These are relatively short pieces that the author writes as a type of reflective conclusion, closing commentary, or final statement. They are worth noting in a book review if they contribute valuable information about the book’s purpose, call readers to action, or invite readers to give careful consideration to the book’s main points.
Appendices: These are sections at the back of a book, which an author uses to include supplementary or additional materials. Are the appendices you have reviewed well-presented and clearly-organized? Are they relevant to the book’s content or do they seem superfluous? Do they provide any vital information that would be more appropriate if it were included in the book’s main text?
Indices: Are these accurate and thorough? What elements are used to identify or highlight specific aspects of the text e.g. italics, underlining, or bold fonts?
Glossaries (Definition of Terms): Are terms defined in a clear manner? How comprehensive is each book’s glossary or have any important terms been omitted? Have any concepts or terms mentioned within the main text been excluded?
Endnotes and Footnotes: Look for any endnotes and footnotes while reading each chapter. Do these contain any important information? Do the notes extend or clarify the points within the main text to which they are linked?
References, Bibliographies, and Additional Reading Materials: –You should include any reference lists (i.e. lists of sources), bibliographies, and or lists of additional reading materials that the author has included – if there are any – in your review. What types of sources have been included (i.e. are they primary sources, secondary sources, old sources, new sources, well-known sources, etc.)? How has the author used these? Make sure you note any important sources that have been omitted where you think these should have been included.

NB: In typical terms where a review essay involves multiple books, there is no need to compare and/or contrast the nature and quality of front and back matter expect in cases where all books have some deficiency in common (for example, if the indexing is inadequate) or unless the front and/or back matter provides an important addition to the book’s main content.

You should use the concluding section of your essay to synthesize the main likenesses and differences in all of the books and the overall contributions these make towards understanding the particular research question or problem. You should not repeat your previous assessment in the exact same words. Your aim should be to provide readers with a sense of closure and to leave them with a final thought and/or perspective about the subject matter you have been reviewing. You should also say whether or not you think each one of the books has contributed in any significant way to the existing literature that is available on this subject matter. You should not bring in any fresh information in this closing section. If your review has made use of other source materials or has compared these books with other research efforts, make sure you cite these in an end-of-essay reference list.

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How to write comparative essay

Introduction

A comparative analysis essay is a distinctive form of academic writing that invites you to explore and evaluate the relationships between two or more subjects, highlighting both their similarities and differences. Crafting such an essay can be both challenging and rewarding, as it demands critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to construct a well-structured argument. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the step-by-step process of composing an effective comparative analysis essay, focusing on answering the crucial question: "How to write a comparative analysis essay?"

Step 1: Understanding the Comparative Analysis Essay Question

Before you begin writing, it's essential to grasp the nuances of the comparative analysis essay question you are tasked with. This question serves as the guiding principle for your entire essay. It will typically ask you to compare and contrast specific aspects of the subjects under examination. Some common prompts might include:

"Compare and contrast the themes of two novels you have studied."
"Examine the differences and similarities in the historical contexts of two events."
"Compare the character development in two different Shakespearean plays."

Step 2: Determine the Basis for Comparison

The key to answering the comparative analysis essay question effectively is to identify the basis for comparison. This step involves selecting the specific aspects or criteria you will use to evaluate the subjects. For instance, if you are comparing two novels, your basis for comparison might include themes, characters, narrative structure, or symbolism.

Step 3: Become Familiar with the Source Materials

In-depth familiarity with the source materials is essential for writing a successful comparative analysis essay. Take the time to thoroughly read, watch, or research the subjects you are comparing. This will enable you to provide a comprehensive analysis and draw insightful conclusions.

Step 4: Choose an Appropriate Structure

The structure you choose for your comparative analysis essay plays a pivotal role in how you present your arguments. The three common structural approaches are:

a. Block Structure: Dedicate separate sections to each subject, discussing their similarities and differences separately.

b. Alternating Structure: Alternate between discussing the subjects' similarities and differences in each paragraph.

c. Woven Structure: Seamlessly weave together comparisons and contrasts throughout your essay.

Step 5: Prepare an Outline

Creating a well-organized outline is a crucial step in the writing process. An outline helps you structure your thoughts, ensuring a logical flow of ideas and a coherent argument that directly addresses the comparative analysis essay question.

Step 6: Write an Introduction with a Thesis Statement

Your introduction should provide context for your essay and include a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement should directly respond to the comparative analysis essay question and outline the key aspects you will explore.

Step 7: Develop the Body of Your Essay

The body of your essay is where you present your comparisons and contrasts based on the chosen structure. Utilize evidence from your source materials to support your arguments, keeping a balanced and fair evaluation.

Step 8: Write a Conclusion Summarizing Your Main Points

In your conclusion, reiterate the central similarities and differences discussed throughout the essay. Restate your thesis statement and offer a final insight or reflection related to the comparative analysis essay question. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Conclusion:

Answering the question "how to write a comparative analysis essay" necessitates a methodical approach that involves understanding the essay question, determining the basis for comparison, immersing yourself in the source materials, selecting an appropriate structure, outlining your essay, crafting a well-structured introduction and body, and summarizing your key points in the conclusion. By adhering to these steps, you can confidently address the comparative analysis essay question and create an engaging essay that effectively communicates your analysis and insights, achieving a deeper understanding of the subjects under examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a comparative essay? Answer: A comparative essay is an academic writing form that requires comparing and contrasting two or more subjects or ideas.
How do I choose a topic for a comparative essay? Answer: The topic choice depends on your interests and objectives. You can select topics with similar or contrasting characteristics to explore.
What structure works best for a comparative essay? Answer: There are several structures, such as block, alternating, and woven. The choice depends on your topic and how you want to organize your argument.
How do I write an introduction for a comparative essay? Answer: The introduction should provide context and a clear thesis statement, indicating your main comparisons and contrasts.
How do I conclude a comparative essay? Answer: In the conclusion, recap the main points of comparison, restate your thesis, and offer final thoughts on your comparative analysis.

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How to Analyze Two Books in an Essay - Owlcation
May 13, 2012 · How to Write an Essay Comparing Two Books. One of the most important skills to have as one who studies English literature is understanding how to analyze a book, or even two books, in one essay. When it comes to analyzing two novels, whether it is for discussion or in an essay, things can become tricky fast.
How to Compare Two Novels in Comparative Essay - ThoughtCo
Aug 11, 2019 · To craft an essay about these two novels and their similar themes, you would create your own list of similarities like those above, using a list, chart, or a Venn diagram. Sum up your overall theory about how these themes are comparable to create your thesis statement .
How To Write an Essay Comparing Two Books - datbookreviews
Oct 24, 2012 · Writing A Good Comparative Essay. Quite often in English (especially Literature) nowadays, students are being asked to write detailed essays – “controlled assessments” comparing themes in two books. I am quite enjoying writing these How-To’s whilst I am reading books, and I think that they can be beneficial and useful.
Multiple Book Review Essay - Organizing Your Social Sciences ...
Nov 13, 2024 · A multiple book review essay involves assessing the quality of two or more books that cover the same overall subject area [e.g., analysis of the European debt crisis] or that are related to each other in a particular way [e.g., applying grounded theory methods to study student access to education].
How to Compare and Contrast Two Books - Synonym
Compare-contrast essays require students to analyze texts and draw conclusions based on similarities and differences between elements within the texts. This type of analysis is challenging, because it requires multiple levels of thinking.
Free Instruction On Writing An Essay Comparing Two Books
Oct 7, 2024 · A Complete Tutorial On How To Write An Essay Comparing Two Books . Sometimes teachers use the term, controlled assessments to describe a detailed comparison of two books. The themes and other aspects of the books are compared and analyzed. This is a common assignment in English literature classes. What do you need to know to write this type of ...
Multiple Book Review Essay - Sacred Heart University
Jul 18, 2023 · A multiple book essay involves writing a review of two or generally no more than six books that cover the same overall subject area [e.g., analysis of European debt crisis] or that are related to each other in a particular way [e.g., applying grounded theory methods to study student access to education].
Organize a Multiple Book Review Essay - writingscentre.com
Organize a Multiple Book Review Essay How to Define this Type of Essay. Multiple book review essays are assignments that involve evaluating two or more books covering the same subject matter (for example, the debt crisis in Europe) or books that relate to one another in a certain way (for example, how to apply grounded theory methodologies to education and students’ access to the same).
How to Write a Comparative Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide - Aithor
Oct 22, 2023 · Answering the question "how to write a comparative analysis essay" necessitates a methodical approach that involves understanding the essay question, determining the basis for comparison, immersing yourself in the source materials, selecting an appropriate structure, outlining your essay, crafting a well-structured introduction and body, and ...
Comparing Two Books Like a Genius - Essaylook.com
Jan 13, 2017 · To make a paper about these two books and their related topics, you would need to make your particular rundown of similitudes like those above, utilizing a summary, outline, or a Venn Disgram. Write up your general hypothesis about how these subjects are practically identical to make your proposal explanation.

How to Compare Two Novels in Comparative Essay

Comparing Two Novel Themes

Comparing Main Characters in Novels

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How to write comparative essay

Introduction

Step 1: Understanding the Comparative Analysis Essay Question

Step 2: Determine the Basis for Comparison

Step 3: Become Familiar with the Source Materials

Step 4: Choose an Appropriate Structure

Step 5: Prepare an Outline

Step 6: Write an Introduction with a Thesis Statement

Step 7: Develop the Body of Your Essay

Step 8: Write a Conclusion Summarizing Your Main Points

Conclusion:

Frequently Asked Questions

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