A Guide on Writing a Comparative Analysis

Throughout academic years of a student requires writing comparative analysis dissertation, papers and reports for many times. Comparative analysis requires comparing and contrasting two or more points, situations, or cases at through theories, researches and evidences. Comparative analysis differs from one field of study to another as a business student might studies the comparison of two markets, companies in terms of competition, sales or revenue. This category further changes in sub-branches of study for instance in business studies it can be a comparison of marketing based, financial progress or micro-economic factors. So the guide is need to written for each field but this piece of writing will help students of almost fields with a general point of view. For example there are two points A and B, these are equal on the basis of similar characteristics or differences on the same basis. So the comparison or comparative analysis will reflect how the one is right or better over the other on the same basis of comparison. 
Comparing two different elements, points or objects those do not have seemingly related differences and similarities is difficult as it will confuse you because they do not have same basis for the comparison. So the main point of comparison analysis is that two comparative study objects or elements must be similar or at least have same basis of measurements or characteristics but not completely similar after all. In simple words the generics must be homogeneous of both elements. These are the five key elements required for comparative analysis; 

Frame of Reference:It is the main context within that you would compare two things; it’s like an umbrella under that you have gathered them to contrast with each other on the same basis. Frame of reference is an idea, question or problem to study and compare their characteristics to prove an idea or answer the question or solve the problem.

Grounds for Comparison:For instance you are writing a comparison of Apple and Samsung so here might be question why Apple and Samsung, why not Apple and Nestle. The rational is that Apple and Samsung belongs to the same industry with same product category and that is the ground of comparison.

Thesis:Ground for comparison takes the comparative analysis into a process on the basis of the thesis of comparison. Thesis statement will convey the basic idea of argument that follows frame of reference.

Organizational Scheme:Introduction of comparative analysis includes frame of reference, ground for comparison and thesis. So organizational scheme includes two basics;

1. Text-by-text, discussion of all of A and the all of B

2. Point-by-point, comparing point A with the comparative points of B

If 1 point extends other one then you should go for text-by-text scheme but if there is debate between two points then use point-by-point scheme as it will draw attention to the main point.

Linkage of A and B:All comparative writings require to link basic comparative objects, ideas or elements with argument of thesis. The main step in comparative writing is to expressing the link between A and B that will hold together all arguments.

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