compare and contrast heroes essay

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A comprehensive guide to crafting a successful comparison essay.

Comparison essays are a common assignment in academic settings, requiring students to analyze and contrast two or more subjects, concepts, or ideas. Writing a comparison essay can be challenging, but with the right approach and guidance, you can craft a compelling and informative piece of writing.

In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with valuable tips and examples to help you master the art of comparison essay writing. Whether you’re comparing two literary works, historical events, scientific theories, or any other topics, this guide will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to create a well-structured and persuasive essay.

From choosing a suitable topic and developing a strong thesis statement to organizing your arguments and incorporating effective evidence, this guide will walk you through each step of the writing process. By following the advice and examples provided here, you’ll be able to produce a top-notch comparison essay that showcases your analytical skills and critical thinking abilities.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into writing a comparison essay, it’s essential to understand the basics of comparison writing. A comparison essay, also known as a comparative essay, requires you to analyze two or more subjects by highlighting their similarities and differences. This type of essay aims to show how these subjects are similar or different in various aspects.

When writing a comparison essay, you should have a clear thesis statement that identifies the subjects you are comparing and the main points of comparison. It’s essential to structure your essay effectively by organizing your ideas logically. You can use different methods of organization, such as the block method or point-by-point method, to present your comparisons.

Additionally, make sure to include evidence and examples to support your comparisons. Use specific details and examples to strengthen your arguments and clarify the similarities and differences between the subjects. Lastly, remember to provide a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces the significance of your comparison.

Choosing a Topic for Comparison Essay

When selecting a topic for your comparison essay, it’s essential to choose two subjects that have some similarities and differences to explore. You can compare two books, two movies, two historical figures, two theories, or any other pair of related subjects.

Consider selecting topics that interest you or that you are familiar with to make the writing process more engaging and manageable. Additionally, ensure that the subjects you choose are suitable for comparison and have enough material for analysis.

It’s also helpful to brainstorm ideas and create a list of potential topics before making a final decision. Once you have a few options in mind, evaluate them based on the relevance of the comparison, the availability of credible sources, and your own interest in the subjects.

Remember that a well-chosen topic is one of the keys to writing a successful comparison essay, so take your time to select subjects that will allow you to explore meaningful connections and differences in a compelling way.

Finding the Right Pairing

When writing a comparison essay, it’s crucial to find the right pairing of subjects to compare. Choose subjects that have enough similarities and differences to make a meaningful comparison. Consider the audience and purpose of your essay to determine what pairing will be most effective.

Look for subjects that you are passionate about or have a deep understanding of. This will make the writing process easier and more engaging. Additionally, consider choosing subjects that are relevant and timely, as this will make your essay more interesting to readers.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when finding the right pairing. Sometimes unexpected combinations can lead to the most compelling comparisons. Conduct thorough research on both subjects to ensure you have enough material to work with and present a balanced comparison.

Structuring Your Comparison Essay

When writing a comparison essay, it is essential to organize your ideas in a clear and logical manner. One effective way to structure your essay is to use a point-by-point comparison or a block comparison format.

Whichever format you choose, make sure to introduce your subjects, present your points of comparison, provide evidence or examples to support your comparisons, and conclude by summarizing the main points and highlighting the significance of your comparison.

Creating a Clear Outline

Before you start writing your comparison essay, it’s essential to create a clear outline. An outline serves as a roadmap that helps you stay organized and focused throughout the writing process. Here are some steps to create an effective outline:

1. Identify the subjects of comparison: Start by determining the two subjects you will be comparing in your essay. Make sure they have enough similarities and differences to make a meaningful comparison.

2. Brainstorm key points: Once you have chosen the subjects, brainstorm the key points you want to compare and contrast. These could include characteristics, features, themes, or arguments related to each subject.

3. Organize your points: Arrange your key points in a logical order. You can choose to compare similar points side by side or alternate between the two subjects to highlight differences.

4. Develop a thesis statement: Based on your key points, develop a clear thesis statement that states the main purpose of your comparison essay. This statement should guide the rest of your writing and provide a clear direction for your argument.

5. Create a structure: Divide your essay into introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each section should serve a specific purpose and contribute to the overall coherence of your essay.

By creating a clear outline, you can ensure that your comparison essay flows smoothly and effectively communicates your ideas to the reader.

Engaging the Reader

When writing a comparison essay, it is crucial to engage the reader right from the beginning. You want to hook their attention and make them want to keep reading. Here are some tips to engage your reader:

• Start with a strong opening statement or question that entices the reader to continue reading.
• Use vivid language and descriptive imagery to paint a clear picture in the reader’s mind.
• Provide interesting facts or statistics that pique the reader’s curiosity.
• Create a compelling thesis statement that outlines the purpose of your comparison essay.

By engaging the reader from the start, you set the stage for a successful and impactful comparison essay that keeps the reader engaged until the very end.

Point-by-Point vs Block Method

When writing a comparison essay, you have two main options for structuring your content: the point-by-point method and the block method. Each method has its own advantages and may be more suitable depending on the type of comparison you are making.

• Point-by-Point Method: This method involves discussing one point of comparison at a time between the two subjects. You will go back and forth between the subjects, highlighting similarities and differences for each point. This method allows for a more detailed and nuanced analysis of the subjects.
• Block Method: In contrast, the block method involves discussing all the points related to one subject first, followed by all the points related to the second subject. This method provides a more straightforward and organized comparison but may not delve as deeply into the individual points of comparison.

Ultimately, the choice between the point-by-point and block methods depends on the complexity of your comparison and the level of detail you want to explore. Experiment with both methods to see which one best suits your writing style and the specific requirements of your comparison essay.

Selecting the Best Approach

When it comes to writing a comparison essay, selecting the best approach is crucial to ensure a successful and effective comparison. There are several approaches you can take when comparing two subjects, including the block method and the point-by-point method.

The block method: This approach involves discussing all the similarities and differences of one subject first, followed by a thorough discussion of the second subject. This method is useful when the two subjects being compared are quite different or when the reader may not be familiar with one of the subjects.

The point-by-point method: This approach involves alternating between discussing the similarities and differences of the two subjects in each paragraph. This method allows for a more in-depth comparison of specific points and is often preferred when the two subjects have many similarities and differences.

Before selecting an approach, consider the nature of the subjects being compared and the purpose of your comparison essay. Choose the approach that will best serve your purpose and allow for a clear, organized, and engaging comparison.

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Comparing and Contrasting Heroes

Overview/Purpose: To identify qualities and characteristics that go into making someone a hero and the values and choices common to all heroes. Objectives: To find the similarities and differences between heroes. To identify values that drive heroic action. To identify situations and choices that generate heroic actions.

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• Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

• Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
• Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

• Point of comparison A
• Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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Heroes and Gods of the Greek Myths Compare & Contrast Essay

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Heroes and gods are a common feature in all societies they are highly respected and feared , stories of their actions and deeds are passed down to future generations through myths which are tales and stories of the past. Heroes and gods are associated with creation, death, wars, love, betrayal and loyalty.

There are some countries with deep mythical history for example Greece, the Romans, Japanese ,Chinese ,Egyptians and Indians .Events occurring in this communities were explained in terms of gods and heroes; such were wars famine harvests birth death, festivals among others.

The gods were used to explain a certain phenomena for example there was a head god for protection in Greece known as Zeus while that of the Romans was Jupiter, a good of war for the Greek was Ares for Romans it was mars, there was also a mother god called Hera by Greeks and juno by Romans.

Other gods were gods of agriculture, hunting wine, wealth, sea, home, and also fires. The god’s and heroes have always in all communities had some way of connection and communication. The myths told claim that various heroes were assisted by gods in their activities and mostly during wars.

Greece has a very deep mythical history: Zeus the father god was in charge of everything he had to be pleased to as to keep matters under control ,he was promiscuous had very many children with women of which some turned to be immortal while some remained mortal. He had an immortal wife Hera, who he had tricked into marriage after raping her.

Hera was the mother god she was very evil and led to the death of many especially children born by women conceived through Zeus. Aphrodite Zeus daughter was the god of love in Greece she was the cause of the Trojan War as explained below, and had very many lovers. She was in charge of marriages people had to please her so that she can allow people to marry or even be lovers, this often brought about controversies and the death of many.

Most of Greece heroes are associated with the Trojan War a major event in Greece history .The war was triggered by a conflict between their gods, Aphrodite the god of love promised prince Paris of Troy a very beautiful woman and in return he would chose her as he most beautiful goddess instead of Athena or Hera. The woman was Helen and unfortunately she was married to King Menelaus of Sparta. This did not worry the goddess; Helen had courted almost all Achaean leaders before her marriage to Menelaus including Theseus.

When she was married by the king of Sparta, He made the previous suitors to swear that they would help him incase Helen was snatched from him and so it happened because they could do anything for her. They launched a thousand ships into the sea and went into war hence the origin of the Trojan War heroes. Some of these heroes were Achilles, Theseus, Jason Odysseus, and Perseus among others with the greatest hero being Heracles/Hercules.

His wars began when he was very young when his nemesis Hera tried to kill him with snakes because he was Zeus son from another woman but he survived. He is best known for the Trojan War 12 labors he performed for the king, Eurystheus, So as to gain full immortality and have his sins forgiven for killing all his children.

They involved capturing and killing great giants and monsters of other cities a task which no other person in Greek’s history has ever achieved. He was born human but gained immortality through breast feeding by Hera under the orders of Zeus.

He was very masculine, strong, and courageous, very well built, and had sexual relations with both with both females and males. He married four formal wives in his lifetime and had uncountable male lovers and won the Olympics when he killed clothinic a great warrior. He died as a great Greek’s hero and he went into the underworld to stay with the gods

As noted above, heroes and gods are similar in very many ways: they love power, they are strong, they do anything to achieve what they desire, people fear them, they are promiscuous, caused many deaths and often they corporate with each other to achieve their goals but other times they are in competition, for example Aphrodite and the Trojan war heroes.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Beowulf Hero — Comparative Analysis of Two Heroes: Beowulf and Hulk

Comparative Analysis of Two Heroes: Beowulf and Hulk

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Hero Analysis: A Comparison/Contrast Essay

The current essay is aimed at comparison and contrast two heroes – Beowulf and Winston Churchill. It may seem unusual to compare a legendary ancient hero from a well-known Anglo-Saxon epic poem to a famous British political leader. Despite living in different historical epochs, both heroes possess a lot of similar features, including bravery, superiority, authoritative social status, and power. Beowulf and Churchill, however, are much more different heroes than it may seem to be. While for the ancient hero Beowulf, physical dominance and perfect authority are the most valuable features of character, modern heroes similar to Churchill are more complex and imply both positive and negative characteristics.

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Beowulf and Churchill have much in common that can be seen vividly in their behavior and attitude to life challenges. Both Beowulf and Churchill are fearless and both have to face the war and overcome its drawbacks. Despite being from the different epochs, Beowulf and Churchill treat the war identically. They both see the war as the greatest challenge in their life. When Nazi Germany attacked Great Britain during the Second World War, Churchill organized the British people against the invasion. Churchill thinks of the war as the challenge for the whole country to develop resistance to totalitarian ideology.

Beowulf accepts the challenge of war in the same way, because he decides to attack Grendel with neither sword, nor armor. Beowulf knows that “nor finest of weapons of all on the earth, nor any of war-bills was willing to injure” (Beowulf, XIII, 11-13), because Grendel seems to be absolutely invulnerable. The hero, however, has no doubt to take a risk and attack Grendel. Being not afraid of possible death, Beowulf confirms his king status, social respect and acceptance. Fearless and bravery, therefore, are the most important features that unite both heroes. They behave alike in similar life situations, facing the troubles with dignity and courage.

For example, Churchill helped British soldiers to protect their country during the First World War. He took part in the country’s defense on his own. Churchill helped his soldiers to reconstruct and repair London after Hitler’s attacks. Similar to the famous British politician, Beowulf preferred to fight against his enemies on his own as well. Both Beowulf and Churchill possess cunning mind and analytical thinking. They both strived to treat the enemies in a creative way using cheating and various smart tricks. The heroes preferred to know when they had to strike the enemies, Hitler and Grendel. All these similar features make Churchill and Beowulf the individuals who did not back down from any challenge no matter how complicated and frightening it was.

Despite a lot of similarities, the heroes have numerous different features. For instance, while for Beowulf, physical dominance and emphasized masculinity are crucial to make him a hero, Churchill does not possess the same characteristics. For Churchill, cunning mind, analytical thinking, overseeing of the perspectives, and bravery are far more important, than masculinity. Churchill, therefore, demonstrates more complex characteristics, than straightforward and powerful Beowulf. He is not perfect in his moral behavior, since Churchill decides to transform “his romantic vision of soldiering as a means of service to his country into a broader conception of public service” (Keegan 327). Churchill studies historical background of political and philosophical approaches to social welfare and has found his own way to reform society. Beowulf, however, was not interested in philosophical background of general social problems. His task was simple and straightforward, as he had to attack the enemies, strengthen his status, and protect people dependent on him.

While for Beowulf, it is crucial to confirm own superiority and political authority, Churchill fights for organizing a system of support for the weak and reducing harshness in society. Beowulf is asked to protect the citizens and “be kind to the Geatmen” (Beowulf, XVIII, 49), and that means to show who is the true leader of the country. Churchill, however, is aimed at discovering the human needs and the background of safety and welfare. His views on social life demonstrate that Churchill was for liberal reforms that had to provide people with more freedom, independence, and rights. Philosophical background of these issues is of the great importance for Churchill, and that makes him fundamentally different from the ancient legendary hero Beowulf.

Two well-known heroes, Beowulf and Churchill, are both similar and different individuals, whose features of characters seem worthy and significant till today. They may seem absolutely different because of the different historical background, circumstances of life, and way they used to behave. A legendary ancient hero Beowulf illustrates the same bravery, fearless attitude to the war and challenges, as a well-known political leader of the XX century. Beowulf and Churchill used to stand out and protect ordinary people. They both are cunning and good analysts. They could control and oversee the situation almost perfectly. Churchill, however, is more complex hero, because he is not focused on physical superiority and masculinity, but strives to learn the new things about social management and welfare. Both heroes, therefore, are similar and different at the same time, and that makes them be the solid legendary authorities in poetic and political history.

• “Beowulf.” The Project Gutenberg. Web. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16328/16328-h/16328-h.htm
• Keegan, John. Winston Churchill: A Life. New York: Penguin, 2007. Print.

Individuals assume that maintaining an order, a particular set of law must be followed and must be conveyed to the public, in other words, they must follow a certain constitution.…

Robert Zemeckis’ 2007 film adaptation of “Beowulf,” an old English epic, is often said to differ a lot from the original text, in particular from the one in Heaney’s translation.…

While many viewers may not be aware of it, the immensely popular television series Game of Thrones (and the equally popular series of novels by George R. R. Martin it…

There may have been more defenders of the Alamo, but only 189 are known today. One of them was a black freedman, and nine were Tejano (Hispanic Texans). These nine…

Chopin’s The Storm and The Story of an Hour tell stories of events and choices that would certainly be considered immoral from a religious or traditionalist perspective. As such, it…

The Restoration period began in 1660, when Charles II was restored to the English throne. During the period between the execution of his father (1649), King Charles I, and Charles…

Both Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were known as writers of mystery and detective stories. Two of these stories are “The Purloined Letter” by Poe and “A…

Victorian Age is associated today with conservative England, its Christian values, and strict adherence to customs. However, it was a time of rapid industrial development and significant social movements. Industrial…

Queen Victoria hosted an exhibition of the current technologies of the world. Many countries were represented but by far the majority of the materials were from Britain. The top place…

The current essay is aimed at comparison and contrast two heroes – Beowulf and Winston Churchill. It may seem unusual to compare a legendary ancient hero from a well-known Anglo-Saxon epic poem to a famous British political leader. Despite living in different historical epochs, both heroes possess a lot of...

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