Skip to Main Content
Go to the Langara College website. Opens in a new window
Go to the Learning Commons website. Opens in a new window

How to Write a Comparison Essay

It may help to compose an outline before you begin writing. Here is a sample outline:

The Electric Lamp vs. The Gas Lamp

1PP: Introduction and thesis statement

thesis: "The Electric lamp differs from the gas lamp in its history of development and its physical characteristics, and it is more efficient in its operation."

2PP: history of development

  • inventor
  • dates of invention and development
  • process of development
  • first models
  • acceptance by society

3PP: physical characteristics

  • duration of light
  • brightness
  • noise
  • materials that compose it

4PP: operation (how it works)

  • type of energy
  • how the energy is used

5PP: summation and concluding thoughts