Comparing texts is like holding two photographs side by side: only when you look at them together do the differences, and the surprising similarities, truly stand out. Comparison rewards readers who can see both texts at once.
What to compare
You can compare texts along several lines. Ask how they differ or agree in:
- Ideas and viewpoint — do the writers agree about the topic?
- Tone — is one cheerful and one serious?
- Purpose and audience — who is each aimed at, and why?
- Techniques — does one use statistics while the other uses personal stories?
Use comparative language
Good comparison lives in its connectives. Weave both texts together rather than writing about them separately. Reach for words such as similarly, likewise, whereas, in contrast, however, on the other hand. A weak answer says everything about Text A, then everything about Text B. A strong answer says: "Whereas Text A praises city life, Text B, in contrast, mourns its noise."
A worked comparison
Text A: "The city hums with life, every street bursting with colour and possibility." Text B: "The city never rests; its endless roar leaves no room for peace."
Both describe a busy city, yet their attitudes differ sharply. Text A uses positive imagery ('bursting with colour') to celebrate energy, whereas Text B uses negative sound imagery ('endless roar') to criticise the lack of calm. Naming that shared subject but opposite tone is the heart of comparison.
Structuring the answer
Make a point about both texts, support each side with a short quotation, and explain the difference. Aim to move back and forth between the texts within a single paragraph. End with a balanced judgement about how the two, together, present the topic.