How do I begin structuring a comparative essay between two texts?

The key to writing a successful comparison essay (or essay in general) is to make sure that you have planned out the mainframe of your essay before you begin writing. If you are not sure where to start then follow the easy format of an introduction, three main paragraphs and a conclusion. I like to list these as headings down a page to from a plan for each text.  The introduction and conclusion can be summed-up as summary paragraphs and we will therefore leave developing these until after the main bulk of the essay has been planned. Look at the two texts and search for common themes and motifs for example ‘death’. The two texts do not have to be saying the same thing for there to be a good comparison. One may have excessive examples of language associated with death while the other, in contrast, could contain quotes to do with life and growth.  List one comparative theme or device (e.g. metaphor use) per paragraph and then find a quote from each text to illustrate your point. Through doing this, a grid should start to emerge allowing you to see a physical representation of your essay taking shape. The best comparative essays show a consistent mixture between each text within paragraphs as opposed one paragraph per text. Bullet pointing key analysis features of each quote will help you to further break down the places where the two texts have similar and dissimilar interpretations. Once this is done, decide on how you want to order your paragraphs, to do this it is useful to consider what your overall argument for this essay will be. For example, you could order the paragraphs as 1. Supporting argument, 2. Challenging argument and 3. Supporting argument.Finally write a short sentence on your plan for your introduction and conclusion. In the introduction state the main argument you wish to make, in the essay fluidly add in the titles, authors and publication dates of each text and try to include a short quote from each text supporting your overall statement. The conclusion is simply a tool to neatly wrap up the essay, never spend too much time worrying over it. It is best to keep it concise, re-state how the essay has supported your argument and mention pivotal supportive points that you used in your essay.