for Natural Sciences Comparative Analysis

A scientific comparative analysis compares two scientific sources based on a common frame of reference. For example, the frame of reference could be an idea or theme present in both sources; you, as the writer, will examine how this frame of reference is displayed in each source, making sure to compare and contrast the sources to each other. The thesis will establish the grounds for comparison and establish the similarities as well as the differences between the sources so a clear contrast is evident, outlining how it will be explored over the course of the essay. For an excellent, in-depth explanation of how to write a comparative analysis, please see the following document from Harvard College’s Writing Center:

https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-comparative-analysis

As a rule, a comparative analysis should consist of no more than 15%-20% verbatim quotations; that means your paper needs to be at least 80%-85% your own ideas and common knowledge associated with the author/work and writing/discussion topics that we cover in our class discussions. That is why you have developed a thesis and preliminary draft through the writing process of brainstorming and pre writing, based on our discussions in class and your own understanding/analysis of the work. The comparative analysis should consist of a minimum of two sources.

The critical sources will show how your analysis fits in with what others have said about the articles which you are comparing.

Discuss critical sources in a paragraph or two directly after your introduction, to show which of those sources take a different approach or contrary approach to your own analysis.

Then use other critical sources in the body paragraphs of your draft where you trace the frame of reference throughout all of the sources, comparing and contrasting the sources as you write. In those body paragraphs, use critical sources that complement your approach. Your citations of sources in your paper should include both brief quotations from those works and paraphrasing from those works. Paraphrasing is what you should do most of the time. Be sure that you have an 800-1,000-word paper, not counting the words on the references page. This assignment constitutes 15% of your total grade (150 points).