According to Thury and Drott, a comparison is better if it compares the sources point by point (Chapter 5, pages 13).

According to Thury and Drott (Chapter 3, page 15), a comparison should focus on the benchmarks for meaning.

In addition, the guidelines for writing a comparison are about the same as for writing any paper (Chapter 5, p. 8), and that they include being sure you have a focus, and that you include examples of the points you are trying to make.

Writer:

• Give copies of your essay to members of your writing group.
• Read the essay aloud to them, as they follow along on their copies.

Group members:

• As the writer reads, listen for the following.
  • the writer's thesis statement
  • benchmarks for meaning
  • examples of benchmarks
• Underline or circle any relevant sections of the paper.

Discussion:

• Are the two sources on exactly the same topic, as they should be?
• Take turns explaining what you identified as the writer's thesis.
• Does this thesis compare the sources, or is it only about the benchmarks?
• Is this a point-by-point comparison?
• Discuss ways in which the writer supported the thesis with specific examples of benchmarks
• Did the author gave enough detail from the source so that someone who hasn't read it can understand the examples given?
• Consider how the writer can improve the paper.

Final points:

As a group, consider:

• The coherence of the paper. What do you take to be its main statement of its thesis?
• The development of the ideas in the paper. Do subsequent paragraphs add information to this thesis?
• Does the author connect ideas with transitions?