A comparative thesis statement is a thesis in a compare and contrast essay. This type of essay compares two or more similar things that have significant differences. A professor may ask you to compare two books, two historical figures or two politicians. In the essay, the student compares them and highlights the significant differences with multiple perspectives in order to draw conclusions based on research.
A comparative thesis statement reflects the organizational nature of the essay. If the purpose of the essay is to state how A and B are alike and significantly different, then the thesis statement reflects that structure. If the essay uses A as a lens through which to analyze B, then the thesis follows that organization. The thesis explains what the relation is between the two subjects. Are the two subjects contradictory, are they extensions of each other or do they debate each other, for example?
The wording in a thesis statement helps to define the organization structure of the essay as well as give the author's point. Essays in which the author focuses on the differences between the two subjects can use "whereas" in the thesis statement to clearly define the significant differences. Other contrasting words, such as "however," "although" and "nevertheless," help to define the comparative nature of the thesis statement.
Throughout the essay, the author links the body paragraphs to the thesis statement. With these links, the reader may easily follow the author's argument in the essay. Transitional linking expressions, such as "similarly," "on the contrary," "on the other hand" and "moreover," help to clearly reference body paragraphs back to the comparative thesis statement.