A comparative analysis compares and contrasts two or more things. When you write a comparative analysis, it's important to explain what's being compared and contrasted in your essay. Give an explanation of each side of the comparison at the beginning of your essay. For example, if you're doing a comparative analysis on the work of Van Gogh and the work of Monet, explain the general characteristics of both artists prior to comparing them to each other. This will give your reader a foundation for the comparison.
Regardless of your opinions of each of the sides of your comparison, make sure you give equal “time” to each side. This will allow your reader to make up his own mind when reading your essay. For example, if Van Gogh is your favorite artist and you don't care for Monet, you still have to give an equal comparison of both artists instead of favoring Van Gogh in the essay. Don't let your bias or preferences show in your comparative analysis.
When you compare and contrast the sides in your essay, make sure you give specific examples from each side to support your analysis. This will give your reader something concrete to think about as he reads. For example, if you say that Van Gogh's art is more colorful than Monet, explain that Van Gogh's pieces are more colorful because they use bolder colors, while Monet is known more for using pastels, which make his work look more subdued.
The more reasons and examples you can give in your comparative analysis, the better foundation your reader will have for drawing his own conclusions about the analysis. Your essay should include at least three points of comparison and three points of contrast, but including more will make your essay stronger. Give as many points as you can for both comparison and contrast to include in your analysis. This will also lend your essay credibility because it will show you took the time to analyze the sides before writing, instead of simply giving a few obvious examples.