When comparing articles or essays, your instructor will probably expect you to treat each source in greater detail than when comparing books. The goal of this kind of assignment is similar to that of a comparative book review, although here you will need to devote more space in your paper to the contents of each article or essay. To get started, you need to ask yourself several questions:

• What theme or thesis is contained in each work?

• What are the similarities and differences in the arguments presented?
• What kinds of evidence are used to support the theme(s)?
• What are the similarities and differences in the conclusions drawn from the evidence?

If the two authors are in serious disagreement, you may also be asked to comment on the authors themselves. If so, information about the author is usually contained in the introductions to each article or essay in your book of readings.

If your assignment is to compare visual sources, see Interpreting Illustrations, Interpreting Photographs, and Interpreting Films.

Next: Comparing Primary Documents