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Top Tips on How to Write a Comparative Analysis Essay

Writing a comparative essay is one of the most common tasks for students in both colleges and universities. Although it usually doesn’t have a lot of special requirements, many classmen still face some difficulties in writing this type of essay. How to write a comparative analysis essay easily and quickly? Which paper structure should you choose? What are the key elements of any successful paper? Let’s find the answers!

What are the Typical Features of the Comparative Analysis Essay?

The comparative essay is a paper that should include the detailed description of the significant similarities and differences between the two facts, events or viewpoints. This type of the essay requires analytical skills, logic, as well as an ability to combine and match various facts. Furthermore, you should meet the basic requirements for all types of academic papers and follow the rules of formatting.

How to Start?

All kinds of academic papers including the comparative essay should start with an introduction. First of all, you should provide some basic facts on the main topic. Then you need to grab reader’s attention and lead to the main subject of discussion.

The second important thing that should be described in the introduction is whether you’ve chosen to write about the differences, similarities or both. Don’t forget to add some general facts about the issue: a couple of sentences for this purpose is just what you need.

5 Tips on How to Cope with the Basic Structure of the Comparative Essay

Frame of reference. Being the first element of the comparative essay, frame of reference is considered to be one of the most important parts of your essay. Here you will need to provide and group the things you are going to compare. You might choose a couple of facts, ideas, theories or problems. The main idea of any frame of reference is to focus on two specific issues and provide their detailed description. Note: Avoid writing your own views and observations in this part of the essay. Use only reliable sources, investigations and studies. Adding your own theories is a common mistake of hundreds of students.
The grounds. Comparison grounds should be provided to inform your readers on the main reasons of your choice. Here you will need to write a couple of statements to prove your main topic was not chosen randomly.
Strong thesis. A successful thesis is usually connected to the comparison grounds. It is a good idea to outline the relationship between the two chosen facts in your thesis. Moreover, you will need to decide whether these issues contradict, complicate or extend each other.
Main text. There are two simple techniques on how to write a comparative analysis essay. The first method is to write a couple of paragraphs about the first subject and then move to another one. The second method is to write one paragraph about the first issue than gradually move to the second issue using comparison arguments. This way, you will need to repeat the trick until you describe all your similarities and differences. Both options are usually successful, so choose the easiest one for you. However, don’t leave the most necessary facts for later. Start with the most important issues and then move to simpler ones.
Conclusion should contain a brief summary of the previous parts of your essay. Note that you shouldn’t choose any of discussable points or add your own views and ideas. Your personal preferences should never be described in the comparative analysis essay. The only thing you need is to emphasize some basic differences and similarities of both ideas described in your paper.

Don’t forget to proofread your comparative analysis essay. This simple trick will make you avoid the majority of mistakes and misprints. Be careful with citing all your sources and double check you used the needed style (APA, MLA or any other required by your professor).

The last tip for beginners: read a few examples of comparative analysis essay to understand the main subject and the style of writing. Don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers, if you have any special questions about your essay. All this prompts will give you a clear picture on what you should right and get the highest grade with minimum efforts!

Smart Ways To Spend Your S$2 At Daiso

#1: KITCHEN CLIPS

All of us want to maintain the freshness of food. Personally, I do not want to eat chips that lost its crunchiness. To protect your leftover food, you may seal them with Daiso’s Kitchen Clips.

#2: MAGTOOLS JAR OPENERS

When was the last time you asked someone for help to open a stubborn jar or water bottle? This experience happens frequently to me. To make my life easier, I considered buying a lid opener. Daiso houses a specific brand for its jar openers – the Magtools. This tool does not require having powerful muscles!

Image Credits: amazon.com

#3: HEAT PACKS

Nothing screams value for your money louder than Daiso’s compressed heat packs for S$2. From adjusting your temperature in cold countries to aiding in your sick child’s fever, heat packs have many uses. It works in a matter of minutes!

#4: JAPANESE CANDIES

My fondness for Japanese candies started last Christmas. I was gifted a bag filled with Japanese candies including the brand Hi-Chew. Popular locally and internationally, Hi-Chew is a soft fruity candy that you can eat during your commute. Parents may also use it as a reward for a well-behaved child.Paying S$2 is not a huge price to pay for its multiple uses.

Image Credits: hi-chew.com

#5: BATHROOM LAUNDRY HOOKS

For students who reside in dormitories, you put laundry hooks inside your bathroom to save some space. You can hung your delicate (or costly) items inside your house without having to worry about it. Besides, it only costs S$2!

#6: EGG TIMER

As soon as my beloved co-worker arrives, she sets her alarm to six minutes and boils her two eggs. It takes 6 minutes to reach the consistency that she desires. I am planning to purchase Daiso’s adorable egg timer to help her eat perfect hard-boiled in the mornings.

Image Credits: imgur.com

#7: ERASERS

I noticed that Japanese erasers are well-made. In Daiso, look for the Mono and Matomaru erasers and skip on the adorable shapes (e.g., sushi and dog erasers). The latter may look cute but, it does not provide the best performance.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

If one of your resolutions in 2018 is to reduce your expenses, a good place to start would be your monthly mobile bill. Do not underestimate the few dollars saved each month as they can add up to a significant amount at the end of the year.

Here are some clever tips to save money on your mobile bills!

Monitor Your Usage

The first step to reducing your mobile bill is to monitor your mobile usage. How much data, talktime and messaging do you use each month? Track your usage easily with your telco’s mobile app. For instance, M1 customers can download and use My M1 App to track their local or roaming data, talktime and message usage anytime, anywhere. If you are always exceeding your data, perhaps you can consider data add-ons, or switch to a mobile plan with bigger data bundles to reap plenty of savings in the long run.

If constant monitoring is too much of a hassle for you, opt-in for SMS notifications to be alerted when you are about to exceed your data bundle. M1, for example, sends you SMSes when you have reached 75%, 90% and 100% of your monthly data bundle.

Consider SIM-Only Plans

If you do not require a new phone, it’s time to consider SIM-only plans. These plans, as compared to conventional smartphone plans, come with lower subscription and bigger data bundles. M1’s SIM-only entry plan only costs S$20 per month for 5GB data, as compared to an equivalent smartphone plan at S$40 per month. By going with a SIM-only plan, you get to save S$240 over a year!

If you are hungry for more data, go for M1’s Unlimited SIM-only plan, which comes with unlimited data, talktime and messaging at only S$98 per month.

Save As A Family

Telco operators allow customers to maximize their mobile plan usage by sharing data, talktime and messaging bundles with their loved ones. For example, subscribers of M1’s mySIM plans can add up to 2 supplementary plans at S$12/month each to co-share the main plan’s bundles. Such supplementary plans will suit family members with various data consumption behaviour. For instance, the millennial in the family may be a heavy user of social media and is therefore likely to use more data. Meanwhile, the stay-at-home mum may only require little amounts of data to stay connected via instant messaging platforms. By co-sharing the main plan’s bundle, this helps to consume pockets of data that would otherwise be left unutilized by the end of the month.

As such, if you have multiple devices in the family, this option of adding supplementary plans may work well for you too. When you share the big data bundles on mySIM plans between the devices, you’ll be able to gain access to all the entertainment you need!

Get Cash Rebate On Your Mobile Bills

Finally, the last step to saving on mobile bills is to get cash rebates on them! By using cashback credit cards to pay for your mobile bills, you can earn cashback or reward points that help to reduce your mobile bill. For instance, the Citi M1 Credit Card provides up to 10% Citi rebate if you set up recurring M1 bills via GIRO. Furthermore, charging your purchases at M1 stores earn 1% Citi Rebate.

Follow these handy tips to start saving money on your mobile bills in 2018!

4 Must-Have Items For A University Freshman

Going to university is a monumental step in a young adult’s life. The transition from your earlier years to university is not something to take likely as a student of life. Building a freshman’s arsenal goes beyond stocking up on pens, markers, and notebooks. You need to be prepared for the challenges ahead!

I understand the financial constraints of a student but, that does not mean that you cannot have nice and sturdy things. Buying less items of quality is better than purchasing more school supplies for less. May this list help you with your journey as a freshman.

#1: A HEAVY-DUTY LAPTOP

As I was contemplating on the essential products necessary to make a freshman’s life easier, the “laptops” instantly popped into my head. A laptop acts as a weapon to combat sleepless nights spent on take-home tasks, group projects, and research papers. Laptop has been a vital part in our generation’s education that many scholarships or grants include allowance for gadgets.

As modern technology advances each year, you may want to consider investing on a hybrid. A hybrid device combines the portability of a tablet and the functionality of a laptop. Popular hybrid models include the Microsoft Surface Pro and the Lenovo Yoga.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The specifications of the laptop that you must buy depends on your undergraduate major. If you are majoring in computer science or graphics design, strong RAM and GPU are parts of your criteria. As a Psychology student and a freelance writer, my MacBook Pro stood the test of time. Many of my previous classmates relied heavily on this product too. I would not trade it for any hybrids just yet!

#2: A PRESENTATION OUTFIT

In the span of your undergraduate studies, you will be subjected to several presentations such as the thesis proposal. Aim to look your best to provide a positive mark! I can still recall the day when I presented my final thesis to a panel of lecturers. My classmate told me that my “beautiful dress” saved me. He may be joking but, I dressed well for the part. I chose a black cocktail dress, which I felt comfortable and confident in.

Investing on some wardrobe staples such as quality heels or leather shoes and black blazers can give you an advantage. You may also opt for flats to avoid horrible blisters after your career fair. Invest in clothing articles that you are willing to wear or stand in for a long period of time.

#3: A SET OF COMFORTABLE SHOES

Walking, without a doubt, is the best way to go around any campus. With countless hours spent roaming in the halls of your university, it is vital to equip yourself with comfortable shoes. Accomplish a considerable amount of steps in your cheap sandals (without any sole support) is not going to help you! You need to switch to sneakers or flats with thicker soles.

Keep the elements of versatility and comfort in mind when purchasing your school shoes. A family relative of mine swears by the Skechers’ slip on. While, I personally prefer the classic Birkenstock as my school and work shoes. For a trendy student, a white Superga 2750 may pass your taste.

#4: A DURABLE BACKPACK

What is the one item that students often overlook yet overuse? The backpack, of course! The backpack serves a significant role in a student’s life. It is arguably the most versatile part of the university student’s arsenal as it houses important items such as laptops and books. It can transform from an everyday wear to a getaway wear. For its functionality, you must not settle for a flimsy and cheap one.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

I cannot stress how some university students live completely out of their backpacks. Thus, you must stay on the safe side by purchasing trusted brands such as the JanSport or by purchasing bags built for hiking. Bags like these are spacious and have various pockets to carry all of your essentials at once.

Article Resources: 1 & 2

3 Must-Have Items For Your Baby’s First Year

Becoming a parent boils a mixture of emotions – mainly overwhelming and exciting. While you are in a store, do not let these emotions consume you. You do not want to be pressured into buying more than what you needed! You need to plan what you are willing to splurge and save on.

Here are some ideas to get you started with your unconditional journey.

#1: AN ALL-NATURAL BABY WASH

Let us face it! Adults wish that the state of their skin can rewind back when they are infants. This is why Korean skincare products are booming nowadays! You see, babies have innately soft and delicate skin. Their skin’s protective barrier has not yet reached its full development. Thus, it is recommended to purchase products with natural ingredients.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Many mothers believe in the natural ingredients found in Mustela. Mustela’s products does not include harsh chemicals such as parabens. Do consider Mustela‘s Gentle Cleansing Gel for your baby’s body and hair. It may be more expensive than the drugstore brand but, its benefits outweigh the costs.

#2: A STURDY STROLLER

I, for one, acknowledge the importance of a stroller during the baby’s crucial years. Every stroller has a different personality that will best suit a specific lifestyle. For people who are always on the go, it is best to find a lightweight stroller. A lightweight stroller can be easily folded up when hopping on a train. For people who love the outdoors, you may consider getting a jogging stroller with lots of compartments.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

No matter what you settle for, a quality and hefty stroller will be useful for your future babies. You may pass it on to your relatives too!

#3: A NEW BREAST PUMP

If you are breastfeeding, you must not feel guilty with splurging on a new breast pump. I cannot deny that some breast pumps are pricey! Renting or borrowing one is more economical but, buying a new one is practical if you are planning to use it for a long time. You aim to be as comfortable as possible to exhaust a volume of your “liquid gold”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Expressing a sustainable amount of milk entails that you can spend more time out. You can meet your friends and share your supply to other mothers in need.

Sources: 1 & 2

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