I am writing an essay on Russia and Western Europe and I am comparing the two. I am talking about their economic, social, military and economic differences and similarities. Does anyone have any tips on how to make my paragraphs flow if im talking about such different things?
I would talk about how Russia was a Communist State and how the Russian leaders controled everything. But first are you talking about current day stuff or back in history?
When you're writing about a complex subject like this, you'll need to pay attention to
~~ structure
and
~~ cohesion
It seems to me that you're writing a sort of DEFINITION ESSAY as well as a COMPARISON/CONTRAST ESSAY, right?
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/definition.html
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/comparison_contrast.html
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm
And these will help you with COHESION (or how to make it all "stick together" smoothly):
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/style/cohesion.html
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/transitions.htm
When writing an essay comparing two different topics like Russia and Western Europe, it is important to ensure that your paragraphs flow smoothly and coherently. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
1. Establish a clear structure: Start by organizing your essay into sections or paragraphs based on the different aspects you plan to discuss (e.g., economic, social, military, and political). This will provide a clear roadmap for your reader and help maintain a logical flow.
2. Use transitional phrases: To smoothly transition between paragraphs discussing different aspects, use transitional phrases that connect the ideas and signal the shift between topics. For instance, you can use phrases such as "In contrast," "On the other hand," "Similarly," or "Moreover."
3. Develop a comparative framework: Identify overarching themes or concepts that can be applied to both Russia and Western Europe. By establishing a comparative framework for your analysis, you can highlight both the similarities and differences between the two regions. This will help your paragraphs flow more naturally as you compare and contrast various aspects.
4. Use topic sentences: Begin each paragraph with a strong topic sentence that clearly states the main point or argument of that particular paragraph. This will guide your reader through your essay, making it easier to follow the flow of your ideas.
5. Provide evidence and examples: To support your claims and make your paragraphs more cohesive, ensure that you provide evidence and specific examples for each point you make. These can come from historical events, statistical data, or scholarly sources. Including such evidence will make your arguments more convincing and provide a solid foundation for your comparisons.
6. Revisit your thesis statement: Throughout your essay, refer back to your thesis statement to remind your reader of the main purpose of your essay. This will help maintain the overall focus and coherence of your writing.
Remember, no matter how diverse the topics you are comparing, a well-structured essay with clear transitions and strong supporting evidence will help maintain a smooth flow and effectively convey your ideas.