How to Outline and Write a Comparative Essay

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video guides students through the process of writing an informative comparative essay, using the specific example of comparing traditional Korean music (Gugak) with modern K-pop. The lesson takes place in the fictional setting of "Informatown," where the host explains how to take raw information—in this case, a fact sheet about South Korean music—and transform it into a structured, cohesive text. The video emphasizes the importance of planning before writing, using analogies like drawing outlines to explain the concept. The content covers the complete writing lifecycle: selecting the appropriate text type based on the data (comparative), grouping information logically to form body paragraphs, creating a structured outline with Roman numerals, and drafting the essay with attention to topic sentences, transitions, and hooks. It specifically breaks down the structure of an essay into an introduction (hook, background, central idea), body paragraphs (grouped by theme rather than just listing facts), and a conclusion. The video models each step, providing clear examples of how to turn bullet points into flowing prose. For educators, this video serves as an excellent model for a writing workshop. It scaffolds the writing process by breaking it down into manageable chunks, making the often-daunting task of essay writing approachable. By using a culturally relevant and engaging topic (K-pop), it captures student interest while teaching fundamental literacy skills such as synthesizing information, organizing ideas hierarchically, and using transitional phrases to improve flow. The video includes built-in pause points for student practice, making it ready-to-use for direct instruction.