comparative chart

2022

What is a comparison chart?
Structure of a comparison chart
How to make a comparison chart?
Comparison Chart Examples

We explain what a comparative chart is, its structure and how it is made. Also, examples of comparative tables on various topics.

Comparison tables allow you to contrast information of different types.

What is a comparison chart?

A comparative chart is a tool for studying and exposing ideas, extremely useful to have in a logical and visually ordered way the contents of any subject.

The logic of the comparative table consists in the systematic contrasting of elements, that is, in comparing –as its name indicates- two or more elements when graphically placing them one next to the other, in order to highlight their similarities, differences or distinctive characteristics.

Obviously it is a tool that is based on the visual learning, which allows a reading quick and easy content organized, and that can also be very useful when making decisions. We usually use it in a didactic way in exhibitions, in sales or in any context that benefits from the contrast between one thing and the other.

For example, that which appears in some websites from services, in which they offer us, one next to the other, different packages with different prices and different benefits, it is essentially a comparative table.

Structure of a comparison chart

The comparison table is made up, graphically, of rows and columns. In the latter, generally two, although there can be as many as one needs, there are usually different objects or elements that we will compare with each other; While in the rows there will be each of the items in which the things compared are distinguished, similar or characterized.

The explicit meaning of what the painting shows is usually stated in a first box at the beginning, which functions as a title, or simply be so obvious that it does not require a title.

They are usually differentiated (by colors or sources of text) the boxes of the title and in which the two or more things to be compared are stated. The important thing is that it is clear what we are comparing and in what sense. We will see some examples later.

How to make a comparison chart?

It is not difficult to make a comparative chart. Here's a step-by-step guide.

First step: establish the sense of comparison. You cannot start making the box if you are not clear about your ideas, so first you must know which and how many things you will compare, and in what specific sense. Will you look for their similarities? Their differences? All its features? You will also have to decide if it is necessary to put a title or if the box, given its context, he does not need it.
Second step: identify the elements to compare. Draw a box on your sheet and divide it into as many parts as there are elements to compare you have, forming columns. Write at the top of these columns, forming a first row, the names of what you are going to compare. Under each name will be the characteristics, similarities or differences, each in its own row. There may be a third column, intended to identify the topics of comparison.
Third step: carry out the comparison. Add to the table a row for each characteristic, similarity or difference that you find between both elements, so that they are left in opposite columns. It is important that each item in each column has its correlate next to it, that is, that you follow the exact same order in each column.
Step four: draw conclusions. Once the comparison is completed, you will have fully described each element to be compared in its respective column, obtaining as many rows as you consider necessary. Now you can compare item by item and extract conclusions in this regard, which you can write down after your comparison chart.