The short version: A comparative thesis answers the general question with one argument that names both works together — usually ‘Both works do X, but whereas one does Y, the other does Z.’
A single strong thesis is what stops Paper 2 from splitting into two essays.
The general question is broad (‘how do the works present conflict?’). Your job is to answer it with ONE line that already compares: a claim that holds both works together and signals their key similarity AND difference. Get this sentence right and the whole essay stays a comparison.
Building the thesis
Answer the actual question
Address the general question's idea (conflict, power, home…), not a topic you'd rather write.
Name both works together
The thesis is about BOTH — ‘Both works…’, not one then the other.
Contain the comparison
Build in the shape ‘both… but whereas… the other…’ so similarity AND difference are there.
Be arguable
A claim you can prove and someone could dispute — not a summary or a fact.
The key move: Write the thesis in the shape ‘Both works do X; but whereas A does Y, B does Z’ — one arguable sentence that already compares.
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Why it matters in the exam: The thesis sets up comparison (Criteria A and B) and C (focus) from the first line. A thesis that names both works and their key difference tells your reader the essay will be a genuine comparison, not two reviews.
Turn this general question into a comparative thesis: ‘Compare how two works present power.’ (Two studied works: one where power corrupts a ruler; one where a powerless character quietly resists.)
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Watch out: Don't write two theses (‘Work A shows… Work B shows…’) or a vague topic (‘This essay is about power’). One arguable sentence that compares both works — that's the target.