Organizing a

Comparison/Contrast Essay
Point-by-Point Arrangement
vs.
Block Arrangement
 Intro
Basic Essay Format
Thesis
 Introductory paragraph with
thesis statement at the end Body
 Three or more body Paragraph
paragraphs (new topic or
point for each paragraph) Body
Paragraph
 Conclusion that sums up
main points and restates
thesis in different words Body
Paragraph

Conclusion
About Comparison/Contrast
 Choose two subjects that have something in
common, and show how they are alike and
different
 Choose a basis for comparison (specific points
or criteria that you will focus on for this paper)
 Create a thesis statement (a statement of fact
that summarizes the main point of the essay)
 Choose an organization pattern for the body
paragraphs (point-by-point or block arrangement)
Point-by-Point Arrangement

 Choose one feature or point at a time and discuss

both items in the same paragraph
 Example: Cars vs. Motorcycles
 First point: Safety
 Compare and contrast how safe each vehicle is
 Second point: Fuel Efficiency
 Compare and contrast the fuel efficiency of each vehicle
 Third point: Style
 Compare and contrast how stylish each vehicle is
Point-by-Point Arrangement
First point (safety)

Item A (cars) Item B (motorcycles)

Second Point (fuel efficiency)

Item A (cars) Item B (motorcycles)

Third Point (style)

Item A (cars) Item B (motorcycles)

Block Arrangement
 Discuss all the features about one
subject, and then move on to the
second subject.
 A third body paragraph compares
and contrast the two subjects
 Example: Cars vs. Motorcyles
 First subject: Cars
 Discuss all the features of cars
(safety, fuel, style)
 Second subject: Motorcycles
 Discuss all the features of motorcycles
(safety, fuel, style)
 Compare and contrast
 Discuss how cars and motorcycles are
alike and different
Block Arrangement
• Point 1 (safety)
• Point 2 (fuel efficiency)
Cars • Point 3 (style)

• Point 1 (safety)
• Point 2 (fuel efficiency)
Motor-
cycles • Point 3 (style)

• Compare
Both
• Contrast