In the second step, you will apply the peanut butter to the bread.

Use the
knife to extract peanut butter from the jar and spread it evenly on both
pieces of bread.

The writer uses transitional expressions to lead the reader through the steps of the
process.

Finally, put the two pieces of bread together; the peanut butter will make
them stick to each other. If you wish, you can then use the knife to cut the
Alternating method:
sandwich in half for ease of eating.
POC 1
Both-
A- individual difference
B- individual difference COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY
POC 2
'' '' Compare and contrast essays may be required in many different classes—
POC 3
""
literature, history, social sciences, art, and others. Whatever the topic of
your essay, the ability to compare and contrast is an essential skill involving
critical and analytical thinking.
- facts of the literary work
Introduction - strong transitions
- equal attention to both works
- keep strikethroughs to a minimum
The purpose of a comparison and contrast essay is to analyze
the similarities (compare) and differences (contrast), usually
between two things and sometimes among three or more things.
Your reader will be looking for a clear and organized
presentation of your facts, with strong transitions, to make the
relationships easy to understand. You can begin brainstorming your essay
by compiling two separate lists: one a list of the similarities between the
two subjects and another a list of the differences. Making these lists can
help you narrow the focus of your paper and identify the points of
comparison you want to explore. For instance, if you are comparing two
statues, you might look at the medium, the time periods in which they were
produced, their size, the materials used, their subjects, and so on.
Comparison and contrast essays are typically organized in one of two
ways: the block method or the alternating method. For guidance, see the
box “Organizational Structures for Comparison and Contrast Essays” (page
278). You may find that you develop new ideas as you write your draft.
That’s fine. Make a note of them and decide if you want to incorporate them
in your next draft. It’s wise to write a complete draft and leave it alone for a
day or two. Go back and reread what you’ve written. Are the similarities
and differences clear? Have you given more or less equal attention to the
subjects you’re comparing? Is there information missing? Revise to ensure
your essay is clear, complete, and free of errors.

Organizational Structures for Comparison and Contrast

Essays

There are two common organizational approaches for the comparison and contrast
essay: the alternating method and the block method. Each has its own pattern.

A- Manto
Alternating Method B- Oedipus/TCITR
The alternating method can be most successful when you have closely related ideas
and information about both A and B that lends itself to a point-by-point style of
comparison.
• Introductory paragraph
• Discussion of A and B with reference to first point of comparison
• Discussion of A and B with reference to second point of comparison
• Discussion of A and B with reference to third point of comparison
• Conclusion

Block Method
The block method is most useful when your content does not lend itself to a point-by-
point comparison between A and B. The block method is also useful when your ideas
about B build on your ideas about A. It’s a sensible structure to use when you want to
compare and contrast three or more subjects. To help your reader follow your
argument, present the different points of comparison in parallel.
• Introductory paragraph
• Discussion of A
• Point 1
• Point 2
• Point 3
• Discussion of B
• Point 1
 • Point 2
• Point 3
• Conclusion

DO DON’T

• Choose a basis for • Don’t choose subjects that

comparison. For most topics, cannot be easily compared. If
you will need to limit the you’ve been asked to come
scope of your essay. For up with your own topic for - Don't
choose an
instance, in the example your essay, take care in unsuitable
about cats and dogs below, choosing a project you can question
the writer has chosen to focus accomplish easily and - Choose the
on how these animals relate successfully. For instance, an question
to people. An essay that essay that compares and carefully and
then select
attempts to explore all the contrasts two paintings will be the literary
similarities and differences easier and probably more works
accordingly
between cats and dogs would successful than an essay that
be enormously long and discusses a painting and a
complex. novel.
• Develop a thesis for your • Don’t neglect your
its impo to essay. It’s not enough simply introduction. Your introduction
get clarity
because to list the similarities and and thesis establish not just
we need to differences between the items the topic but also the basis of
understand
how works you’re comparing. Your essay comparison. Your thesis
are which should have a focus that ties presents an idea that you’re
can help
you in the together all the information going to try to prove. Without
exam you intend to present. One a proper introduction, your
way to begin to develop your paper will likely read like a list
thesis is to consider whether of attributes, with very little
similarities outweigh point. (For guidance
differences or vice versa, and developing a thesis
develop from there. statement, see the box “How
• Use an outline. Not all writers to Write a Thesis Statement”
like to outline before they on page 264.)
 write, but for this assignment, • Don’t try to combine the two
an outline is a must-have in organizational styles in a
order to help you organize single essay. Your essay will
your information. Your outline be easier to follow if you
can be informal, and it’s fine choose either the alternating
to use reverse outlining after or the block format and stick
you’ve started writing, but it’s with it throughout.
wise to outline at some point • Don’t write an unbalanced Cause it
to ensure you’re writing a essay that devotes far more
shows that
balanced and complete attention to one item than the
the candidate
knows only
essay. (See also the about one
other. Both items should
discussion on reverse receive equal or nearly equal
literary work
thoroughly.
outlining on page 16.) treatment.
• Use transitional language to
improve the unity of your
essay and advance your
argument. Useful words
include “like,” “similar to,”
“both,” similarly,” “in the same
way,” “share,” “have in
common,” “also,” “unlike,”
“differ,” “however,” “although,”
“in contrast,” “while,” and “on
the other hand,” among
others.
• Use topic sentences. Topic
sentences at the beginning of
each of your paragraphs help
the reader follow your
argument as it develops. For
more
Begin youron topic sentences,
paragraphs see para should remind the
with a strategy (every
examiner about the ques you chose, and you are conveying
the boxnew
something “Writing Strong
in that para)
Paragraphs” (page 271).
• Devote more or less equal
space and attention to the
items you’re comparing.