4.4: Organizing the Compare and Contrast Essay

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When organizing a compare & contrast essay, it is important to know whether you are writing mainly about the similarities or the differences, or if you are writing about both. Consider using a graphic organizer to help you organize your ideas.

Step 1: Brainstorming

Brainstorming for a Comparison Contrast Essay
Point of Comparison/Contrast	Topic 1: George Washington University	Topic 2: University of Maryland	Similar OR Different
1.Cost	$50K-75K	$18K-27K	Different
2.Majors & Programs	Political Science Public Administration Law School Medical School	Computer Science Business Biology Criminology	Different
3. Location	Washington DC	Maryland	Different
4.Graduation rate	80.6%	84.5%	Similar
5.
6.

The Block Method
THE BLOCK METHOD
Introduction	Paragraph I	Hook, background information and THESIS!
Body	Paragraph II	Topic 1 Point 1 Point 2 Point 3
Body	Paragraph III	Topic 2 Point 1 Point 2 Point 3
Conclusion	Paragraph IV	Restatement of the thesis, suggestion/opinion/prediction

The Block method Example
THE BLOCK METHOD EXAMPLE
Introduction	Paragraph I	Hook, background information and Thesis!
Body	Paragraph II	GW University - Location - Cost of tuition - Programs of study
Body	Paragraph III	University of MD - Location - Cost of tuition - Programs of study
Conclusion	Paragraph IV	Restatement of the thesis, suggestion/opinion/prediction

Example of the Point-by-Point Method
THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD
Introduction	Paragraph I	Hook, connection information and THESIS!
Body	Paragraph II	Point 1 Topic 1 / GW Topic 2 / UMD
	Paragraph III	Point 2 Topic 1 / GW Topic 2 / UMD
	Paragraph IV	Point 3 Topic 1 / GW Topic 2 / UMD
Conclusion	Paragraph V	Restatement of the thesis, suggestion/opinion/prediction

The Point-by-Point Method Example
THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD EXAMPLE
Introduction	Paragraph I	Hook, connection information and THESIS!
Body	Paragraph II	Location GW University University of Maryland
	Paragraph III	Cost of tuition GW University University of Maryland
	Paragraph IV	Employment opportunity GW University University of Maryland
Conclusion	Paragraph V	Restatement of the thesis, suggestion/opinion/prediction

Point of Comparison/Contrast

Topic 1:

George Washington University

Topic 2:

University of Maryland

Similar OR Different

THE BLOCK METHOD

Introduction

Body

Topic 1

Topic 2

Conclusion

THE BLOCK METHOD EXAMPLE

Introduction

Body

GW University

University of MD

Conclusion

THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD

Introduction

Body

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Conclusion

THE POINT-BY-POINT METHOD EXAMPLE

Introduction

Body

Location

Cost of tuition

Employment opportunity

Conclusion