1. Compare-Contrast [Expository] Essay
Point by Point (Flip-Flop) Style
Block Style

2. Purpose:
A compare and contrast essay gives you an opportunity to write about the similarities and differences of the two selected objects. The comparison concentrates on similar points and contrast points out the differences.

3. Essay Pointers: Analyze your subjects to find relevant features
Gather specific information about the features
Develop a thesis statement that identifies the subjects and the main idea
Decide on point-by-point or block method of organization

4. Thesis:
Needs to state what you will compare and contrast and to identify the points of comparison in your essay. Example: The Sioux chiefs Red Cloud and Sitting Bull differed in their attitudes toward the government, but were similar in their approaches to war. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson were both great observers of people and life, but they differed in their writing styles.

5. Block method
Possible to discuss each subject (each work or author) separately
Discuss all the relevant features of one subject; then you discuss all the relevant features of the second subject

6. Point-by-Point (Flip Flop)
Focus on the features [instead of the subject that is the focus in the block method]
Discuss one feature at a time, as it relates to both subjects; then you discuss the next feature

7. Block Style Concluding paragraph
Introductory paragraph [attention grabber, background, connecting and Thesis]
Body 1
Topic Sentence: Subject One
Major A: Characteristic
Minors: Lead-in w/evidence
Major B: Characteristic
Minors: Lead-in w/ evidence
Concluding sentence
Body 2
Topic Sentence: Subject Two
Concluding paragraph

8. Point-by-Point Style Concluding paragraph
Introductory paragraph [attention grabber, background, connecting and Thesis]
Body 1
Topic Sentence: Characteristic One
Major A: Subject One
Minors: Lead-in w/evidence
Major B: Subject Two
Minors: Lead-in w/ evidence
Concluding sentence
Body 2
Topic Sentence: Characteristic Two
Concluding paragraph

9. Compare-Contrast Outlines
Point-by-Point Style
Block Style
Topic Sentence: Subject Major A: Characteristic Minors: Lead-in w/evid *Commentary Major B: Characteristic Concluding sentence
Topic Sentence: Characteristic Major A: Subject One Minors: Lead-in w/evid *Commentary Major B: Subject Two Concluding Sentence

10. Compare-Contrast Outlines
Point-by-Point Style
Block Style
Topic Sentence: Emily Dickinson Major A: Writing Style Minors: Lead-in w/evid *Commentary Major B: Personality Concluding sentence
Topic Sentence: Writing Style Major A: Walt Whitman Minors: Lead-in w/evid *Commentary Major B: Emily Dickinson Concluding Sentence