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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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