1. Compare and Contrast

2. comparison
Comparisons discuss the similarities between two items—different types of apples or different essays
For example, how many commonalities do macs and pcs have? In other words, how are they alike?

3. contrasts
Contrasting examines the differences between two or more items.
For example: what are the differences between macs and pcs?

4. Organization
One side at a time
Point by point

5. One side at a time
When you organize your essay with the one side at a time or block method, you discuss everything relevant about one subject before discussing the second subject.
For example, if the topic where to compare and contrast two news papers, it would be organized as:
Everything about The South Bend Tribune’s news coverage:
International
National
Local
Then:
Everything about The Chicago Tribune’s news coverage:
local

6. Point by point
To organize a compare/contrast using point by point, the writer would alternate from one aspect of the first subject to the same aspect of your other subject
For example:
1st aspect of South Bend Tribune and Chicago Tribune
SB Tribune: international coverage
C Tribune: international coverage
2nd aspect
SB Tribune: national coverage
C Tribune: national coverage
3rd aspect
SB Tribune: local coverage
C Tribune: local coverage

7. When do I use one side at a time versus point by point?
This is mostly a personal choice, but I might consider:
one side at a time appears to be more unified because it blocks broad similarities and differences. However, it is usually used when subjects are less complex.
point by point gives more indepth coverage of similarities and differences. It is a great organizational tool when the topic is complex.