This document provides guidance on how to structure a compare and contrast essay using either a block or point-by-point format. It discusses analyzing similarities and differences between topics using Venn diagrams or three-column charts. It then provides examples of comparing the novels To Kill a Mockingbird and A Time to Kill using either format, analyzing key elements like setting, defendants, lawyers, and verdicts. Finally, it addresses comparing the novel and film versions of To Kill a Mockingbird, suggesting a block format may be best to allow for discussion beyond just listing differences in scenes.

1. Compare and Contrast
COMPARE: POINTING OUT SIMILARITIES
CONTRAST: POINTING OUT
DIFFERENCES

2. BLOCK STYLE
Discuss all details of item
#1
Discuss all details of item
#2

3. How similar? How different?

4. BLOCK STYLE
 I. To Kill a Mockingbird
A. Setting
B. Defendant/ charged with
C. Lawyer
D. Verdict
 II. A Time to Kill
A. Setting
B. Defendant/ charged with
C. Lawyer
D. Verdict

5. To Kill a Mockingbird & A Time to Kill

6. POINT BY POINT
 I. Setting
 A. TKAM
 B. ATTK
 II. Defendants
 A. TKAM
 B. ATTK
 III. Lawyers
 A. TKAM
 B. ATTK
 IV. Verdict
 A. TKAM
 B. ATTK

7. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
CONTRAST the NOVEL and the MOVIE
Which format is BEST suited?
I. BLOCK
II. POINT BY POINT

8. LOOK AT YOUR VENN DIAGRAM
Do you have a balanced number
similarities and differences?
Are there more similarities?
Are there more differences?
Analyze which are more
important…the similarities or
differences?
PICK A FORMAT

9. LOOK AT YOUR 3-COLUMN
Do you have a balanced
number of similarities and
differences?
Are there more similarities?
Are there more differences?
Analyze which are more
important.
PICK A FORMAT

10. TKAM/ATTK
Balanced information
Use a point by point format for organizing your
details.
THESIS STATEMENT-
While these books have different settings and
different trials, both To Kill a Mockingbird by
Harper Lee and A Time to Kill by John Grisham
involve cases where rape and racism are
important elements.

11. TKAM: the novel/the movie
The main difference is plot; scenes are omitted in
the movie. You could list a few of these, but then
what? List some scenes that are in both? Nah….
This wouldn’t involve much analysis!
Could you discuss narration?
Could you discuss visuals? Were you trying to
picture scenes in your mind as you read?

12. Block style might work best!
What would your thesis statement be?
In my opinion the book/movie is better than the
movie/book because …
Be sure you do more than just list scenes from
the book that don’t make it into the movie.
You must discuss/elaborate!

13. To Kill a Mockingbird – 1960
A Time to Kill - 1989

14. Compare and Contrast
Compare – pointing out similarities
Contrast – pointing out differences