This document provides instructions for writing a comparison and contrast essay. It explains that a comparison and contrast essay analyzes the similarities and differences between two topics. It recommends including an introduction with background on the topics, a thesis statement describing the purpose of the comparison, supporting details and examples, and a conclusion summarizing the main ideas. The document also describes two methods for organizing the essay: point-by-point organization, where each paragraph addresses one point of comparison; and block organization, where similarities are discussed together in one section and differences in another.

1. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
ESSAYS
• A comparison and contrast essay
explains the similarities and
differences between two topics
(ideas, people, or things).

2. • You can follow these steps when writing
a comparison and contrast essay:
• 1. Have and introduction (relevant
information about the 2 topics being
compared and contrasted)
• 2. Include a thesis statement
(purpose for comparing and
contrasting)

3. • 3. Support your thesis
throughout the essay (examples
and details related to the thesis
statement)
4. Include all points of comparison
and contrast (All points need to be
discussed for each topic)

4. 5. Add specific details and
examples (illustrate similarities and
differences)
6. Have a conclusion. (summarize
main ideas of the essay and include
any final thoughts)

5. • One way to organize a comparison
contrast essay is to use point-by-
point organization, in which each
point of comparison becomes the
topic of a paragraph.

6. I. Introduction in which you state your
purpose which is to discuss differences
between vacationing in the mountains or
at the beach.
II. First difference between mountains
and beaches is climate
A. Mountains
B. Beach

7. III. Second difference between mountains
and beaches are types of activities
A. Mountains
B. Beach
IV. Third difference between mountains and
beaches is the location
A. Mountains
B. Beach
V. Conclusion

8. • In block organization, you arrange
similarities together in a block and all the
differences together in a block.
• When you use this pattern, you can
discuss either the similarities first or the
differences first.
• You can write a transition paragraph (or
sentence) between the 2 blocks.

9. I. Introduction in which you state your
purpose which is to discuss the differences
between vacationing in the mountains or at
the beach
II. Mountain
A. Climate
B. Types of Activities
C. Location

10. III. Beach
A. Climate
B. Types of Activities
C. Location
IV. Conclusion

11. THANK YOU!