Despite and in spite of mean the same thing. They are prepositions used before nouns to introduce a contrasting fact. For example, "Despite the heat, she would not take her coat off" or "In spite of the heat, she would not take her coat off". In spite is always followed by 'of' and do not use 'of' after despite. Both despite and in spite of can be used to introduce a sharp contrast between two facts, such as "In spite of all their money, they are still not happy".

1. Synthesis and
Transformation
Rules of using
‘Despite’ and ‘in spite of’

2. Despite and in spite of means the same.
 She would not take her coat off despite the heat.
 She would not take her coat off in spite of the heat,
Despite and in spite of are prepositions (not
conjunctions).Therefore, despite and in spite of are
used before nouns.
 In spite of we protested, they took him away.
You say,
 Although we protested, they took him away.
In spite of our protesting , they still took him away.
Noun group

3. Use Despite and in spite of to introduce a fact
that is in sharp contrast with another fact.
 In spite of all their money, they are still not happy.
 Despite all their money, they are still not happy.
 In spite is always followed by ‘of’.
 In spite poor health, my father was always cheerful.
 In spite of poor health, my father was always cheerful.

4. Do not use ‘of’ after Despite.
 Despite of my qualifications , I could not get a job.
 Despite my qualifications , I could not get a job.
 In spite of my qualifications , I could not get a job.
Note that the spelling is in spite of, ‘inspite
of”.