This document discusses two methods for organizing comparison/contrast paragraphs: point-by-point and block. In the point-by-point method, each point of the first topic is compared to the corresponding point of the second topic. The block method discusses all information about the first topic, then all information about the second topic. Examples illustrate a paragraph using each method to compare difficulties faced by boys and girls in society. An outline shows how the topics could be broken down for each organizational structure.

1. Module 6
Comparison-Contrasting
Organization
When we compare or contrast two items, we need to
consider exactly which points should be compared. We use
comparison when we focus on similarities, and we use the
term contrast when we focus on differences.

2. Choosing a Two-Part Topic
You must think carefully before creating the topic sentence
of that paragraph.
You must choose a two-part topic that has a sufficient
number of points to compare or contrast.
But you should avoid selecting two-part topics that have too
many points to compare or contrast that you would not be
able to discuss them in one paragraph.
Example of Topic
Spanish word “río” and English
Too
word “river”
specific.
The United States and Europe. Too broad
Traveling by train in Europe and
Better
traveling by train in the United
topic
States

3. Choosing a Two-Part Topic
Once you have chosen a two-part topic that is not too
limiting and not too broad, you must remember that a good
comparison/contrast paragraph devotes an equal or nearly
equal amount of space to each of the two parts.
If the writer is interested in only one of the topics, the danger
is that the paragraph will end up being one-sided.

4. Examples
Example of One-sided Contrast
American trains go to only a few towns, are
infrequent, are often shabby and
uncomfortable. In contrast, European trains
are much nicer.
Example of a Better-Written Contrast
American trains go to only a few towns, are
infrequent, and uncomfortable. In contrast,
European trains go to virtually every small
town, are always dependable, and are clean
and attractive.
The second example gives attention to both topics.

5. Achieving Coherence
There are two methods for ordering material when
writing a comparison/contrast paragraph. One way is
called block organization, and the other is called
point-by-point organization.

6. Point-by-Point Method
When you use the point-by-point method, you
compare or contrast point 1 of topic 1 and then point
1 of topic 2. Then you go on to your second points for
each of the two topics. You continue until you have
covered all the points.

7. Example – Paragraph
Here is a paragraph from Julius Lester’s All is Well. In this paragraph, the
writer uses the point-by point method to compare the difficulties of
being a boy in our society a generation ago with the difficulties of being
a girl at the same time.
I know that it was difficult being a girl as it was a boy, if
not more so. While I stood paralyzed at one end of a dance
floor trying to find the courage to ask a girl for dance, most of
the girls waited in terror at the other, afraid that no one, not
even I, would ask them. And while I resented having to ask a girl
for a date, wasn’t it also horrible to be the one who waited for
the phone to ring? And how many of those girls laughed at me
making a fool of myself on the baseball diamond would have
gladly given up their places on the sideline for mine on the field.

8. Notice how, after the opening topic sentence, the writer
uses half of the sentence to describe a boy’s situation
growing up, and the other half to describe a girl’s
experience.
This technique is often used in longer pieces of writing in
which many points of comparison are made. This method
helps the reader keep the comparison or contrast carefully
in mind at each point.

9. Outline
Point-by-Point Method
If the paragraph is broken down into its parts, this is how a
chart for the outline might look like.
First topic: Boys Second topic: Girls
Topic
sentence
I know that it was as difficult being a girl as it was a
boy, if not more so.
Point 1 Dancing
I stood paralyzed on
the dance floor.
Most girls waited in terror
to be asked out.
Point 2 Dates
I resented having to
ask a girl for a date.
It was also horrible to
wait for the phone to
ring.
Point 3 Playing Games
Many of those girls
laughed at me making
a fool of myself.
They would have gladly
given up their places for
mine.

10. Block Method
The other method for ordering material in a paragraph of
comparison and contrast is known as the block method.
When you use this method, you present all the facts and
supporting details about one part of your topic, and then
you give all the facts and supporting details about the
other part.

11. Example – Paragraph
Here is another version of the paragraph by Julius Lester. This time written
according to the block method.
I know that it was difficult being a girl as it was a boy, if
not more so. I stood paralyzed at one end of a dance floor
trying to find the courage to ask a girl for dance. I also resented
having to ask a girl for a date. Furthermore, I often felt foolish on
the baseball diamond. On the other hand, most of the girls
waited in terror at the other end of the dance floor, afraid that
no one, not even I, would ask them to dance. In addition, it was
a horrible situation for the girls who had to wait for the phone to
ring, hoping for a date. And how many of those girls who stood
on the sidelines would have gladly traded places with me on
the baseball diamond?

12. Notice how the first half of this version presents all of the
details about the boy, and the second part of the
paragraph presents all of the information about girls. This
method is often used in shorter pieces because the reader
will easily remember three or four short points.

13. Organization
Block Method
If the paragraph is broken down into its parts, this is how it
might look like.
Topics Point 1 Point 2 Point 3
Topic 1
Boys
I stood
paralyzed
on the
dance floor
I resented
having to
ask a girl for
a date.
I felt foolish
on the
baseball
diamond.
Topic 2
Girls
Most girls
waited in
terror to be
asked out.
It was also
horrible to
wait for the
phone to
ring.
They would
have gladly
traded
places with
me.
.