A comparison and contrast essay can be organized in two basic ways: A point-by-point organization first compares or contrasts one point between the two subjects and then moves to the next point of comparison or contrast. A whole-to-whole organization first presents all the points of comparison or contrast for one subject and then all the points for the second. To decide which organization to use, consider which of the two will best serve your purpose of explaining similarities or differences to your readers. Once you choose an organization, stick with it throughout the essay.

The two organization types look like this.

Using transitions in comparison and contrast essays is important to move readers from one subject to another and from one point of comparison to another.