Comparison/contrast can be organized in one of two ways: A point-by-point organization presents one point of comparison or contrast between the subjects and then moves to the next point. (See the essay model in “Paragraphs vs. Essays in Comparison and Contrast.”) A whole-to-whole organization presents all the points of comparison or contrast for one subject and then all the points for the next subject. (See the paragraph model in “Paragraphs vs. Essays in Comparison and Contrast.”) Consider which organization will best explain the similarities or differences to your readers. Whichever organization you choose, stay with it throughout your writing.

Comparison/contrast is often organized by order of importance, meaning that the most important point is saved for last. (For more on order of importance, see “Use Order of Importance to Emphasize a Point” in Chapter 3.) This strategy is used in the paragraph and essay models in “Paragraphs vs. Essays in Comparison and Contrast.”

Transitions in comparison/contrast move readers from one subject to another and from one point of comparison or contrast to the next.