Organization in Comparison and Contrast

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.

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: POINT-BY-POINT

Thesis statement

Sets up the comparison and contrast

Point 1

Subject 1

Subject 2

Point 2

Subject 1

Subject 2

Point 3

Subject 1

Subject 2

Conclusion

Reminds readers of the main point and makes an observation based on it

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: WHOLE-TO-WHOLE

Thesis statement

Sets up the comparison and contrast

Subject 1

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Subject 2

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Conclusion

Reminds readers of the main point and makes an observation based on it

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.

Common Transitions in Comparison and Contrast

COMPARISON CONTRAST
one similarity one difference
another similarity another difference
similarly in contrast
like now/then
both unlike
while