Comparison / contrast composition

Organization: Blocking or Point-by-Point?

People who do a lot of comparing and contrasting have identified two primary ways to organize their writing: in blocks and point-by-point.

a) In block (or the one-side-at-a-time method). Describing the characteristics of the first item and then the characteristics of the second.

Introduction   A ↔ B	name A,B state their relationship
A	characteristic/s
transition	B in relation to A	compare/contrast cue words	like, similar to, also … unlike, on the other hand …
B	characteristic/s
conclusion	personal statement prediction conclusion…

b) In point-by-point (´separating similarities and differences´ format) the comparison shifts from one aspect of the first term to the same aspect of the other(s). Your discussion alternates between the terms, separately examining corresponding features of each in turn.

Introduction   A ↔ B	name A,B state their relationship
A  //  B	similarities
transition	B in relation to A	compare/contrast cue words	like, similar to, also …
A  x  B	differences	compare/contrast cue words	differs, unlike … on the other hand …
conclusion	personal statement prediction conclusion …

But which method of comparing is best?

As always, the answer to this question depends entirely upon your writing situation. There are times when block will work best and times when point-by-point is a better choice. Block is definitely easiest to structure, but point-by-point seems to be closer to the way people perceive and think about similarities or differences in things.

These are considerations that might influence your decision:

Block…

Allows a more unified approach, highlighting broad similarities and differences: Use it when it is important for your readers to come away with a dominant impression about the terms or sides of your comparison rather than specific information.

Use block with shorter or simpler subjects—when your readers won’t find it difficult to remember what has been said about one term when reading about another you discuss subsequently.

Point-by-point…

Permits more extensive, detailed coverage of similarities and differences. Use point-by-point when it is important for your readers to remember specific information.

Use point-by-point when your subject is complex, difficult to understand, or lengthy—when your readers might find it difficult to keep track of the details of one term when reading about another.

Using Transitions: Organizational Cues

Help your readers to know where you are taking them. Indicate clearly when subjects are being compared and when they are being contrasted.

These transitional words and phrases signal similarities: also, in the same

way, likewise, and similarly.

These words and phrases signal differences: by way of contrast, on the other hand, however,     and but.

REMEMBER:

Counter what you perceive to be your readers’ expectations.

 If the terms of your comparison are obviously very similar, stress their differences: Focus on contrast.

If your terms are obviously very different, you should stress their similarities: Focus on comparison.