COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY
Definition:
In this kind of essay, the aim is to show the similarities and differences of two items, two
people, two countries, or how something or someone has changed. When comparing two
things, we focus more on the similarities though we may mention the differences shortly.
When contrasting two things, we point out the differences between them. The most
important point to consider while planning a comparison and contrast essay is choosing
comparable items.
e.g. Middle East Technical University and Bogazici University.
We have to make sure that these two items have enough points to be compared. After
writing the comparable points as a list,
• location,
• size,
• reputation,
• specialty,
• social clubs,
• sports facilities,
we have to eliminate some of them and choose 2-3 from the list that can lead to full
supported paragraphs.
• location
• size
• specialty
Organization:
Two patterns of organization are possible:
1. Point-by-Point Organization
In this pattern, the organization is as follows:
Example 1:
Thesis statement: METU and BOUN are Turkey's two very prestigious
universities with some differences in their specialties, facilities, and locations.
I. specialty
A. METU

B. BOUN
II. facility
A. METU
B. BOUN
III. location
A. METU
B. BOUN
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Example 2:
Thesis statement: One way to decide between two job offers is to make a point-by-
point comparison of their features.
I. The salaries of job X and job Y are approximately equal.
A. Job X's salary
B. Job Y's salary
II. Job X offers the same fringe benefits as job Y.
A. Job X's fringe benefits
B. Job Y's fringe benefits
III. In contrast to job Y, job X offers good opportunities for advancement.
A. Job X's opportunities for advancement
B. Job Y's opportunities for advancement
VI. Unlike the high pressure and competitive asmosphere at Company X, the
atmosphere in Company Y seems friendly and supportive.
A. Atmosphere at Company X
B. Atmosphere at Company Y
Conclusion
For each of the points of comparison, we compare and contrast the two items.
2. Block Organization
In this pattern, the two items to be compared and contrasted form two separate
paragraphs. In each paragraph the points of comparison are discussed in the same order,
as in the following organization:

Example 1:
Thesis statement: METU and BOUN are Turkey's two very prestigious
universities with some differences in their specialties, facilities, and locations.
I. BOUN
A. specialty
B. facility
C. location
II. METU
A. specialty
B. facility
C. location
Example 2:
Thesis statement: One way to decide between two job offers is to evaluate what the
similarities and differences are before making a decision.
I. The salaries and fringe benefits of job X and job Y are almost the same.
A. Salary (Job X and Job Y)
B. Fringe benefits (Job X and Job Y)
II. Although the salary and fringe benefits are equal, there are big differences in
the areas of workplace atmosphere and opportunity for advancement.
A. Workplace atmosphere
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1. Job X
2. Job Y
B. Opportunity for advancement
1. Job X
1. Job Y
Conclusion
This pattern is mostly used when the amount of information about the items is limited.
Also some topics (e.g. Your life before and after the divorce of your parents) lend
themselves to block type organization.

Language:
The two patterns differ in terms of language as well. While pattern 2 is quite
straightforward, pattern 1 requires more transitions but the end product is more
understandable for the reader.
COMPARISON STRUCTURE WORDS
SENTENCE
CONNECTORS
CLAUSE CONNECTORS OTHERS
Subordinators Coordinators
1. similarly
likewise
also
too
2. as
just as
3. and
both and
not only but also
neither nor
4. like (+N)
just like (+N)
similar to (+N)
5. be similar to (+N)
be the same as(+N)
6. (be) the same
7. (be) alike
(be) similar to
8. to compare (to/with)
Examples
1. Human workers can detect malfunctions in machinery; likewise/similarly, a robot

can be programmed to detect equipment malfunctions.
Human workers can detect malfunctions in machinery; a robot can also.
Human workers can detect malfunctions in machinery; a robot can, too.
2. Robots can detect malfunctions in machinery, as/just as human workers can.
3. Robots and human workers/Both robots and human workers/Not only robots but
also human workers can detect malfunctions in machinery.
4. Robots, like/just like/similar to human workers, can detect malfunctions in
machinery.
5. Robots are similar to/ the same as human workers because they can both detect
malfunctions in machinery.
6. In their ability to detect malfunctions in machinery, robots and human workers
are the same.
7. Robots and human workers are alike/similar because they can both detect
malfunctions in machinery.
8. Robots can be compared to/with human workers in their ability to detect
malfunctions in machinery.
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CONTRAST STRUCTURE WORDS - CONCESSION (UNEXPECTED RESULT)
SENTENCE
CONNECTORS
CLAUSE CONNECTORS OTHERS
Subordinators Coordinators
1. however
nevertheless
nonetheless
still
2. although
even though
though
3. but

yet
4. despite (+N)
in spite of (+N)

Examples
1. It began to rain, however/nevertheless/nonetheless/still, we continued our hike.
2. We continued our hike although/even though/though it began to rain.
3. It began to rain, but/yet we continued our hike.
4. Despite/In spite of the rain, we continued our hike.
CONTRAST STRUCTURE WORDS - DIRECT OPPOSITION
SENTENCE
CONNECTORS
CLAUSE CONNECTORS OTHERS
Subordinators Coordinators
1. however
in contrast
in (by) comparison
on the other hand
2. on the contrary
3. while
whereas
4. but 5.differ from
6. compared (to/with)
7. (be) different (from)
(be) dissimilar (to)
(be) unlike
Examples
1. The term rock music commonly refers to music styles after 1959 that were
influenced primarily by white musicians; however/in contrast/incomparison/on
the other hand, rhythm-and-blue music styles were influenced primarily by black

musicians.
2. Innovation in rock music comes not just from the United States; on the contrary
the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were from Great Britain, and the music style
known as reggae came from the Caribbean Island of Jamaica. (Note: On the
contrary contrasts an untruth and a truth.)
3. The term rock music commonly refers to music styles after 1959 that were
influenced primarily by white musicians, while/whereas rhythm-and-blue music
styles were influenced primarily by black musicians.
4. The term rock music commonly refers to music styles after 1959 that were
influenced primarily by white musicians, but rhythm-and-blue music styles were
influenced primarily by black musicians.
5. Early rock music differs from later styles in that later styles make use of
electronics to produce new sounds.
6. Compared to/with earlier rock styles, later styles have a harder sound.
7. The punk, rap, grunge, and techno styles of the '90s are very different
from/dissimilar to/unlike the rock music played by Elvis Presley in the '50s, but
they have the same roots.
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Do not forget that using transitions enables the piece of writing to be coherent; it is easier
for the reader to follow our ideas when transitions are used to link them together.
However, overuse of transitions causes a traffic jam and should be avoided. We should be
using transitions sparingly (only when necessary).
Sample comparison contrast essays
Sample 1:
METU and Bogazici University
Almost all high school students who would like to further their academic lives in the
university search for information about the various universities of Turkey. Among many
universities in Turkey, two of them are the most popular: Middle East Technical
University and Bogazici University. They are considered the best. However, since both
cannot be THE BEST, their specialties, facilities and locations need to be examined in

detail to be able to choose the most suitable university for one's education life.
One of the areas that one should investigate is the specialties of the two universities.
METU is a comparatively new university (1956). Its aim was to contribute to the
development of Turkey and Middle East countries and especially to train people so as to
create a skilled workforce in the fields of natural and social sciences. The first academic
program to start education was the Department of Architecture. It was followed by the
Department of Mechanical Engineering. Today, there are 37 undergraduate programs in
five faculties of METU. Bogazici University, on the other hand, is a very old university
(1863). Its first name was Robert College. It got its present name in 1971. It started
education by giving Bachelor of Arts degree. Engineering building was built later (1912).
Today, Bogazici is known to graduate students who have strong social and business
skills.
The second point we would like to compare is their facilities. METU is widely
recognized with its cultural and intellectual facilities. The campus houses pioneers of
some clubs such as mountaineering and scuba diving clubs, which are only two of a total
of 25 different social clubs that students can choose. There is an alumni society. There
are two gymnasiums, 7 tennis courts, a closed and an open swimming pool. However, the
campus is far from the city center; therefore, there are not many places to eat at around
the campus.
METU has a very good library with hard and electronic copies of many books and
journals. Bogazici also has a very good library, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and an
alumni society that offers many extra-curricular courses, such as fitness, yoga, cooking
courses. There are canteens on campus. However, unlike METU, Bogazici is situated in
Etiler and it is close to Bebek, places popular with young people and there are a lot of
places to eat around the campus.
This brings us to the third point we would like to compare; the campus. The two
campuses are quite different from each other. Bogazici campus is quite old; dates back to
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the second half of 19th century. The buildings are very old. Though they are restored
from time to time, they have historical value and their facades cannot be changed. The

campus is full of old trees and it has an awesome view of the Bosphorus. The campus is
quite large. However, new buildings cannot be added so two new campuses have been
constructed. One is called the North Campus and is quite close to the main campus. The
other is in Kilyos, 40 km away. There are shuttle busses for both campuses. METU, on
the other hand, is modern looking with concrete and red brick buildings. The campus is
large enough to allow construction of new buildings. With many green areas where
students can meet and talk, it has a more academic atmosphere.
As a conclusion, we can say that METU dwells more on the technical departments and a
closed campus life which enables the students to concentrate on their courses more. On
the other hand, Bogazici is very good at social sciences and economics departments and
has every facility to create a cultural and intellectual environment for the student. One
should evaluate one’s priorities before making such a choice.
Sample 2:
The Senate and the House of Representatives
The government of the United States is made up of three branches:the legislative branch,
the executive branch and the judicial branch. The legislative branch, called Congress, is
responsible for making laws. Congress is made up of two houses: the Senate and the
House of Representatives. In this essay, you will learn the differences and similarities
between these two houses of Congress.
There are many differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives. The
Vice President of the United States is the head of the Senate. He must vote in the Senate
if there is a tie. On the other hand, the House of Representatives’ leader is called the
Speaker of the House. The representatives elect him or her.
Another difference is that the Senate is made up of 100 senators, two from each state. The
House of Representatives, however, is made up of 435 representatives. The number of
representatives from each state is determined by that state’s population. The greater the
population in a state, the more representatives that state will have in the House. A third
difference is that senators are elected to six-year terms, while representatives are elected
to serve two-year terms. Every two years, the nation holds an election for members of
Congress. At that time, all members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the

Senate are up for re-election.
There are also similarities between the Senate and the House of Representatives. For
example, both houses of Congress are made up of men and women. Both senators and
representatives are members of Congress who must work together toward the same goal:
to create, discuss, debate and vote on bills, some of which eventually become laws. In the
U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C., senators and representatives often meet with
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each other and in smaller groups to discuss laws. Before the President can sign a bill into
law, it must first be approved by a majority of members in both the House and Senate.
Although Congress is made up of two types of lawmakers, they must work together for
the benefit of all Americans.
Sample 3:
Where to Go on Vacation: The Beach or the City
It is a fact that not all the people have the opportunity to go on vacation. The ones who
have the facilities like to go out of town once in a while in order to leave their worries
behind. When we go on vacation, we have to decide the best place to go according to
what we have in mind. The purpose of this essay is to contrast the differences between
vacation at a beach or in a city. We will look at the kinds of activities, the clothing
required and the pace of life available while vacationing on the beach or in the city.
The first major difference between vacationing on the beach or in a city is the kind of
activities you are able to do. On the beach, for example, you can go sailing, fishing,
surfing, skiing, or take advantage of the sun and lie in the sand to get tan, or even in some
cases feed sharks and swim with dolphins. On the other hand, in a city you can visit
different sites such as museums, theaters, important buildings, downtown, among other
things. This means that you have many places to know and you will need much more
time and organization in a city than on the beach.
Another difference between vacationing on the beach or in a city is the clothing and
equipment you need to take with you. If you decide to go to the beach, you will have to
take mainly a bathing suit, shorts, short-sleeve shirts, sandals, sunglasses, goggles, and
sun block. Considering that you are going to the city where you will have to walk a lot,

you will need comfortable and casual clothing such as jeans and tennis shoes. You will
also have to take fancy clothes in case you want to go, for example, to watch a play or to
a concert.
The final difference between vacationing on the beach or in a city is the pace of life. If
you want a relaxing plan, your option will be the beach. When you are on the beach you
just let things happen while in the city you will have to schedule all your activities in
order to have time to visit the different sites you want to.
In conclusion, here you have these differences to consider when deciding where to go on
vacation. Although both places are interesting and exciting, it all depends on what you
are looking for. Keep in mind that wherever you decide to go you will enjoy it.
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Sample 4:
MY PART-TIME JOBS
I have held six part-time jobs so far, and I have learned something from each one of them. I had
my first paid job during the summer vacation before I started high school, picking strawberries at
a farm near our summerhouse. During three of my four high school years, I cleaned offices near
my house once a week after school. I have also worked as a receptionist for a passenger ferry
company, a salesperson in a clothing store, a math tutor for middle school students, and a maid in
a hotel. While there are a few similarities between these jobs, the differences between them are
much greater.
One obvious similarity is that they have all been part time. My parents didn’t allow me to work
more than one evening and one of the weekend days (Saturday or Sunday) while I was a student.
Of course, I often worked full time for a month or so during the summer but never during the
school year. Another similarity is that they were all basically entry-level, unskilled positions.
One might think that being a math tutor was a more highly skilled job, but actually I was given
all the assignments and detailed directions for how to teach math points by the school. Still, I
think the differences between these jobs are much more striking than the similarities.
The first big difference between them was the amount of mental and physical work involved. My
two jobs as a strawberry picker and as a hotel maid involved a lot of heavy lifting, and in both of
them I walked many miles everyday. I remember crying after my second day in the strawberry

field because my back muscles were so sore. The office cleaning job involved some physical
work, such as moving chairs and waste baskets, but it was very easy in comparison. For my
receptionist, tutor, and salesperson jobs, I worked in air-conditioned comfort and never lifted
anything heavier than a pencil or a dress. Second, there was a great difference in the amount of
independence I had. Picking strawberries, I could go as slowly or as quickly as I wanted; when I
picked more strawberries, I got a lot of money. As a salesperson, I was also paid a commission on
the amount I sold, so I had a lot of independence. In my other four jobs, I was told exactly what to
do and when to do it. However, the biggest difference, in my opinion, was whether the work
involved people or objects. When you are picking fruit and cleaning offices or hotel rooms, you
really don’t need to talk with people much. Sometimes a whole day could go by in those jobs
when I hardly said anything to anyone, but as a receptionist, salesperson, or tutor, establishing
pleasant and effective relationships with other people was critical.
To summarize, the similarities in the amount of work and level of skill needed are not nearly as
obvious as the differences between these jobs. Physical labor is hard on your body, but the
hardest thing about these jobs for me was that I rarely go total with anyone. I love to talk, and I
have discovered that I need to have independence and responsibility in the kind of work I do. As
a result, I kept my sales-person job through all four years of high school. Being a receptionist
was somewhat boring, but at least I got to chat with a lot of different people. Therefore, besides
earning pocket money and saving for college and some vacations abroad, my six jobs have taught
me a lot about the kind of responsibility, and interaction with interesting people is the path for
me.
Two methods for writing a comparison essay are the Block and the Feature-by-Feature
methods. Use the following information about each format to help your classes write
comparison essays.
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Sample 5:
Industrial Engineer or Administrator?
One of the most important decisions of your life is choosing a career. When you have two
main options to study you can compare them in order to see the advantages and
disadvantages. The purpose of this essay is to examine the differences between being an

Industrial Engineer and being an Administrator. These are two similar careers, but each
of them offers you different opportunities as a student and as a professional. Three main
aspects comparing these two careers are the job opportunities, the specific skills you
acquire and the work areas.
One of the main aspects you should consider in selecting a career is the job opportunities.
As an Industrial Engineer you have a very wide open field. You can work in many
different areas. Industrial Engineers can work as administrators, manufacturers, and in
departments such as human resources. As an Administrator you are more specialized, and
the work field is more reduced. You can only work in departments such as human
resources and economics but not in manufacturing or productivity departments.
Another very important differences the knowledge you acquire. As an Industrial Engineer
you will obtain more objective and specialized reasoning abilities. You will have to study
subjects such as Physics and Mathematics and other kinds of subjects such as Human
Resources and Administration. As an Engineer you will obtain both a social and a
mathematical perspective. As an Administrator you have subjects such as Finance and
Private Rights. You will obtain a better social perspective, but not a very critical or
specialized mathematical reasoning.
A third aspect to consider is what would you like to do after graduating. Both careers are
good to be an entrepreneur. Engineers are able to work in the manufacturing process in
order to offer good quality. Administrators are able to work checking the economic and
material resources in order to produce. An Administrator is specialized in the financial
aspects, and the Engineer is specialized in the productivity. It depends which area you
like the most. Click here to understand more about Industrial Engineering and Managing.
Definitely, both careers are great options. Both are needed in industry and business. It is
very important to analyze if you are more into business or if you are more into
manufacturing. Engineers use a very high level of critical thinking and analysis talking
about productivity. Administrators use a very specialized reasoning talking about
economics and resources. Both are similar, but they focus on different aspects within the
enterprise. It is a matter of knowing yourself and finding out what kind of student and
professional you want to be.

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Sample 6:
Two Great Mexican Cities
Becoming a foreign student has given me the opportunity of living in two cities at the
same time: Queretaro and San Miguel. Living in each city regularly has let me see many
differences between the both, but there are three main contrasts between them, which are
the size of the cities, the life rhythm of each city, and the activities you can do in each
city.
Usually the first difference that all people see is the size of the cities. Queretaro has
grown into a great urban mass filled with industries, buildings, roads, and lots of people.
The time it takes you to get from one place to another shows us how big it has become.
San Miguel still maintains the essence of a colonial town in which most of its townsfolk
know each other although the city has grown a lot in the last years.
Another great difference is the rhythm of life in each city. Queretaro has become a city in
which its people are usually in a hurry and have a lot of things to do throughout the day.
This can be seen by the amount of traffic in the city. On the other hand, San Miguel still
remains quite a calm city where most people walk and take their time.
Maybe the most important difference between the cities are the activities you can do. In
Queretaro you can find all sorts of things to do like shopping in plazas, going to the
discos or bars at nights, going to the movies, etc. In San Miguel, there are places to drink
a coffee and chat, theaters and art galleries to visit, and many places with beautiful
architecture and decoration you can admire.
As you can see, there is a great difference between these two cities, and it is best to be in
each city according to what you want to do. If you like to be active during the day,
survive traffic and stress, and go shopping and have fun at clubs or bars, Queretaro is the
place to be. But if you want to have a calm day, hang out with friends to catch up on
things, or use your time in cultural activities like painting or music, San Miguel is a great
option.
Sample 7:
Cows and Whales

There are some things that happen to cows and whales. One of the things, both cows and
whales are eaten by people in some countries as edible meat. Another thing, although
they are living different places like ocean and land, they have their own lives.
It seems that cows and whales are in a same situation. But there are some differences that
could be compared. First, many cows are slaughtered everyday. On the other hand,
whales are protected by national law recently. Second, cows are important provisions for
all over the world. However, whales are important edible animals only in a few countries.
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Finally, there is the biggest difference between cows and whales. It is that whales are free
in the huge ocean until caught by people, and cows will be grown up in the field by the
people to eat.
The first difference between cows and whales is that cows are the most popular edible
meat all over the world. Therefore, many cows are butchered everyday. Of course, there
are several reasons that people use cows to their provisions. Because cows are easy for
farmers to breed, and they are not as clever as other animals. On the other hand, whales
have been protected by a law. (The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
Therefore, every whaler has been limited in number to catch the whales recently. The
reason of this law is whales are not easy to breed as cows. And they are such a clever
animals more than any other kind of animal.
The second difference is that cows are important provisions all over the world. Almost of
all countries use beef as their main dish. Therefore, it is nothing wound and give any
impression us to slaughter cows. But whales have been used as edible meat in a few
countries like small islander countries. Therefore, for the people who are living in big
countries, to slaughter the whales look like violence activity and wounded hunting.
The final difference is the biggest difference between cows and whales. Cows are raised
by farmers in the fields that are surrounded by fences. They don't have any future. And
they have to wait their slaughter in the field. On the other hand, whales are free in a huge
ocean. They can swim and travel wherever they want. Even though, they are caught by
people, other whales have a future. They don't need to wait their slaughter. They have
their lives and freedom until caught by people.

In conclusion, there are something that happen to cows and whales. Both cows and
whales are eaten by people as edible meat. Some people said that it is so poor for whale
to be caught by whaler. But, how about cows? Sometimes cows and whales are both on
the same situations. However, practically both cows and whales are completely opposite
situations and different treatment.
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FURTHER READING
Writing Effective Comparison or Contrast Essays
A Comparison or Contrast essay is an essay in which you either compare something or
contrast something. A comparison essay is an essay in which you emphasize the
similarities, and a contrast essay is an essay in which you emphasize the differences. We
use comparison and contrast thinking when deciding which university to attend, which
car to buy, or whether to drive a car or take a bus or an airplane to a vacation site.
In this section, two classic organizational patterns of a comparison or contrast essay will
be discussed. One is called block arrangement of ideas; the other is called point-by-
point or alternating arrangement of ideas. Suppose you are interested in showing the
differences between vacationing in the mountains and vacationing at the beach. You will
then write a contrast composition. One way to arrange your material is to use the block
arrangement which is to write about vacationing in the mountains in one paragraph and
vacationing at the beach in the next. If you mention a particular point in the mountains
paragraph, you must mention the same point in the beach paragraph, and in the same
order. Study the following outline, which shows this kind of organization. The
introductory paragraph is followed by the mountains paragraph, the beach paragraph,
then the conclusion; the fully developed essay is just four paragraphs.
Block Arrangement (four paragraphs)
I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss the differences between
vacationing in the mountains or at the beach
II. Mountain
A. Climate
B. Types of Activities

C. Location
III. Beach
A. Climate
B. Types of Activities
C. Location
IV. Conclusion
A second way to organize this material is to discuss a particular point about vacationing
in the mountains and then immediately to discuss the same point about vacationing at the
beach. This is called point-by-point or alternating arrangement. An outline of this
organization follows.
Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement (five paragraphs)
I. Introduction in which you state your purpose which is to discuss differences between vacationing in the
mountains or at the beach
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II. First difference between mountains and beaches is climate
A. Mountains
B. Beach
III. Second difference between mountains and beaches are types of activities
A. Mountains
B. Beach
IV. Third difference between mountains and beaches is the location
A. Mountains
B. Beach
V. Conclusion
Application: Block or Point-by-Point
Examine the comparison or contrast essays that follow, and decide whether the authors
used block arrangement or point-by-point (or alternating) arrangement. Notice how other
authors structure their essays. Five paragraphs or four? Block arrangement or point-by-
point arrangement? Noticing these things will help you become a better, more conscious
reader and writer.

Vacationing at the Beach or in the Mountains
People are always looking forward to their vacation period. There are many options where to choose. I
think that the two most common places people choose for taking a vacation are the beaches and the
mountains. Both places offer a variety of fun activities. The beach offers activities that the mountain
cannot offer and vice versa. The mountain and the beach are totally different. The purpose of this
essay is to contrast the climate, types of activities and locations of beaches and mountains.
I’m going to discuss mountains first. The three aspects I’m going to discuss are climate, types of
activities and location. Climate is always important in order to enjoy vacations. If a person dislikes
cold weather, he or she might have a hard time in the mountains. The cold climate in the mountains is
the first barrier to enjoying them, but the climate and the temperature of these zones also determine
the types of activities they offer. Snow boarding, mountain climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and
skiing are some activities people can enjoy when going to the mountains. There are many regions that
have mountains where people can go and have a great vacation. Canada is a country located in North
America and contains many mountain vacation sites where people can go and have fun.
I’m going to discuss the beach second. The three aspects I’m going to discuss are climate, types of
activities and location. Warm climate is one of the most important features that the beach has. Sun and
fun are two words that describe the beach. The temperature in those places is always hot. The sea and
the warm climate determine the activities that are available at the beach. People can swim, play
volleyball, play soccer, and ride water bikes. In most coastal sites, there are discos and restaurants
where people can dance or party throughout the night. Mexico offers many amazing coastal sites to
visit. Acapulco and Cancun are two of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the word.
It doesn’t matter what place a person decides to choose. The fun is 100% guaranteed. People often
choose one of these two options to spend their vacations. Depending on what the person likes is what
he or she will choose. I like the beach better than the mountains, but sometimes it is better to take a
risk and try a different place to enjoy. (399 words)
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Is the essay above organized using block or point-by-point arrangement of details? Note
first the essay is four paragraphs, (1) an introduction, (2) a paragraph about vacationing in
the mountains, (3) a paragraph about vacationing at the beach, and (4) a conclusion. This
is the block arrangement, the first block containing information about mountains and the

second block containing information about the beach.
The following essay contrasts eating fresh foods and canned foods. Is its organization
block or point-by-point? How many paragraphs does it contain? How many
"differences" between fresh foods and canned foods does the author discuss?
Consuming Fresh Foods Instead of Canned Foods
Eating is an activity that we as humans do at least two times a day. We live in a
world where the variety of food is immense, and we are responsible for what we eat.
We decide what we are about to eat and how it will affect our bodies. The purpose of
this essay is to compare and contrast the differences between eating fresh foods
instead of canned foods. The three main differences are flavor, health benefits, and
cost.
The most notable difference between these two kinds of foods is their flavor. Fresh
foods have great flavor and taste because they keep all their natural conditions.
Canned foods however, lack a lot of its flavor characteristics because there are some
other chemical products added to the natural foods. It is logical that the fresh foods
will have a greater taste and flavor when consumed just because of the time in which
they have been prepared.
Comparing both types of foods we notice another difference. There is a health factor
that affects both of them. Canned foods lose some of the original fresh food nutrients
when stored, and also it has to be tinned with many conservatives and chemical
factors that prolong the shelf life and apparent freshness of the food but could also
become toxic if consumed too often.
Yet another difference between these two types of foods is the cost. Canned foods
are much more expensive than fresh foods. Here the benefit of buying tinned foods is
that they are easier to find, for example, in a supermarket instead of the market like
the fresh foods, and they require less work to prepare than fresh foods, just open and
serve.
Here are the main three differences between buying fresh foods and buying canned
foods. As we can see it comes down to a personal choice, based on the time each
person has, the money and the importance he/she gives to his/her nutrition and

health. Therefore it is important that you consider your possibilities and choose the
best type of foods for your convenience and lifestyle. (347 words)
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The essay above is the "classic" five paragraph essay that all non-native speakers of
English should learn to write. This essays also contains the "classic" point-by-point
organization, each point stated and developed in a single paragraph. The essay contains
five paragraphs that contrast three differences between fresh and canned foods. The
essay includes (1) an introduction, (2) the development of the first difference (flavor), (3)
the development of the second difference (health benefits), (4) the development of the
third difference (cost), and (5) a conclusion. In the true classic tradition, the three main
differences in this contrast essay—flavor, health benefits, and cost—are stated both in the
introduction and the conclusion as well. My own observation is this: US kids are taught
to organize and write five paragraph essays like this from early childhood, but they rarely
attain the degree of perfection of the essay above.
This ends the first part of this page, the explanation of the differences between the classic
organizational styles of comparison and contrast essays, (1) block and (2) point-by-point
or alternating arrangement.
How to Support Your Point of View though Comparison and Contrast
It was stated in the first part of this paper that we use comparison or contrast in nearly
everything we do. When deciding what to eat, for example, we often choose between
fresh foods or canned foods, exactly as the writer above described. However, do you
know the preference of the previous author? Did he state it directly? Why or why not?
What other ways could this essay have ended?
An important point to remember when writing comparison or contrast essays is that many
times writers use comparison or contrast to support a personal point of view. Whenever
possible and appropriate, writers should support their own views. For example, the
following paragraphs are from the book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by
Robert Persig. Note that Persig's description of the differences between riding in a car
and riding a motorcycle is not neutral. Instead, Persig uses comparison and contrast to
serve a persuasive aim: to show the reader why riding a motorcycle is more stimulating

than driving a car (Persig, by Heffernan and Lincoln).
Which do You Prefer?
You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other. In a
car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it, you don't realize that through that
car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer, and it is all moving by
you boringly in a frame.
On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just
watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five
inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on. It's right there, so blurred you
can't focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole
experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness.
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Persig's choice of travel is obvious. In a car, you are in a compartment seeing just more
TV, a passing observer. On a motorcycle, however, you're in contact with it all, the real
thing, the whole thing, the whole experience, never removed from immediate
consciousness. In writing a comparison or contrast essay, use contrast to show your own
preference, to support your own point of view, to persuade the reader which option you
prefer.
How to Write an Effective Comparison or Contrast Essay: Summary
1. Know what organizational style you are using. Whether you use the block
arrangement or point-by-point arrangement, you should be able to identify it. Being able
to identify your organization will not only help you in the organization of your own
writing, but it will also help your reader follow the points you make.
2. State your organization. Remember the "straight line of development" that was
discussed in the introduction requires that you "tell your audience what you are going to
tell them; then tell them; then tell them what you told them." An important objective in
academic writing is clarity, and stating your organization always contributes to clarity.
Err on the side of clarity!
3. Keep your audience in mind. Be sure your reader can relate to your topic. After you
finish writing, read your essay from the perspective of your audience. How will they

respond to your ideas? Will they understand what you have written? Will they agree
with your main point? Will the support appear logical to them?
4. Say what you want to say. Write like Robert Persig did in his book, Zen and the Art of
Motorcycle Maintenance. In your essay, make your preference clear as Persig did when
he contrasted the difference between vacationing by car or motorcycle.
Finally, to further clarify how it would be possible to say what you want to say in your
writing, consider which of the following options would YOU prefer, and why? To
support your point in each essay, what characteristics would you choose to contrast, and
what support would you use? Can you think of any other topics that might be fun to
contrast?
A. Vacationing in Paris or taking a three-week trip down the Amazon.
B. Growing up in a small town or growing up in a large city.
C. Working for large company or running your own business.
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