Down and Dirty Tips: Compare or Contrast Essay

Step 4: Organize Using Point-by-Point Method

There are other methods for organizing this essay; however, you can’t go wrong with point-by-point style.

Comparison Essay

Introduction Paragraph - Attention grabber is the first sentence of the introduction. Lead from a general discussion of the topic to the main point of the paper, the thesis statement sentence. Thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

Thesis statement: Although coffee and roller coasters are different on the surface, they are alike in how they excite smell, hearing, and touch.

Body Paragraphs - Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that at least alludes to the two items being discussed and the main point of that paragraph. In the first half of the paragraph only discuss the first item (do not refer to the second item at all). Then, in the second half of the paragraph discuss the second item and how it relates to the first item.

Body Paragraph # 1 - Topic Sentence for Point 1:  The first way the two are similar is how they stimulate the sense of smell.

• Discuss the first item, how coffee stimulates the sense of smell.
• Discuss the second item, roller coasters and how they are similar to coffee in the way they stimulate the sense of smell.

Body Paragraph # 2 - Topic Sentence for Point 2:  Furthermore, coffee and roller coasters both excite the sense of hearing.

• Discuss the first item, how coffee stimulates hearing.
• Discuss the second item, roller coasters and how they are similar to coffee in the way they stimulate hearing.

Body Paragraph # 3 - Topic Sentence for Point 3:  The final way they are similar is how they both impact the sense of touch.

• Discuss the first item, how coffee impacts the sense of touch.
• Discuss the second item, roller coasters and how they are similar to coffee in the way they impact the sense of touch.

Conclusion Paragraph

Conclude essay with a rewording of the thesis statement as the first sentence of the conclusion paragraph. Move from that specific point of the essay out to a general discussion of the topic. Look to the introduction for ideas on what to include in the conclusion.

Step 4: Organize Using Point-by-Point Method

There are other methods for organizing this essay; however, you can’t go wrong with point-by-point style.

Contrast Essay

Introduction Paragraph - Attention grabber is the first sentence of the introduction. Lead from a general discussion of the topic to the main point of the paper, the thesis statement sentence. Thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

Thesis statement: Even though Popeye’s and KFC are both fried chicken restaurants, they differ greatly in their service, menus, and ambiance.

Body Paragraphs - Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that at least alludes to the two items being discussed and the main point of that paragraph. In the first half of the paragraph only discuss the first item (do not refer to the second item at all). Then, in the second half of the paragraph discuss the second item and how it relates to the first item.

Body Paragraph # 1 - Topic Sentence for Point 1:  The first way the two are different is their service.

• Discuss the first item, service at Popeye’s.
• Discuss the second item, KFC’s service and how the service is different from that of Popeye’s.

Body Paragraph # 2 - Topic Sentence for Point 2:  Next, the two restaurants differ in their menus.

• Discuss the first item, menu at Popeye’s.
• Discuss the second item, KFC’s menu and how menu at KFC is different from that of Popeye’s

Body Paragraph # 3 - Topic Sentence for Point 3:  Finally, Popeye’s and KFC offer a dissimilar ambiance.

• Discuss the first item, ambiance at Popeye’s.
• Discuss the second item, KFC’s ambiance and how ambiance at KFC differs from ambiance at Popeye’s.

Conclusion Paragraph

Conclude essay with a rewording of the thesis statement as the first sentence of the conclusion paragraph. Move from that specific point of the essay out to a general discussion of the topic. Look to the introduction for ideas on what to include in the conclusion.