This document compares and contrasts two types of comparison essays: point by point essays and similarities and differences essays. It outlines the structure of each, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Point by point essays discuss topics related to both subjects in separate body paragraphs, while similarities and differences essays have body paragraphs on similarities, differences, and main differences. The document provides guidance on when each organizational structure is most appropriate based on the thesis and focus of the comparison.

1. Comparison
and Contrast
Understanding the differences between
Point by Point
and
Similarities and Differences
Essays

2. The Introduction
Introduction
 The introduction talks
about the two things
you want to compare
and contrast.
 The thesis is usually
in the last part of the
introduction. It tells
the reader what the
writer’s opinion is.
 The introduction can
be the same for
point by point and
similarities and
differences essays.

3. The Conclusion
 The conclusion
summarizes everything
you just wrote.
 Make sure you state
the thesis again, using
different words.
 The conclusion can be
Conclusion
the same for point by
point and similarities
and differences
essays.

4. The Body Paragraphs
Point by Point
Similarities and
Differences
Topic 1
Similarities
Topic 2
Differences
Topic 3
Main differences

5. Point by Point
essays use topics
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
 Each body
paragraph has a
topic, or key point
that it discusses.
 Inside any of these
paragraphs, you can
talk about things
that are the same
or different
between the two
subjects.

6. Similarities
Differences
Main Differences
Similarities and
Differences divide up
what is similar and what
is different about the
two subjects
 The first paragraph
usually talks about what
the two subjects have
that are the same.
 The second paragraph
talks about what is
different.
 The final body paragraph
talks about the main
differences between the
two subjects.

7. Point by point
Similarities and Differences
Introduction
Introduction
Topic 1
Similarities
Topic 2
Differences
Topic 3
Main Differences
Conclusion
Conclusion

8. When you should use each type:
Point by point
• Both subjects are equal in
many ways.
• You want to talk about both
subjects’ similarities and
differences in several key
areas or topics
• If your thesis is something
like this: Hamburgers and
pizza will remain popular
with college students
because of their
convenience, price, and
delicious taste.
Similarities and
Differences
• You want to say one subject is
better than the other
• You want to write about all
the similarities and
differences separately
• You are focusing on what
makes the two subjects really
different from one another
• If your thesis is something
like this: Although both
hamburgers and pizza are
popular with college
students, pizza is far
superior in many ways.