1. Comparison and Contrast Essays
Wendy M. Gough
St. Mary College/Nunoike Gaigo
Senmon Gakko

2. Comparison/Contrast Essay Organization
Like other types of essays, a comparison and contrast essay must have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
We will learn about two organizational styles:
Point by point organization
Block organization

3. Point by Point Organization
In the body paragraph, write 1-2 sentences to explain a similarity, 1-2 sentences to explain a difference, 1-2 sentences for another similarity, and 1-2 sentences to explain another difference. Or
1 body paragraph to explain 1 similarity and 1 difference and another body paragraph to explain a second similarity and difference.

4. Essay Organization Introduction Similarity Difference Similarity
Conclusion

5. Adapted from page 116 in Effective Academic Writing 2: The Short Essay
A Short Essay
Point by Point Organization
Adapted from page 116 in Effective Academic Writing 2: The Short Essay

6. There are two places that have had a profound impact on my life
There are two places that have had a profound impact on my life. One of them is New York City, and the other is Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. When you compare them, they seem like dramatically different places, but they have some things in common, and I love them both.
There are many reasons why New York seems like my home away from home. Both cities are striking and distinctive. For example, each has its own nickname. Everyone knows New York is “the Big Apple.” Quetzaltenango is known as “Xela” (pronounced (shey-la), which is a lot easier to say! Despite their similarities, these cities are different. Life in Xela is more colorful and the pace of life is slower. For this reason, whenever I return to Xela, it is like an escape. When I arrive, the first thing I notice is the color. In New York, many people wear black to be stylish, but in Xela stylish clothing is the rainbow-colored clothing of the indigenous people. And because Xela is smaller, the beautiful green mountains outside the city are always visible.
Introduction
Similarity 1
Difference 1

7. A second similarity is that both cities have a “Central Park” where people like to go and walk. Although Central Park in Xela is smaller, its tropical flowers and colonial architecture mean it is just as beautiful as New York’s. Furthermore, when you walk around Xela, you find many tourists and people from other countries, just like New York. For me, this means conversations in Xela are just as interesting as conversations in New York. The second Difference I notice is the pace of life. They say New York never sleeps, and it must be true, because I always see people walking and cars on the streets even late at night. In the evening, my Guatemalan city definitely sleeps. Some younger people go out dancing and some families take a walk in the city’s Central Park, but by ten o’clock the streets are pretty deserted. On the other hand, New Yorkers are often in such a hurry, they don’t even stop to eat. For breakfast they buy food on the street, and eat it while they are walking or on the subway. At lunch they order food from work and eat at their desks. In Xela people eat their breakfast at home and most come home from work for a much more relaxed and longer lunch.
Similarity 2
Difference 2

8. In conclusion, these are two cities I love
In conclusion, these are two cities I love. For me, both are home, are unique, and are filled with interesting people. These places represent the best of both worlds. New York is more hurried and rushed when I need energy, and Xela gives me a slower pace when I need to relax. Together they keep me balanced.
Conclusion

9. Block Organization
Write 1-3 sentences to explain the similarities then 1-3 sentences to explain the differences. Or
Write 1 paragraph to explain the similarities and 1 paragraph to explain the differences.

10. Short Essay Organization
Introduction
Similarities
Differences
Conclusion

11. There are two places that have had a profound impact on my life
There are two places that have had a profound impact on my life. One of them is New York City, and the other is Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. When you compare them, they seem like dramatically different places, but they have some things in common, and I love them both.
There are many reasons why New York seems like my home away from home. Both cities are striking and distinctive. For example, each has its own nickname. Everyone knows New York is “the Big Apple.” Quetzaltenango is known as “Xela” (pronounced (shey-la), which is a lot easier to say! Second, both cities have a “Central Park” where people like to go and walk. Although Central Park in Xela is smaller, its tropical flowers and colonial architecture mean it is just as beautiful as New York’s. Furthermore, when you walk around Xela, you find many tourists and people from other countries, just like New York. For me, this means conversations in Xela are just as interesting as conversations in New York.
Introduction
Similarity 1
Similarity 2

12. Despite their similarities, these cities are different
Despite their similarities, these cities are different. Life in Xela is more colorful and the pace of life is slower. For this reason, whenever I return to Xela, it is like an escape. When I arrive, the first thing I notice is the color. In New York, many people wear black to be stylish, but in Xela stylish clothing is the rainbow-colored clothing of the indigenous people. And because Xela is smaller, the beautiful green mountains outside the city are always visible. The second thing I notice is the pace of life. They say New York never sleeps, and it must be true, because I always see people walking and cars on the streets even late at night. In the evening, my Guatemalan city definitely sleeps. Some younger people go out dancing and some families take a walk in the city’s Central Park, but by ten o’clock the streets are pretty deserted. On the other hand, New Yorkers are often in such a hurry, they don’t even stop to eat. For breakfast they buy food on the street, and eat it while they are walking or on the subway. At lunch they order food from work and eat at their desks. In Xela people eat their breakfast at home and most come home from work for a much more relaxed and longer lunch.
Difference 1
Difference 2
Difference 3

13. In conclusion, these are two cities I love
In conclusion, these are two cities I love. For me, both are home, are unique, and are filled with interesting people. These places represent the best of both worlds. New York is more hurried and rushed when I need energy, and Xela gives me a slower pace when I need to relax. Together they keep me balanced.
Conclusion

14. The Introduction
There are two places that have had a profound impact on my life. One of them is New York City, and the other is Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. When you compare them, they seem like dramatically different places, but they have some things in common, and I love them both.
The topic (topic sentence) and general information
The things that will be compared. It also gives the writer’s opinion about the topic (thesis sentence)

15. The Body
Introduces the similarities with general statements
There are many reasons why New York seems like my home away from home. Both cities are striking and distinctive. For example, each has its own nickname. Everyone knows New York is “the Big Apple.” Quetzaltenango is known as “Xela” (pronounced (shey-la), which is a lot easier to say! Second, both cities have a “Central Park” where people like to go and walk. Although Central Park in Xela is smaller, its tropical flowers and colonial architecture mean it is just as beautiful as New York’s. Furthermore, when you walk around Xela, you find many tourists and people from other countries, just like New York. For me, this means conversations in Xela are just as interesting as conversations in New York.
Details and examples of similarities between the two cities explain why the writer likes the two cities

16. Despite their similarities, these cities are different
Despite their similarities, these cities are different. Life in Xela is more colorful and the pace of life is slower. For this reason, whenever I return to Xela, it is like an escape. When I arrive, the first thing I notice is the color. In New York, many people wear black to be stylish, but in Xela stylish clothing is the rainbow-colored clothing of the indigenous people. And because Xela is smaller, the beautiful green mountains outside the city are always visible. The second thing I notice is the pace of life. They say New York never sleeps, and it must be true, because I always see people walking and cars on the streets even late at night. In the evening, my Guatemalan city definitely sleeps. Some younger people go out dancing and some families take a walk in the city’s Central Park, but by ten o’clock the streets are pretty deserted. On the other hand, New Yorkers are often in such a hurry, they don’t even stop to eat. For breakfast they buy food on the street, and eat it while they are walking or on the subway. At lunch they order food from work and eat at their desks. In Xela people eat their breakfast at home and most come home from work for a much more relaxed and longer lunch.
Introduces the differences
Details and examples of the differences

17. They say New York never sleeps, and it must be true, because I always see people walking and cars on the streets even late at night. In the evening, my Guatemalan city definitely sleeps. Some younger people go out dancing and some families take a walk in the city’s Central Park, but by ten o’clock the streets are pretty deserted. On the other hand, New Yorkers are often in such a hurry, they don’t even stop to eat. For breakfast they buy food on the street, and eat it while they are walking or on the subway. At lunch they order food from work and eat at their desks. In Xela people eat their breakfast at home and most come home from work for a much more relaxed and longer lunch.
More specific examples of the differences

18. The Conclusion
Restates the topic and main ideas
In conclusion, these are two cities I love. For me, both are home, are unique, and are filled with interesting people. These places represent the best of both worlds. New York is more hurried and rushed when I need energy, and Xela gives me a slower pace when I need to relax. Together they keep me balanced.
The Writer’s opinion
A final thought about the topic

19. References
Savage, A. & Mayer, P. Effective Academic Writing 2: The Short Essay. New York, USA. Oxford, 2005.