Methods of Comparison & Contrast Composition

• Block Method - A representation of all facts and supporting details about one topic followed by the facts and supporting details about the second topic.
• ADVANTAGES:

  • Keeps each set of points for discussion close together.
  • The reader does not have to remember as much information.
  • Keeps the paper clearly organized.
  • Avoids summary.
• DISADVANTAGE:

  • The reader does not immediately see the similarities & differences of subjects and topics being explained.
• Point-by-Point Method - describing similarities first of one point of a topic with a point of the other topic.
• ADVANTAGES:

  • Presents the whole picture of the two sides.
  • Can be more effective if the essay is below 3-4 pages
  • Does not appear as monotonous.
• DISADVANTAGES:

  • The reader must remember a lot since the comparison and contrast are done side by side.
  • The paper is not always as clearly organized.
  • Difficult to for papers over 3-4 pages.