Item-by-Item Comparison The first option is called item-by-item, where you discuss all the points of item one and then move on to discuss those same points of item two. For example, you might have a paragraph where you talk about the history, ideology, and demographics of ISIS, and then a paragraph where you cover the same points with the Third Reich. Organizing your comparison item-by-item works best if it is a short paper—a page or two. In fact, many students feel it is easier to write if they focus on one item at a time. Point-by-Point Comparison The second option for organizing your paper is to use a point-by-point comparison, where you would discuss each point in the context of the two items. For example, you might have a paragraph discussing the history of ISIS and the history of the Third Reich. The next paragraph would discuss the ideology of the two groups. And so on. Compare the following two sample outlines for comparing ISIS and the Third Reich in a short essay: Item-by-Item Point-by-Point Introduction Section 1: ISIS Introduction Section 1: History ¶ History ¶ ISIS ¶ Ideology ¶ Third Reich ¶ Demographics Section 2: Ideology Section 2: Third Reich ¶ ISIS ¶ History ¶ Third Reich ¶ Ideology Section 3: Demographics ¶ Demographics ¶ ISIS Conclusion ¶ Third Reich Conclusion When writing longer essays (more than, say, a page), I prefer the point-by-point comparison simply because it is less taxing on the reader’s memory. If you spend three pages discussing the history, ideology, and demographics of ISIS, then the reader has to remember those points when they start reading about the Third Reich. By doing a point-by-point, you can keep all that information fresh in their mind as you flip back and forth between the items (ISIS and the Third Reich). If you choose this organization, be prepared to use lots of phrases like, “On the one hand,” “on the other hand,” “while,” and “however.” In the follow two examples, the same comparison is organized into an item-by-item paragraph and a point-by-point paragraph. For visual convenience, everything about Mrs. Johnson is underlined while everything about Ms. Reade is in bold. After you read them, ask yourself which one you thought was more interesting or easy to follow. The answer will be different for everyone, which is why there is no right or wrong way to organize your comparison. If you are consistent with plotting your analysis point-by-point or item-by-item, you’ll be fine. Example of an Item-by-Item Comparison Students might want to consider the different teaching styles of Mrs. Johnson and Ms. Reade before deciding which one to take for Advanced English. Mrs. Johnson is a ball of energy and has no problem keeping students awake. She talks clearly and pauses to emphasize key words and concepts. Additionally, she is funny, and she loves it when students ask her questions about the material. She’s happy to pause the lecture to make sure everyone understands before moving on to the next point. Above all, she is very enthusiastic about literature, and that enthusiasm is contagious. Ms. Reade, on the other hand, has a different approach. With her sleepy demeanor and soft, monotone voice, students often complain that it is hard to stay awake in class. Ms. Reade also discourages students from interrupting her to ask questions. She expects students to keep up, and if they don’t understand a concept, they should see her after class. The most important thing to her, it seems, is that she covers everything before the bell rings. She is very knowledgeable about literature, but she doesn’t seem enthusiastic about it. These differences in teaching styles between Mrs. Johnson and Ms. Reade can impact how well students do in Advanced English, so students should choose accordingly. Example of a Point-by-Point Comparison Students might want to consider the different teaching styles of Mrs. Johnson and Ms. Reade before deciding which one to take for Advanced English. Mrs. Johnson is a ball of energy and has no problem keeping students awake. Ms. Reade, on the other hand, has a lethargic demeanor and a soft, monotone voice, often lulling students to sleep during her lectures. Students have expressed appreciation for the way Mrs. Johnson talks clearly and pauses to emphasize key words and concepts. They have noticed, however, that Ms. Reade often mumbles and glosses over important concepts, making it hard to take notes. Mrs. Johnson has a great sense of humor and loves it when students ask her questions about the material. She’s happy to pause the lecture to make sure everyone understands before moving on to the next point. Ms. Reade, while known to laugh at her own jokes, is rather serious and gets annoyed when students ask questions. She seems more interested in covering all of the material than actually helping students understand. Above all, Mrs. Johnson is very enthusiastic about literature, and that enthusiasm is contagious. While Ms. Reade is very knowledgeable about literature, she doesn’t seem enthusiastic about it. These differences in teaching styles between Mrs. Johnson and Ms. Reade can impact how well students do in Advanced English, so students should choose accordingly. Copyright 2021, Mike Peterson, Ph.D. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 International License.