Two
Ways to Write a Compare and
Contrast Essay
1. Block Method
2. Point –by- Point Method
• This slide show provides two outlines and two models of essays comparing and
contrasting apples to oranges.
• The slides following the outlines and models contain two different outline
templates you must choose from to use while planning your Hop Frog/Edward
Scissorhands essay.
• You must decide whether you will use the block or the point-by-point method
and follow the template for that method in your essay.
• As you plan, keep in mind your thesis- What is the purpose of your analysis?
What new idea can readers understand through your analysis of the two works?
• Ultimately, your essay should focus on the themes of each work and what the
creator’s do to illuminate these themes in each work.
I.
Introduction (state the reason for the
comparison)
II. First item (apples)
A. First point about this item (taste)
B. Second point about this item (texture)
C. Third point about this item (uses)
D. Fourth point about this item (nutrition)
III. Second item (oranges)
A. First point about this item (taste)
B. Second point about this item (texture)
C. Third point about this item (uses)
D. Fourth point about this item (nutrition)
IV. Conclusion
Introduction
Although both apples and oranges are
flavorful and nutritious fruits, there are also
marked differences that make them unique
to themselves. By examining the tastes,
textures, uses, and nutritional content of
each fruit, consumers can make better
choices that can help to improve their overall
health and well being.
*Names the items to be compared
*Indicates the purpose of the comparison
*Names the grounds for comparison
First Item (apples)
Taste is, perhaps, the most important factor to consider when selecting
foods. The flesh of an apple is lightly sweet and its outer skin has a mild earthy flavor
that most find enjoyable. In addition to taste, texture is a factor that can affect one’s
enjoyment of a particular food. The flesh of the apple is soft, dry and lightly crispy. It
is easy to chew and swallow. On the outside, the apple is shiny with a smooth
surface. The skin is thin and easy to bite into, but it is crunchy and can take a little
time to fully chew. Apples also have a tough core and seeds inside. While most
enjoy the inside texture, some choose to peel the outer skin and remove the core to
make chewing easier. Many people also prefer fruits, such as apples, that can be
prepared in a variety ways. Apples are made into juice and cider by pressing the juice
form the fruit. Apple juices and slices can also be a nice and different addition to
salad and meat recipes. For sweet treats, apples are made into spreadable butters,
muffins, fritters, turnovers, and, of course, pies. Apples are also delicious picked fresh
right off the tree. The last and ,perhaps, most important consideration when deciding
which fruits to enjoy is nutrition. Apples are a nutritious, healthy snack options when
eaten raw. Apples are fat free and, at 65 calories per serving, low calorie food. They
contain no saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium. Apples are known for being a good
source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, too. The only down side to fresh apples is that
most of its calories come form sugars.
Second Item (oranges)
Like apples, the flesh of oranges are also sweet, however, they are often much
sweeter than apples and they also have a tangy citrus that apples don’t. Unlike apple
skins, if eaten, the skin of an orange tastes extremely bitter and unpleasant. Depending
on one’s tastes, one may find one of these fruits more flavorful than the other. Similar to
apples, oranges are soft inside and have seeds. However, the fruits differ in that the
inside of an orange is extremely juicy, whereas an apple’s is not. In contrast to the
apple’s skin, the orange’s skin is bumpy and thick. Because of it’s thick texture and
bitter taste, people always choose to discard orange skins, whereas many will eat the
skin of an apple. Whatever one’s food texture preferences, each fruit provides
consumers with different eating options. Like apples, oranges are also made into juice.
However, orange juice is produced by squeezing the fruit rather than pressing it. When
it comes to salads and meat recipes, oranges are used to add flavor the same way
apples are. Instead of spreadable butters, oranges are used for marmalades, and while
apples are famous for pies, oranges are famous for sherbets. Regardless of which of
these versatile fruits one prefers, one can find endless ways to enjoy each of them.
Similar to apples, oranges are also fat free. However, a fresh orange has 20 more
calories than an apple. Like the apple, the orange gets most of these calories from
sugars, too. On the upside, the orange contains more essential minerals than the apple.
In addition to being a great source of vitamin C and fiber, oranges also contain thiamin,
folate and potassium, Also different from apples, oranges provide protein, whereas
apples do not. While both fruits are healthy choices, depending on individual dietary
needs, one fruit may be a better choice over the other.
Block Method Outline for “Hop Frog”/ “Edward Scissorhands” Analysis
I.
Introduction (introduce works; state the aspects being compared; state
the reason/purpose for the comparison {thesis})
II. First item (Hop Frog)
A. First point about this item (main character and his situation)
B. Second point about this item (character’s motives and conflicts)
C. Third point about this item (what the character learns)
D. Fourth point about this item (resolution of the conflict)
E. Fifth point about this item (theme of the story)
III. Second item (Edward Scissorhands)
A. First point about this item (main character and his situation)
B. Second point about this item (character’s motives and conflicts)
C. Third point about this item (what the character learns)
D. Fourth point about this item (resolution of the conflict)
E. Fifth point about this item (theme of the story)
Use compare/contrast key words to show how second item is similar to or
different from the first item.
IV. Conclusion- sum it up/ tell why it matters
**Point- By - Point Method (outline)
I.
Introduction
Introduce items being compared/contrasted
State benefits or purpose for analysis (thesis)
List points of comparison
II. First point (taste)
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item (apples)
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item (oranges)
III. Second point (texture)
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item (apples)
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item (oranges)
IV. Third point (uses)
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item (apples)
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item (oranges)
VI. Fourth point (nutritional value)
A. Explanation of how this point relates to the first item (apples)
B. Explanation of how this point relates to the second item (oranges)
Key words
Conclusion
Introduction
Although both apples and oranges are
flavorful and nutritious fruits, there are also
marked differences that make them unique
to themselves. By examining the tastes,
textures, uses, and nutritional content of
each fruit, consumers can make better
choices that can help to improve their overall
health and well being.
*Names the items to be compared
*Indicates the purpose of the comparison (thesis)
*Names the grounds for comparison
First Point
Taste is, perhaps, the most important factor to
consider when selecting foods. The flesh of an
apple is lightly sweet and its outer skin has a mild
earthy flavor that most find enjoyable.
Like apples, the flesh of oranges are also
sweet, however, they are often much sweeter than
apples and they also have a tangy citrus that apples
don’t. Unlike apple skins, if eaten, the skin of an
orange tastes extremely bitter and unpleasant.
Depending on one’s tastes, one may find one of
these fruits more flavorful than the other.
Second Point
In addition to taste, texture is a factor that can affect one’s
enjoyment of a particular food. The flesh of the apple is soft, dry
and lightly crispy. It is easy to chew and swallow. On the
outside, the apple is shiny with a smooth surface. The skin is
thin and easy to bite into, but it is crunchy and can take a little
time to fully chew. Apples also have a tough core and seeds
inside. While most enjoy the inside texture, some choose to peel
the outer skin and remove the core to make chewing easier.
Similar to apples, oranges are soft inside and have
seeds. However, the fruits differ in that the inside of an orange is
extremely juicy, whereas an apple’s is not. In contrast to the
apple’s skin, the orange’s skin is bumpy and thick. Because of
it’s thick texture and bitter taste, people always choose to discard
orange skins, whereas many will eat the skin of an apple.
Whatever one’s food texture preferences, each fruit provides
consumers with different eating options.
Third Point
Apples and oranges can be eaten right off the tree, but
they both also afford the consumer a variety of uses. Apples are
made into juice and cider by pressing the juice form the fruit.
Apple juices and slices can also be a nice and different addition
to salad and meat recipes. For sweet treats, apples are made
into spreadable butters, muffins, fritters, turnovers, and, of
course, pies.
Similar to apples, oranges are also made into juice.
However, orange juice is produced by squeezing the fruit rather
than pressing it. When it comes to salads and meat recipes,
oranges are used to add flavor the same way apples are.
Instead of spreadable butters, oranges are used for
marmalades, and while apples are famous for pies, oranges are
famous for sherbets. Regardless of which of these versatile
fruits one prefers, one can find endless ways to enjoy each of
them.
Fourth Point
The last and ,perhaps, most important consideration when
deciding which of these fruits to enjoy is nutrition. Both of these
fruits are nutritious, healthy snack options when eaten raw.
Apples are a fat free and, at 65 calories per serving, low calorie
food. They contain no saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium.
Apples are known for being a good source of dietary fiber and
vitamin C, too. The only down side to fresh apples is that most of
its calories come form sugars.
Similar to apples, oranges are also fat free. However, a
fresh orange has 20 more calories than an apple. Like the apple,
the orange gets most of these calories from sugars, too. On the
upside, the orange contains more essential minerals than the
apple. In addition to being a great source of vitamin C and fiber,
oranges also contain thiamin, folate and potassium, Also different
from apples, oranges provide protein, whereas apples do not.
While both fruits are healthy choices, depending on individual
dietary needs, one fruit may be a better choice over the other.
Conclusion
Even though apples and oranges are
very unique fruits, they are both tasty,
versatile, nutritious foods. It is these
similarities which make them both great
options for healthful eating.
• Summary of main points
• Restatement of thesis
**Point- By - Point Method (outline) for “Hop
I.
Frog”/”Edward Scissorhands” analysis
Introduction
Introduce titles (with author) being compared/contrasted
List points of comparison
State benefits or purpose for analysis (thesis)
II. First point (plot)
A. Explain plot in “Hop Frog”
B. Explain how plot in “Edward Scissorhands” is similar and different from “Hop
Frog”
III. Second point (setting)
A. Explain setting in “Hop Frog”
B. Explain how setting in “Edward Scissorhands” is similar and different from “Hop
Frog”
IV. Third point (character)
A. Explain character in “Hop Frog” (focus on Hop Frog)
B. Explain how character in “Edward Scissorhands” (focus on Edward) is similar
and different from “Hop Frog”
VI. Fourth point (theme)
A. Explain themes in “Hop Frog” (focus on Hop Frog)
B. Explain how themes in “Edward Scissorhands” are similar and different from
“Hop Frog”
Key words
VII. Conclusion