Point By Point Comparison
Compares and contrasts each point in separate paragraphs
Introduction Paragraph—has 3 parts
1) A “hook” sentence that grabs the reader’s attention.
a. 4 types of hooks
i. A question
ii. A shocking or dramatic statement
iii. A short story (called an anecdote)
iv. Use of a famous person (must in some way relate to
topic)
2) A transition sentence—how does the “hook” relate to the topic?
3) A thesis (or topic) sentence—What exactly are you comparing and
contrasting?
1st Body Paragraph—Point A--Details showing how topic 1 is similar and
different to topic 2 on this one point
1) Use a topic sentence to introduce the point (for example: One
problem faced by the characters in both the book and the movie is
how to find food.
2)Tell all about topic one (in this case, the book, since you mentioned
that first in your topic sentence). Use specific examples.
3) Use transition words to show how topic two is similar and different
from topic one. (Give details in roughly the same order. For example
if you talked about fishing in the book, then catching lobster, then
coconuts, do the same for the movie). Again, use specific examples.
2nd Body Paragraph—Point B--Details showing how topic 1 is similar and
different to topic 2 on this one point
1) Use another topic sentence to introduce this point. It is a good idea
to use a sentence similar to the one used in the last paragraph (for
example: Another problem the characters faced was ______.)
2) Tell all about topic one (should be the same first topic as in the last
paragraph. So if you talked about the book first in the last
paragraph, you would talk about the book first in this paragraph).
Use specific examples.
3) Use transition words to show how topic two is similar and different
from topic one. (again, use the same order). Specific examples.
3rd Body Paragraph—Point C--Details showing how topic 1 is similar and
different to topic 2 on this one point
1) Begin with another topic sentence, similar to the sentences used in
the last two paragraphs (for example: The characters also had to
_________________).
2) Tell all about topic one (same one from last two paragraphs). Be
specific.
3) Use transition words to show how topic two is similar and different
from topic one. Specific examples.
Conclusion Paragraph—Wrap it up!
1) Do not begin with "In conclusion" or use the word "conclusion" in any
form. Do not say “this is how it was similar and different” or “these are
some of the similarities and differences”.
2) Restate the thesis. This is usually done in the first or second sentence of
the conclusion. Make sure it is reworded from the introduction of the essay.
Do not simply repeat the same thesis used earlier in the essay, but instead
use new words to remind readers what the main focus of the essay is about.
3)Recap important points made earlier in the essay. Do not bring up new
points, as they cannot be established this late in the essay.
4) You might consider a restatement of your “hook” or at least refer back to
it. For example, if you started with a question, you might restate that
question or answer it.
5)Avoid making the conclusion too long. An effective conclusion should be
straight and to-the-point. One paragraph is sufficient. It should be no longer
than four or five sentences.
Use Transition words to show comparisons and contrasts!
To compare—likewise, also, while, in the same way, like, as, similarly,both
To contrast—but, still, although, on the other hand, however, yet, even
though