Comparison Contrast Essay | Block Method | English Writing Skills 2020

Summary

In this educational video, Wendy from Worldwide Speak introduces the structure of a comparison and contrast essay, focusing on the block method. She explains the use of a Venn diagram to visualize similarities and differences, and outlines the essay's structure, including an introduction, two body paragraphs (one for each subject), and a conclusion. Wendy emphasizes the importance of a clear thesis statement and maintaining order in presenting comparison points. She also offers advice on writing effective introductions and conclusions, providing examples of thesis statements for essays focusing on similarities, differences, or both.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is aimed at English language learners who are new to writing essays in English, focusing on the structure of comparison and contrast essays.
• 📈 The script introduces two methods for writing comparison and contrast essays: the block method and the point-by-point method, with a focus on the block method in this video.
• 📊 The block method uses a Venn diagram approach, with two body paragraphs, each focusing on one subject (e.g., oranges and apples), making it simpler for beginners.
• 📝 The block method is suitable for shorter essays and is considered easier to write due to its limited structure of just two body paragraphs.
• 🔑 The structure of a block method essay includes an introduction, two body paragraphs (one for each subject), and a conclusion, totaling four paragraphs.
• 🎯 The introduction should have a hook to grab attention, background information, and a strong thesis statement indicating the focus on similarities, differences, or both.
• 📝 Thesis examples are provided for essays focusing on similarities, differences, or both, using specific words to signal the essay's focus to the reader.
• 🍊 In the block method, the first body paragraph discusses one subject in detail, while the second body paragraph discusses the second subject in comparison to the first.
• 🍏 When focusing on differences, the first body paragraph covers the unique aspects of the first subject, and the second paragraph does the same for the second subject, highlighting contrasts.
• 🔄 Writing about both similarities and differences involves focusing the first body paragraph on commonalities and the second on distinctions, with each paragraph mentioning both subjects but focusing on one aspect.
• ✍️ The conclusion paragraph restates the thesis, summarizes the points of comparison, and may include a final opinion or realization after comparing the subjects.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the structural overview of a comparison and contrast essay, specifically focusing on the block method for English language learners.

What are the two methods mentioned for writing a comparison and contrast essay?

The two methods mentioned for writing a comparison and contrast essay are the block method and the point-by-point method.

What is the block method in the context of a comparison and contrast essay?

The block method is a structure where the writer discusses each subject separately in two body paragraphs, focusing on one subject at a time, and then comparing them in the second paragraph.

What is the point-by-point method in the context of a comparison and contrast essay?

The point-by-point method is a structure where the writer discusses both subjects in each body paragraph, comparing them directly on each point of comparison.

What does a Venn diagram represent in the context of comparing and contrasting?

A Venn diagram represents the similarities and differences between two subjects. The overlapping segment in the middle shows what the two subjects have in common, while the outsides of the circles show what is different about each subject.

How many body paragraphs are typically used in the block method for a comparison and contrast essay?

In the block method, there are typically two body paragraphs used, one for each subject being compared and contrasted.

What are the four main parts of a comparison and contrast essay according to the script?

The four main parts of a comparison and contrast essay are the introduction paragraph, body paragraph one focusing on Subject A, body paragraph two focusing on Subject B, and the conclusion paragraph.

What should be included in the introduction paragraph of a comparison and contrast essay?

The introduction paragraph should include a hook to grab the reader's attention, background information about the subjects being compared, and a strong thesis statement that clearly states the focus of the essay.

What is a thesis statement and why is it important in a comparison and contrast essay?

A thesis statement is a clear and concise sentence that states the main argument or focus of the essay. It is important because it informs the reader about the essay's purpose and whether it will focus on similarities, differences, or both.

Can you provide an example of a thesis statement for an essay focusing on similarities?

An example of a thesis statement for an essay focusing on similarities could be: 'As long-time favorites, it's easy to see how similar these two fruits are.'

How should the conclusion paragraph of a comparison and contrast essay be structured?

The conclusion paragraph should restate the thesis, summarize the main points of comparison or contrast, and may include an opinion or realization about the subjects after the comparison has been made.

Why is maintaining the same order of points in each body paragraph important in the block method?

Maintaining the same order of points in each body paragraph is important because it helps the reader follow the comparison and contrast more easily, ensuring clarity and coherence in the essay.

What is the purpose of using comparison transition words in a comparison and contrast essay?

The purpose of using comparison transition words is to signal to the reader when the writer is making a comparison or contrast between the two subjects, aiding in the clarity and flow of the essay.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to Comparison and Contrast Essay Structure

Wendy from Worldwide Speak introduces the video's focus on the structural overview of a comparison and contrast essay, specifically for English language learners. She explains the importance of this essay type in academic writing and outlines two methods: the block method and the point-by-point method. The block method is highlighted as simpler and more suitable for shorter essays, involving just two body paragraphs dedicated to each subject (e.g., oranges and apples). The point-by-point method, to be detailed in another video, involves multiple paragraphs discussing both subjects in each. Wendy emphasizes the Venn diagram as a helpful tool for visualizing similarities and differences.

05:04

📚 Breakdown of the Block Method and Essay Structure

The block method is further explained with a focus on its structured approach to essay writing. Wendy describes the essay's components, including an introduction, two body paragraphs each dedicated to one subject, and a conclusion. She stresses the importance of a strong thesis statement that clarifies the essay's focus on similarities, differences, or both. Examples of thesis statements are provided to illustrate how to signal the essay's intent to the reader. The paragraph structure is designed to be simple and organized, making it an excellent starting point for English learners.

10:07

🍊🍏 Developing Body Paragraphs for Similarities and Differences

Wendy provides guidance on crafting body paragraphs for both similarities and differences between subjects. For similarities, she suggests focusing on common attributes, such as both being fruits, growing on trees, and providing juice. When discussing differences, she recommends covering aspects like origin, climate, and appearance. The key is to maintain a consistent order of points in each paragraph and to compare the second subject back to the first within the second body paragraph. This approach helps to clearly delineate the similarities and differences between the two subjects.

15:12

📖 Crafting a Conclusive Ending and Writing Tips

The conclusion paragraph's role in restating the thesis and summarizing the essay's main points is discussed. Wendy offers examples of how to restate the thesis for essays focusing on similarities, differences, or both. She advises on the importance of using appropriate transition words for comparisons and maintaining the order of points for clarity. Additionally, she invites viewers to ask questions or seek further information in the comments and encourages subscription for more content on essay writing in English.

Keywords

💡Comparison and Contrast Essay

A comparison and contrast essay is a type of academic writing that examines the similarities and differences between two subjects. In the video, this essay type is the main focus, with the speaker discussing its structure and methods of writing, particularly emphasizing its common use in academic settings.

💡Block Method

The block method is one of the two methods for writing a comparison and contrast essay discussed in the video. It involves writing two body paragraphs, each focusing on one subject before comparing them. The script uses the block method as an example to illustrate a simplified structure suitable for English language learners.

💡Point-by-Point Method

The point-by-point method is the second method mentioned for writing comparison and contrast essays. Unlike the block method, it involves discussing both subjects in each body paragraph, making the essay potentially more engaging for readers. The script mentions this method but focuses on the block method for the tutorial.

💡Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram is a visual tool used to compare and contrast two items by showing their similarities and differences. In the script, the Venn diagram is used as a metaphor to explain the structure of a comparison and contrast essay, with the overlapping section representing commonalities and the outer sections representing differences.

💡Body Paragraph

A body paragraph is a section of an essay that presents and develops the main ideas or arguments. The video script describes how in the block method, there are two body paragraphs, each dedicated to one subject, which helps in organizing the essay's content effectively.

💡Introduction Paragraph

The introduction paragraph sets the stage for an essay by providing a hook, background information, and a thesis statement. In the context of the video, it is emphasized as the starting point of the essay, where the topic is introduced, and the direction of the essay is set.

💡Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a declarative sentence that presents the main argument or point of an essay. The script explains the importance of a strong thesis statement in guiding the reader's expectations about the essay's focus, whether on similarities, differences, or both.

💡Similarities

Similarities refer to the common characteristics or features between two subjects. The video script uses the example of oranges and apples being both fruits, growing on trees, and providing juice to illustrate how to write about similarities in a comparison and contrast essay.

💡Differences

Differences denote the distinct features that set two subjects apart. In the script, differences such as the origin, climate requirements, and appearance of oranges and apples are highlighted to demonstrate how to discuss dissimilarities in an essay.

💡Conclusion Paragraph

A conclusion paragraph summarizes the main points of an essay and often includes the writer's final thoughts or implications. The video script describes how to restate the thesis and main points in the conclusion, providing closure to the essay and reinforcing the comparison or contrast made.

💡Transition Words

Transition words are used to connect ideas within a text and guide the reader through the flow of the argument. The script mentions the importance of using appropriate comparison transitions in a comparison and contrast essay to ensure clarity and coherence.

Highlights

Introduction to the structural overview of a comparison and contrast essay for English language learners.

Explanation of two common methods for writing comparison and contrast essays: block method and point-by-point method.

Use of a Venn diagram to visually represent similarities and differences between two subjects.

Description of the block method involving two body paragraphs focusing on one subject each.

Advantages of the block method for shorter essays and its simplicity for beginners.

Contrasting the block method with the point-by-point method which discusses both subjects in each paragraph.

Structure of a comparison and contrast essay using the block method: introduction, two body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Importance of a strong thesis statement in the introduction that clarifies the focus on similarities, differences, or both.

Examples of thesis statements for essays focusing on similarities, differences, and both.

Guidance on writing the first body paragraph about one subject (e.g., oranges) in the context of similarities.

How to write the second body paragraph comparing the second subject (e.g., apples) to the first, in relation to similarities.

Approach to discussing differences in the first and second body paragraphs with a focus on one aspect at a time.

Strategy for writing an essay that covers both similarities and differences by focusing each body paragraph on one aspect.

The role of the conclusion paragraph in restating the thesis and summarizing the points of comparison.

Examples of conclusion paragraphs for essays on similarities, differences, and both.

Emphasis on maintaining the order of points in each paragraph for clarity and coherence.

Advice on using appropriate comparison transition words for a smooth flow in the essay.

Invitation for viewers to ask questions or seek further information in the comments section.

Transcripts

Hey there it's Wendy from Worldwide Speak, and  I'm back to talk to you today about the structural  

overview of a comparison and contrast essay.  This video is geared for the English language  

learner who's just beginning to write essays  in English, and the comparison essay - the  

comparison and contrast essay - is something  that's used all the time in academic writing. So  

this video is to get you started with a strong  foundation in the structure of how to write one.  

So are you ready? Let's learn. Okay so when we're  writing this comparison and contrast essay, there  

are a couple different ways we can do this. This  video is going to focus on one method, and then  

I'll have another video on the other method.  But I just want to let you know what the two  

are to start off. There's the block method,  and then there's the point-by-point method.  

And if you can see that image right below me, it's  called a Venn diagram. And we love- as teachers  

we love to use this to compare and contrast.  The two circles overlap with the segment in  

the middle or the part in the middle showing  what the- what the two things have in common,  

and then the outsides of the circle are what's  different about the two things. So keeping that in  

mind, um in this Venn diagram uh we're comparing  oranges and apples. And in the block method  

it's- you have two body paragraphs. That's it,  just two. And the first body paragraph just talks  

about one subject (which in this case would be  the orange), and the second body paragraph would  

talk about just one subject in reference to the  first subject, and that would be in this case  

the apple. So in the block, each paragraph  talks about one thing or focuses on one aspect.  

Um in the point-by-point, it's a little bit  different. You'll have more body paragraphs - um  

probably three or four... five (who knows?)  depending on how long your essay is.  

But in the point-by-point you're going to  talk about both subjects in each paragraph.  

I'll go into that in much more detail in my other  video on point-by-point, but just so you have  

an idea of the two types of structures that we can  use to write the comparison and contrast essay.  

That being said, the block method um in my  opinion is a little bit easier to write.  

It's for shorter essays. It's great to  begin with because you know there are just  

two body paragraphs, and they're very um  contained and they just focus on one thing.  

The point-by-point on the other hand (again  in my opinion) makes things a little more  

interesting for the reader and causes them  to think a little more deeply about a topic.  

But again that's just my opinion although  typically starting out, we'll start out with  

the block method. Alright like I said, I want  to talk to you in this video about the block  

method. And this method of writing - this  structure - the writer compares their subjects  

in just two body paragraphs. That's- that's all  you're going to have. Um and what exactly does  

the entire essay look like? Remember an essay is  writing made up of multiple paragraphs. So we will  

start with an introduction paragraph. We will have  the first body paragraph talking about Subject A.  

Remember on the previous slide? And in our example  with that Venn diagram we talked about the orange.  

The orange was Subject A. And then the next body  paragraph we'll be talking about Subject B, which  

is the other thing that (you know we're comparing  two things). So in- in this example in this video  

it would be the apple. And then it would reference  back to the orange to compare the two. And lastly,  

we would have a conclusion paragraph. So in  total you're going to have four paragraphs  

in this block method. And that's really nice to  know when you begin writing essays because it's  

a shorter form and it's very controlled in what  you put into the paragraphs. So you have an intro;  

body paragraph one focuses on one subject,  body paragraph two focuses on another,  

and then you wrap it up with a conclusion  paragraph. So that's four paragraphs in total. So  

you can see like this image here, each paragraph  is only focusing on one thing, and that's what  

makes this block method so great to start out  with because you um have a very simple, organized,  

contained structure. Alright, let's talk about  the introduction paragraph for just a moment.  

The introduction paragraph includes a hook. Um  that's where you grab your reader's attention and  

say "hey! You're going to want to read my paper.  It's super interesting, right?" And then you're  

going to give some background information about  the two subjects you're writing about (in our case  

in this video: the oranges and the apples). And  then lastly, your last sentence is going to be a  

super strong thesis statement. And how do you  make it strong? Well you mention the two subjects,  

and then you have to make sure to let the reader  know your focus. Remember? You need to let them  

know if you're going to talk about similarities,  if you're going to talk about differences,  

or if you're going to talk about both because  if you don't let your reader know this,  

they're going to be super confused and they're  going to have- they're going to slow down when  

reading your paper or your essay, or they're  just going to stop reading it all together. So  

remember, you need a super strong thesis that's  very clear and focused. Now let me give you some  

thesis examples uh for similarities, differences,  and both. That should give you a better idea of  

what these strong thesis statements look like. So  let's say I want to write one about similarities.  

I could say something like "As long-time  favorites, it's easy to see how similar  

these two fruits are." And you see that I use the  word "similar." So that signals to your reader:  

"Hey! I'm going to read an essay about  similarities between apples and oranges."  

And then let's say we want  to have an essay that focuses  

on our differences (well not our differences the  differences between the apples and the oranges).  

We could write something like this:  "Oranges and apples are both fruits,  

yet they differ in a lot of ways." You see that  I use that word "yet" to show um a contrast,  

and I insert the word, or I put in the word, or I  add the word "differ." And that's the signal word  

for your reader: "Hey, this essay is going to  focus on differences between oranges and apples."  

Now lastly, what if I wanted to write a paper  about similarities and differences, both of them?  

Well I could write a thesis statement like  this: "Even though oranges and apples have many  

similarities, there are also quite a  few differences." Well how does this  

signal to the reader that I'm going to focus  on both? First I use the word "similarities,"  

and then I add the word "also" showing the reader  I'm going to- I'm going to add something here,  

and then I use the word "differences." So I've  got those key specific words in my thesis to  

show the reader: "Hey! I'm going to talk about  how they're the same and how they're different."  

So there you have it: three different  examples with three different focusing  

ideas: one on similarities, one on differences,  and one on both. Alright, so we know we have that  

Venn diagram with our oranges and our apples.  Let's say we want to write our essay on the  

similarities between oranges and apples. Well, our  body paragraph 1( which would be our Subject A),  

the similarities as you can see in the diagram  below me focus on the fact that they're both  

fruits, they grow they both grow on trees, and  they both give juice. So our first reason could be  

what type of food they are (because they're both  fruits), where they grow (they both grow on trees)  

and what they provide (they both provide juice  for us). Well, that paragraph is only going to  

be about the orange. Now you guessed it. Body  paragraph 2 is going to talk about the same  

things, but it's going to be about the apple.  And it's in body paragraph 2 that you're going to  

compare the apple back to the orange. The first  body paragraph you just talk about the orange.  

The second body paragraph you talk about  the apple in comparison to the orange.  

Now what if we want to focus on the differences?  That's the um those outside parts of the Venn  

diagram. Well again, we're going to talk about  Subject A (which is our orange), but we're going  

to talk about the things on the outsides. We're  going to have maybe the first reason is where they  

originated and then what climate they grow in and  their appearance. Remember, first body paragraph:  

one focus and that's your orange. That's your  first subject. You're only talking about that.  

Now body paragraph two is going to talk about the  same things, the same reasons in the same order,  

as you see. We're talking about the apple. And  we are going to talk about the apple and show  

how they're different than the oranges. So you  need to note that in body paragraph number two  

you're talking about the apple, but you're then  referencing back to Subject A (or in our case,  

the orange) to show how they are  different. Okay so then what if you want  

to write about similarities and differences? This  isn't maybe as common but it's a really great way  

I have found in my classroom to begin writing  a comparison and contrast essay. So in- in  

this one where we're talking about similarities  and differences, our Subject A actually becomes  

similarities, and our Subject B becomes  differences. So the first body paragraph is only  

going to focus on the similarities between the two  subjects, and the second paragraph body paragraph  

number two is only going to focus on their  differences. So the reasons that they're similar  

(you know, the- that they're fruit, they grow on  trees, and they give juice) you'll talk about that  

in the first body paragraph. So you're going to  be mentioning the orange and the apple in that  

first paragraph, but your focus is still only one  thing. It's that they're similar. And then in your  

body paragraph two, you're going to focus on where  they originated, uh what climate they grow in,  

and their appearance. And again you're going to  mention both fruits (oranges and apples), but  

your focus of that paragraph is on  one thing, and that's differences.  

So this is a little bit different than just  focusing on similarities or differences,  

um but in my opinion and in my classroom I have  found this is a great entry way into writing  

comparison and contrast because the first body  paragraph can talk about how they're the same,  

and then the second body paragraph can talk about  how they're different. And of course the choice is  

yours on which one you want to write and which  one seems to be the easiest for you and make  

the most sense because when you start writing  in English, you want to go with something that  

you completely understand so that your writing  will be clear and effective. Alright, and lastly,  

we've got our conclusion paragraph. And in this  paragraph you're just going to restate the thesis  

and that you're going to show whether  there were similarities or differences  

and then you can restate the points of comparison  or your reasons. Like in our case we talked about  

um where they grew, what they gave us, and  um you know what type of food they were.  

And then the last sentence they can talk uh you  can talk about an opinion or a realization that  

you had after you compared these two things.  um I want to give you some examples like I  

did with the introduction paragraph um of exam  thesis examples for each one. So if we had done  

a paragraph- done an essay excuse me on  similarities, our restated thesis would look  

something like this: "In sum," (remember to use  that transition word so the reader knows it's  

the end) "oranges and apples are obviously rather  similar." I use the word "similar," and that lets  

the reader know, it kind of wraps it up again:  "oh! That's right. We were just talking about  

how they were similar." The next one: "To  conclude, it is clear that oranges and apples have  

many different qualities." I've just restated that  there were differences between the two subjects  

(in our case, the oranges and the apples).  And lastly, when we were talking about both:  

"In short, when examining oranges and apples,  there are some similarities as well as a variety  

of differences." So that expression "as well as"  shows we have both similarities and differences.  

So those are the pieces that you need, the  sentences that you need inside of your conclusion  

paragraph in order to have a strong conclusion  paragraph. Okay that's a lot of information about  

the block method, and the things I'd like you  to really focus on and remember is to watch your  

order. Keep your points of comparison or your  reasons in the same order in each paragraph.  

If I talk about where they originated in  the first thing in my first paragraph,  

I have to talk about where they originated as  the first thing in my second body paragraph.  

Also, it's really important to use the appropriate  comparison transitions. I have an entire video on  

comparison and contrast transition words. You'll  probably want to watch that as you're starting  

out so you can use them properly. So remember: we  compare two things. We have this Venn diagram that  

helps us brainstorm and get our ideas down and  know what we what is similar and what's different.  

We have the introduction paragraph. We have body  paragraph one with Subject One. We have body  

paragraph two with Subject Two. In our cases it  was the oranges and then the apples. And then we  

have the conclusion paragraph those are the pieces  that's the overall structure of the block method  

comparison and contrast essay. Alright, you made  it to the end. Thank you so much for watching.  

We truly appreciate that you've come here to  learn with us. If you need more information,  

or you have questions about this block  method or writing an essay in English,  

please drop me a note in the comments, and  I will for sure get back to you. As always,  

please remember to subscribe if you like this  content, and we'll see you around. Take care. Bye.