Point by Point Organization

When comparing two or more things, there are two basic methods of organizing your paper: the point by point method and the block method.

	Point by Point Method	Block Method

Introduction

Introduction

Everything about option #3
Various points
(continue as many paragraphs as options)

Everything about option #2
Various points

Everything about option #1
Various points

Conclusion

Point #3 
How option 1, 2 and 3 relate.
(continue as many paragraphs as points needed)

Point #2
How option 1, 2 and 3 relate.

Point #1
How option 1, 2 and 3 relate.

Conclusion

For example, if you were writing a paper exploring the various options for where to take a date to dinner, you could organize it using either method:

	Point by Point Method	Block Method

Point #1 = price (important not to appear cheap, but can’t go broke)
McDonalds: cheap
Plouf: moderate
Charles Nob Hill: expensive

Introduction

Thesis:  Plouf is the best choice for a romantic yet reasonable place to take a date.

Introduction

Thesis:  Plouf is the best choice for a romantic yet reasonable place to take a date.

Option #3 = Charles Nob Hill
price: expensive
food quality: excellent
atmosphere: romantic, fancy

Option #2 = Plouf
price: moderate
food quality: very good
atmosphere: romantic, trendy

Option #1 = McDonalds
price: cheap
food quality: poor
atmosphere: unromantic, bad

Point #3 = atmosphere (should be positive and romantic atmosphere)
McDonalds: unromantic, bad
Plouf: romantic, trendy
Charles Nob Hill: romantic, fancy

Point #2 = food quality (must be good for the evening to be memorable)
McDonalds: poor
Plouf: very good
Charles Nob Hill: excellent

Conclusion

Conclusion

The point by point method is generally the best method to use when comparing options, because that is the method that discusses the options together in various paragraphs.  It is too easy in the block method to never really discuss how the options relate to one another, to never really compare them.

For all essays in English 92, you will use the Point by Point Method.