I, INTRODUCTION:

Hello everyone, my name is Tue Minh, and I will present you the second method of writing a compare and
contrast essay which is the block method.
II, OUTLINE:
Firstly, let’s take a look at the outline of this method.
As the point-by-point method Mai Linh has talked about and other essays, there are introduction and
conclusion paragraphs at the beginning and the end of the essay. But in this method, the writer should
compare 2 subjects of the topic in 2 paragraphs. Each paragraph writes about 2-3 points of each subject.
III, ANALYSE
- Now, let’s continue with the sample essay. Our topic today is about ‘Contrast between hospitals today
and in the past’. Let’s begin with the introduction of the essay.
We can see that the first two sentences are giving some background information related to hospitals now
and then. The sentence in red is called a thesis statement, which means a sentence that states the topic
and purpose of the essay. The purpose of this sample essay is to point out differences between hospitals
today and a century ago in 2 aspects: safer childbirth procedures and improved technology and facilities.
The thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction.
- Let’s move on to the first body paragraph.

The first sentence is the topic sentence stating the main idea of this paragraph which is about hospitals in
the modern era. We can see that the writer mentioned 2 aspects which were indicated in the introduction
and paraphrased them: quality supervision over pregnancy as well as effective techniques and modern
hospitals’ amenities. Before mentioning the 2 aspects, the writer used connectors like preliminarily and
furthermore.

- Onto the second body paragraph.

Just like the paragraph above, the sentence in red is the topic sentence indicating that this paragraph will
be about hospitals in the past. In this paragraph, they also mentioned the same 2 aspects as the 1st body
paragraph and paraphrased it. There are also 3 useful connectors: first and foremost, secondly and besides
that you may use when writing your own essay.

- Last but not least is the conclusion.

In the first sentence, you should conclude the main idea of this essay and voice your own opinion in the
next.

Let’s continue with steps of: HOW TO WRITE A COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY USING BLOCK METHOD
- Firstly, you should determine the topic of the essay and understand what it requires. For example, the
topic of today’s essay is CONTRAST BETWEEN HOSPITALS TODAY AND IN THE PAST. The subject of this
essay revolves around hospitals in 2 aspects: today and in the past and the requirement is for you to show
the contrast. There are also more examples below so everyone can have a better grasp.
- Secondly, you should brainstorm your ideas for about 5 minutes. For example, for the topic above, the
writer has thought of 2 aspects: safer childbirth procedures and improved technology and facilities.
- Step 3, develop a thesis statement accurately with what the topic desires and your ideas in step 3.
- Step 4, create an outline and begin writing according to your outline:

 There should be 2 to 3 sentences including the thesis statement in the Introduction: You can use 1 or 2
sentences mentioning the background information about the subject and the last sentence for the thesis
statement
 In the 2 body paragraphs, there are 2 ways for you to write using the block method. If the topic only
requires you to write about either similarities or differences, you can write each point in separate
paragraphs. If the topic requires you to write about both similarities and differences, then you can write
about the similarities in body 1: similarities and the differences in body 2
 There should be 1 to 2 sentences in the conclusion for you to restate the thesis, restate the points of
comparison and give your own opinion.
- Lastly, you must spend about 2 minutes proofreading to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and
overall clarity.
IV, ENDING:
That’s the end of my presentation, now let Huyen Trang show you guys some useful tips for writing a
compare and contrast essay.