The Block Method presents all arguments related to A, and then compares and/or contrasts them to all arguments related to B. This style is a little bit more difficult to use because there is so much space between points about A and
points about B; however, it can be useful for shorter assignments.
The pattern is as follows:
o Point 1 about A
o Point 2 about A
o Etc.
o Point 1 about B (with discussion about connections to A)
o Point 2 about B (with discussion about connections to A)
o Etc.
Pointer: Make sure to present your points in the same order for A and B! There are a couple of common problems that students run into using this method:
o A lot of students end up simply listing everything about A and then everything about B without actually making connections between them.
o Students may include the connections in one paragraph towards the end of the essay. Since your whole essay is supposed to make these connections, you won’t be completing the assignment if you don’t include
the comparisons throughout.
To avoid these problems with this structure, make sure to include lots of transitional statements when discussing B, such as “In the same way” or “In contrast to”. This will help your reader to remember information about A, and to
understand how A and B are related to each other.
BLOCK METHOD OUTLINE EXAMPLE:
Thesis: Same as in Point-by-Point Method Outline.
PART 1
Point 1: Mill believes that the majority makes moral decisions.
Point 2: Mill argues that complete open-mindedness always benefits society.
Point 3: Mill claims that we are all equal because mere accident determines what worldview we are born into.
PART 2
Point 1: Bakunin believes that public opinion should be the basis of society’s decisions, which is slightly different
than Mill’s understanding of a moral majority.
Point 2: Unlike Mill, Bakunin allows freedom of expression to be limited by public opinion.
Point 3: As with Mill, Bakunin extends equality to all and embraces diversity.