Which organizational pattern shows how two items are similar and different?

• A. Analogy
• B. Graph
• C. Compare/Contrast
• D. Bulleted List

Answer: (C)

Showing how two items are similar and different is done with a compare/contrast structure. This approach lays out the similarities and the differences between the two items, either side by side or point by point, so you can clearly see where they overlap and where they diverge. An analogy focuses on explaining a relationship or function by drawing a parallel to something familiar, rather than organizing traits for direct comparison. A graph is a visual display of data, usually about quantities or trends, not a structured two-item comparison. A bulleted list can present items or traits, but it doesn’t inherently arrange them to highlight both likenesses and differences in a way that clarifies the relationship between the two items. So, the compare/contrast pattern is the one designed to show both similarities and differences.