Topic: Deciding between a cat and a dog

Paragraph Topic 1: Cat pros
Cats are self-sufficient; they can take care of themselves. Cats also don’t make as much noise as barking dogs do.

Paragraph Topic 2: Cat cons
Most cats are too independent. They aren’t known to discourage unwelcome guests and rarely does one see a “beware of cat” sign on a fence. They often bring dead birds and rodents inside.

Paragraph Topic 3: Dog pros
Dogs are warm and friendly. They are protective and bark to warn intruders to stay away.

Paragraph Topic 4: Dog cons
Dogs need a lot of attention and care. They have to be let outside or walked regularly and they have to be watched—especially when they are puppies—so they don’t chew the furniture.

Is this a point-by-point or subject-by-subject pattern of organization?

subject-by-subject

point-by-point

It is a subject-by-subject pattern of organization, as each paragraph discusses the pros and cons of either having a cat or a dog as a pet.