Quick alpha sorting for content

src.js

  $.fn.alphabetize = function(options){
    var $list = this,
        $item = this.children();
    
      options = options || {};

      $item.sort(function(a,b){
        var x = (options.on && $(a).find(options.on) || $(a)).text(),
            y = (options.on && $(b).find(options.on) || $(b)).text();

        return x < y ? -1 : x > y ? 1 : 0
      });

      $.each($item, function(i, $item){ 
        $list.append($item);      
      })
  };

usage.html

<ul>
  <li>Z</li>
  <li>A</li>
  <li>N</li>
</ul>

<script> $('ul').alphabetize() </script>

<div class="root">
  <p>I like <span class="entity">Dogs</span></p>
  <p>I like <span class="entity">Code</span></p>
  <p>I like <span class="entity">Cats</span></p>
</div>

<script> $('.root').alphabetize({ on: '.entity' }) </script>