Organizing and Outlining Organizing and Outlining Compare Contrast EssayCompare Contrast Essay

OrganizationOrganization

When comparing two subjects in an When comparing two subjects in an essay, you can utilize either the essay, you can utilize either the block formatblock format or or point by point point by point format. format.

You must choose one format; you You must choose one format; you cannot mix or blend the two formats. cannot mix or blend the two formats.

BLOCK FORMATBLOCK FORMAT

Introduction Introduction Begin with a sentence that will capture Begin with a sentence that will capture

the reader’s interest. the reader’s interest. Question?Question?Reason people find the topic interestingReason people find the topic interestingQuotation that relates to the topicQuotation that relates to the topic

Introduction Introduction

Name the two subjects Name the two subjects Thesis statement—This is a one sentence statement Thesis statement—This is a one sentence statement

of what you plan on proving in the essay. of what you plan on proving in the essay. DON’T SAY “SQUANTO AND MARY ROWLANDSON’S DON’T SAY “SQUANTO AND MARY ROWLANDSON’S

CAPTIVITIES ARE SIMILAR IN SOME WAYS AND DIFFERENT CAPTIVITIES ARE SIMILAR IN SOME WAYS AND DIFFERENT IN OTHERS”. That’s obvious. It’s like saying, “I’m similar to IN OTHERS”. That’s obvious. It’s like saying, “I’m similar to my friends in some ways and different in others.” Duh. my friends in some ways and different in others.” Duh.

Instead, try something like this…”Squanto’s captivity was Instead, try something like this…”Squanto’s captivity was quite different from Rowlandson’s because of the treatment quite different from Rowlandson’s because of the treatment he received from Sir George; his narrative was more he received from Sir George; his narrative was more effective in achieving the purpose of illustrating the effective in achieving the purpose of illustrating the humanity of the Native American than Rowlandson’s humanity of the Native American than Rowlandson’s purpose of dehumanizing the Native Americans.”purpose of dehumanizing the Native Americans.”

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Paragraph 2Paragraph 2This paragraph describes the features of This paragraph describes the features of

the first subject. Be sure to include at the first subject. Be sure to include at least 3 examples that will later help to least 3 examples that will later help to prove that similarities and differences prove that similarities and differences exist. DO NOT MENTION THE SECOND exist. DO NOT MENTION THE SECOND SUBJECT.SUBJECT.

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Paragraph 3Paragraph 3 This paragraph MUST begin with a transition This paragraph MUST begin with a transition

showing you are comparing the second subject showing you are comparing the second subject to the first. Be sure to include at least 3 to the first. Be sure to include at least 3 examples proving the similarities or examples proving the similarities or differences. differences.

For each comparison, use compare/contrast For each comparison, use compare/contrast cue words such ascue words such as

LikeLikeSimilar toSimilar toAlsoAlsoUnlikeUnlikeOn the other handOn the other hand

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

Paragraph 4Paragraph 4In this paragraph, you will discuss both In this paragraph, you will discuss both

stories and which one achieves the stories and which one achieves the author or filmmaker’s purpose better author or filmmaker’s purpose better and why. Give direct examples from and why. Give direct examples from both textsboth texts

ConclusionConclusion

o Give a brief, general summary of the Give a brief, general summary of the most important similarities/differences. most important similarities/differences. End with a personal statement, a End with a personal statement, a prediction, or another snappy quotationprediction, or another snappy quotation

POINT BY POINT FORMATPOINT BY POINT FORMAT

IntroductionIntroductionSame as for Same as for block formatblock format

Body Paragraphs—Point by Point Body Paragraphs—Point by Point FormatFormat

Paragraph 2Paragraph 2Discuss how both subjects compare on Discuss how both subjects compare on

ONEONE feature. (How did both Squanto feature. (How did both Squanto and Rowlandson view their capture and and Rowlandson view their capture and captors initially)captors initially)Using my sample thesis, in this paragraph I Using my sample thesis, in this paragraph I

would discuss how the characters of would discuss how the characters of Squanto and Rowlandson’s view their Squanto and Rowlandson’s view their captors before their captivity. Be sure to captors before their captivity. Be sure to include 3-4 examples proving the similarities include 3-4 examples proving the similarities or differences!or differences!

Body Paragraphs—Point by Point Body Paragraphs—Point by Point FormatFormat

Paragraph 3Paragraph 3 Use a transition word to move from the first point of Use a transition word to move from the first point of

comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will be choppybe choppy

Continue the pattern started in Paragraph 2. Now answer Continue the pattern started in Paragraph 2. Now answer what both Squanto and Rowlandson did to adapt and what both Squanto and Rowlandson did to adapt and survive. Be sure to include 3-4 examples proving the survive. Be sure to include 3-4 examples proving the similarities or differences.similarities or differences.

Paragraph 4Paragraph 4 Use a transition word to move from the first point of Use a transition word to move from the first point of

comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will be choppybe choppy

Continue the pattern started in Paragraph 3. Now discuss Continue the pattern started in Paragraph 3. Now discuss what both Squanto and Rowlandson’s treatment was like in what both Squanto and Rowlandson’s treatment was like in captivity. Be sure to include 3-4 examples proving the captivity. Be sure to include 3-4 examples proving the similarities or differences.similarities or differences.

Body Paragraphs—Point by Body Paragraphs—Point by PointPoint

Paragraph 5Paragraph 5 Use a transition word to move from the first point of Use a transition word to move from the first point of

comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will be choppybe choppy

Continue the pattern started in Paragraph 3. Now discuss Continue the pattern started in Paragraph 3. Now discuss how both Squanto’s captivity and Rowlandson’s captivity how both Squanto’s captivity and Rowlandson’s captivity changed the way each viewed their captors. Be sure to changed the way each viewed their captors. Be sure to include 3-4 examples proving the similarities or differences.include 3-4 examples proving the similarities or differences.

Paragraph 6Paragraph 6 Use a transition word to move from the first point of Use a transition word to move from the first point of

comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will comparison to the next. Without a transition, your essay will be choppybe choppy

Now discuss which narrative was most effective in achieving Now discuss which narrative was most effective in achieving the author’s/director’s purpose and give specific examples the author’s/director’s purpose and give specific examples as to why one was better than the other. as to why one was better than the other.

Conclusion—Point by PointConclusion—Point by Point

Looks the same as block comparisonLooks the same as block comparison