Name __________________________________________ Date _________________ Class Period __________________
Compare & Contrast – Thesis & Outline
Restate this prompt in the form of a question: ___________________________________________________________
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The thesis of your essay will be the answer to the question you have constructed. It can be more than one sentence,
AND it must include WHY that is the answer to the question. Remember, every single sentence of your essay should
support your thesis.
Your thesis should be:
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At least 2 sentences
Includes both similarities and differences
Explains why those similarities and differences exist
Includes “although,” “despite,” or “because” in each sentence
Write your thesis here:
Outline of Body Paragraphs
The outline of your paper includes all the evidence you’ll use in your final paper – you “just add grammar.” Organize
each of your body paragraphs around your topics of comparison (not the societies or things you’re comparing). Start
with a topic sentence that explains why those similarities/differences exist, then list the historical evidence you’d use in
that paragraph.
Each body paragraph needs 2 direct, relevant comparisons of similarities or differences & an explanation of why those
similarities/differences exist. Use the word because. Doing this will get you your needed 6 pieces of evidence per
paragraph.
Example: Analyze similarities and differences between the ways the Mongol Empire & the Abbasid caliphate used
religion to govern.
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Both empires were tolerant of the religious customs of the peoples they conquered. The Abbasids required nonMuslim dhimmis to pay a jizya head tax but guaranteeing them many of the same property rights as Muslims.
While the Mongol empire required conquered peoples to submit to their political and military authority and pay
taxes, they did not seek to convert the cultures they conquered.
This similarity stems from both empires’ religious beliefs. The Abbasid caliphate was an Islamic theocracy, but
sharia law guarantees some rights of non-Muslims, while the Mongol leaders’ shamanistic religion did not seek
to convert new followers.
You can use another sheet of paper if you need more space.
Paragraph 1 – Topic Sentence:
Comparisons & Evidence:
Paragraph 2 – Topic Sentence:
Evidence and Comparisons:
Paragraph 3 – Topic Sentence:
Evidence and Comparisons: