Narrative Compare/Contrast Essay
Assignment: Generate a list of changes that you have experienced in your life. Record the list
either in Collab, or in your notebook. Pick one that you would like to write about and develop
into a full-length paper (1 ½ to 2 pages).
These changes can be deep and profound (i.e. “I use to think that all families were happy, but
now I know that some are not”) or more clear and tangible (i.e. “I used to think that high school
would be really difficult, but now I can see that it is not”). However, they should NOT be simple
and obvious (i.e. “I used to be 10, but now I am 15”; “I used to be short, but now I am tall”).
Your essay should follow a 5-paragraph format (Introduction, 3 Body Paragraphs, Conclusion).
In your body paragraphs you should explain to the reader (who is not that familiar with you):
1. What you used to do/think/believe or who you used to be (SHOW the reader).
2. The change that occurred (what, where, when, why, and how it took place).
3. What you do/think/believe or who you are now (SHOW the reader).
Remember to use “Show, Don’t Tell” descriptive language in your essay. Work to incorporate
transitional phrases into your papers and eliminate fragments and informal language.
For this essay, your thesis statement should follow a structure similar to one of the following:
Back then, …and now…
I used to think…but now I know…
I used to be sure…but now I believe…
Back then…, but now…
I used to wish…, but now I understand…
COMPARE/CONTRAST OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION
Attention-Getter: What is the broader idea of the paper? What is a story you could tell? Do you
know a relevant quote? Make sure you write additional sentences that explain how your attention
getter leads to the thesis.
Thesis: What question is being asked? How should you answer it? WRITE OUT
COMPLETELY.
Preview: What will the paper talk about? How do these ideas relate to the thesis? WRITE OUT
COMPLETELY.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Topic Sentences: How can you set up what each paragraph is about? How do these paragraphs
relate back to your thesis? WRITE OUT COMPLETELY.
3 Sub Points for EACH Main Point: How can you illustrate the change you are writing about
and make it come to life for your reader? Include stories, examples, thoughts, etc.
CONCLUSION
Summary: What were the main points you discussed in your paper? How did they prove your
thesis?
Thesis: What was your answer to the overall question?
Clincher: What is an idea you would like the reader to take away from your paper that they
might not have had before?