Sample Thesis Statements for Compare/Contrast Essays
Emphasizing differences over similarities:
 Although Mildred and Clarisse differ in their attitudes toward life and their effect on Montag,
both women must eventually face the reality of a world consumed by ignorance.
Emphasizing similarities over differences:
 Although Faber and Granger are similar in their quest for enlightenment and individuality,
each man responds differently to the oppressive society Bradbury creates.
Directions:
Once you decide which two characters from Of Mice and Men you will contrast, complete the
following steps:
1. Write your thesis using an “although” statement, which includes the categories you will use to
discuss your ideas.
2. Look for quotations from the text that illustrate each category you create.
3. Compose a well-organized outline that you will bring to the final exam.
Sample:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Introduction
A. Attention-Grabber: Creating a legacy—choosing how to live authentic lives.
B. Thesis and POD: Although Mildred and Clarisse differ in their attitudes toward life
and their effect on Montag, both women must eventually face the reality of a world
consumed by ignorance.
Body Paragraph #1
A. Topic Sentence: Mildred and Clarisse appear total opposites in their approach to life.
1. Physical description of each is different. Clarisse’s face described “like a
mirror”(11) and Mildred’s face like “a snow-covered island”(13). Clarisse
is reflective/animated; Mildred is cold/isolated.
2. Activities are different. Clarisse likes “to smell things and look at things”
(7) whereas Mildred lives inside her parlor walls, absent from life: “ ‘This is
a play comes on the wall-to-wall circuit in ten minutes…the homemaker,
that’s me, is the missing part’ ”(20). Clarisse is active, wanting to engage in
life and with people; Mildred is obsessed with material possessions and
“missing” from Montag’s life.
3. Clarisse is intellectually curious whereas Mildred prefers ignorance.
Montag tells Clarisse she “[thinks] too many things” (9) but Mildred
doesn’t want to think at all. When Montag asks her how they met, Mildred
says, “ ‘It doesn’t matter’ ”(43). Clarisse doesn’t fit in with her society
because she asks too many questions and Mildred doesn’t even care to
know the answers to even the most basic questions human beings want to
know.
B. So What? Pull these examples together: Clarisse a product of family/relationships
who has been taught to value beauty, imagination, and friends; Mildred can’t connect
to anyone—she acts like a corpse or robot, simply going through the motions.
Body Paragraph #2: Repeat same steps listed above, but use a transition sentence to
introduce second main idea: Furthermore, the different attitudes Clarisse and Mildred
demonstrate profoundly influence Montag’s decision to rebel against his society.
Body Paragraph #3: Despite their differences, both women lose their lives
Conclusion: Don’t just summarize—take ideas “one step further” and connect to the
author’s purpose: Life must be experienced, not observed if we wish to leave a legacy.
Bradbury convinces us to “live deliberately” (Thoreau) and make life meaningful.