ENG 102-200 Introduction to Literature
Comparison/Contrast
There are three basic methods of comparison/contrast: block comparison, similarities/differences style, and
alternating comparison. Following are sample outlines of the three types.
A. Block Comparison
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Introduction/thesis: explain the two texts you are comparing.
a. Item One
b. Item Two
Description of Story One
a. point of comparison
b. point of comparison
c. point of comparison
Description of Story Two
a. point of comparison
b. point of comparison
c. point of comparison
Conclusion, in which you re-state your thesis – that you are simply comparing these two subjects
(stories) on the same terms. You do not privilege one over the other – just discuss them using the
same points of comparison.
B. Similarities/Differences
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Introduction /Thesis: explain the two subjects you are comparing, and explain that you will discuss
the similarities and differences of each text.
Similarities between each text
a. similarity one
b. similarity two
Differences between each text
a. difference one
b. difference two
Conclusion, in which you re-state your thesis – that your purpose has been to show similarities and
differences only.
C. Alternating Comparison
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Introduction/Thesis: explain the two subjects and the ways in which you will compare them.
a. point of comparison one
b. point of comparison two
c. point of comparison three
Point of Comparison One
a. story one
b. story two
Point of Comparison Two
a. Story one
b. Story two
Point of Comparison Three
a. Story one
b. Story two
Conclusion, in which you re-state your overall point (thesis) about the two stories and your method
of comparison.
The third method, alternating comparison, is probably the best suited for papers about literature; however,
following are outlines for three types of papers using literary subjects.
A. Block Comparison
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Introduction/Thesis: “Eveline” and “The Story of an Hour” are stories that deal with marriage and
love. Both stories address the position of women in nineteenth century society and the burden of
responsibility many women at that time faced.
a. In James Joyce’s “Eveline,” the main character must decide whether or not to marry her lover
and leave her family.
b. In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” the main character is faced with the possibility of
freedom when she believes her husband is dead.
“Eveline”
a. Eveline works to support her family both at home and at “the Stores”
b. She must face her father’s violence, although she knows he loves her
c. She feels obligated to keep her promise to her mother
“The Story of an Hour”
a. Louise is not happily married but has just learned to her husband’s death
b. She gives examples of his control over her, though she knows he loved her
c. She’s so happy with her freedom that it kills her to realize she has lost it again
Conclusion: both stories address women’s oppression in relationships and the painful choices they
often have to make.
B. Similarities and Differences
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Introduction/Thesis: “Eveline” and “The Story of and Hour” are two stories written by different
authors about different situations, but they have similar themes and ideas.
Similarities
a. Both stories are about women facing painful choices
b. Both stories are about women who have felt oppression and pain at the hands of the men who
“love” them
c. Both stories have surprise endings
Differences
a. One is written by a man; one is written by a woman
b. One woman is making a choice about whether to marry or to remain unmarried; the other is
married and must examine her marriage and her happiness
c. One is set in Ireland; one is set in America
d. One woman stays with the abusive man rather than pursuing an uncertain happiness; the other
dies when she realizes that her happiness is gone
Conclusion: While these stories are very similar, they have a lot of differences
C. Alternating Comparison
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Introduction/Thesis: “Eveline” and “The Story of an Hour” are stories about love, marriage, and the
oppression of women.
Love
a. “Eveline” deals with parent/child love and duty; sexual desire and love; love of self
b. “The Story of an Hour” deals with marital love and love of self
Marriage
a. Eveline is told “the end of pleasure is pain” and is afraid that marriage will bring her sorrow
b. Louise mallard feels oppressed and controlled by marriage
The Oppression of Women
a. Eveline is oppressed by her family, potentially by marriage, and by a culture that gives her too
few choices in how to live her life
b. Louise is oppressed by marriage and by her lack of freedom of choice in her society
Conclusion: Both of these stories, though very different, deal with similar, important themes about
women, sexuality, love, marriage, and the freedom (or lack thereof) to live one’s own life.