Comparison/Contrast Essay Outline
I.
Introduction Paragraph (Paragraph #1)
(Answer the questions below, and it will help you write your introduction.)
What two things are you comparing and/or contrasting:
____________________________and _______________________________
List three of your comparisons (similarities) or contrasts (differences):
1. ___________________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
**Now, use the above info to write a thesis statement. Make sure to include the
name of the movie, and the name and author of the novel. Your thesis statement
should tell me whether the two are similar or different (are you comparing or
contrasting?)
Thesis Statement: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
* Start thinking of an attention getter – this will be the first sentence of your paper,
and will come right before your thesis.
II.
Contrast or Comparison #1 (Paragraph #2)
Topic Sentence: One similarity/difference between….
__________________________________________________________________
Now, give three examples or details below that support the topic sentence that you
just wrote.
A. _______________________________________________________(pg. ____)
B. _______________________________________________________(pg. ____)
C.________________________________________________________(pg.____)
Conclusion Sentence: __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
(summarize the similarity/difference, restate your topic sentence.)
III.
Contrast or Comparison #2 (Paragraph #3)
Topic Sentence _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Now, give three examples or details below that support the topic sentence that you
just wrote.
A. _______________________________________________________(pg. ____)
B. _______________________________________________________(pg.____)
C._______________________________________________________(pg._____)
Conclusion Sentence: To sum up,_________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
IV. Contrast or Comparison #3 (Paragraph #4)
Topic Sentence _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Now, give three examples or details below that support the topic sentence that you
just wrote.
A. _______________________________________________________(pg. ____)
B. _______________________________________________________(pg. ____)
C._______________________________________________________ (pg. ____)
Conclusion Sentence: “The Outsiders” the movie and The Outsiders the book
certainly are different (or the same) in the way they ___________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
V.
Conclusion (Paragraph #5)
Restate your three main points and your thesis. End your paper with a clincher – best
if it ties back to the attention getter. It should NOT be a new detail!
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
Restatement of thesis:______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Clincher:________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________