The Outsiders
COMPARE/CONTRAST “COMPOSITION”
Compare = same/similarities
Contrast = different/differences
Your topic should be one of the following:
 Compare and contrast two characters from The Outsiders
 Compare and contrast the Socs and the Greasers
 Compare and contrast problems teens have today with problems teens
had in The Outsiders (the ‘60s)
 Attached are charts that will help you brainstorm ideas before starting
your essay. After completing, narrow your focuses to THREE!
 Also, attached, is a pattern that you should follow for your essay. There are
different ways to design a compare/contrast essay; however this model
will help you focus and complete this assignment on time.
COMPARING/CONTRASTING TWO CHARACTERS
Focuses
Relationships
Self-Image
Choices
Reactions to
Problems
Character
Similarities
Character
COMPARING/CONTRASTING THE SOCS AND THE GREASERS
Focuses
How society
views them
How they interact
with each other
within their groups
What were their
priorities
Family life
What they did
For fun
SOCS
Similarities
GREASERS
COMPARING/CONTRASTING TEEN ISSUES
Focuses
Technology
Family issues
Self-Image/SelfEsteem
Bullying
Substance Abuse
Sexual issues/
Teen pregnancy
Teens “then”
Similarities
Teens “now”
COMPARE/CONTRAST MODEL
Introduction
Attention-Getter + Transitional Sentence + Theme
Body Paragraph #1
Compare and contrast first focus (point)
Body Paragraph #2
Compare and contrast second focus (point)
Body Paragraph #3
Compare and contrast third focus (point)
Conclusion
Begin this paragraph the same way you would an introduction.
VERY briefly summarize your thoughts/wrap it up
Detamore/ELA-8
Compare/Contrast Essay 6 + 1 Rubric
IDEAS: 30 Points
Do you understand the concept of comparing and contrasting?
Have you used examples from the novel to support and develop your thoughts?
ORGANIZATION: 15 Points
Strong structure…do your thoughts flow logically? Do your paragraphs clearly support the topic
sentences? Etc.
Five or more paragraphs
WORD CHOICE: 5 Points
Word variety
Colorful, descriptive words…use of vocab words, etc.
SENTENCE FLUENCY: 10 Points
Variety in sentence length
Variety in sentence beginnings
Variety in sentence structure
VOICE: 5 Points
Know your audience! For this piece, you should address a formal audience.
Even when writing formally, your own personality should shine through.
CONVENTIONS: 30 Points
Correct mechanics, usage, grammar, paragraphing
PRESENTATION: 5 Points
Typed, using 12 font, double-spaced, Times-Roman or Cambria, paragraphs indented
TOTAL POINTS: 100!