When it comes to writing a compare and contrast essay, you might be wondering where to begin. Composing a properly formatted and well-structured outline is a great starting point. Your ability to create a perfect compare and contrast paper depends on making a perfect outline. It allows you to organize the data and information into a standard structure.
Middle school and high school students have to write compare and contrast essays. It teaches students the analytical writing process that prepares them for more advanced types of academic writing. Writing a compare and contrast essay is relatively easy if you follow the proper procedure.
Throughout this article, we will show you how to compose an outline for a compare and contrast essay. You’ll also get compare and contrast essay outline templates to help you craft an outline for your essay.
What is a Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
Many students find it scary and stressful to write a good compare and contrast essay. This essay asks to compare and contrast two things that belong to the same category. For example, compare and contrast two apples or two oranges. But, you cannot compare or contrast cats with dogs because they belong to different groups.
To compare means finding the similarities, and contrasting means to look at the differences between the two subjects. To find the similarities and differences, the subjects must belong to the same category. Always bear that in mind while choosing the subject and incorporate the following things in your essay:
- State, discuss and elaborate on something unknown.
- Clarify common misunderstanding
- Focus on a central point and make an analysis
- Make a meaningful comparison.
- Support your claim with facts and evidence collected from reliable sources
To ensure everything will be added to the essay, a smart trick is to create an outline before writing an essay. Compare and contrast essay follows two different structures; the point-by-point method and the block method. When you start writing your essay, it is important to decide which method you need to follow.
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1. Point by Point Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
Point by point pattern (organization by criteria) compares and contrasts the more similar subjects in nature. It presents the similarities and differences one by one making notes of both subjects. Each point is evaluated against particular criteria, followed by another point evaluated against other criteria. Here is a structure of compare and contrast point by point outline:
- Introduction to the topic
- Specify the theme
- State the main thesis statement
- First topic sentence
- The first argument about the first subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- The first argument is about the second subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- Second topic sentence
- The second argument is about the first subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- The second argument is about the second subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- Third topic sentence
- The Third argument about the first subject followed by evaluation criteria.
- The Third argument about the second subject followed by evaluation criteria.
- Summary of the points discussed.
- Significance of the subjects
Introduction Paragraph
First Body Paragraph
Second Body Paragraph
Third Body paragraph
Conclusion
Here is a block diagram of the point-by-point structure to help you get a clear idea of this format.
Check this sample for your help.
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Point By Point
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2. Compare and Contrast Essay Block Method Outline
The block pattern (organization by item) compares and contrasts extremely different subjects from each other. It discusses one subject and its evaluation criteria, facts, any evidence at one time in one paragraph. The next paragraph discusses the second subject and its relevant facts. Here is a structure of compare and contrast essay block outline:
- Introduction to the topic
- Specify the theme
- State the main thesis statement
- First topic sentence
- The first argument about the first subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- The Second argument is about the first subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- The Third argument about the first subject followed by evaluation criteria.
- Second topic sentence
- The first argument is about the second subject, followed by evaluation criteria.
- The Second argument is about the second subject followed by evaluation criteria.
- The Third argument is about the second subject followed by evaluation criteria.
- Evaluate the comparison done in the first and second body paragraphs.
- Clarify any confusion or ambiguity
- Given a real-life application of facts and evidence discussed above
- Summary of the points discussed.
- Significance of the subjects
- Propose a suitable solution (if applicable)
Introduction Paragraph
First Body Paragraph
Second Body Paragraph
Third Body paragraph
Conclusion
Check out the block diagram given below. It will help you understand the block structure in a better way.
Here is a sample for your ease.
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Block Method
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How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay Outline?
Now that you have two organizational structures and patterns, what should be stated in each part of the essay? Then, depending on the structure selected, you can begin developing the outline for your essay.
A typical compare and contrast essay outline comprises the following components.
- Introduction
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- Body Paragraph 3
- Conclusion
When you begin writing an essay, the first thing you need is an interesting and eye-catching essay topic. As discussed above, compare and contrast essay topics should belong to the same category having some similarities and differences simultaneously. Also, choose interesting and unique subjects that are relatively new for the readers. After selecting the topic, you are ready to move on to the essay writing process.
A compare and contrast essay is strictly based on facts and evidence. So you need to make sure to provide sufficient information. According to a typical format, an essay has an introduction, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. However, if you need to share more details, feel free to add more body paragraphs to cover all essential points.
Let’s see the breakdown of each paragraph.
Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction
The introduction is the most important part of the whole essay, so it should be well-structured and properly formatted. Furthermore, it should grab the reader’s attention and make him read the complete essay.
Before you start writing the essay, thoroughly research your topic to collect facts and evidence from credible sources. The research will give you insight into the topic and help you support your argument. You need to clarify both concepts in the introduction paragraph to make the reader understand both subjects.
The introduction is the lead in part of the essay. So, you should give a glimpse of what you are going to evaluate.Then, catch the reader’s attention and mark the essay’s tone of the essay with a strong thesis statement.
Compare and Contrast Essay Body Paragraphs
The body section is used to discuss the similarities and differences in detail with facts and evidence. Typically, there are three body paragraphs, and each one discusses only one criterion or aspect of the subject. However, you can use as many paragraphs as the number of criteria or aspects you have to discuss.
Explore one aspect or criteria in one paragraph and the next aspect or criteria in the next paragraph. For example, if you have to compare two aspects, you’ll need two paragraphs. Three paragraphs will cover three criteria and so on. To make the comparison easier, draw a Venn diagram which will ease the whole comparison process.
Here is an example of a Venn diagram for your help.
Once you list down all the similarities and differences in the Venn diagram, you can easily analyze them in the essay. Moreover, add special transitional words and phrases to make powerful transitions throughout the essay. For comparison, you can use words like: both, also, similarly, likewise, or alike. While contrasting, you can use words like whereas, while, in comparison, in contrast, or on the other hand.
The body section should be analyzed from the reader’s perspective. Ideally, the reader and your paper both should not be biased.
Compare and Contrast Essay Conclusion
Generally, the conclusion section is relatively simpler than the body and the introduction section. However, it holds the same significance as the introduction paragraph, making sure it is structured properly.
In the conclusion paragraph, summarize all the main points and analyze what you have discussed in the essay. Then, synthesize the thesis statement with the information presented in the body section. State the significance of comparison and contrast to clarify the importance of the main topic.
Here is a compare and contrast essay outline worksheet that you can use to organize your essay.
Proofreading
Once you are done with the writing, spend some time proofreading your essay and pay attention to grammar and punctuation. A minor mistake can ruin the essence of all points of comparison and contrast. Ask your friend, parents, or any family member to proofread your essay. There is a high chance that they notice the mistakes that you have missed.
Take a look at this sample and get an idea from it for a well-written outline.
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Sample
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Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Examples
Now that you know everything about compare and contrast essay outline and structure let’s look at some examples for more help. The compare and contrast essay examples will help you get started with your paper.
MLA Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline College
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline High School
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Middle School
AP World History Compare and Contrast Essay Outline
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Template
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Worksheet
Compare and Contrast Essay Outline 5th Grade
Hopefully, the guidelines and examples given above will help you craft an impressive compare and contrast essay outline. However, if you are still not sure, you can get help from a professional essay writer. They will help you compose an outline according to the guidelines and also write a complete essay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start a compare and contrast essay?
Here are some steps that you should follow and start writing the essay.
- Choose a good essay topic.
- Do the research and gather meaningful information.
- Write a good thesis statement.
- Create the essay outline.
- Write a compelling introduction.
- After an introduction, write the main body paragraphs.
- Conclude the essay with a strong conclusion.
What is a compare and contrast sentence?
A compare and contrast sentence analyzes or examines two or more things that share a common trait while contrasting seeks out the differences between them.
How do you start a compare and contrast essay introduction?
A great way to start an introduction is, to begin with, a hook. A hook sentence or a hook statement is a starting sentence of an essay. For an interesting and powerful start, it could be a bold statement, a rhetorical question, or something that grabs the audience’s attention instantly.
How do you start a compare and contrast essay introduction?
A great way to start an introduction is, to begin with, a hook. A hook sentence or a hook statement is a starting sentence of an essay. For an interesting and powerful start, it could be a bold statement, a rhetorical question, or something that grabs the audience’s attention instantly.