THESIS:



Compare / Contrast Essay Outlines

English 12

Mrs. Woodliffe

For this assignment, you will be creating two detailed outlines for the SAME topic.

First choose two things to compare or contrast, keeping in mind you need to have a purpose for writing the essay. You could choose two things from the exercises last week, such as the cell phones and decide which one you want to buy (because of their price, durability, and available apps). You might pick two colleges or universities like the example in the power point, and pick which one you want to attend (because of their location, price, and programs). Or you could pick two pets, two cars, two books, or two options for a snack. Whatever you choose, think of WHY you want to compare and contrast them.

Then choose the three criteria you will use to make your evaluation. Design an outline in both formats: one point by point, which looks like a typical 5 paragraph essay when done; and one block, which will only be a 4 paragraph essay.

These are my two examples, using the idea of comparing and contrasting two birthday gift options to decide which one to buy for a woman. Please note, you can decide that the two things are too similar to choose one over the other.

Two Choices: Clothing or Jewelry

Purpose: To determine which one is the best gift for a female

Points: quality, trend, and price

Example #1 - POINT BY POINT (ALTERNATE) STYLE

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

HOOK: Birthdays come around once a year – have to buy a gift for a woman causes stress (general background hook)

THESIS: There are two stylish gifts that are well-received by women, but one is a better choice.

PLAN: Compare and contrast the quality, the trends, and the price.

FIRST POINT BODY PARAGRAPH: *1st half states point, while 2nd half compares & contrasts

Topic Sentence 1: An important consideration when deciding which gift to purchase is the quality of the item.

CLOTHING: Clothing quality differs greatly. Fabrics, stitching, brands, examples, and ease of returns.

Transition to Jewelry: Similarly, jewelry also has varying degrees of quality. Like clothing, a higher price often means a better made or designed piece. Both have recognizable brands … exchanges possible for both ... warranties better for jewelry.

Concluding Sentence: Although both clothing and jewelry have various degrees of quality, choosing a special ring, watch or bracelet can have a few extra benefits over a sweater, scarf or a pair of pants.

*Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis and gives purpose

SECOND POINT BODY PARAGRAPH: *1st half just states point, while 2nd half compares & contrasts

Topic Sentence 2: Another important consideration when it comes to purchasing a birthday gift for a girl is the fashion trends of the day.

CLOTHING Clothing is a good option because trends come back around …easy to piece together outfits …

Transition to JEWELRY On the other hand, jewelry fashions are easier to understand. Longer life than clothing … goes with more than clothing …. In contrast can gain worth over time versus clothing which loses value … can exchange or sell easier than clothing …

Concluding sentence: In the case of keeping up with fashion or going for a gift that never goes wrong, jewelry always wins in the category of trends.

*Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis and gives purpose

THIRD POINT BODY PARAGRAPH: *1st half just states point, while 2nd half compares & contrasts

Topic Sentence 3: Although quality and trends do play a role … the price is usually the final and most important factor.

CLOTHING Prices and discounts … online shopping options

Transition to JEWELRY: Likewise, a bill for jewelry can also be hefty, but cheap or knock-off jewelry often looks just as appealing as the real deal. Online also has …. Similarly …. However, in contrast, …

Concluding sentence: Costs are very alike – expensive – but using cheaper substitutes is easier with jewelry and thus works out to be less expensive than clothing.

*Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis and gives purpose.

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

Gift giving on a teenager’s birthday can be a distressing dilemma for anyone. Luckily, for most people buying gifts for girls, it usually comes down to narrowing challenge to two items: jewelry or clothing. The clear choice when comparing quality, trends and price, would be jewelry. The burden of indecision has been lifted, so get out there are hits the stores – the jewelry stores, that is!

Example #2 - BLOCK STYLE

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

HOOK: Birthdays come around once a year – have to buy a gift for a woman causes stress (general background hook)

THESIS: There are two stylish gifts that are well-received by women, but one is a better choice.

PLAN: Compare and contrast the quality, the trends, and the price.

FIRST BLOCK BODY PARAGRAPH: CLOTHING *just goes through points with NO C/C

Topic Sentence: Clothing is the first choice many people will consider as a birthday gift.

Point 1: First, look at the quality. Materials, stitching, brands, examples, returns

Point 2: Another important consideration when it comes to purchasing a birthday gift for a girl is the fashion trends of the day. Trending cycles, consolidating pieces …

Point 3: Although quality and trends do play a role in deciding the gift, the price is usually the final and most important factor. Sales, online purchases …

Concluding Sentence: Clothing has various degrees of quality, it can be difficult to keep up with what is trendy, and prices can be expensive, but overall, clothing is certainly a good option as a birthday gift.

*Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis and gives purpose

SECOND BLOCK BODY PARAGRAPH: JEWELRY * same order of points but lots of C/C words

Topic Sentence 2: The other gift, jewelry, is perhaps a better choice, but the same factors need to be considered.

Point 1: First, consider the quality. Jewelry also has varying degrees of quality, and like clothing …. Both clothing and jewelry have some more well-recognized brands … Jewelry is also often easily exchanged, like clothing … Unlike clothing, however …

Point 2: The second factor has to do with trends; jewelry fashions are easier to understand. … than trendy clothing… in contrast, clothing deteriorates in value as it gets faded, worn, or stained … similarly, …

Point 3: Lastly, a bill for jewelry can also be hefty, but cheap or knock-off jewelry often looks just as appealing as the real deal. similar as to when purchasing clothing … sales and online shopping … In contrast …

Concluding Sentence: Jewelry is the other popular option when buying gifts for women, and in general, it appears it is a better option than clothing.

*Concluding sentence reiterates the thesis and gives purpose

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

Gift giving on a teenager’s birthday can be a distressing dilemma for anyone. Luckily, for most people buying gifts for girls, it usually comes down to narrowing challenge to two items: jewelry or clothing. The clear choice when comparing quality, trends and price, would be jewelry. The burden of indecision has been lifted, so get out there are hits the stores – the jewelry stores, that is!

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