How to Compose an Outline for Compare and Contrast Essay

To write an outline for a compare and contrast essay, it’s crucial to follow the essay format. The entire paper should be organized effectively and adhere to respective guidelines, regardless of whether you are writing in MLA format or Harvard style. The following is a comprehensive writing pattern for a compare and contrast essay:

Introduction

The introduction is the first part of the essay, and it’s important to grab the reader’s attention and give them an idea of what the essay will cover. A hook sentence is a great way to do this. This could be an anecdote, quote, question, or anything else that will pique the reader’s interest. After the hook, the introduction should introduce the two topics or subjects. These topics should be related to a central theme, and it’s important to make this connection clear to the reader. Thereafter, provide some background information on the topic which could be a brief history of the subject or a summary of the main points you’ll be discussing. Finally, the introduction should end with a specific thesis statement that will guide the essay and give it focus.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of a compare and contrast essay should present the similarities and differences between the two subjects or topics. Depending on the number of criteria or aspects you need to discuss, you can have several body paragraphs. You can brainstorm and analyze different comparing and contrasting elements, using a Venn diagram or list. Each paragraph should present one aspect of the comparison, and it’s important to be clear and concise. You should state your opinions about each similarity and difference and support them with evidence, statistics, or official data. It’s also important to use transition words or phrases to make the essay flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next.

Conclusion

The conclusion is the final part of the essay and should summarize the main ideas discussed in the paper. This should include a restatement of the thesis, as well as a summary of the main points covered in the body paragraphs. In addition, the conclusion should evaluate the points being discussed in the paper and analyze possible solutions. Finally, the conclusion should clarify the significance of the main topic and show the objective behind showing the differences or similarities between them. This can be a powerful way to leave a lasting impression on the readers.