DRAFT OUTLINE - POINT BY POINT (COMPARE/CONTRAST)

I am asking students to use "point by point" method as it is easier on shorter essays. (See page 98-99 of GW5). For example, you can discuss similarities or differences with your character in three major points. That would be one body paragraph for each point, totaling three body paragraphs. It's much easier than the block method.

After you receive your graded Brainstorm assignment back from me, you can start drafting your Outline for Compare/Contrast topic. Find three major categories to place your differences and/or similarities. You may have a couple of details in your brainstorm that will not be used. That's okay. Pick the ones that fit into each of the three categories. Below is a sample outline I created as an example.

REMEMBER: Your outline of ideas comes from your brainstorm of ideas.

how to write an outline

SAMPLE OUTLINE FROM LIST OF IDEAS IN BRAINSTORM:

POINT BY POINT is how the outline is formatted. One point at a time.

Dorothy Vaughan and Me

Thesis Statement: Although Dorothy Vaughan and I experienced different situations in trying to deal with family and work, our lives were similar in other ways.

I. Personal differences with family [reminder: topic PHRASES only/no sentences]

A. (Detail #1 you fill in on Dorothy) Had children to support

B. (Detail #2 you fill in on Dorothy)

C. (Detail #1 you fill in on yourself as contrast to Dorothy pt#1)

D. (Detail #2 you fill in on yourself as contrast to Dorothy pt#2)

II. Work differences [Every heading is topic PHRASE - no sentences]

A. (same as above on Dorothy)

B. (same as above on Dorothy)

C. (same as above on yourself)

D. (same as above on yourself)

III. Many Similarities (list 2-3)

A. (Dorothy - point #1)

B. (Dorothy - point #2)

C. (Dorothy - point #3) [Every heading is topic PHRASE - no sentences]

D. (Yourself as similar to Dorothy pt #1)

E. (Yourself as similar to Dorothy pt #2)

F. (Yourself as similar to Dorothy pt #3)

Reminder: Indented spaces on headings as above.

REMEMBER: There are many ways you could construct your outline and write your paper. The above is only one sample. Yours could be very different.

What if you had more similarities with Dorothy? Then body paragraphs one and two would be similarities and paragraph #3 would be differences. It all depends on details from your personal story.

If you had All Differences with one character - all three body paragraphs would be Contrasts. Or if you had all Similarities your body paragraphs would be Comparisons.

There are so many rich details to pull from the story that are like or unlike your own story. Please write your own details and pick the topic and Thesis that applies to your own personal story.

REMEMBER: All Headings are TOPIC PHRASES ONLY - NO SENTENCES PLEASE IN OUTLINE.

Please check with Azad or me through email or Zoom office hours to make sure you understand how to organize your outline/essay for Compare and Contrast. Very important to understand this.

Next is the Assignment to submit your draft outline (point by point).