Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

 In block organization (separating similarities and differences) format, we discuss the similarities and differences between the two topics in different paragraphs.

First, we focus on only similarties in one paragraph and then differences in another paragraph.

• Look at the outline below to have a clear idea about how to organize a compare and contrast essay by using block organization format.

Introduction:	presents the subject that is to be compared or contrasted ends with a thesis statement that focuses the comparison or contrast
Body Paragraph 1:	includes a clear topic sentence about similarities supporting details (give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph)
Body Paragraph 2:	includes a clear topic sentence about differences supporting details (give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph)
Conclusion:	summarizes the differences and similarities and allows writers to state their feeling about the topic.

• Read the essay below and look at the  outline of it.

My Two Homes

There are two places that have had profound impact in my life. One of them is New York City, and the other is Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. When you compare them, they seem like dramatically different places, but they have some things in common, and I love them both.

There are many reasons why New York seems like my home away from home. Both cities are striking and distinctive. For example, each has its own nickname. everyone knows New York is "the Big Apple." Quetzaltenango is known as "Xela" (pronounced shey-la), which is a lot easier to say! Second, both cities have a "Central Park" where people like to go and walk. Although Central Park in Xela is smaller, its tropical flowers and colonial architecture mean it is just as beautiful as New York`s. Furthermore, when you walk around Xela, you find many tourists and people from other countries, just like in New York. For me, this means conversations in Xela are just as interesting as conversations in New York.

Despite their similarities, these cities are different. Life in Xela is more colorful and the pace of life is slower. For this reason, whenever I return to Xela, it is like an escape. When I arrive, the first thing I notice is the color. In New York, many people wear black to be stylish, but in Xela stylish clothing is the rainbow-colored clothing of the indigenous people. And because Xela is smaller, the beautiful green mountains outside the city are always visible. The second thing I notice is the pace of life. They say New York never sleeps, and it must be true, because I always see people walking and cars on the streets, even late at night. In the evening, my Guatemalan city definitely sleeps. Some younger people go out dancing and come families take a walk in the city`s Central Park, but by ten o`clock the streets are pretty deserted. On the other hand, New Yorkers are often in such a hurry, they don` even stop to eat. For breakfast they buy food on the street, and eat it while they are walking or on the subway. At lunch they order food from work and eat their desks. In Xela people eat their breakfast at home and most come home from work a much more relaxed and longer lunch.

In conclusion, these are the two cities I love. For me, both are home, are unique, and are filled with interesting people. These places represent the best of both worlds. New York is more hurried and rushed when I need energy, and Xela gives me a shower pace when I need to relax. Together they keep me balanced.

Introduction:	In  essay, New York City and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala are compared and contrasted. Thesis statement: When you compare them, they seem like dramatically different places, but they have some things in common, and I love them both.
Body Paragraph 1:	Topic sentence which focuses on  similarities: There are many reasons why New York seems like my home away from home. similarities between two cities: Both cities are - striking and distinctive - have a nickname and central park
Body Paragraph 2:	Topic sentence which focuses on differences:  Despite their similarities, these cities are different. differences between two cities: - color - pace of life
Conclusion:	summary of the similarities and differences

 Now, I want you to create your own outlines on Turkish and American family structures and send them to my email (ttxbk2@nottingham.ac.uk).

Before writing an essay, having a clear outline is really important in terms of making your writing progress less painful.

Another important thing is using comparison and contrast connectors to make your sentences & paragraphs more coherent.

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 REMEMBER:

1. Before writing your outlines, use your venn diagrams or tables to remember/organize your ideas.

2. Create your outlines and send them to my email (ttxbk2@nottingham.ac.uk).