Introduction
Opener
Background – introduces the two topics to be contrasted (or compared if the goal is to explain unexpected similarities)
Plan for Development
Thesis
Point 1: Topic sentence introducing the first area of difference (or unexpected similarity)
Topic A
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B
Point 2: Topic sentence introducing the second area of difference (or unexpected similarity)
Topic A
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B
Point 3: Topic sentence introducing the third area of difference (or unexpected similarity)
Topic A
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B
Conclusion
Restated thesis
Closer
Pattern Two: Subject One/Subject Two (also sometimes called "The Block")
Introduction
Opener
Background – introduces the two topics to be contrasted (or compared if the goal is to explain unexpected similarities)
Plan for Development
Thesis
Subject One (Topic A)
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Subject Two (Topic B) contrasted with Topic A (or compared if showing unexpected similarities)
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Conclusion
Restated Thesis
Closer
Sample Outline:
Pattern One: Point by Point
Introduction
Opener
Background – introduces the two topics to be contrasted (or compared if the goal is to explain unexpected similarities) In this case, the two topics are weather in Arizona and weather in Illinois.
Plan for Development
Thesis: The weather in Arizona is so different from the weather in Illinois that the weather alone is a good reason for a Midwesterner to visit Arizona.
Point 1: Topic sentence introducing the first area of difference: the summer (or unexpected similarity)
Topic A Arizona summer
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B Illinois summer
Point 2: Topic sentence introducing the second area of difference: the winter (or unexpected similarity)
Topic A Arizona winter
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B Illinois winter
Point 3: Topic sentence introducing the third area of difference: the storms (or unexpected similarity)
Topic A Arizona storms
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B Illinois storms
Conclusion
Restated thesis
Closer
Pattern Two: Subject One/Subject Two (also sometimes called "The Block")
Introduction
Opener
Background – introduces the two topics to be contrasted (or compared if the goal is to explain unexpected similarities)
Plan for Development
Thesis
Subject One (Topic A) Arizona weather
Point 1 the summer
Point 2 the winter
Point 3 the storms
Subject Two (Topic B) Illinois weather contrasted with Topic A (or compared if showing unexpected similarities)
Point 1 the summer
Point 2 the winter
Point 3 the storms
Conclusion
Restated Thesis
Closer
Pattern One: Point by Point
Introduction
Opener
Background – introduces the two topics to be contrasted (or compared if the goal is to explain unexpected similarities)
Plan for Development
Thesis
Point 1: Topic sentence introducing _______________________
Topic A _________________________
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B _________________________
Point 2: Topic sentence introducing _______________________
Topic A ________________________
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B ________________________
Point 3: Topic sentence introducing ________________________
Topic A ________________________
Transition phrase or sentence
Topic B ________________________
Conclusion
Restated thesis
Closer
Pattern Two: Subject One/Subject Two (also sometimes called "The Block")
Introduction
Opener
Background – introduces the two topics to be contrasted (or compared if the goal is to explain unexpected similarities)
Plan for Development
Thesis
Subject One (Topic A) ___________________
Point 1 __________________
Point 2 __________________
Point 3 __________________
Subject Two (Topic B) __________________ (as contrasted/compared with ______________)
Point 1 __________________
Point 2 __________________
Point 3 __________________
Conclusion
Restated Thesis
Closer