OUTLINE OPTION #1 — COMPARISON-CONTRAST
Consider showing the relationship between The Consolation and ONE of the following texts: Rasselas or Everyman or Sappho.
How do the two texts compare (similarities)?
How do they contrast (differences)?
What ideas in Boethius are reflected in the other work?
You are really writing a comparison-contrast essay. There are two basic ways to organize this type of essay, either the one-side-at-a-time method (for shorter, simpler discussions) or the point-by-point method (for longer, more complex discussions).
We always write a comparison-contrast essay for a reason: to explain, to argue, to clarify, to entertain, and so on. So, you need to figure out your focus or purpose for this essay. That will determine what you say and how you say it.
Remember that when you are discussing your first topic (BOETHIUS), you are informing the reader.
You are presenting information – via quotations and explanations – about your first text.
Then, when you discuss your second text (either RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO), you are doing two things:
Informing the reader about the second text, via quotations
Explaining to the reader about the relationship between this text and Boethius. So, this is where you are making your comparison or contrast between the two texts.
Whether we make a “pros” and “cons” list about a major life event or try to decide which brand of peanut butter we’re going to buy, we constantly compare and contrast ideas and items in our lives. When we compare, we examine the similarities between things; when we contrast, we examine the differences between things.
What, exactly, is a comparison-contrast essay composed of? What do you need to think about when doing one? Well, there are several things to think about.
First, you need to decide on a purpose.Why are you making a comparison and/or contrast? It isn’t enough to just compare and contrast two or more things. You have to do that with some point in mind. For example, you might want to show that two things are more similar (or different) than previously thought, or you might want to define two shades of an emotion or condition (such as happiness versus ecstasy); or you might want to dramatize the effects of drinking one glass of red wine at dinner, for good health, versus drinking a case of red wine at dinner, with the ill effects of such an action; or you might want to persuade readers that stricter divorce laws are needed by comparing the laws of several different states. Regardless of the purpose, you must compare and contrast with a purpose in mind. That purpose is one of the things that directs your essay. The other thing that directs your essay is your audience – for whom are you writing?
Second, you need to make sure that the two (or more) things you’re comparing or contrasting are at least somewhat similar.You can, for example, compare a Ford and a Volvo because they’re both cars. You could not compare a car with a lawnmower (with the possible exception of an old Volkswagen). So, they need to have some related parts.
Third, you need to stay focused on your purpose.That is, you may want to inform (to present information as objectively as possible); to evaluate (as in pros and cons, with the goal of making some sort of judgment); to persuade (readers to take some action based upon your presentation of similarities or differences): to clear up misconceptions (by revealing previously hidden or misunderstood similarities or differences): or to draw an analogy between two seemingly unrelated subjects (such as a singles bar and a day at the zoo).
Fourth, you need to come up with a strong thesis.Now, a thesis always states the subject under discussion and the author’s perspective, treatment of the subject, or point of view. In a comparison-contrast essay, a thesis must do a few more things. It should name the subjects being compared and contrasted; it should indicate whether the focus is on the similarities, the differences, or both; and it should state the main point of comparison or contrast.
Fifth, you need to select the points to be discussed.Consider your audience when doing this. Be aware of what your readers know, what they don’t know, and what you can predict about their reactions. This should influence your choices of what to include. Of course, all of your points should support your thesis.
Sixth, organize your discussion.For a comparison-contrast essay, there are basically two ways to organize your material. They are:
The one-side-at-a-time (sometimes called the “block”) method, which is organized like this:
Introduction
Subject “A” – point 1
– point 2
– point 3, etc.
Subject “B” – point 1
– point 2
– point 3, etc.
Conclusion
Note that the points discussed are the same and in the same order. That makes for an easy comparison. This type of organization is best used for shorter, simpler essays.
Then there’s the point-by-point method, which is best used for longer, more complicated essays. It is organized like this:
Introduction
Point 1 – subject “A” then subject “B”
Point 2 – subject “A” then subject “B”
Point 3 – subject “A” then subject “B”, etc.
Conclusion
Lastly, be aware of language, as always.In order to make sure that the reader understands the comparisons and contrasts that you’re making, you need to make sure that you’re clear. Part of what makes this essay clear is good use of transitions, such as “also,” “in the same way,” “on the other hand,” or “likewise.”
ONE-SIDE-AT-A-TIME/BLOCK METHOD
Interest creator _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Context _____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thesis (Titles, Authors, Focus) _____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Statement of organization (mention II, III, III, etc.) ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (BOETHIUS) ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotation/point #1 _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotation/point #2 ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotation/point #3 ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotation/point #1 _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotation/point #2 ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotation/point #3 ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, echo of thesis ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Reminder of most important points ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Connection to reader ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
“Walk-away” thoughts ___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
POINT-BY-POINT METHOD
Interest creator _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Context _____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thesis (Titles, Authors, Focus) _____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Statement of organization (mention II, III, III, etc.) ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (BOETHIUS and either RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #1 (BOETHIUS) ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #1 (RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (BOETHIUS and either RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #2 (BOETHIUS) ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #2 (RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (BOETHIUS and either RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #3 (BOETHIUS) ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #3 (RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (BOETHIUS and either RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #4 (BOETHIUS) ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #4 (RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, topic sentence (BOETHIUS and either RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #5 (BOETHIUS) ___________________________________________________
POINT-BY-POINT METHOD (continued)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Lead in, quotations/point #5 (RASSELAS or EVERYMAN or SAPPHO) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explanation, interpretation ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Concluding sentence____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Transition, echo of thesis ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Reminder of most important points ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Connection to reader ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
“Walk-away” thoughts ___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
