4.5: Planning and Writing an Essay

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Writing Practice: Choose one of the following prompts to brainstorm ideas for a compare & contrast essay. Then fill in the given outline below and write your first draft using the academic format.

Prompt 1: What are some of the similarities or differences between two jobs that you know about?

Prompt 2: What are some of the similarities or differences between two popular tourist destinations?

Prompt 3: Teachers can have a long-lasting impact on learners. Think about two teachers that you know and explain either how similar or different they are.

Brainstorm the points of comparison/contrast for the prompt you chose.

Brainstorming Practice
Point of Comparison/Contrast	Topic 1:	Topic 2:	Similar OR Different
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A Sample Blank Outline
Essay Outline: I. Introduction Background Information: Thesis Statement: A. B. III. Supporting Topic Sentence 2: A. B. IV. Supporting Topic Sentence 3: A. B. V. Conclusion: Restate Thesis: Final remarks:

Point of Comparison/Contrast

Topic 1:

Topic 2:

Similar OR Different

Essay Outline:

III. Supporting Topic Sentence 2:

IV. Supporting Topic Sentence 3:

V. Conclusion: