Miss Campbell

Name: ___________________________________
Topic:

Five Paragraph Comparative Essay Outline - This outline is to be used as a way to

organize your thoughts before writing an essay. You do not need to write in complete
sentences for this part of the writing process.
Paragraph 1 Introductory Paragraph
1. Introductory Sentence This sentence grabs your readers attention. It can be a
rhetorical question, an interesting fact about your topic, or a personal experience.
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2. Thesis Statement This is the sentence that tells the reader what your stand on the
topic is. A thesis statement cannot be a fact. It must be something that you can
discuss. It must focus on ONE idea and it must be specific. It must be stated in a
single sentence. The thesis statement should name both literary works being
examined as well as the author of each work.
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3. Background/Clarification/Identification/Definition If there are any terms,

characters or situations that need to be made clear, this is the place to do it.
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4. Organizational Sentence This sentence will list the points that you are going to
talk about in your essay. These points must be listed in order and must support
your thesis.
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Paragraph 2 First Body Paragraph

1. Topic sentence this sentence should introduce the first point in your
organizational sentence.
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2. Specific example This gives one specific example from the first work you are
studying or speaking about. This is usually one sentence, but it can be more than
one sentence if necessary (especially if you are using a quote).
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3. Analysis Explain how this specific example helps to prove your thesis or
supports your opinion. This can be more than one sentence.
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4. Specific example This gives another specific example from the second work
you are studying or speaking about. This is usually one sentence, but it can be
more than one sentence if necessary (especially if you are using a quote).
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5. Analysis Explain how this specific example helps to prove your thesis or
supports your opinion. This can be more than one sentence.
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Paragraph 3 Second Body Paragraph

1. Topic sentence this sentence should introduce the second point in your
organizational sentence.
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2. Specific example This gives one specific example from the first work you are
studying or speaking about. This is usually one sentence, but it can be more than
one sentence if necessary (especially if you are using a quote).
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3. Analysis Explain how this specific example helps to prove your thesis or
supports your opinion. This can be more than one sentence.
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4. Specific example This gives another specific example from the second work
you are studying or speaking about. This is usually one sentence, but it can be
more than one sentence if necessary (especially if you are using a quote).
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5. Analysis Explain how this specific example helps to prove your thesis or
supports your opinion. This can be more than one sentence.
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Paragraph 4 Third Body Paragraph

1. Topic sentence this sentence should introduce the third point in your
organizational sentence.
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2. Specific example This gives one specific example from the first work you are
studying or speaking about. This is usually one sentence, but it can be more than
one sentence if necessary (especially if you are using a quote).
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3. Analysis Explain how this specific example helps to prove your thesis or
supports your opinion. This can be more than one sentence.
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4. Specific example This gives another specific example from the second work
you are studying or speaking about. This is usually one sentence, but it can be
more than one sentence if necessary (especially if you are using a quote).
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5. Analysis Explain how this specific example helps to prove your thesis or
supports your opinion. This can be more than one sentence.
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Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points and restating
your thesis.
1. Summary statement restate your three organizational points. Remind the reader
of the points you have made.
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2. Restate your thesis - Do not simply copy it, you must phrase it differently than
you did in your introductory paragraph.
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3. Concluding statement This can be a call to action or something for your reader
to think about.
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