ENGL 181/191 – Outline (Compare and Contrast Essay) Total

points: _____/10

I-INTRODUCTION (2 pts.)
• Introductory ideas (1 pt.):
HOOK (0.5 pt.) (an interesting start with a quote/anecdote/rhetorical question/short story/
interesting fact/ statistics) Do you prefer to drink at home or out?
BACKGROUNG INFORMATION (0.5 pt.) (a brief definition or an explanation of the topic in
general terms to help the reader understand what your topic is about). Often people asks
themselves if they should drink at home or out because of the different aspects each choice offers

B. Thesis statement (1 pt.): Your thesis statement includes the topic and the two controlling
ideas.
People may prefer to drink out because it offers a change of scenery and the chance to socialize
with others in different environment

II- BODY (3 pts.)

Topic sentence 1 (1 pt.): A sentence that includes your topic and first controlling idea.
A. 1st Specific similarity (0.5 pt.): 1st similar point in note form (not in a sentence) Consuming
alcohol
B. 2nd Specific similarity (0.5 pt.): 2nd similar point in note form (not in a sentence)Getting
drunk
C. 3rd Specific similarity (0.5 pt.): 3rd similar point in note form (not in a sentence)Wasting
money
D. 4th Specific similarity (0.5 pt.): 4th similar point in note form (not in a sentence)Doing
unnecessary things

III- BODY (3 pts.)

Topic sentence 1 (1 pt.): A sentence that includes your topic and second controlling idea.
A. 1st Specific difference (0.5 pt.): 1st different point in note form (not in a
sentence)Environment
B. 2nd Specific difference (0.5 pt.): 2nd different point in note form (not in a sentence)Cost
C. 3rd Specific difference (0.5 pt.): 3rd different point in note form (not in a sentence)Socialize
D. 4th Specific difference (0.5 pt.): 4th different point in note form (not in a sentence)Safety

V- CONCLUSION (2 pts.)
• Re-stated Thesis (1 pt.): A rephrased sentence of your thesis statement to
summarize the similarities and differences
In conclusion, there are a lot of differences and similarities between drinking at home and
out,and both have good and bad sides based on their cost and consequences.
• Concluding ideas / Final Thoughts (1 pt.): Last sentence(s) to give the
writer’s opinion about the topic. It can explain why one of the subjects is better that the
other or why they are equal of value.
However in the end it doesn’t matter where you drink, what matter is who you drink whit
and what you’re going to do after.

Remember, the last words matter!

Note:
• min. 0.5, max. 2 pts. will be deducted from the ‘Total Points’ in case of
persistent problems in conveying the message / in case of over length of the sentences
which causes confusion