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Compare/Contrast Papers

Outlines, tips, and prewriting skills for compare/contrast paper or assignments.

What is Lens?

Similar to a Subject Outlines, a Lens Outline focuses on one work/object by looking at it through the aspects of another.  This method works best when one item has been heavily discussed in class and you are assigned to compare/contrast another item with it. 

Outline and Example of Lens

1. Introduction
     a. Introduce Items (works/objects)
     b. Thesis Statement
          i.Topic 1
          ii. Topic 2
          iii. Topic 3
          iv. Etc.
2. Explanation of First Item (work/object)
     a. Information on Supporting Point 1
     b. Information on Supporting Point 2
     c. Etc.
3. Explanation of Second Item (work/object) when Compared to the First
     a. Similarity on Supporting Point 1
     b. Similarity on Supporting Point 2
4. Explanation of Second Item (work/object) when Contrasted to the First
     a. Difference on Supporting Point 1
     b. Difference on Supporting Point 2
5. Conclusion
     a. Restate Thesis
     b. Summarize how you proved your argument

1. Introduction
     a. Introduce Items
          i. First Work – The Lord of the Rings Trilogy had ample preparation time, budget, and a generous release schedule but used practical effects to attain greater realism and focused more on story telling rather than “filmable moments” that added little to the plot.
          ii. Second Work – The Hobbit Trilogy did not have the preparation time, budget, or generous release schedule in order to be successful films.
     b. Thesis Statement
          i. When comparing the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit Trilogy, it is clear that preparation time, budget, special effects, and a well-spaced release schedule can have a tremendous effect on film quality.  
2. Filming the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
     a. Preparation Time
     b. Budget
     c. Release Schedule
     d. Practical Effects/CGI
3. Similarities between the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit Trilogy
     a. Release Schedule
     b. Budget
4. Differences between the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit Trilogy
     a. Preparation Time
     b. Practical Effects/CGI
5. Conclusion
     a. Restate Thesis
     b. Summarize how you proved your argument