A compare and contrast essay outline is a paragraph-by-paragraph plan for organizing similarities and differences before you draft. It uses one of three structures: block, point-by-point, or similarities-and-differences. This guide gives you a fill-in template for each one, built around one running example, so you can see the same material organized three different ways. For a full walkthrough of the essay type itself, see our compare and contrast essay guide, or browse the rest of the essay outline guide for other essay types.
Before You Draft: Quick Checklist
Keep this checklist next to your draft. It also pairs with our essay format guide if you still need help with margins, headers, or citation style.
- Pick your structure
- Fill in your template
- Check your thesis
- Balance both subjects
- Add transition words
Which Compare and Contrast Outline Structure Should You Use?
All three approaches below share the same three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. What changes is how the body paragraphs are arranged. Once you’ve settled on your comparison ideas, pick an approach based on how many comparison factors you have and how deep you go on each one. For a refresher on outline parts in general, see our essay structure guide.
| Structure | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Block | Short essays, or when each subject needs background before comparison makes sense | Reads as two mini-essays if transitions are weak |
| Point-by-point | Longer essays with 3 or more comparison factors readers need side by side | Can feel choppy if points are too short |
| Similarities-and-differences | A thesis that argues two things look alike on the surface but differ where it matters, or the reverse | Needs a strong closing point so it does not read as two lists |
Block Method Outline Template
The block method covers everything about Subject A first. Then it covers everything about Subject B, using the same comparison points in the same order for both.
| Paragraph | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Introduce both subjects. End with a thesis that states your overall comparison, not just “A and B are different.” |
| 1 (Subject A, factor 1) | First comparison point about Subject A |
| 2 (Subject A, factor 2) | Second comparison point about Subject A |
| 3 (Subject A, factor 3) | Third comparison point about Subject A |
| 4 (Subject B, factor 1) | Same first point, now for Subject B. Write it to invite direct comparison with Paragraph 1. |
| 5 (Subject B, factor 2) | Same second point, for Subject B |
| 6 (Subject B, factor 3) | Same third point, for Subject B |
| Conclusion | Restate the thesis in new words. State which subject wins on the points that mattered most, or what the comparison reveals. |
Point-by-Point Method Outline Template
The point-by-point method compares both subjects under one factor at a time, so each paragraph puts them side by side. Most instructors prefer this approach for essays with three or more comparison factors. It forces you to focus each paragraph on one comparison instead of listing two subjects separately.
| Paragraph | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Introduce both subjects, name the points you will compare, and state your thesis |
| 1 (Comparison 1) | Compare Subject A and Subject B on the first point in the same paragraph |
| 2 (Comparison 2) | Compare Subject A and Subject B on the second point |
| 3 (Comparison 3) | Compare Subject A and Subject B on the third point |
| Conclusion | Restate the thesis. Say which points mattered most to your overall argument. |
Worked example (point-by-point, topic: in-person tutoring vs. AI writing tools):
Thesis: In-person tutoring and AI writing tools both help students revise. Tutoring builds argument skills more effectively. AI tools save more time.
Paragraph 1, cost: Tutoring usually costs $30 to $60 an hour. Most AI writing tools cost $10 to $20 a month for unlimited use.
Paragraph 2, feedback depth: A tutor can ask follow-up questions and catch weak reasoning in real time. An AI tool flags grammar and structure issues but rarely challenges the argument itself.
Paragraph 3, availability: AI tools respond instantly at any hour. Tutoring depends on scheduling and availability.
Similarities-and-Differences Method Outline Template
This method groups every shared trait first, then every difference. It works best when your thesis needs readers to see the similarities before the differences matter, or the reverse.
| Paragraph | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Introduce both subjects. State a thesis that signals whether the similarities or the differences matter more to your argument. |
| 1 (Similarity 1) | First shared trait between Subject A and Subject B |
| 2 (Similarity 2) | Second shared trait |
| 3 (Difference 1) | First meaningful difference |
| 4 (Difference 2) | Second meaningful difference |
| Conclusion | Explain what the balance of similarities and differences reveals about the two subjects |
Using the tutoring versus AI writing tools example: the similarities are that both give feedback on drafts, both work outside class time, and both produce similar first-draft revisions. The differences are cost, feedback depth, and availability, the same three points from the point-by-point template above, just grouped differently.
How Long Should a Compare and Contrast Essay Outline Be?
Most compare and contrast essays run 1,000 to 2,000 words (see our guide on how long an essay should be for other essay types), so plan 2 to 4 comparison points, which is usually 6 to 10 body paragraphs depending on your structure. A shorter essay of 500 to 750 words works best with 2 comparison points using the block method. A longer essay of 1,500 words or more usually needs the point-by-point method so 3 or 4 points don’t feel repetitive. It does not need to be long. It needs to name every paragraph’s topic before you draft, so revising the plan takes minutes instead of rewriting a full draft.
Common Compare-and-Contrast Outlining Mistakes
Use these compare and contrast essay outlining tips to avoid the mistakes that trip up most first drafts:
| Mistake | Why it hurts your outline |
|---|---|
| Vague thesis (“A and B are similar in some ways but different in others”) | Gives the outline no direction. Every body paragraph can end up feeling equally important, or unimportant. |
| Unequal comparison points | If Subject A gets three body paragraphs and Subject B gets one, the comparison reads as unfinished research, not an intentional choice |
| Choosing subjects too similar or too unrelated | Leaves little to say. Pick subjects with enough overlap and enough contrast to support a real argument. |
| Listing points instead of arguing them | An outline that only tracks “topic covered” instead of “what this comparison proves” produces a list, not an essay |
| Skipping transition words in the outline | Words like “similarly,” “in contrast,” and “unlike” belong in your outline notes, not just the final draft. They remind you to signal the structure as you write. |
FAQ
Do I need a formal outline before writing a compare and contrast essay?
You do not need a polished outline, but you do need to pick a structure first: block, point-by-point, or similarities-and-differences. Without that decision, most drafts drift into a list of facts about each subject instead of an argument that compares them.
Can I mix block and point-by-point in the same essay?
Yes. A common mix uses point-by-point for your main comparison points and a block-style closing paragraph that sums up each subject. Mixing works best in longer essays. In a short essay, pick one approach and stay consistent so the comparison stays easy to follow.
How many comparison points should my outline have?
Most compare and contrast essays work well with two to four comparison points. Fewer than two rarely supports a full essay. More than four usually means some factors should be combined or cut so each one gets enough development.
What is the difference between the thesis in a compare and contrast outline and a regular essay thesis?
A comparison thesis has to state a claim about the comparison, not just announce that a comparison is happening. Instead of “A and B are similar and different,” state what that comparison shows. Name which option serves a particular reader or situation better, and why.
Next Steps
Once your plan is set, draft using the same factors in the same order you listed. If you need help choosing subjects to compare, browse more comparison ideas in our compare and contrast essay topics and ideas list. When you reach the end of your draft, see our guide on how to write an essay conclusion for help closing out whichever structure you chose.
University writing centers generally teach these same two organizing patterns under the terms “subject-by-subject” and “point-by-point.” Those map directly onto the block and point-by-point templates above. See the UNC Writing Center’s guide to comparing and contrasting for more on that terminology.
If your thesis compares two things directly, watch your wording too. Style guides note a real difference between “compared with” and “compared to.” Check the MLA Style Center on compare with vs. compare to before you finalize your thesis.
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Terry is a Chicago-based writer and editor who creates practical, student-friendly guides on essay writing, research, and citation styles (APA, MLA, and Chicago). He’s spent 15+ years editing educational content and building clear examples that help readers apply rules without guessing. When he’s not revising drafts, he’s usually turning messy notes into clean outlines and hunting down the one detail everyone skips.