How to Make an Outline

When you are preparing for a presentation, it is recommended that you make an outline to help you: focus on your topic, clearly say your ideas, and effectively explain your main points.

Outlines have three general sections, which can be further sub-divided when needed. The three general sections are:

Introduction - Grabs attention, states the main idea, gives the purpose of the presentation.

Main Body - Usually about 80% of your presentation is the main body. This contains the main ideas and details.

Conclusion - Summarizes your main points, give general opinions, suggestions or recommendations.

Compare/Contrast Essays

Compare/Contrast Essay

Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay 
Here is some general information about writing this type of essay:
• A comparison essay notes either similarities.
• A contrast essay notes only differences.
• The comparison or contrast should make a point or serve a purpose. Often such essays do one of the following: Clarify something unknown or not well understood. Lead to a fresh insight or new way of viewing something. Bring one or both of the subjects into sharper focus. Show that one subject is better than the other. 
• The essay can present the subjects and indicate whether they will be compared, contrasted, or both.
• The same points should be discussed for both subjects; it is not necessary, however to give both subjects the same degree of development.
• Some common organizational structures include: (see note below) Block method (subject by subject) Point by point Comparisons followed by contrasts (or the reverse)
• Use detailed topic sentences and the following connecting words to make the relationship between your subjects clear to your reader:

Connectors That Show Comparison (Similarities)
In addition
Correspondingly
Compared to
Similarly
Just as
As well as
Likewise
Same as
At the same time

Connectors That Show Contrast (Differences)
However
On the contrary
On the other hand
Even though
In contrast
Although
Unlike
Conversely
Meanwhile

Reference: SBCC

Other topics for Comparison/Contrast essays:

1. Books vs. Movies

2. Living in the City vs Living in the Province (Inaka)

3. Organic vs Genetically Modified Food

4. Email vs SMS

5. High School vs College

6. Democracy vs Military Governments

7. Getting Married vs Staying Single

8. Digital Technology vs Analog Technology

9. Working Full-time vs Working Part-time

10. Having Children vs Not Having Children