Compare/Contrast Planning Guide

Step 1 Rough Plan

Question: How are Beowulf the movie and Beowulf the poem
different?
Thesis (basic answer to question) + WHY
Although both the poem and the movie relate the experiences of Beowulf, the movie and the poem are
different because

Reason #1

Reason #2

Reason #3

What happens in poem

What happens in poem

What happens in poem

What happens

Example 1

in movie

Example 2

What happens

Example 1

in movie

Example 2

What happens

Example 1

in movie

Example 2

Step 2 detailed plan

Introduction:
Grab readers attention

Introduce the title of the poem and provide a one sentence plot summary (what is this story about)

Thesis (Although ______________ + your 3 reasons) ONE sentence, last sentence in introduction

Body Paragraph #1:

Topic sentence PROVIDE A BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY OF BEOWULF
Support #1 State the exposition
Describe the battle with Grendel

Describe the battle with Grendels mother

Explain how Beowulf dies summarize the ending

EXPLAIN why this story is important and why the topic of this paper is worth writing about
Your conclusion and transition to the next section.

Body Paragraph #2
Similarity the relates to reason#1 BRIEFLY STATE WHAT HAPPENS IN POEM (specific example in
poem that relates to example in movie)

Topic sentence for REASON #1 in support of thesis (HOWEVER THIS HAPPENS IN MOVIE)
Support #1(This is a specific example in the movie )
Explain how support #1 relates to reason #1

Support #2 (This is a specific example in the movie)

Explain how support #2 relates to reason #1

If you havent already, explain how claim #1 relates to thesis, and transition to REASON #2

Paragraph #3
Similarity the relates to reason#2 -- BRIEFLY STATE WHAT HAPPENS IN POEM (specific example
in poem that relates to example in movie)

Topic sentence for REASON #2 in support of thesis (HOWEVER THIS HAPPENS IN MOVIE)

Support #1 (This is a specific example in the movie)

 Explain how support #1 relates to reason #2

Support #2 (This is a specific example in the movie)
Explain how support #2 relates to reason #2
If you havent already, explain how reason #2 relates to thesis, and transition to reason #3

Paragraph #4
Similarity the relates to reason #3 -- BRIEFLY STATE WHAT HAPPENS IN POEM (specific example
in poem that relates to example in movie)

Topic sentence for REASON #3 in support of thesis (HOWEVER THIS HAPPENS IN MOVIE)

Support #1 (This is a specific example in the movie)

Explain how support #1 relates to reason #3

Support #2 (This is a specific example in the movie)
Explain how support #2 relates to reason #3
If you havent already, explain how reason # 1 relates to thesis, and transition to conclusion

Conclusion
Restate thesis & claims using NEW words

Restate argument. Show once and for all how all evidence leads to the conclusion.

 Recommend a course of action.

Final thoughts for reader (relation to real world or what readers should learn from the poem, etc.)