Suggested Outline for Comparative Critique

Please note: You will turn this in as an outline – not as paper. Points should be sentences, not full paragraphs.

Introduction: (review WA 197-212, 217; 219-229) – might be 1-2 paragraphs in length)

Background Information

A brief summary of each article you will be comparing and analyzing (not as long as the summary for your critique – think in terms of 3-4 sentences)

Thesis Statement :

*Must mention both articles and make a claim about their relationship which needs to be shown and proven.

Focus on a difference:

Whereas "Article ‘X’" does this, "Article ‘Y’ does this.

Focus on a difference within a similarity:

"Article ‘X’" complicates __________ more so than "Article ‘Y’"

While "Article ‘X’" and "Article ‘Y’" seem to be about ________, "Article ‘X’" ……and "Article ‘Y’" are really about ……

While "Article ‘X’" and "Article ‘Y’" both ____________, "Article ‘X’" and Article ‘Y’" differ in _______________; this difference reveals……….

Focus on a similarity:

While "Article ‘X’" and "Article ‘Y’" differ in ________, both agree that_______________; this similarity reveals __________

Body Paragraphs:

Each body paragraph should include the following:

Topic Sentence which identifies a significant similarity or difference or difference within a similarity or a similarity within a difference - needs to be specific point of connection

Evidence from each source which identifies the main point you are making in the topic sentence

Analysis/Critique of the evidence provided above, analysis of the significance of this evidence, relate points to thesis statement in order to progress the argument you are making about the relationship between the sources.

Conclusion (review WA 229-231)

Comment on the significance of the analysis you have conducted