Comparison Essay Outline

Topic: Similarities and Differences between Christmas and Lunar New Year
I.
Introduction
A. Hook: There is a time of the year when everyone is happy being busy. People
running errands, streets are decorated joyfully, and excitement is in the
atmosphere.
B. Connecting information: For some people this means Christmas while for
others it can be Lunar New Year.
C. Thesis statement: Christmas and Lunar New Year are very similar in many
aspects.
II.

Body
A. Paragraph 2 topic sentence: Christmas has a long, meaningful origin
and so does Lunar New Year.
1. Christmass characteristics:
a. Time: December 25th
b. Countries: Western countries USA, Canada, European countries
c. History: birth of Jesus
2. Lunar New Years characteristics:
a. Time: New year in Lunar calendar, often in February
b. Countries: Eastern countries: Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan
c. History: based on Lunar calendar for agriculture.

B. Paragraph 3 topic sentence: These holidays mean time for family

1. Christmas:
a. Tradition: Family gather on Christmas Eve
b. Food: Turkey, meat
c. Preparation: shopping, sales
2. Lunar New Year:
a. Tradition: family gather from New Year Eve to 3rd day of New Year
b. Food: traditional food of each country, meat
c. Preparation: shopping, visiting ancestors tombs

C. Paragraph 4 topic sentence: Christmas and Lunar New Year are when
people show their love to others through meaningful gifts.
1. Christmas:
a. Gifts for adults: useful, thoughtful special gifts that the person wishes
b. Gifts for kids: Santa Claus grants kids wishes
2. Lunar New Year:
a. Gifts for adults: food, wine when they visit others houses
b. Gifts for kids: lucky money which means good luck for their new age

III.

Conclusion

A. Related thesis: Even though Christmas and Lunar New Year based on
two very different cultures, they are both the most important holiday of
the year.
B. Opinion: No matter where you are from, family and friends are
inevitable parts of your life so there are holidays to celebrate,
appreciate it.