compare and contrast paper
Composition & Rhetoric - English 1301 – Fall 2020
Short Essay #3 – Status Report to Compare/Contrast Assignment Sheet
Due: October 27 - Submitted via BlackBoard by 11:59 p.m.
Purpose: Compare/Contrast to Inform
For this assignment, students will write a compare / contrast essay meeting the following criteria:
Use of third person point of view only
Use ONE of two models: point by point OR subject by subject
The C/C essay must have a strong thesis that announces similarities and/or differences
Creative title
Use many examples/details to build logical, effective body paragraphs
Include a “So What?” paragraph before your Conclusion – Include findings from your c/c
Use of appropriate transitions
Use of THREE credible sources – ONE source must be from a database
Proper use of MLA format
5 – 6 pages
Avoid 2nd person point of view (you, your, yours, yourself, yourselves) at all times
Check procon.org OR debate.org for topic ideas; choose your own topic
The compare/contrast essay goes beyond simply showing distinctions between two subjects. Students must make a meaningful argument about the subjects. Be sure to include transitions that move the essay along smoothly. Students must have a focused idea. The thesis statement announces the “so what” about comparing/contrasting subjects.
Students are to model this essay either on a point-by-point or a subject-by-subject style. However, students need to be selective in the details chosen to include in the body paragraphs.
The essay must be in MLA format: double spaced, 1” margins, a header with required information, student last names with a page number in the upper right hand corner, and Times New Roman font at 12 point in size throughout. Do not do fancy lettering and/or designs with the title. Only use appropriate initial capitalization in the title. Do not include a title page.
INFORMAL presentations of this project:
I will randomly pick students to give a short presentation on their projects. We will not get through them all but be ready to be called upon!
On presentation day, presenters will first introduce their topics, tell their audience why they chose their topics for this project, and talk about issues that came up in the project as a whole. Finally, presenters should be ready to tell their audience what was gained from creating the “compare/contrast” project.
Presenters: be ready for criticism, feedback, comments, opinions, and the like by classmates who will also receive credit for class participation.
EVERYONE MUST READY TO PRESENT ON OCTOBER 23. NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Mostly, have fun writing!