English

Comparison Paragraph Instructions

Topics: Choose two items to either compare or contrast. Use any one or any combination of prewriting strategies to generate topic ideas. There is also a list of suggested topics in your textbook. Your paragraph must be at least 200 words.

Plan: Either choose to show the similarities between two things or the differences. You cannot do both for this assignment. Just write “similarities” or “differences” here.

Attitude/Point: This should be your attitude toward your two subjects. Do not just write that they are similar or different. What truth or significance can be drawn from the fact that they are similar or different?

Audience: Be specific in selecting your audience. Who would be interested in hearing this comparison and the point you want to make? Who would benefit from acknowledging the significance of your comparison?

Purpose: To inform? To entertain? To persuade? Choose one or perhaps a combination of two.

Categories of Comparison: You must have at least three general categories where your two subjects are similar or different. (Like comparing LU now with LU then based on food service, rules, and dress code)

Topic Sentence: Combine your topic, your attitude/point into a complete sentence, and your categories of comparison into a sentence. (See sample outlines for a topic sentence example.)

Brainstorm Details: Brainstorm a list of similarities (or differences) for each of your three categories of comparison.

Complete each of the steps in the Comparison Paragraph Drafts document and submit it in Module/Week 5’s assignment link. This assignment is due by Monday at 11:59 p.m. (ET) of Module/Week 5.

Outline Examples

(Choose Only One of the Two Following Methods)

1. Point By Point Comparison Outline Method

Topic Sentence: The fact that LU tries to keep up with the changes in student population can be seen in their changes to dress code, food services, and rules.

I . The dress code at Liberty has relaxed.

A. Then, girls had to wear skirts and guys had to wear ties

B. Now, girls can wear pants and guys don’t have to wear ties

II. The food choices at LU have expanded.

A. We only had one small cafeteria

B. Now there is the Hangar, a huge cafeteria, and an a la carte place

III. The Rules at LU are less strict.

A. We were required to attend church & prayer groups

B. Now church is encouraged but not required

C. Televisions were not allowed in dorm rooms

D. Now they students can have televisions.

2. Topic By Topic Comparison Outline Method

Topic Sentence: The fact that LU tries to keep up with the changes in student population can be seen in their changes to dress code, food services, and rules.

I. Liberty used to be more strict and less convenient.

A. Dress Code was more strict

1. Girls had to wear skirts

2. Guys had to wear ties

B. Food Services was less convenient

1. Only had one small cafeteria

2. Lines were SO long

C. Rules were more strict

1. Had to attend church & prayer groups

2. Could not have TV in our rooms

3. Could only listen to Christian music

II. Now Liberty has become more convenient and less strict.

A. Dress code is more relaxed

1. Girls can wear pants

2. Guys don’t have to wear ties

B. Food Services are more convenient

1. Hangar, large cafeteria, à la carte place

2. Lines are shorter (believe it or not)

C. Rules are less strict

1. Church and prayer groups are not required

2. Can have TVs in the dorm rooms

3. Can listen to secular music