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Essay: Comparison and Contrast

Advanced Composition : Essay: Comparison and Contrast

Lesson 8 Overview

For this essay, you will use

the outline or graphic

organizer created in the

previous prewriting exam

to create a full essay

comparing and contrasting

a specified topic.

8.1 Apply the prewritten essay in completing the essay comparing and contrasting a specified topic Graded Project: Essay: Comparison and Contrast

READING ASSIGNMENT

Your project must be submitted as a Word document (.docx, .doc)*. Your project will be individually graded by your instructor and therefore will take up to a few weeks to grade. Be sure that each of your files contains the following information:

Your name Your student ID number

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The exam number Your email address

To submit your graded project, follow these steps:

Log in to your student portal. Click on Take Exam next to the lesson you’re working on. Find the exam number for your project at the top of the Project Upload page. Follow the instructions provided to complete your exam.

Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit to the school!

Comparison and Contrast Essay

For this assignment, you'll prepare an 1,800- to 2,000-word

comparison and contrast essay based on your graphic organizer; do

not switch topics. You may not submit this essay until you’ve received

your grade and instructor feedback on your prewriting exam.

While you’re waiting for your prewriting to be evaluated, you should

Review the reading assignments for Lesson 6

Study the sample comparison and contrast essays and the

guided writing assignment in Chapter 15 of your textbook.

Prepare a rough draft of your comparison and contrast essay so

you’re ready to revise when you receive feedback on your

prewriting.

Assignment

Topic

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Use the topic and graphic organizer you completed for your prewriting

assignment; do not switch topics. You’ll develop your essay from your

graphic organizer. Your topic should be one of the following:

Learning a job or skill in a course versus hands-on or experiential

learning

Communicating in person or face-to-face versus communicating

electronically by text, direct message, email, and so on

Two approaches to addressing a problem that commonly occur in

your current work or that you'll need to deal with in your future

career

You should use the third-person point of view. You're writing for an

audience unfamiliar with your topic, so your goal is to use language

your readers are familiar with and can relate to. For example, a nurse

may use clinical terminology when he talks to other nurses, but he

needs to use layman’s terms when speaking to patients.

Process

Use the guided writing assignment in Chapter 15 that you began with

your prewriting. Steps six to eight will help you build on your outline

graphic organizer to draft and revise your essay.

Research

You may find that you need to do more research; if you include more

sources or use different sources in your essay, remember to use the

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correct parenthetical citation and add them to your list of references.

Refer to Chapter 23 in your text for APA format instructions.

Exam Format

Format your prewriting and essay exams according to the following

instructions. Refer to the sample APA-style essay in your text.

1. Start with a title page that includes your

Title

Name

Student ID

Address

Email address

2. Use the header function to insert your page number in the top

right margin of your document.

You do not need to include your essay title in the header.

3. Begin your document on page 2 after the title page.

Start page 2 with your title

Do not include abstracts in your essays.

Use transitional words, phrases, and sentences to guide

your reader through your essay.

Do not use headings in your essay.

4. Include your references list on the last page of your document.

Do not submit it separately.

Grading Rubric

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Skill Realized

A

100-90

Skill Developing

B

89-80

Skill Emerging

C

79-70

Not Shown

F

69-0

Thesis: Audience, Purpose and Topic

The writer provides a clear thesis statement that addresses the purpose of the essay.

10 9 8 7.5 7 4 0

Development

How insightfully and convincingly does the writer apply the appropriate development methods to explore the thesis through assertions, evidence, and analytic explanation?

25 23 21 19 17 10 0

Organization

There is a clear introduction with a thesis, body and conclusion. The writer uses topic sentences to organize body paragraphs and transitions appropriately to guide the reader from point to point. The conclusion reinforces the thesis statement and provides a satisfactory ending to the essay.

15 14 13 12 11 6 0

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Incorporation of Source Material

How logically and effectively are paraphrases, summaries, and direct quotations from varied, relevant, and reliable sources integrated with the writer’s style for purpose and audience?

10 9 8 7.5 7 4 0

Style and Voice

The writer interacts with the assigned audience using an appropriate, consistent point of view and tone. The writer offered adequate evidence from his or her own experience to effectively engage readers’ interest and address the purpose of the essay. The conclusion reinforces the thesis statement and provides a satisfactory ending to the essay.

15 14 13 12 11 6 0

APA Citation and Documentation

Did the writer accurately and correctly document the required number of sources following APA citation style both in-text and on the references list?

10 9 8 7.5 7 3 0

Conventions

The writer uses correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure. The writer makes correct word choices, defines unfamiliar terms, and conveys a clear message. The writer has edited and proofread the essay.

10 9 8 7.5 7 3 0

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Format and Length

The writer met the required length (1800-2000 words), used the assigned font and margins and included the required header information correctly.

5 4.5 4 3 1 0

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