English

Major Essay #1: Compare/Contrast

Length: 3 pages, typed, double-spaced

Other Requirements: At least FOUR parenthetical citations, at least TWO sources,

and a WORKS CITED PAGE

For more information, check the Rubric on the Blackboard Assignment Submission Page!

Your first major essay assignment will be to compare and contrast James Joyce’s “Araby” and John Updike’s

“A & P”. What you choose to compare and contrast is up to you, but it must be something that will allow you to discuss

both stories for roughly the same length of time.

Possible topics:

• How is “love” portrayed in these stories? What does each other say about it?

• What do each of the stories have to say about growing up?—in particular, about “youthful” vs. “real” romance?

• Look at the main characters of the stories. Which character was more justified in his decision? Was either? Was

both?

• How are the women/girls portrayed in these stories? Positively? Negatively? Neutral?

Obviously, you can choose another topic. If you are having a difficult time coming up with a topic, feel free to set up an

appointment to discuss this with me during my office hours and/or by emailing me. I am here to help.

Some thoughts on Compare/Contrast:

Comparing Two Subjects in Two Paragraphs

I. Block Format

When using the block format for a comparison, discuss one subject in the first section/paragraph and the other,

in the second.

Section 1: After the introduction, the first section should discuss only one of your subjects. Tell us all about

Subject A without referencing Subject B.

Section 2: Opening sentence (or paragraph) must contain a transition showing you are comparing the second

subject to the first. (e.g. "Unlike (or similar to) [subject #1], [subject #2]...)

Discuss all the features of subject #2 in relation to subject #1 using compare/contrast cue words such as like,

similar to, also, unlike, on the other hand for each comparison.

End with a concluding paragraph featuring a personal statement, a prediction, or another snappy clincher.

II. Point-by-Point Format

When using the point-by-point format, separate your essay into three points of comparison/contrast, and in

each section, discuss how Subject A compares or contrasts to Subject B.

Crafting a Comparison/Contrast Essay

Tackle a compare and contrast essay just like you would tackle any other essay—break it down into manageable tasks.

Task 1: Topic and points of comparison

1. Decide what you’re going to compare and contrast. Choose something that interests you and complies with any

guidelines that I provided. You might compare and contrast objects, ideas, or people.

2. Identify your points of comparison—that is, the key aspects that you will compare and contrast. If necessary, do some

digging to get a better feel for your topic and pertinent points to compare. Do Internet searches, read a few newspaper

articles, and skim encyclopedia articles related to your topic.

Task 2: Outline With your topic and points of comparison identified, it’s time to organize your ideas—that is, to outline your essay.

1. Start by listing your points of comparison—the key aspects that you will compare and contrast—on a piece of paper.

2. Under each point of comparison, note the related similarities and differences between your items. In essays, you can

draw on personal experience as well as research to support your points. If you don’t know enough about the similarities

and differences for a particular point of comparison from personal experience, do a little research.

3. Read through your points and consider the order in which they appear. Does the sequence work? Could your essay be

stronger if you presented your points of comparison in a different order? Would it make sense to discuss all of the

similarities, then move on to the differences? If necessary, rearrange your outline.

Task 3: Body

Writing the body of your essay can be a formidable task, but it doesn’t have to be if you let the tools you’ve amassed—

your topic, points of comparison, and your outline—do the heavy lifting for you.

1. With your outline as a guide, turn each of your points of comparison into a paragraph or two.

2. Once you’ve fleshed out the bones of your essay, go back and connect the paragraphs into a cohesive narrative. Be sure

to use strong topic sentences as transitions between the paragraphs. Your goal is to make clear to the reader why you

presented the information in the order you did.

3. Read through your essay with a critical eye. Does each topic sentence clearly summarize the point of the paragraph?

Does the sequence of your paragraphs work?

4. If time permits, take a break. Put your essay out of sight for a day or two and forget about it. This way your eye and

your perspective will be fresh when you next review the essay.

Task 4: Introduction and conclusion

Your essay’s introduction and conclusion reinforce the key points you make in your paper.

1. Use your introduction to state what you will compare and contrast and to identify the points of comparison. Your

introduction should also grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read on. Including a surprising fact or

anecdote about your topic can help grab attention.

2. Use your conclusion to summarize the key similarities and differences. Don’t restate your findings word for word—

your goal is to provide a sense of closure and to leave the reader with a final perspective on your topic.

Task 5: Final draft

Put the final touches on your essay. Don’t be tempted to skip these steps—nothing detracts from a good essay more than

grammar or spelling errors.

1. Run a spell check on your essay and fix any problems.

2. Read your essay from start to finish, the same way I will. Fix any grammar mistakes or other errors you find.

3. Once you’re satisfied that your essay represents your best effort, get a second opinion. Ask a parent or other trusted

person to read your essay critically and to give you feedback. Make any changes you think necessary.

4. Read the essay one last time to make sure you didn’t introduce any new errors.

5. Finally … hand in your essay.

Goals for Paper Criteria:

Papers will meet the following criteria:

• Main Idea/ purpose/ focus-The paper stays on topic, is unified, clear, defines terms and meets the requirement of the topic.

• Organization/ structure-The paper includes the effective use of modes, has an introduction and conclusion, and uses transitions.

• Content/ development-The paper contains specific details, full support, and development of ideas.

• Tone and Style- The paper is appropriately written for the declared audience.

• Grammar/ Mechanics-The paper demonstrates proper use of sentence construction, usage spelling punctuation, and capitalization.

Format for Papers (MLA):

• Put your name, instructor’s name, the name of the course/ the assignment number/ and the date at the top left of the first page, double-spaced. See MLA example.

• Have a title, centered at the top of the first page.

• Have your last name and page number at the top right side of each page. (Go to view/ headers and footers—type your last name. Then go to insert page and add the page number.)

• All papers will be typed in size 12 font, double-spaced, using one-inch margins on “8 1/2 by 11” white paper (NOTE: Microsoft Word margin default is 1.25 in.).

• You will turn in your papers via BlackBoard.

Workshops:

Because peer review is such an important part of learning to revise your work, it is extremely important that you

attend every workshop session fully prepared. Students who miss a workshop session or attend unprepared to

participate will be allowed to revise their paper, but will receive a 10 percentage point deduction on their

grade for that paper. For scheduled workshop sessions, you must bring a typed copy of your draft for your

workshop partners.

Revision Policy:

You may revise each major assignment only once. Revisions do not automatically receive a higher grade.

The revision must be a substantial improvement over the original paper and meet all criteria below to

receive a better grade.

• Simply making editing changes will not constitute a higher grade.

• Revisions are due no later than one week after the due date of the original paper.

• Major papers that are missing any of the required elements (i.e. notes, drafts, peer comments, assignment sheet) will not be accepted for revision.

• Revisions must be submitted in the same format as the major papers, as listed above.

• Significant changes in your paper should be highlighted. Highlight new material in the new version and remove material in the old version. Revisions submitted without highlighting will not be graded.

Written explanations of changes in the margins or on a separate page are required.

• You must have attended all workshop sessions for a major paper for its revision to be accepted.

Deadlines:

Assignments are due at the start of class on the date indicated on the Calendar. Late assignments will be penalized 10-percentage-points for every day they are late, not including weekends and holidays. Papers later than 2 weeks will not be accepted, and the assignment will result in a zero. If you are having difficulty completing an assignment, contact me for guidance.