English I(MB)#4

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An Order to Go: A Comparative Analysis of Elegant Coffee and Coffee-2-Go

Stu Dent

General Studies: Columbia Southern University

EH 1010: English Composition I

Dr. Ima Teacher

February 3, 2020

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An Order to Go: A Comparative Analysis of Elegant Coffee and Coffee-2-Go

Coffee is an American staple. While large coffee chains have become popular over the

past 20 years or so, some customers still prefer to get their morning caffeine from a local and

well-known establishment. Two such establishments in the local metro area are Elegant Coffee

and Coffee-2-Go. Elegant Coffee is a happening coffee spot near a college campus near

a downtown area and is frequented by students and business professionals alike. Known

for craft drinks and speed, Elegant Coffee is one of the city’s favorite coffee spots. One

of the oldest coffee houses in the city is Coffee-2-Go, which was established over 70

years ago. Known for its donuts and the coffee roast that has not changed since it first

opened, Coffee-2-Go is a city mainstay beloved by students and blue-collared workers

alike for a quick breakfast. While Elegant Coffee and Coffee-2-Go are similar in that

they both offer similar iced coffee beverages and similar bakery items, the interior décor

is different for each, with Elegant Coffee offering a darker café style and Coffee-2-Go

opting for a bright purple and yellow fast-food palette.

While Elegant Coffee and Coffe-2-Go share comparable menu choices, they

differ drastically in décor, with Elegant Coffee taking on the feel of a café. Elegant

Coffee offers the caffè ghiacciato, which is Italian for “iced coffee” (Smith, 2014).

This beverage is a double-steep brewed version of the featured roast poured over ice

and diluted with water. The coffee used in the drink is changed out daily as the featured

coffee roast selection changes. Dairy milk with varying amounts of fat content may be

added, as well as soy or almond milk. Additionally, over two-dozen flavored syrups are

offered in any arrangement that suits the customer’s preference, including sugar-free

and low-sugar. Additionally, Elegant Coffee offers its customers several bakery items

The thesis statement establishes two ways that the items are similar and one way that they are different. Because this is a comparative paper organized by subject, each of the two body paragraphs discusses all three ways.

The topic sentence for the first body paragraph announces that this paragraph will discuss similarities, but will ultimately focus on how they are different—in the décor.

This section of the paragraph describes the beverages offered by Elegant Coffee.

Then the author discusses the bakery items that are available.

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that are standard in most coffee shops. The items include a rotation of bakery items from local

establishments, including donuts from Coffee-2-Go, which are sold in several locations

throughout the city. Elegant Coffee also offers cookies, coffee cakes, bagels, muffins,

and other items. One of the more popular items that Elegant Coffee makes in-house is

their breakfast sandwiches made on fresh buns from local bakers. In terms of décor,

Elegant Coffee has a dark color scheme. All of the colors are subdued; dark wood is

used for tables, and walls are black, dark brown, and off-white. Dark green and

browns are used for all packaging, even the plastic cups. The color scheme invites

people to stay, talk, and work in the seating area. Dark colors suggest that Elegant

Coffee is not a fast food restaurant, but a sit-down establishment, even though it is

more akin to a fast food restaurant. This décor gives Elegant Coffee a distinctly more

sophisticated atmosphere than the city’s other popular coffee house, Coffee-2-Go.

While Coffee-2-Go lacks the refinements of Elegant Coffee, the iced coffee

and food offerings are much the same, albeit with a brighter interior. Coffee-2-Go has

its own version of the iced coffee that is called “Iced-Joe-to-Go.” This beverage is

presented as a straightforward choice. The flavor of the beverage is consistent because

only Coffee-2-Go’s classic roast is used—the same roast that is used for its hot

coffee beverages. The beverage is served with or without room for adding cream or

milk, which the customer is welcome to do on his or her own at the “Dress It Up”

bar. Sugar and sweetener alternatives are available at the bar as well, but for

someone who is looking for liquid sweetness, simple syrups in vanilla and caramel

are available upon request at the time of ordering. Coffee-2-Go displays an array of

donuts, including the classic donuts, such as glazed, powered, and filled. However, the

These sentences describe the décor of Elegant Coffee and then set up the contrast between the two coffee shops.

This final sentence not only provides a final thought about Elegant Coffee to close out the paragraph, but it also reminds the reader that Coffee-2-Go will be discussed, thereby transitioning into the second body paragraph.

The topic sentence of the second body paragraph mirrors the topic sentence of the first by including ways that the coffee shops are similar and by emphasizing the ways that they are different.

Here, the author discusses the beverages offered by Coffee-2-Go. Note that the author is using the same structure and order of discussion used in the first body paragraph.

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establishment always includes a featured donut of the week and offers new

donut “inventions” each month as well as seasonal donuts. Additionally,

Coffee-2-Go also offers bagels, cookies, donuts, muffins, other bakery items,

and breakfast sandwiches. Oppositional to Elegant Coffee, Coffee-2-Go is has a bright

color scheme. The theme colors are white, purple, and yellow—suggestive of the donuts

that are their specialty. The walls are white, with large wooden donuts hanging on them

that are purple and yellow. The seating area features a few yellow booths with purple

tables. The colors suggest fun and even a little nostalgia as the front wall by the door

also features photographs of the coffee shop throughout the decades.

Although the décor of each coffee shop might be different, both Elegant Coffee and

Coffee-2-Go offer similar iced coffee beverages and bakery items. The success and popularity of

both businesses is a testament to the way in which coffee shops with two completely different

atmospheres can operate at the same efficiency and success level. Even though the differences

are obvious to anyone, the similarities run deeper than what is seen. Both establishments have

identified their specific customer bases and continue to fill the needs of today’s consumers.

Again, the author discusses the bakery options—the second aspect discussed in the first paragraph.

Finally, the author discusses the décor for Coffee-2-Go, establishing the ways that the two coffee shops are different.

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Reference

Smith, R. (2014). Coffees from around the world: A global love affair with a drink. Butler Press.