Comparison And Contrast Essay Is Due

Comparison Contrast Essay Is Due

Comparison-Contrast Essay is Due ________________. It is to meet the following criteria: 1. 2-3 pages in length; not including the Works Cited page 2. Follow MLA formatting and provide both in-text citing and a Works Cited page. Refer to the printed MLA Mini-Manual for help or any of the online sources on the handout for using sources. 3. A clear thesis statement is required – for help with thesis statements refer to the handout on creating them. 4. Use a minimum of two outside sources for support – refer to source handout for help. Be very careful to use reputable sources as outlined in the handout. 5. NEVER use Wikipedia – self policed websites cannot be counted on for truthful and credible information. 6. A clean, printed, hard copy is to be turned in to the professor in class. 7. The essays are due on the assigned day (on the syllabus) and will be docked one letter grade per day that they are late. That means EVERY day, not just class days. Purpose: Comparison-Contrast is a good choice if the goal of the essay is to demonstrate: one thing is better than another (an Android cell phone is better/worse than an iPhone), things that seem different are actually more alike than they seem (the appeals of baseball, soccer and football), or things that are seemingly alike are more different than they appear (parents and children in their views toward success). Sometimes the comparison is needed and sometimes the contrast is needed, but there are also times when both are needed (have movies in the 21st century become only copies of the movies of previous millennia or do they offer new plot and characteristics?) When taking the purpose into account, it is imperative that the purpose be kept in mind so that the essay stays focused on the stated thesis. Audience: The goal of comparison-contrast writing is not simply to show how two things differ or are alike, comparison-contrast is a strategy for making a point or arguing for one position or another, evaluating the validity or lack thereof for one thing or another, clearing up misconceptions by revealing similarities or differences, or drawing an analogy between two seemingly different things. As always, the audience for college essays should be inclusionary and be for all to read and written at an adult level. Organization and Development: A solid thesis is imperative for a comparison-contrast essay (as with all essays). The thesis could: name the subjects being compared and contrasted, indicate whether the focus will be on similarities, differences or both, or state the main objective of the essay. Brainstorming for the pros, cons, differences, similarities, etc. is helpful so that the writer can then decide which of those should have the focus. The two common organizational approaches for comparison-contrast essays are one-side-at-a-time, which explores all about one subject first and then explores the other one, and point-by-point where the writer alternates from one aspect of the first subject and then the same aspect of the second subject. Ex. One-side-at-a-time: All of the points such as cost, application variety and quality, and user friendliness of the Android and then all of the points about cost, application variety and quality, and user friendliness for the iPhone. Ex. Point-by-point: 1. The cost of the Android; the cost of the iPhone. 2. The application variety and quality of the Android; the application variety and quality of the iPhone. 3. The user friendliness of the Android; the user friendliness of the iPhone. When doing any college essay, clear transitions are needed, but for comparison-contrast essays, it is important to focus on transitions that indicate similarities and differences, such as: also, in the same way, likewise, similarly, as opposed, etc. Criteria for Evaluation: 100 points 30 points: Development 1. Has clear introduction and thesis statement. 2. Follows clear organizational pattern 3. Has appropriate title in the correct placement 4. Type of audience is considered 5. Tone is appropriate for the topic 6. Topic is supported fully 7. Has clear transitions from point and paragraph to point and paragraph 8. Style of conclusion is both suited to the topic and logical without adding new information 9. Stays on topic and does not veer off in unnecessary directions 35 points: Grammar 1. Has no comma splices 2. Has no run-ons or fragments 3. Uses correct pronoun agreement 4. Uses varied sentence structure 5. Spelling is carefully checked 6. Word choice is clear and appropriate 7. There is no faulty subject or verb agreement 8. All sentences are parallel 9. Commas and apostrophes are used correctly 10. Underlining, italics, capital letters, etc. are correct 35 points: Proper Use of MLA 1. Spacing is correct; without extra spaces used unnecessarily (2.0) 2. Proper information is listed at the top and left (Name, Class, Assignment Type/#, Date) 3. Name and page #’s are at the top right ½ inch from the top 4. In-text citations are correct and in the right place 5. Is the correct length with the correct number of sources 6. The Works Cited page has the proper format and correct heading 7. Information is properly credited to sources 8. Has proper margins and fonts

Paper For Above instruction

The comparison-contrast essay assignment requires students to craft a 2-3 page paper that thoroughly analyzes two subjects by highlighting their similarities and differences. This essay must adhere strictly to MLA formatting guidelines, including in-text citations and a comprehensive Works Cited page, which exemplifies proper MLA style. The importance of a clearly articulated thesis statement cannot be overstated, as it guides the direction and focus of the essay, whether emphasizing comparative aspects, contrasts, or both. Students should incorporate at least two credible outside sources to support their analysis, avoiding unreliable sources such as Wikipedia, and ensure all sources are properly credited both within the text and in the Works Cited section.

The purpose of this assignment is to develop analytical skills and to demonstrate the ability to make compelling arguments through comparison and contrast. Students should choose a clear organizational pattern—either one side at a time or point-by-point—to structure their essay effectively, ensuring smooth transitions that highlight parallels or distinctions, using appropriate connectors like "also," "likewise," or "as opposed." The essay must introduce the subject matter convincingly, contain a focused thesis, and organize supporting points logically. Each paragraph should contain a clear idea, coherent development, and transitions that guide the reader seamlessly through the argument.

Organization and development are critical; a well-structured essay will open with an engaging introduction that presents the thesis, followed by body paragraphs that explore each point thoroughly, and conclude with a summary that reinforces the main ideas without introducing new information. Grammar and style are equally important; sentences should be varied in structure, free of errors such as comma splices, fragments, or subject-verb disagreements. Proper spelling, punctuation, and formatting—including use of italics or underlining for titles—must be maintained meticulously.

The essay will be evaluated on development (ideas, coherence, organization, support), grammar (sentence structure, correctness, style), and adherence to MLA formatting standards (margins, headers, citations, Works Cited). Proper submission includes a clean, hard copy turned in on time—late submissions face penalties of one letter grade per day. The assignment encourages critical thinking and clear presentation of ideas, culminating in a polished, scholarly comparison-contrast essay suitable for an academic audience.

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