Compare & Contrast Essay - Due October 23

English 1

Compare & Contrast Essay

Due: Wednesday, October 23, 2013

This assignment is worth a total of 100 points.

You will write a compare and contrast essay. We went over the process for this in class on Monday (October 7).

For the assignment you will pick two subjects or items to compare. I have provided a list below of subject ideas. Please pick an item under one of these subjects to write your essay on.

·      Electronics – Examples: computers, cameras, phones, tablets, TVs, etc.

·      Pieces of Art – Examples: Two different paintings by the same or different artists.

·      Artists – Examples: Pick two different artists to compare

·      Food – Examples: Types of cheese, Pepsi vs. Coke, burgers vs. hot dogs, cookies, etc.

Once you pick two items to compare, use the worksheet that was given you in class to write out similarities between the two items and differences.

Writing the Paper

The paper should be typed. You can double space, 12 point font. It should be 2-3 pages in length.

Provide a clear thesis that presents the two items you will be comparing/contrasting in the paper. Indicate in the introduction paragraph what items you will be comparing and contrasting throughout the essay.

Example:

Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on the pet owner’s lifestyle, finances and household accommodations.

You should have at least 3 items you will compare or contrast in your essay. For each item that you compare or contrast you should have one paragraph.

Here is an example paragraph:

Cats make less of an impact on an owner’s life than a dog. For example, a cat does not need to be watched during the day. Cats are actually very independent creatures and if left with food and water can stay alone overnight. However, dogs need to be fed, taken for walks and taken outside to go potty. Cats are also easier to find care for if the owner travels a lot. It is easier to find someone to come once a day to take care of a cat, versus finding someone to stay at your home or take your dog to his or her home while you are away.

After you explain all of the similarities and differences, you will need to also include a concluding paragraph. In this paragraph remind your reader what the two items you wrote about in your essay, as well as the main reasons why they are similar and different.

You will be graded based on the following:

1)   You compared two items in your essay. – 10 points

2)   You included similarities and differences and included at least 3 of these in your essay. – 25 points

3)   You have a clear introduction, thesis, body paragraphs and conclusion.  – 25 points

4)   Your paper is typed and is 2-3 pages. – 15 points

5)   Spelling, grammar, punctuation. (Make sure to read your essay over before you print it out. Check for word choice, spelling and punctuation. Make sure to have punctuation at the end of your sentences. I will take points off for this. – 25 points

Please note: If you do not hand in your paper the day of class, you will receive 5 points off for each day it is late. I do not want to hear any excuses. If you cannot print the paper, have it e-mailed to me before class starts. Keep in mind the computer lab and library are unavailable before class, so you want to make sure you do this beforehand.