This writing assignment asks students to write a comparison-contrast essay on a new topic of their choice.
Objectives
Use comparison and contrast in writing based on purpose and intended audience
Apply punctuation rules to compose correctly punctuated sentences
Edit sentences to correct improper use of punctuation
Write an effective body paragraph
Write an effective and grammatically correct essay
Describe MLA style and when it should be used
Apply strategies to achieve emphasis in writing
Apply the rules of spelling to correct spelling issues in writing samples
Assignment Overview
This writing assignment asks students to write a comparison-contrast essay on a new topic of their choice.
Deliverables
An essay (1000-2000 words) containing at least four sources cited according to MLA style
Follow MLA formatting to list your name, course name, and date on the top left of the first page and your last name and page number in the header on the top right of all pages (explore the Purdue OWL
(Links to an external site.)
website for examples and review the MLA checklist in Step 6)
Identifying information, page numbers, title, and ‘Works Cited’ page(s) are not included in the word count
Your assignment will be graded according to the Course Grading Rubric. Please reference this rubric when completing each assignment.
TOPIC GUIDELINES
Any debatable topic is acceptable for this assignment. Due to the length requirements, complex topics such as gun control, immigration law, abortion rights, and capital punishment are not recommended. If these issues interest you, find a specific instance or aspect of the topic to research. For example, you might want explore how other cities and states responded to the recent laws concerning immigration rights in Arizona; such a project is more focused (and more interesting) than addressing immigration rights in general.
Consider addressing a topic that is personally important to you, including issues related to health, beauty, family life, and career decisions. The more relevant your topic is to your priorities, the more likely you are to write in an engaging, compelling way.
To find ideas for debatable topics, consider these sources:
nytimes.com
(Links to an external site.)
ontheissues.org
(Links to an external site.)
procon.org
(Links to an external site.)
Step 1: Conduct your research
Using the Internet, locate two articles (2-3 pages in length) for each part of the topic that you are comparing or contrasting. In other words, you need to find at least four articles that share the points on your topic that you wish to compare or contrast. Be sure to select articles that are from reputable sources such as news magazines, scholarly journals, or well-known blogs.
As you search, keep a record of all the articles you consider by providing a citation or a link to each one.
Step 2: Summarize each article
Summarize what you learned from the articles addressing one side of the issue. Be sure to cite the articles used in this assignment according to MLA style.
Then, summarize what you learned from the articles addressing the opposite or a different side of the issue. Be sure to cite the articles used in this assignment according to MLA style.
Your summaries should be neutral; that is, your opinion on the topic should not be evident in either summary.
