Essay: Comparison and
Contrast
Advanced Composition : Essay:
Comparison and Contrast
Lesson 8 Overview
For this essay, you will use
the outline or graphic
organizer created in the
previous prewriting exam
to create a full essay
comparing and contrasting
a specified topic.
8.1 Apply the
prewritten essay in completing the essay comparing and
contrasting a specified topic
Graded Project: Essay: Comparison and Contrast
READING ASSIGNMENT
Your project must be submitted as a Word document ( x, )*. Your
project will be individually graded by your instructor and therefore will take up
to a few weeks to grade. Be sure that each of your files contains the following
information:
Your name
Your student ID number
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The exam number
Your email address
To submit your graded project, follow these steps:
Log in to your student portal.
Click on Take Exam next to the lesson you’re working on.
Find the exam number for your project at the top of the Project Upload
page.
Follow the instructions provided to complete your exam.
Be sure to keep a backup copy of any files you submit to the school!
Comparison and Contrast Essay
For this assignment, you’ll prepare an 1,800- to 2,000-word
comparison and contrast essay based on your graphic organizer; do
not switch topics. You may not submit this essay until you’ve received
your grade and instructor feedback on your prewriting exam.
While you’re waiting for your prewriting to be evaluated, you should
Review the reading assignments for Lesson 6
Study the sample comparison and contrast essays and the
guided writing assignment in Chapter 15 of your textbook.
Prepare a rough draft of your comparison and contrast essay so
you’re ready to revise when you receive feedback on your
prewriting.
Assignment
Topic
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Use the topic and graphic organizer you completed for your prewriting
assignment; do not switch topics. You’ll develop your essay from your
graphic organizer. Your topic should be one of the following:
Learning a job or skill in a course versus hands-on or experiential
learning
Communicating in person or face-to-face versus communicating
electronically by text, direct message, email, and so on
Two approaches to addressing a problem that commonly occur in
your current work or that you’ll need to deal with in your future
career
You should use the third-person point of view. You’re writing for an
audience unfamiliar with your topic, so your goal is to use language
your readers are familiar with and can relate to. For example, a nurse
may use clinical terminology when he talks to other nurses, but he
needs to use layman’s terms when speaking to patients.
Process
Use the guided writing assignment in Chapter 15 that you began with
your prewriting. Steps six to eight will help you build on your outline
graphic organizer to draft and revise your essay.
Research
You may find that you need to do more research; if you include more
sources or use different sources in your essay, remember to use the
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correct parenthetical citation and add them to your list of references.
Refer to Chapter 23 in your text for APA format instructions.
Exam Format
Format your prewriting and essay exams according to the following
instructions. Refer to the sample APA-style essay in your text.
1. Start with a title page that includes your
Title
Name
Student ID
Address
Email address
2. Use the header function to insert your page number in the top
right margin of your document.
You do not need to include your essay title in the header.
3. Begin your document on page 2 after the title page.
Start page 2 with your title
Do not include abstracts in your essays.
Use transitional words, phrases, and sentences to guide
your reader through your essay.
Do not use headings in your essay.
4. Include your references list on the last page of your document.
Do not submit it separately.
Grading Rubric
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Skill
Realized
A
100-90
Skill
Developing
B
89-80
Skill
Emerging
C
79-70
Not
Shown
F
69-0
Thesis: Audience, Purpose and
Topic
The writer provides a clear thesis
statement that addresses the
purpose of the essay.
10 9 8 7.5 7 4 0
Development
How insightfully and convincingly
does the writer apply the
appropriate development methods
to explore the thesis through
assertions, evidence, and analytic
explanation?
25 23 21 19 17 10 0
Organization
There is a clear introduction with a
thesis, body and conclusion. The
writer uses topic sentences to
organize body paragraphs and
transitions appropriately to guide
the reader from point to point.
The conclusion reinforces the
thesis statement and provides a
satisfactory ending to the essay.
15 14 13 12 11 6 0
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Incorporation of Source
Material
How logically and effectively are
paraphrases, summaries, and
direct quotations from varied,
relevant, and reliable sources
integrated with the writer’s style
for purpose and audience?
10 9 8 7.5 7 4 0
Style and Voice
The writer interacts with the
assigned audience using an
appropriate, consistent point of
view and tone. The writer offered
adequate evidence from his or her
own experience to effectively
engage readers’ interest and
address the purpose of the essay.
The conclusion reinforces the
thesis statement and provides a
satisfactory ending to the essay.
15 14 13 12 11 6 0
APA Citation and
Documentation
Did the writer accurately and
correctly document the required
number of sources following APA
citation style both in-text and on
the references list?
10 9 8 7.5 7 3 0
Conventions
The writer uses correct grammar,
spelling, punctuation and
sentence structure. The writer
makes correct word choices,
defines unfamiliar terms, and
conveys a clear message. The
writer has edited and proofread
the essay.
10 9 8 7.5 7 3 0
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Format and Length
The writer met the required length
(1800-2000 words), used the
assigned font and margins and
included the required header
information correctly.
5 4.5 4 3 1 0
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