Essay Assignment 15%
Comparison Contrast Essay Assignment (Academic Essay)
This comparison and/or contrast essay is a personal response and can include your own personal opinions, reactions, examples, and observations. You may use personal pronouns in your essay (for example, “I”), but do not rely heavily on them (avoid ‘I think that’ or ‘I believe that’ etc.). Remember to avoid using unclear pronouns (e.g. you, we, our). Clarify your meaning and be specific. A minimum of four citations (either direct quotes or paraphrases) is required. You must carefully construct your essay with a strong structure – it is very easy to get off track with a response paper! Remember to include all the main components of a strong essay (thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting evidence, and conclusion) by using an essay outline to help you plan your response.
Instructions:
· Write a multi-paragraph essay (4-5 paragraphs) (approximately 700 words in length); include a thesis statement with at least three main points of comparison and/or contrast, and a strong conclusion.
· Use either BLOCK or Point-by-Point pattern in your essay structure.
· DOUBLE-SPACE your essay.
· Organize your support in advance, and proofread carefully for grammar, spelling and mechanics. You will lose marks for poor language skills.
· Use specific support from two sources in your essay. If you use a quotation, make sure you analyze it (DO NOT simply insert a quotation and move on).
· Remember to include in-text citations for all of the evidence you use, and a Reference page at the end of your assignment.
· Remember that your comparison and/or contrast of the sources should support your overall purpose/thesis. Ask yourself: What are you arguing in this essay? Why are you comparing and/or contrasting these two sources?
Topics (Choose ONE):
Select two readings and compare or contrast them.
You can choose any combination from the four readings: Adventures in Depression; Depression, Part Two; A Mind Spread Out on the Ground; and Coat of Many Colors
1. Compare and/or Contrast the writer’s use of logic, emotion and credibility. Who is more persuasive and why?
2. Compare and/or Contrast the writer's response to the mental health challenges created by depression. In your opinion, who offers the most important, practical or realistic responses?
3. Compare and/or Contrast the writer's observations of how stereotypes affect our perception of others. Do you agree with their observations? Are their observations persuasive? Which writer do you identify with more?
4. Compare and/or Contrast the writer's presentation of a childhood "trauma." In your opinion, whose presentation of childhood "trauma" is the most credible?
5. You can take any one of the four questions listed above and rework it to create your own topic.