Compare/Contrast Essay – Choose one topic provided in these instructions to compare and/or contrast.The table below provides an extensive list of topic options from which you must select, and we recommend that you choose one from below that you are interested in beyond this course. For instance, if you are a Finance or Business major, you might be interested in the Dividends v. Capital Gains topic. If you are a Science major, you might choose Hybrid Seeds v. GMO Seeds. Or perhaps you’re taking StraighterLine’s Survey of World History course, in which case you might opt to research the similarities and differences between the United States and the Roman Empire. You will use at least two credible sources to support your claims, and remember, you must include your sources throughout the body paragraphs of your essay in a mix of cited quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. Both the support and research portions of the rubric will be negatively affected if you do not integrate your researched data.· Rosa Parks vs. Harriett Tubman· Treaties vs. Executive Agreements· Roman Empire vs. United States· Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” vs. Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”· Verbal vs. Nonverbal Communication· Biblical Old Testament vs. New Testament· Leonardo di Vinci vs. Michelangelo· Apple Ipad vs. Microsoft Surface· Dividends vs. Capital Gains· Marxism vs. Socialism· Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox· Jazz vs. Blues· String Instruments vs. Wind Instruments· Amphibians vs. Reptiles· Charles Darwin vs. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck· Solar Power vs. Wind Power· Hybrid Seeds vs. GMO Seeds· Public School vs. Home SchoolWrite an essay comparing or contrasting the two topics in your selection using EITHER the point-by-point OR the subject-by-subject method to organize the details and specific examples. Consider focusing on three to five subtopics and generate ideas through prewriting. Develop a strong thesis statement for your essay that includes your two topics from the list above; your three to five subtopics; and a claim about how they are similar, different, or both. Sample Thesis Statements:If you will argue that your two topics are mostly similar:Topic A and Topic B share many similar characteristics, including (Supporting point 1), (Supporting point 2), and (Supporting point 3); while they differ in (Additional supporting point), the similarities greatly outweigh the differences. ORIf you will argue that your two topics are mostly different:While Topic A and Topic B have (Additional supporting point) in common, they are mostly quite different; in fact, they differ in characteristics such as (Supporting point 1), (Supporting point 2), and (Supporting point 3).ORIf you will argue that your two topics have many important/interesting similarities and differences: Analyzing Topic A and Topic B reveals many fascinating similarities as well as differences; for instance, they share (Supporting point 1) and (Supporting point 1), but are vastly different when it comes to (Supporting point 3) and (Supporting point 4). TipsTo brainstorm, you might consider using a Venn diagram or a simple list to show what your topics have in common and how they differ. Then you can select the most prominent or interesting characteristics that you want to highlight in your paper. Be sure to avoid beginning your comparisons or contrasts in the introduction. Your thesis is the only place in the introduction where you will include this information. Use the introduction to get your reader’s attention, and consider using a good strategy that leads into the topic. For instance, you might relate a short anecdote to illustrate your topic, an interesting quotation that relates to your topic, or perhaps a surprising statistic that reveals something about your topic. Then, in the body paragraphs remember to support your claim(s) outlined in the thesis. For instance, if one of your points says the city and the country are different in terms of transportation, be sure the topic sentence of one body paragraph presents a similar statement. In addition, spend equal time on each subtopic in each body paragraph, and one way to develop organized body paragraphs is to focus on one topic before moving to the next one so that the paragraph support is split 50/50. In other words, using the example above, you would explain the transportation options in the city in full, and then, you would detail the types of contrasting transportation in the country. End each body paragraph with a strong concluding sentence that synthesizes that paragraph’s discussions. The conclusion should sum up the specific supporting points as well as your overall assessment of why these points are important. Consider what kinds of interesting or new conclusions you can draw from your comparison. In other words, your essay must reveal why your comparison is important. A well-developed paragraph often contains a minimum of five sentences. Note that any of the main sections below labeled with Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV) could be more than just a single paragraph. Point-by-PointI. Introduction A. Thesis B. Additional information to introduce your topic and gain the reader’s attentionII. Supporting point 1 A. Topic 1 B. Topic 2 III. Supporting point 2 A. Topic 1 B. Topic 2 IV. Supporting point 3 A. Topic 1 B. Topic 2 V. Supporting point 4 or Additional point A. Topic 1 B. Topic 2 VI. Conclusion A. Reiterate your thesis (but do not simply restate it from the introduction) B. Give your overall assessment—the “so what” factor—about your topic. For instance, is one topic better than the other for some reason? Is one topic misunderstood? Subject-by-SubjectI. Introduction A. Thesis B. Additional information to introduce your topic and gain the reader’s attention II. Topic 1 A. Supporting point 1 B. Supporting point 2 C. Supporting point 3 D. Supporting point 4 or Additional point III. Topic 2 A. Supporting point 1 B. Supporting point 2 C. Supporting point 3 D. Supporting point 4 or Additional point V. Conclusion A. Reiterate your thesis (but do not simply restate it from the introduction) B. Give your overall assessment—the “so what” factor—about your topic. For instance, is one topic better than the other for some reason? Is one topic misunderstood? Here’s an example of how you might organize using these methods for an essay about cats versus dogs as pets (remember, this topic is not one of the options for this essay).Point-by-PointI. Introduction A. Thesis: While cats and dogs are both clear winners when it comes to pet choices, these animals are vastly different when it comes to noise level, exercise needs, and cleanliness. II. Subtopic 1: Noise level A. Topic 1: Cats are quiet B. Topic 2: Dogs can be noisy III. Subtopic 2: Exercise A. Topic 1: Cats do not have to be walked B. Topic 2: Dogs require exercise IV. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness A. Topic 1: Cats groom themselves B. Topic 2: Dogs need to be bathed V. ConclusionSubject-by-SubjectI. Introduction A. Thesis: While cats and dogs are both clear winners when it comes to pet choices, these animals are vastly different when it comes to noise level, exercise needs, and cleanliness. II. Topic 1: Cats A. Subtopic 1: Noise level B. Subtopic 2: Exercise C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness III. Topic 2: Dogs A. Subtopic 1: Noise level B. Subtopic 2: Exercise C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness IV. Conclusion Format Requirements:Remember to apply the concepts you're learning in the course, including elements of grammar, punctuation, thesis development, and other skills. Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words.Sources: You need a bare minimum of two credible sources for this assignment. Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:Your first and last name Course Title (Composition I) Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast) Current DatePage Layout:MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page Double-spacing throughoutTitle, centered after headingStandard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)1" margins on all sidesSave the file as .docx or .doc formatUnderline your thesis statement.

Common Final Assessment Rhetorical AnalysisPurpose of this assignmentThe purpose of this assignment is for you to show that you have learned to identify, analyze, and interpret both the direct and indirect means by which two writers attempt to persuade their audiences to accept their arguments by comparing the arguments made in two texts about the value of majoring in English.One article “In Defense of the ‘Impractical English Major’ by Carolyn Gregorie appeared in the online magazine The Huff Post, and “Top 10 Reasons You’re Not Wasting Your Time as an English Major” by Sophie Reeves appeared in College Magazine. While there are similarities in each writer’s rhetorical approaches, there are also some significant differences. Here are full citations for each text:Gregoire, Carolyn. “In Defense Of The 'Impractical' English Major.” HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-english-majors-are-ch_n_4943792 (Links to an external site.).Reeves, Sophie. “Top 10 Reasons You're Not Wasting Your Time as an English Major.” College Magazine, 7 Feb. 2018, https://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-reasons-english-major/ (Links to an external site.).The common final assignment will help to show you have learned the following skillsThe common final assignment will also show that you have become familiar with the following content• Write an effective introduction that ends with a thesis statement that establishes the scope and purpose of the essay.• Construct a logically developed and organized essay.• Synthesize, integrate, and contextualize quotations.• Effectively integrate quotations, paraphrasing, and summary with your own voice.• Rhetorical and organizational strategies.• Methods of persuasion (such as ethos, logos, and pathos)• Other rhetorical concepts such as audience, purpose, genre, and contextTasks involved in preparing for the finalThis final assignment has two parts - reading the text and identifying the main argument and persuasive strategies and then writing an essay in response. Choose one of the following:Option 1: After you have read both articles, write a multi-paragraph essay which integrates your analysis of BOTH texts, and in which you write a reasoned position comparing and contrasting the strategies each writer uses to appeal to its intended audience. Option 2: After you have read both articles, write a multi-paragraph essay in which you analyze ONE of the texts. In your analysis take a reasoned position on the extent to which the text is rhetorically effective given its intended audience. Skim both articles, taking note of the titles, subtitles, first and last paragraphs in order to get the “gist” of each text. Make a prediction about the writer’s purpose and potential audience(s).Closely read and annotate both texts. Have a conversation with each of them. Make comments, ask questions, make connections. As you read consider how this writer is trying to engage his/her audience.After a first read, read each text a second time according to the strategies we have used in class in order to identify each text’s main argument, supporting claims, evidence. Write out a quick summary of each text. Identify the type of evidence each writer uses.Given the publication and content of the article, what do you know about the audience for each text? Who are they?Why is it reasonable that the audience might not accept the writer’s claims?Where do you see the writer trying to address the audience’s opposition?How would you describe the strategy the writer is using?How might using this strategy increase the likelihood that the audience would accept the writer’s main argument?What impact might the writer have been trying to achieve in using this strategy?How might this impact have been effective (given the audience and their beliefs, values, experiences) so that the audience is persuaded to agree with the writer’s main argument?Criteria for SuccessSuccessful papers will:introduce the topic and text(s) and provide a brief summary or summaries (if writing about both texts) of the author or authors’ argument(s);include a thesis statement;support your analysis clearly, focusing on the rhetorical strategies from the assigned text(s);integrate evidence and examples through quoting and paraphrasing, using appropriate documentation;analyze these textual examples to support your position;conclude thoughtfully;be cohesively structured with effective transitions so that your reader does not get lost while reading;clearly communicate your ideas for an educated reader and be mostly free of grammatical errors.This essay is not an agree or disagree exercise, nor is it intended to generate an extensive summary of the articles.