ASSIGNMENT PROMPT For this assignment, you will be writing a compare/contrast essay–an exploratory piece of writing in which you attempt to show readers how two topics are similar, different, or a combination of the two: both similar and different. Whether you focus exclusively on comparing, exclusively on contrasting, or a mix of both, is totally up to you. However, regardless of which approach you decide to take, you will want to include a strong thesis/claim statement, at least three effective supporting points, and a streamlined point-by-point organizational strategy.  ASSIGNMENT-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: Thesis: Underline your thesis statement or the main claim of your essay. Page Formatting: See Appendix C - Formatting and Submitting Your Work MLA Requirements: See Formatting your Essay: MLA 8th Edition RHETORICAL MODE Compare/contrast essays are both creative and analytical in nature. They are typically more formal than a personal narrative in the sense that they are written from a third-person perspective, where a writer is not injecting their own opinion directly using “I” or “me” language.  To prove points–compare/contrast essays rely on researched evidence, and not personal opinion or experience, per se. When you choose two topics, you will have numerous options for comparing and contrasting them–much more than you can actually use in a single paper. Therefore, you will need to decide what elements are worth comparing and contrasting, and why. This is the seek and discover part of the essay, but also the creative part. For example, another writer may choose the same two topics as you, but their essay may rest entirely on thesis and supporting points. When you limit your supporting points to those points you think you can prove most effectively, you are maximizing your creative and analyticalwriting abilities.  Rhetorical Considerations Purpose: Remember that this is an exploratory paper: The piece of writing should show readers, through the inclusion of careful detail and specifics, and strong supporting points, how your two topics are similar, different, or a combination of the two: similar and different.  Audience: The compare/contrast essay is written for someone else–either a single reader or a community of readers. When choosing the points you want to use to show readers that your topics are similar, different, or a combination of the two, you should keep this audience in mind, making sure that you are choosing the most effective points possible to show how your two topics are similar or different.  In this instance, you are writing to show readers that your two topics are similar, different, or a combination of the two (similar and different). Keep this audience in mind by emphasizing the compare/contrast claims throughout the essay. Form: This is a formal writing project, written in third-person, relying on strong organizational strategies, integrating researched evidence, and following MLA formatting guidelines.  SIX FEATURES OF A COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY 1.Compare/Contrast Thesis: Contains a strong and succinct thesis/claim statement that outlines whether the two topics are similar, different, or a combination of the two, and at least three supporting points that can boost that claim. A sample compare/contrast thesis might look like this: Although curriculum A and curriculum B are similar in their student success goals, they are very different when it comes to their structure, topics, and scoring.  2.Transitions:Utilizes transitional words and phrases that help the audience (or reader) move more easily from idea to idea, sentence to sentence, and paragraph to paragraph.  1.*Note–transitions do not only occur in topic sentences but throughout the essay. When you are moving from one idea to the next, whether between two sentences or between two paragraphs, you will want to include language that can help bridge your ideas (and sentences/paragraphs). Some examples might be “in addition to,” “next.”  3.Compare/Contrast Signals:In addition to more typical transitional words and phrases, this essay should also include compare/contrastspecific signals, emphasizing for readers how and why your topics are alike or different. Here are some example:  1.similar: in addition, by comparison, similarly 2.different: however, in contrast, differing from 4.Point-by-Point Organizational Strategy: The essay should follow the point-by-point approach to showcase the use of transitions, synthesizeyour own supporting points with researched evidence, and build a fully developed essay with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. For this kind of organization, you will create a topic sentence for each body paragraph that outlines a compare/contrastpoint regarding both topics and use the body paragraph to show readers how your two topics are similar, different, or similar and different.  5.Reliable and Credible Sources: The essay should integrate at least two reliable and credible sources (also known as “scholarly sources”) to help prove the compare/contrast claims to readers and to boost or substantiate the supporting points that you have created for your two topics.  Proofreading and Revising: As with any writing project, the final draft of this essay should be carefully reviewed for clarity and correctness. This includes checking word choice, sentence structure, organization, transitions/coherence, and MLA formatting. ALL WRITTEN STUDENT WORK IS EVALUATED AGAINST INDUSTRY-LEADING PLAGIARISM DETECTION SOFTWARE; BY TAKING A COURSE THROUGH STRAIGHTERLINE, STUDENTS AGREE THAT ALL REQUIRED PAPERS, ESSAYS, AND WRITTEN WORK MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBMISSION TO PLAGIARISM SOFTWARE FOR TEXTUAL SIMILARITY REVIEW AND DETECTION OF PLAGIARISM. PLAGIARISM SOFTWARE COMPARES STUDENT WORK TO SEVERAL SOURCES INCLUDING OTHER STUDENT WORK, PUBLIC WEBSITES, VARIOUS INSTITUTIONAL ARCHIVES, THE INTERNET, AND THE GLOBAL REFERENCE DATABASE. 

Question 1  For this discussion, imagine that you are designing a 4-hour leadership development training session. Identify specific learning objectives for your training session. Conduct an Internet search to identify the types of games and business simulations that are available. Select one game or business simulation appropriate for your audience and learning objectives. Provide a brief description, detailed rationale, and thorough analysis of the game or business simulation as it pertains to your specific audience and learning objectives. Do not simply cut and paste from the Internet source. Respond to at least two other posts regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your reply, please consider the following questions: What did you learn from the posting? What additional questions do you have after reading the posting? What clarification do you need regarding the posting? What differences or similarities do you see between your initial discussion thread and your classmates' postings? Ask each other questions about why the specific game or simulation was selected. How does the chosen game or simulation apply to other situations? What are the differences or similarities in the specific game or simulation you selected compared to those identified by others? Analyze your classmates' chosen game or simulation. Do you agree or disagree with the choice? Why or why not? Provide examples where possible.  What are the differences or similarities in the learning content objectives for your training session compared to those identified by others? Question 2  Consider your best workplace learning experience. Describe the training delivery method(s) used and identify the factors that contributed to making it an effective workplace learning experience. Then, consider your worst workplace learning experience. Describe the training delivery method(s) used and identify the factors that contributed to making it an ineffective workplace learning experience. Discuss what you would suggest to make each workplace learning experience more effective. Your initial post should be 250 to 300 words. Use this week’s lecture as a foundation for your initial post. In addition to the Blanchard and Thacker (2013) text, use at least one additional scholarly source to support your discussion. Respond to at least two other posts regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your reply, please consider the following questions: What did you learn from the posting? What additional questions do you have after reading the posting? What clarification do you need regarding the posting? What differences or similarities do you see between your initial discussion thread and your classmates' postings? What are the differences or similarities in the delivery methods for your workplace learning experiences compared to those identified by others? How do the factors that contributed to your best or worst workplace learning experience compare to those identified by others? Question 3 First, consider your firm’s orientation in regards to the Miles and Snows framework.  How will the firm retrain, hire staff, or outsource to meet future demand?  How might the processes be improved considering the strategic orientation? Present your findings in 200 words or more in your discussion post. Use at least one scholarly source in your reply in addition to the article and video provided.  Question 4  Donald Kirkpatrick's Four level Evaluation Model, devised in the 1970s and a standard tool in training circles Evaluate the value and limitations of the model in practice. Find an article or webpage that offers updated information on Kirkpatrick’s model. Discuss the changes in the model since 1970. Are the improvements significant? Why or Why not? How would application of such a model improve training in your organization? What ways could you evaluate results if you were devising a training program? (Please remember that this question should be related to the company you are writing your Capstone project about.) Present your views in 200 words or more in your discussion post. Use at least one scholarly source in your reply in addition to the article in addition to the Kirkpatrick article. Question 5  Using table 7.1 on pages 253 and 254 of your textbook, discuss the development methods that would add value to your Capstone organization. Which methods does your organization currently utilize?  How could these methods be improved? Which methods should your organization use and why? Present your views in 200 words or more in your discussion post. Use at least one scholarly source to support your ideas.