Week 9 - Compare/Contrast Essay

Introduction

This week, we will complete the first draft and peer reviews of the Compare/Contrast essays.

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing the compare/contrast lessons, you should be able to:

    • Determine the purpose and structure of the compare and contrast essay.

    • Understand how to write a compare and contrast essay.

Writing Your Compare/Contrast Essay First Draft

You already selected your topic for this essay in the previous week. Now, it is time to write the draft and get some feedback on it.

When drafting your essay:

    • Review the essay writing prompt in Week 8.

    • Review the grading rubric.

    • Develop your essay by comparing and/or contrasting your subjects using three-points-of analysis.

    • Use the introduction to establish the subjects being compared and/or contrasted and to present your thesis.

    • Choose a logical sequence for your points of comparison/contrast. Either organize by subject or point by point.

    • Include information from 2-4 outside sources to help support your points.

    • Make sure you take time to reflect on why your points are significant.

    • Use in-text citations to show where you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing information that support your points. Refer to the "Writing Using Sources Module" for more details on how to do this.

    • Include a Works Cited at the end of the essay. Refer to the "Writing Using Sources Module" for more details on how to do this.

    • The final essay should be 1000-1250 words, so the draft should be close to 1000 words.

After completing the draft, please post it for peer evaluation. Details are in the "Activities" section below and in Forums > Compare/Contrast > Draft.

Peer Evaluations

The time has come for peer evaluations of the drafts. Peer evaluation is your opportunity to get feedback on your essay draft as well as see what other students are writing about.

After posting your draft, please complete peer evaluations of two peers' narrative essay drafts. Details are in the "Activities" section below and in Forums > Compare/Contrast > Draft.


Activities

These are the activities that you need to complete this week. All activities are due by 11:55 p.m. on their due dates.

  • First Draft of Compare/Contrast Essay. Write a draft of your compare/contrast essay. Post the completed draft as an attachment. Drafts should be about 1000-words, double-spaced, and be either .doc, .docx, or .rtf files.

    • Due by xx/xx.

    • Points: Part of Final Compare/Contrast essay grade. See rubric.

  • Peer evaluations of Compare/Contrast Essay. After you have posted your draft, choose two other students’ essays to evaluate. Please choose essays that have fewer than two peer reviews already completed. Each essay should only be evaluated by two classmates. The peer review form is available in Forums > Compare/Contrast Draft

    • Due by xx/xx.

    • Points: Part of Final Compare/Contrast essay grade. See rubric.

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