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Sample Compare or Contrast

Page history last edited by David Hodges 14 years, 1 month ago

 

Because I want you to have the tools

     The following is an example of a Compare or Contrast essay of a type that might be appropriate for your MON FEB 22 deadline, but obviously not an example of its content.

     Also, it doesn't refer to another essay as yours will when you respond to "What's Wrong with Schools?" I will post another sample of that type of essay, but I have to write one first. I hope this will help you while I do so.

     The sample contrasts the opinions of two groups of people, as yours might compare the opinions of teachers with the opinions of students. Clearly, it's written from the point of view of a member of just one group. Yours might be too, if you choose to write from the student's perspective.

     The author is not conflicted about his point of view. He believes the vehicle he drives is appropriate and that those who disagree with him are either misinformed or incapable of understanding the truth. You can be just as dogmatic, or more reasonable, as long as you're consistent in your approach.

 

My Way Is the Highway

 

          The way some people look at me as I blow past them on the highway, you'd think I was a criminal. They glare at me with deep disapproval as I block out their sunlight, then shake their heads at me as I leave them in my dust; I see them in my rear view mirror making childish hand gestures. I pity them in their little toy cars. They have no idea how good it feels to be Master of the Highway in my SUV.

          My huge vehicle is the pinnacle of automotive achievement. Ever since Henry Ford started the car-building industry, cars have gotten bigger and more powerful, roomier and more luxurious. My car simply takes that progress to an extreme; it's like driving half a house, with about as many rooms, just as God intended.

          Because it's bigger, it's also safer than the cars it towers over on the highway. If my behemoth crashes into one of those tiny minis, the mini will be crushed while my SUV will hardly suffer a scratch and I will be twice as likely to walk away unharmed. More importantly, my passengers—all the delightful children I transport to soccer games—will also walk away from the accident.

          Critics in their sub-compacts whine that I am wasting precious natural resources like gasoline, but gasoline isn't natural. Only oil appears in nature, whereas gasoline is an invention of man, and man will always adapt. Transportation has evolved from walking, to riding horses, to driving cars, and it will evolve again when the oil runs out.

          When it does, I will buy the biggest, most powerful solar-electric-nuclear-warpspeed personal transportation vehicle available, whatever it might be called. Once a man gets a taste of being Master of the Highway, he can never go back to driving like everybody else.

 

A note on preparation

    You'll be producing a first draft without sharing any of your prewriting efforts with me. However, I will welcome early drafts if you email me a copy before Midnight Saturday for feedback.

     Very likely, when I grade and mark up your first draft, I'll be requiring major changes to your thesis or development plan. It's important that you be flexible about rewrites. Every essay can be improved.

 

 

Comments (6)

Sr.Irena Jusko said

at 1:50 pm on Feb 18, 2010

Prof. Hodges, this sample is very funny. Thank You!

David Hodges said

at 6:42 pm on Feb 18, 2010

Thank you, Irena! I'm glad you like it. I hope it also helps illustrate the principles of comparison and contrast. Have fun with your essays. I always do!

venkatesh said

at 12:28 am on Feb 19, 2010

can some one tell me whats the topic for the Compare and contrast essay - due on Mon Feb 22nd

David Hodges said

at 9:03 am on Feb 19, 2010

This is the sample essay page, Venkatesh. There are many ways to navigate to the Assignment. Start at the front page where current assignments are announced, or go to the Sidebar where all the pages are easy to find.

venkatesh said

at 2:52 pm on Feb 21, 2010

Thank you, Prof.Hodges !! great sample essay

David Hodges said

at 4:02 pm on Feb 21, 2010

Thanks, Venky. I hope it helps everybody do a better job. Be sure to look at Cause and Effect Sample 2 also. It demonstrates how to cite someone else's essay.

(Verb: to cite; Past tense: cited; Noun: citation)

When you have cited the essay of another author, you've summarized or quoted that work and named its author or title. By doing so, you have made a citation.

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