Paper 2: Comparison/ContrastRationale: Personal experiences are a good basis for writing, because it’s always easier towrite about something you know well. For this paper, you’ll get a chance to h
Paper 2: Comparison/Contrast
Rationale: Personal experiences are a good basis for writing, because it’s always easier to write about something you know well. For this paper, you’ll get a chance to have an experience with something very important for you as a student, namely, getting advice from interviews with one of your instructors for the Fall 2016 semesterand with an experiencedUIndy student.
College essays come in many forms, and the comparison/contrast essay is a typical type of college essay. In the comparison/contrast essay, you compare two (or more) opinions, perspectives, or ideas on a given topic with each other and discuss or evaluate their similarities. Where they diverge from each other, you address the differences, too. The similarities and differences then serve as “data” for you to arrive at an informed conclusion to your essay, and ideally, a greater understanding of your topic.
Assignment: Part of being a successful student at UIndy involves understanding the “hidden” rules of engagement, which longtime “citizens” of the university are familiar with, but which may be mystifying to new, international, returning, or transfer students. In order to help you get to know your instructors and fellow students and learn valuable information from them (and to fulfill the requirements of this comparison/contrast essay!), you will interview 1) one current UIndyinstructorand 2) one student (not a Freshman; preferably, a Junior or Senior who has been her longer than you), then compare and contrast the advice and suggestions they give you for how to be a successful student atUIndy.
Before:Contactone of your UIndyinstructors in person to request an appointment in office hours, and let them know you’d like to ask them some questions about being a successful student in their class, and about being a successful student in general. (Do NOT try to interview them before or after class!) Tell your instructors that you’re going to write a reflective essay for your English class about their responses.I suggest you interview the instructor whose class you’re most worried about or the class that’s most difficult for you.
Next, invite one advanced student (preferably, in your intended major) to be an interview participant. The idea is to get some advice from a fellow student about what it takes to be a successful student at UIndy. You MUST conduct the interview in English with a student who does NOT speak your first language.
Before meeting with your interviewees, youwill prepare a list of 5-6 potential interview questions. You should be ready to ask follow-up questions, too, if you need clarification. Most of your questions should be identicalfor both the instructor and student, so that you can get comparative and contrasting responses. Don’t forget to thank your interviewees for their time afterwards!
After: Based on your interview findings, write a comparison/contrast essay of 4 ½ - 5pages in length (1,200+ words). You will write the essay first as a draft, and we will peer-edit in preparation for the final version. You are encouraged to contact the Writing Lab for assistance with your paper if you feel you may need it.
Grading Rubric – Comparison/Contrast Essay
| Criteria | Possible Points |
| Introduction. The introduction sets the tone of the essay, and clearly provides a reason or purpose for the comparison/contrast. | ____ / 3 |
| Introduction. The introduction contains a controlling thesis, identifiable topic sentence, or statement of purpose, to which subsequent, supportive details relate consistently and effectively throughout the entire essay. The thesis forecasts three topics that will be addressed. | ____ / 4 |
| Organization & Structure. Writing progresses in clearly ordered stages that are easily followed and comprehended. Topic sentences clearly relate to the thesis. Writing clearly and completely illustrates similarities and/or differences between the interviews in a balanced, identifiable order. By using specific, substantial, and relevant details, writing compares/contrasts and follows a consistent organizational style (e.g., whole-to-whole, similarities-to-differences, or point-by-point). | ____ / 8 |
| Organization & Structure. Sufficient examples and details are provided. Details and examples are relevant to theme and content of the essay. Includes at leastone direct quote per interviewee; direct quotes are used and punctuated properly. | ____ / 8 |
| Transitions. Appropriate transitional words and phrases are used throughout the writing to keep relationships among ideas clear and help the paper move fluidly from one idea to the next. | ____ / 4 |
| Conclusion. States a thoughtful or logical conclusion based on the similarities and differences addressed in the essay. Thesis is restated to summarize the content of the paper. | ____ / 5 |
| Grammar, Spelling, and Writing Conventions. No or minimal grammatical errors are present. Writing flows smoothly and is not interrupted by significant errors in syntax and verb tenses. The paper is correctly punctuated and there are no or minimal spelling errors. Sentences are varied in length and structure. | ____ / 8 |
| Format. Paper is 4 ½ - 5 pages in length (1,200+ words), stapled, and submitted on time. “Interview Questions” (for both instructors and students) are included at the end of the paper. The paper uses MLA format throughout. | ____ / 3 |
| Draft Process. Draft was typed and submitted on due-date; draft was thoughtfully constructed and of sufficient length (minimum 800 words) for peer feedback. Evidence of incorporation of feedback (from student and instructor) into final version of paper. | ____ / 7 |
| Total Points: | ____ / 50 |
