For this assignment, you will write a paper that is three to four or more pages since you have to compare two things regarding education. I know it is probable that this assignment will not personally interest you, but that is ok. Much college writing is on topics that you might not have a deep attraction to you (and this will sometimes be true of the writing you will have to do after college).
You will pick some aspect of education that you can compare (college or high school). This comparison could involve peoplestudents, teachers, staff, and so onor it could involve processestwo education styles, to types of learning, and so onor it could be something else. We will brainstorm this topic in class, so be sure to take notes.
The readings assigned for this topic will help you see some ways you can use effective organization, word choice, examples, and other things, so be sure to study those with me.
The point of the essay is to find genuine links between the two things you choose and write an organized essay that makes a point about the comparison. Picking two totally unrelated things, describing them, and then saying, See, they are nothing alike is really a pointless effort. Study the directions in the textbook and pay attention to the handouts for further examples and instructions on how to write a comparison.
The trick here will involve finding a thesis that controls your discussion of what is similar/dissimilar (you can compare, contrast, or compare and contrast; it is up to you to find out what you need to do). Your introductory paragraph will clearly state your thesis, and the rest of the essay will unfold that thesis through clear organization, concise descriptions, and helpful comments.
Do not simply list similarities and/or differences. You need to answer the so what? question as you proceed. For instance, if you compare the teaching style of two instructors, what point do you want to make by comparing them? Will you compare two college students’ personal hygiene habits? Their study habits? Their ways of putting off assignments? All three? Why would you lump those three different things together? Should you use more than three items to compare?
Be sure to write in the third person voice. Even if you are relying on personal experience, get in the habit of using the neutral, objective tone since so much real world writing requires this voice.