Goal: Write a fifteen-hundred word compare-and-contrast argument of two to three essays we’ve read Week 5 onwards. As we’ll incorporate research for this paper (minimum of one and a maximum of two resources), you can combine one reading from the class modules with a resource you’ve found to write a compare and contrast argument.
Purpose: To argue by incorporating a clear thesis with the right support, anticipating counterarguments, and refuting them; to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities between your chosen essays, to enhance the audience’s understanding of the essays, and to provide useful knowledge to the reader.
Your Essay Must Do the Following:
• In the introduction, identify what topics the two-three chosen arguments have in common and offer a thesis statement that explains the relationship between A and B or A and B and C.
• The thesis should clearly state the subjects that are to be compared, contrasted, or both, and it should state what has been learned or what is to be learned from doing so.
• Use a minimum of one and a maximum of two outside sources; “outside sources� mean sources outside of what we have read in the class or sources found from research.
• Establish a topic in common by connecting the essays in a meaningful way
• Don’t state the obvious; illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities
• Go beyond summarizing; explore the implications of their similarities and differences
• Identify the areas of agreement and disagreement
• Make sure to stay focused on your thesis and prove it; the thesis is your discovery; it’s your original opinion.
• The tips given above are meant to encourage you toward producing original ideas.
Example Thesis Statements:
• Authors Laurie Frankel in “From He to She in First Grade� and Dominic Parrott in “Where Does Anti-LGBT Bias Come from� discuss the struggle of people who want to be true to themselves in terms of gender expression and sexuality but face degradation and danger from society. By continuing to be true to themselves, they strive for societal acceptance, but social change happens slowly and fighting it requires patience, courage, and support.
• “Authors Alana Moceri in “There’s Nothing Neutral about Gender Neutrality� and Laurie Frankelin “From He to She in First Grade� point out scenarios suggesting that conversations and efforts for gender expressions and preferences must continue. Whether we agree or not with the acceptance of today’s gender expressions, society must prioritize its humanity first before following gender norms.
Some more Requirements
• Your essay must be typed and double spaced. The font size should be twelve and the font style should be Times new roman or Arial.
• Your essay must contain a thesis statement at the end of your introduction (your introduction could extend to two paragraphs if the need arises).
• Please format according to MLA style.
• Your essay must contain in-text documentation or citation, and the last page of your document must be a “Works Cited� page that lists entries corresponding to in-text citations.
• Your essay must consist of 1500 words (excluding the “works cited� page).
• You must avoid logical fallacies
• Your paper should reflect critical contemplation and the result of it.
• When it comes to the entries on your “Works Cited� page, the essays you’re responding to should be on the list. To this, you should add external sources (which should be no more than two)
• Do your best to avoid long quotations; a quotation shouldn’t extend beyond four lines.
Note: Too many quotations and paraphrases will take away from your originality or your I SAY.
• Please don’t use more than two-three quotations per type-written page. One quotation per page would be ideal.
• Originality is crucial.