Comparison/Contrast essay on one of the following topics

ASSIGNMENT 04 EN130 English Composition Directions: Be sure to make an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English spelling and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be a minimum of one (1) single-spaced page to a maximum of two (2) pages in length; refer to the "Assignment Format" page for specific format requirements. Using what you learned in Lessons 1 and 2 as well as in this lesson, write a well-developed Comparison/Contrast essay on one of the following topics: ƒ¤ Research and compare two online games ƒ¤ Compare/Contrast two computer programs ƒ¤ Evaluate two operating systems ƒ¤ Determine the best deal between two different computers ƒ¤ Compare/Contrast two business tactics ƒ¤ Compare shopping online with traditional shopping ƒ¤ Compare/Contrast two cultural attitudes about one topic ƒ¤ Compare/Contrast two music groups or two teams Your essay, which must demonstrate your understanding of the comparison/contrast essay, will be graded using the following scale: Essay clearly demonstrates the concept of comparison/contrast 15 points Clear thesis statement/purpose for essay 10 points Paragraph development (includes thesis support, topic sentences, and paragraph unity and coherence) 35 points Organization of essay (including transitions) 20 points Use of language (includes grammar and punctuation) 20 points 100 points You may use outside sources if you document them using APA format, or you may write this essay based entirely on your knowledge/experience. THIS IS THE END OF ASSIGNMENT 04. Text Readings In Writing Today, read Chapters 1-5. Lecture Notes Thesis Statements Your textbook does a great job of discussing the thesis statement in Chapter 3, but I wanted to reinforce it a little more. After all, the thesis statement is the most important line in your essay! THE THESIS STATEMENT: Clearly states the narrowed, limited topic or subject of your essay Clearly makes an assertion, provides a focus, states an opinion regarding your topic; the assertion may be A single word (frightening, challenged, childish, surpasses) A phrase or clause (an atypical female character, a life-changing event, should not be banned) Takes an original, as opposed to trite, common, or well-known, approach to a topic Takes only one assertion Controls the direction, the development of the essay Is stated in only one sentence Appears at the end of the introductory paragraph (within the last two sentences) EXAMPLES: (The topic or subject is underlined and the assertion is in bold print.) The near-tragic automobile accident resulted in several significant changes in my lifestyle. Mr. Adkison uses some bizarre teaching techniques to help his students improve their writing. The movie Cold Mountain deserves to "sweep" the Academy Awards this year. My experience as a tutor has benefited me in a number of ways. WHEN FORMULATING YOUR THESIS STATEMENT: DO NOT announce the subject of your essay; such a statement usually does not contain the assertion required for a thesis statement. Do NOT write: I am going to write about my high school graduation. My thesis will be the skiing trip I took during the Christmas holidays. My paper will discuss and develop the differences between the Ford Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. DO NOT make more than one assertion. Do NOT write: My high school graduation was fun, exciting, and sad. My ski trip to the Canadian Rockies provided many wonderful family memories, taught me a lesson about following rules, and allowed me to improve my skiing technique. The 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most popular Sport Utility Vehicle on the market and is a better buy than the Ford Explorer. DO NOT include words or phrases such as "I think," "I believe," "In my opinion." If your thesis is properly stated (worded), the reader will know that the ideas expressed are yours. DO NOT present a statement of fact as a thesis. A thesis should provoke argument or disagreement, and it should be proven with examples, facts, and concrete evidence. A statement of fact does not have to be proven; we already know it to be true. FACTS may be used as support for a thesis but should not make up the thesis. In writing your thesis, ask yourself, "Can I prove this statement with specific examples, facts, and/or personal experiences?" Do NOT write: Teenagers like to spend time with their friends. John F. Kennedy served as President of the United States in the early 1960s. The Weather Channel provides up-to-the-minute weather conditions for all major regions of the country. DO NOT be vague, or too general. Do NOT write: Some people think the drug problem among teens is getting worse. Having Friday Chat discussions at Ashworth University has disadvantages and advantages for both students and faculty. I learned many things about college last semester. Professional athletes are admired for the many things they do. DO NOT make unreasonable and/or unsubstantiated claims, insulting or derogatory remarks, or oversimplified statements. Do NOT write: Sexual misconduct among immature, underage teenagers has increased sharply in recent years. Radical animal-rights fanatics have made hunting nearly impossible for serious, law-abiding hunters. These masochists who insist on puncturing and piercing every available body part are crazy. Text Readings In Writing Today, read Chapters 20, 21, and then 18. You will notice that your textbook discusses MLA guidelines and then APA guidelines; focus on the APA guidelines as you read since you will use APA format in all of your courses at Ashworth University. Lecture Notes Evaluating Online Research Options Most students now turn to online research tools as their initial reference base. However, as the Internet, and particularly the World Wide Web, is still a wholly-unregulated publication tool; proper documentation and evaluation of online sources is necessary. Evaluate your online research methods using these five tips. Judge the quality of online material with a critical eye. Reputable sites, such as The New York Times, Consumer Reports, and other sites associated with major publications, are generally valid and accurate with their information. However, these sources should be scrutinized as any other source. Government sites associated with specific departments, i.e., Department of Labor (dol.gov), provide very good sources of primary information. However, any individual can post a site, so be aware of the entity -- person or organization -- presenting the information. Consider when the information was posted. Many sites have "Last Updated _____" notices. This information is critical when determining the validity and accuracy of a current statistic or comment. While you may obtain employment information from the Department of Labor, if the information is from 1995 and you are researching current trends, the information is not helpful for anything more than a comparison statement. You still need valid statistics from more recent years. Check for bias or perspective in a document. While most articles and journals are expected to establish an objective viewpoint, many publications present a slanted perspective to serve their greater purpose. This is extremely important when reviewing newsletters from organizations with a specific agenda (e.g., the Sierra Club's newsletter will read very differently than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce publication concerning environmental legislation. Which would you trust ¡X a group that values profit or one that values the planet? Why? Think about the big picture. Even articles from reputable sources often cater to a particular viewpoint (e.g., The Wall Street Journal). For another look at bias, look at the FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) Web site http://www(dot)fair(dot)org/activism/detect.html. Remember, different search engines/directories will lead you to different information. The online world is so vast that no one search engine or online directory can contain all the updated information. Thus, utilize a variety of search engines. While you will find overlap, you may also obtain several pearls of information you would have missed otherwise. Some major engines to consider: AltaVista: www(dot)altavista(dot)com AOL: www(dot)aol(dot)com Excite: www(dot)excite(dot)com Go: www(dot)go(dot)com HotBot: www(dot)hotbot(dot)com Lycos: www(dot)lycos(dot)com MSN Search: www(dot)msn(dot)com Magellan: www(dot)magellan(dot)com Snap: www(dot)snap(dot)com WebCrawler: www(dot)webcrawler(dot)com Yahoo: www(dot)yahoo(dot)com Note: Yahoo is a directory, not a search engine; it categorizes sites by topic. Dogpile: www(dot)dogpile(dot)com Note: Dogpile will search databases, catalogs, and multiple search engines for you using your key words. Use e-mail and postings to discussion groups to lead you to additional information. Rarely use them as a direct source. Unless you are interviewing a verifiable source via e-mail, comments made in a discussion group should not be included as a major reference in a research or documented paper. Rather, join discussion groups or request e-mail to glean suggestions, opinions, and ideas about where to search for accountable information. Text Readings In Writing Today, read Chapter 13. Lecture Notes Compare This I wanted to give you another look at the two organizational approaches for Comparison/Contrast writing. Some people call the "subject by subject" method the "block method." Check this out: Block Method: Each subject to be compared or contrasted becomes a Roman numeral in the outline: Thesis: The 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 is a better buy than the 2005 Dodge Ram. Essay Map: The safety features, convenience features, and performance make the 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 a better investment for the serious truck owner than the 2005 Dodge Ram. Scratch Outline: 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 Safety features Convenience features Performance 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Safety features Convenience features Performance Point by Point: Each item of the map becomes a Roman numeral in the outline. Thesis: Considering these health benefits, the Sundance Spa gives the superior massage over the Coleman Spa, for the retired couple. Essay Map: The Sundance Spa massage relieves physical pain, relieves physical tension, and relieves mental tension. Scratch Outline: Relieving physical pain Coleman Hydrotherapeutic model Topside controls Sundance Lounge seats - Trigger pressure points with target jets Fingertip controls More penetrating than masseuse Relieves physical tension Coleman Comfort collar Foot relief zone High volume of water flow Sundance Larger jets (No matter where you sit) Comfort Zone Direct pressure system (Patented) Relieves mental tension Coleman Air injectors Little else Sundance Air injectors Peace of mind operation, cost efficient, locking Aromatherapy Sample Exercises for Comparison/Contrast Thesis Statements: The Ford Taurus is __________ than the Chevrolet Cavalier for __________. The GE Deluxe washing machine is __________ than the Maytag Deluxe for __________. The Sony 35" PP TV is __________ for the __________ than the RCA 35" PP TV. The newest Gateway computer __________ than the newest Dell for the __________ due to __________, __________, and __________. Here is the first body paragraph for the essay on spas: One of the main health benefits of a spa is the relief of physical pain. One in seven Americans, about thirty-seven million people, is diagnosed with some kind of arthritis ("Now"). Many people who suffer with arthritis or some kind of chronic pain can be helped by hydrotherapy, a simple and natural remedy for aches and pains. The warmth of the spa dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow to damaged tissue, and accelerates the body's natural healing process. Warm water reduces pain by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkiller ("The World"). Coleman's hydrotherapeutic model speeds healing and promotes health by controlling joint inflammation and pains as well as preventing further joint damage. On this model, convenient topside controls adjust the heat and power jets to customize the massage where it is most needed ("Coleman Spas"). On the other hand, the Sundance Spa has seven different lounge seats, each with strategically placed jets that align perfectly with key muscle groups so a specific part of the body can be targeted. No matter which muscles need it most, the right seat with the right number of jets in just the right places can be chosen to fit anybody's curves. For example, golfers and gardeners can pinpoint their neck, back and shoulders in the Accu-Sage Therapy Seat or massage feet and legs with the Pivot Lounge Seat. The water flow can be directed to any seat or combination of seats in the spa. So whether it's just one person or a group, everyone enjoys the therapeutic benefits of the massage experience. The Sundance, like the Coleman, also has convenient fingertip controls to adjust massage options and temperature. The various types of jets in a Sundance Spa were designed to give a similar, but more penetrating, massage than a skilled masseuse. "They listened to what doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors had to say" and carefully studied the placement of every jet in every spa to make sure the flow hits the right muscle or nerve in the right way (Sundance Spas). If Sue, who has rheumatoid arthritis in her hands and feet, spends only twenty minutes a day in her Sundance Spa, she will have less swelling as well as a marked reduction in pain for the rest of that day. The Sundance Spa's lounge seat options definitely outweigh the Coleman's hydrotherapeutic model in regard to the better massage for the relief of chronic pain. In addition, here is another example of Comparison/Contrast Writing: The Cure for the Common Commute Weaving in and out of the labyrinth of seven o'clock rush hour traffic, the commuter hurriedly devours his final bites of breakfast and wonders aloud how he managed to be late for work on yet another hectic Monday. The thirty-five minute commute seems to take hours as the tense commuter dodges dangerous traffic. Could anything possibly alleviate the stress of the average commute? Driving in either the 2005 convertible Chevrolet Corvette or the 2005 Porsche Boxster could make a commute more pleasurable. However, for the middle-aged driving commuter, the 2005 convertible Corvette is superior to the 2005 Boxster because of its comfortable ride, amenities, and responsiveness. First, the Corvette is a better commuter car than the Boxster because of its comfortable ride. Unlike the Boxster, which some find confining, the Corvette has ample room for two adults ("2005 Chevrolet Corvette"). The Corvette has a full inch more headroom than the Boxster ("2005 Corvette Convertible"). Furthermore, the Boxster can be noisy and unrefined on uneven or worn pavement, and it demonstrates "mild rough-road body shake" ("2005 Porsche Boxster [2]"). GTE Superpages Consumer Guide gives the Boxster a two out of five for ride quality and lists noise and ride as the Boxster's greatest disadvantages. The Corvette, however, is well equipped with deluxe sound insulation ("2005 Corvette Convertible"), and is given a three out of five by GTE Superpages Consumer Guide for ride quality. Even if the commuter drives with the convertible top down, the "wind buffeting is not severe" in the Chevy ("2005 Chevrolet Corvette"). Additionally, while the Boxster can be "wearing on a long trip" due to its "marked noise from engine, wind, and tires," ("2005 Porsche Boxster [2]") the Corvette's ride quality is "good enough to qualify [it] as everyday transportation" ("2005 Chevrolet Corvette"). Every commuter knows that after a trying eleven-hour workday, a loud, bumpy ride over endless miles of road construction is exhausting and intolerable. Therefore, because of its more comfortable ride, the Chevrolet Corvette is a better commuter car than the Porsche Boxster. The Corvette's amenities also make it a more suitable commuter car than the Boxster. Car and Driver rates the Boxster a seven out of ten for features and amenities but gives the Corvette a ten out of ten. The Chevrolet boasts many useful standard features that are absent in the Porsche. For example, while the Boxster's stereo system is comprised of only four speakers ("2005 Porsche Boxster [1]"), the Corvette's stereo has six ("2005 Corvette Convertible"). Surprisingly, the Boxster lacks one of the most basic car amenities, the cup holder. Does any commuter want to maneuver through half an hour or more of stressful rush hour traffic with a cold, wet soda can between his legs? Fortunately, Chevrolet recognized the utility of the cup holder and installed one in the Corvette's center console ("2005 Corvette Convertible"). Another rudimentary feature that is missing in the Porsche is the glove box ("2005 Porsche Boxster [2]"). The Corvette, on the other hand, is equipped with a lockable glove box and several other concealed storage bins ("2005 Corvette Convertible"). Additional standard amenities of the Chevrolet which aren't present in the Porsche include one-touch driver and passenger power windows and a remote keyless entry for power door locks, fuel release, and trunk release ("2005 Corvette Convertible"). Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Corvette is its run-on-flat tire technology. The Boxster's traditional spare tire seems utterly old-fashioned when compared to the Corvette's tires, which can run for two hundred miles while flat ("2005 Corvette Convertible"). Imagine the chagrin of an executive, covered in dirt and grease, who staggers into an important meeting late because he had to stop on the way to work to fix his flat tire. The Corvette's run-on-flat tires save a commuter from such a disaster. Because of all its impressive amenities, the Corvette is a wiser choice than the Boxster for the middle-aged commuter.