Assignment objective: Your goal in this assignment is to write a paper that compares the similarities and differences of two items or processes related to your major or career in the style described within Unit III. In a larger context, the purpose of writing a comparative essay is to gain the skills of detecting similarities and differences between at least two items and then use those similarities and differences to create knowledge about one or both of the items. In this way, the comparative essay is a tool used for both observation and analysis. Additionally, the comparative essay allows you to think critically and share information about a pair of items relative to your occupation or major field of study.
Length: Your submission should be 500 to 750 words, or roughly 2 to 3 pages, not counting the cover page and references page.
References: This assignment does not require any sources. However, you may use outside sources if they are helpful to your paper. Any sources used must be cited in APA Style 7th edition standards using in-text citations and a references page.
Details: For the comparative essay, you will complete the following steps:
- Choose a pair of topics that complement one another: see the Comparative Essay Topics Handout for more information about choosing your topic. Your choice of items to compare/contrast should be related to your career or major field of study.
- Create a list of similarities and differences: see Unit III, Lesson 2, for more instruction about how to create a list.
- Create a thesis statement based on similarities, differences, or both similarities and differences: see Unit III, Lesson 3, for more information about how to create a thesis statement. The thesis statement should be the final sentence of the introduction paragraph and offers the main argument of your paper.
- Choose whether to organize your essay by point or by subject: for an essay organized by point, see Unit III, Lesson 4, and the Comparative Essay Example: Essay Organized by Point sample paper. For an essay organized by subject, see Unit III, Lesson 5, and the Comparative Essay Example: Essay Organized by Subject sample paper.
- Consult the Comparative Essay Self-check List below before submission.
Stylistic details: All essays must meet the following requirements.
- Write in Times New Roman, 12-point font.
- Include 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use double spacing (top-to-bottom every page, to include above and below titles and centered words).
- Include an APA Style title page with six-line title block. If you use any outside sources, include a references page at the end of the paper.
- Include page numbers (upper-right corner only).
- Adhere to APA Style 7th edition convention and documentation style.
