Leaving Comments on the 3rd Essay: Comparison/Contrast

Now that everyone is competent in posting and commenting . . . you're (almost) on your own. Choose 3 blogs you have not previously read or critiqued. Read those and offer comments, again, depending on whether you're the first reader, second reader, or third reader. Some of you are beginning to establish a following of those who know you are conscientious and offer real commentary and suggestions. FEEL FREE TO READ AND CRITIQUE AS MANY AS YOU WANT--JUST KEEP UP WITH WHICH ONES, SO I CAN GIVE YOU CREDIT!!


FIRST READER:Title, Introduction, Conclusion

If you are the first reader to critique a comparison/contrast essay, look carefully at the title, the introduction, and the conclusion. Can you tell from the title and introduction what the focus of the essay will be? Is there a definite thesis statement that directs your attention to the main idea of the paper? does the conclusion bring the paper to a logical, graceful end? If the paper is argumentative, is it clear in the conclusion that the writer clearly favors one thing over the other? If it is NOT argumentative, does the conclusion deal fairly with both elements that have been compared and contrasted?

SECOND READER: Organization

Make sure a point by point comparison has been established throughout the essay. Each of the body paragraphs should begin with a logical point of comparison, followed by the differences. The order that is established between the two should be maintained in every body paragraph. (For example, if we were discussing the illustrations of the 1930s, a writer could discuss the painting first, then the photograph in the second paragraph that may deal with the background. In the next paragraph, the author may deal with the couples in the foreground, but the order would STILL be painting first, then the photograph.) ORGANIZATION should be tightly structured and clear in this paper -- extrememly logical.

THIRD READER: Support and Development

Has the writer given adequate details, specific examples, and thorough development to every point in the paper? Has the author come up short in some areas of contrast? Has the author fully explained each of the similarities and differences in each paragraph? Are there any questions the author needs to answer.

Forward . . . To the Land of Comparisons & Contrasts!

Two Views of the Great Depression

1-2 sent. intro. the Depression & the various illustrations we have of the life of farmers in the G.D. - Lead into farmers at the beginning of the 1930’s, pictured in Grant Woods' "American Gothic" compared to the result mid-depression represented in ___'s photograph. Initially, both portrait and photo present a couple who are obviously farmers, pictured in front of their homes, during the Depression. A closer look reveals striking, painful differences between the two couples.

par. 2 - houses/homes –
“American Gothic”
photo

par. 3 – people
“American Gothic”
photo

par. 4 - time pd. -----
“American Gothic”
Photo

to par. 5 – conclusion – the difference between the media—portrait painted vs. the stark reality of photograph . . . leads back to illustrations of the 1930s.

nice circularity & closure

2nd Essay in Review

Again, on your blog, I would like for you to reflect on the second essay you've written. In theory, the Example Essay is "supposed" to be easy. It's one that you'll undoubtedly use later in the semester and next semester in English/Composition. It's one you've used in the past and will likely use in the future in social science classes and in whatever in-depth study you make in your chosen discipline. HOWEVER, several people have said it was the "hardest essay" they had ever had to write. In a new post on your blog, discuss your own experience in writing this essay. Was it difficult? What was hardest? What was easiest in writing it? What advice would you give the next 1101 student who could be taking your seat?

Now that you've got your blog and have been posting--what do you think of your efforts? Are you surprised at your own ability? Specifically, comment on the remarks you have or have not received. Vent, if you like. I know some of you have not had positive experiences with comments or being able to comment. Please feel free to use this portion of the post to discuss the problems and difficulties AND, if possible, MAKE SUGGESTIONS on improvement. If, on the other hand, you found the practice of posting, receiving comments helpful, explain why you think it's worked for you.

NEXT WEEK: The Comparison/Contrast Paper -- bring books to our next class