Using the point-by-point method, you are to write an essay that compares or contrasts
two separate subjects, such as people, ideas, places, times, products, experiences, and events.
After brainstorming and structuring your ideas, develop a thesis; then support this thesis in the
body of the essay. You only will compare or contrast—not both. Comparing means looking
for similarities, and contrasting means looking for differences. You are to draw upon your life
experience in writing this essay; however, if you choose also to research, you must include intext citations and a works-cited page in your essay.
Topic
For this essay, you are to compare or contrast any two subjects that are not obvious or commonly addressed. Local and current themes are often the least addressed and most interesting The essay must be a minimum of 900 words in length. If you incorporate research into your essay, the works-cited page must be included but does not count as part of the 900-word minimum requirement.The essay must comply with the latest edition of MLA in both manuscript formatting and research documentation.
Employ the third person point of view. Generally, do not use first person (I, me, my); the
exception is when you include a brief personal anecdote in your essay. Normally, you would not
have more than one such anecdote in this length of essay. Do not use second person (you, your).The tone of your essay should be formal. Do not use contractions, informal language, or repetitious words.
