QUESTION
Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you to refine skills, and demonstrate application of knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it for grading until you have completed the Unit’s Challenges. After you’ve submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score.
Touchstone 2.1: Comparison/Contrast Essay
BEFORE YOU START
Consider revisiting the Writing Effective Comparison/Contrast Essays tutorial about brainstorming and organizing comparison/contrast writing. You might find it helpful to outline your topic choice using one of the two organization options for this Touchstone to kick-start writing this comparison/contrast essay.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a 3-4 page (approximately 700-1000 words) comparison/contrast essay in the informative mode. In addition, you must answer the “Think About Your Writing” questions, described below, beneath your essay.
Sample Comparison/Contrast Essay
In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.
CopyLeaks Originality Checker: All writing will be checked for originality. Do not use any outside text from third party sources to complete Touchstone 2.1. Focus on showcasing your ability to rely on common knowledge to compare two things.
- Directions
Step 1: Choose a Topic
Begin by choosing a topic for your comparison/contrast essay. You are free to select your own topic, or you may use one of the sample topics listed below. However, you should choose a topic that you have some personal knowledge of so that you have sufficient points of comparison or contrast to discuss in your essay. Avoid choosing subjects that require extensive outside research that require citation (you will learn how to properly cite in a later unit). Consider subjects and points that fall under “common knowledge”: information that the average educated reader would accept without needing a source citation to back it up.
You will need to compare or contrast two or three primary points about the two subjects you choose to write about, resulting in an essay with either four or six body paragraphs, an introductory paragraph, and a conclusion. The writing for this assignment should be informative and objective, avoiding the first-person voice or any personal details that may inform bias or personal opinion.
The following are some ideas that can help you to select a topic for your essay:
- Compare or contrast two cities you’ve visited or that you’ve lived in
- Compare or contrast two sources of news
- Compare or contrast two singers in different music genres
- Compare or contrast two historical figures
- Compare or contrast two artists (e.g. two painters or two photographers)
- Compare or contrast two television series
- Compare or contrast two types of technologies (for example, two smartphone brands or two gaming consoles)
Remember that the two subjects you choose should have a meaningful connection so that you can draw comparisons or contrasts between the two.
HINT
Topic Choice Guidance: We encourage you to choose two subjects to compare that allow you to draw from your understanding and common knowledge about the topic. Your thesis should convey the main idea of the essay and clearly articulate what two topics you are comparing/contrasting. Because you are writing in the informative mode for this essay, you should use objective language. Remember that for this essay, you are not trying to persuade or convince the audience that one thing is better or worse than the other; you are instead informing the reader about the similarities or differences between the two subjects in an objective manner.
Keep in mind that no outside research is required for the writing of this essay. If you do conduct research and use what you learn to make comparisons, make sure to avoid plagiarism concerns by citing all sources. The following resources will be helpful to you if you need to cite any sources:
1 Purdue Online Writing Lab’s APA Formatting and Style Guide
1 This site includes a comprehensive overview of APA style, as well as individual pages with guidelines for specific citation types.
2 Frequently Asked Questions About APA Style
1 This page on the official APA website addresses common questions related to APA formatting. The “References,” “Punctuation,” and “Grammar and Writing Style” sections will be the most useful to your work in this course.
3 APA Style: Quick Answers—References
1 This page on the official APA Style website provides numerous examples of reference list formatting for various source types.
Step 2. Write a Comparison/Contrast Essay
Write a comparison/contrast essay that meets the following criteria:
- Properly applies elements of a comparison/contrast essay using personal or common knowledge of the subjects: Makes a clear and meaningful connection between two subjects related to one of the writing prompts; effectively organizes body paragraphs in one of the two prescribed ways and consistently uses transitional words or phrases to comparison/contrast ideas. Relies on personal or common knowledge.
- States the focused central claim of the essay with the clear purpose of comparing/contrasting two subjects: Has a clear, focused, and detailed thesis expressed in a single sentence that states the central claim of the essay; the thesis statement effectively communicates the two subjects that will be compared or contrasted and the two or three main points of comparison/contrast.
- Exhibits competent organization, flow, and writing techniques: Includes all of the required components of an essay, including an introduction with a strong thesis, an adequate number of body paragraphs (4-6), each with an effective topic sentence and a conclusion with an effective concluding statement; the sequence of sentences and paragraphs is logical.
- Establishes an informative tone and makes thoughtful choices: Demonstrates thoughtful and effective word choices and uses a wide variety of sentence structures; establishes a consistently objective and impersonal tone that is appropriate to an informative essay.
- Demonstrate command of standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and usage: There are few, if any, negligible errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.
Step 3. Think About Your Writing
Below your completed narrative, include answers to all of the following reflection questions:
1 Did you use the point-by-point or block method to organize your body paragraphs? What made you decide to organize your essay in this way (3-4 sentences)? Sophia says: Consider the ways a comparison/contrast essay can be organized. Which organization did you choose and why?
2 In what ways did writing a comparison/contrast essay differ from the Narrative essay you wrote in Touchstone 1? Give specific examples (3-4 sentences). Sophia says: Consider how the structure, point of view, and purpose of the two essays differ.
3 Remember that the writing process is a recursive process, and your first draft of an essay is rarely your last. What part of the draft did you struggle with (3-4 sentences)? Sophia says: Think about how you could improve the draft if you continued the writing process with revision and editing.
ANSWER
Introduction: In this comparison/contrast essay, I will delve into the differences and similarities between two iconic cities: New York City and Los Angeles. Despite being located on opposite coasts of the United States, both cities are globally renowned for their cultural significance, economic prowess, and diverse populations. Through this essay, I aim to provide an informative analysis of the unique characteristics and experiences offered by each city, shedding light on their distinct identities.
New York City and Los Angeles stand as epitomes of American urbanism, each boasting a rich tapestry of history, culture, and lifestyle. While they share certain commonalities as major metropolises, they also exhibit striking differences in various aspects. By examining these differences and similarities, we can gain a deeper understanding of the diverse landscape of American cities.
Point-by-Point Organization: I chose to employ the point-by-point method to organize my essay as it allows for a systematic comparison of specific aspects between New York City and Los Angeles. This approach facilitates a comprehensive analysis by addressing individual points of contrast and similarity in each paragraph. By structuring the essay in this manner, I aim to provide clarity and coherence in presenting the comparisons.
Differences from Touchstone 1: Narrative Essay: Writing a comparison/contrast essay differs significantly from the narrative essay I crafted in Touchstone 1. While the narrative essay focused on personal experiences and reflections, the comparison/contrast essay adopts a more analytical and objective approach. In the narrative essay, I aimed to engage the reader through storytelling, whereas in this essay, my goal is to inform and educate the reader about the distinctions and resemblances between two subjects.
Struggles in the Drafting Process: One challenge I encountered during the drafting process was maintaining a balanced comparison between New York City and Los Angeles. At times, I found myself inadvertently favoring one city over the other, leading to an uneven distribution of attention. To address this issue, I revised the content to ensure equal representation and thorough analysis of both cities, thereby enhancing the overall coherence and credibility of the essay.
Comparison of New York City and Los Angeles:
- Geography and Climate: New York City is situated on the northeastern coast of the United States, encompassing five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. In contrast, Los Angeles is located on the west coast of the country, sprawling across a vast metropolitan area in Southern California. The geography of each city influences its climate, with New York experiencing four distinct seasons characterized by cold winters and hot summers, while Los Angeles enjoys a Mediterranean climate marked by mild, sunny weather throughout the year.
- Cultural Diversity: Both New York City and Los Angeles are melting pots of cultural diversity, attracting immigrants from around the world and fostering vibrant multicultural communities. However, the composition of their populations differs significantly, reflecting distinct migration patterns and historical influences. New York City boasts a rich tapestry of ethnicities, languages, and cultures, with neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Harlem showcasing the city’s multicultural essence. In contrast, Los Angeles is known for its vast Hispanic population, particularly in areas like East LA and Boyle Heights, which have become epicenters of Latino culture and heritage.
- Economic Landscape: The economic profiles of New York City and Los Angeles differ in terms of industries, employment opportunities, and income levels. New York City serves as a global financial hub, home to Wall Street and numerous multinational corporations, making it a magnet for finance, commerce, and business. In contrast, Los Angeles is renowned for its entertainment industry, with Hollywood serving as the epicenter of film, television, and music production. Additionally, Los Angeles boasts a thriving technology sector, fueled by companies like SpaceX, Snapchat, and Google, which have established a significant presence in the city’s burgeoning tech scene.
- Transportation Infrastructure: The transportation systems of New York City and Los Angeles exhibit notable differences in terms of scale, efficiency, and mode of transport. New York City boasts an extensive public transit network, including the iconic subway system, which provides convenient access to various parts of the city. Additionally, New York City is renowned for its iconic yellow taxis and ubiquitous ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, offering multiple options for commuters and tourists alike. In contrast, Los Angeles is notorious for its heavy traffic congestion and sprawling urban sprawl, resulting in a greater reliance on private vehicles for transportation. While Los Angeles has made efforts to improve its public transit system with initiatives like the Metro Rail, the city remains largely car-dependent, impacting traffic flow and air quality.
- Culinary Scene: Both New York City and Los Angeles boast vibrant culinary scenes, offering a diverse array of cuisines and dining experiences. New York City is celebrated for its eclectic culinary landscape, featuring renowned restaurants, food markets, and street vendors serving everything from classic deli sandwiches to innovative fine dining creations. The city’s cultural diversity is reflected in its gastronomic offerings, with cuisines ranging from Italian and Jewish to Chinese and Middle Eastern. In contrast, Los Angeles is known for its health-conscious and innovative dining scene, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and multicultural fusion cuisine. The city’s sprawling urban sprawl has given rise to a diverse array of dining options, from trendy farm-to-table eateries to hole-in-the-wall taco stands, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
- Cultural Landmarks: New York City and Los Angeles are home to an abundance of cultural landmarks and iconic attractions that draw millions of visitors each year. In New York City, landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Central Park are emblematic of the city’s rich history and architectural heritage. Additionally, cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art