ENGL 117 Week 3
ENGL 117 Week 3 Assignment: Comparison-Contrast Extended Draft Outline
I. INTRODUCTION
In this section of the outline, draft a possible introductory paragraph. Remember that the introduction should engage the reader, offer some overview of your topic, and end in a thesis statement. Because the thesis statement normally serves as the transitional point between the introduction and body, draft your tentative thesis as the last sentence of the introduction.
[Insert full introduction paragraph, with attention-grabber, introduction of main ideas, and thesis statement here.]
II. RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
Use this section analyze your rhetorical situation of writer, purpose, and reader by responding to the two following prompts as explained below.
Identify personal and larger contexts, such as why it’s important to you to compare/contrast these two items, how comparing/contrasting these items impacts the immediate world around you and possibly even larger venues, like your state, your country, the world.
[Write your response here in at least three complete sentences.]
Identify your audience and discuss why your audience will be and should be interested in reading your essay. What need are you filling for the reader? What about this essay will enrich the reader’s life? What will your reader enjoy? Are there elements of your topic and approach that may bore or even offend a reader? How will you handle this? Do new ideas for details and approaches arise when you perform this audience analysis? Which ideas, and how will you use them?
[Write your response here in at least 5-7 complete sentences.]
III. THE OUTLINE
Using specific details, create a brief outline of at least three points, stating whether your outline is in blocked or point-by-point style, and using your sub-categories to fill in rich details and analysis.
[Here, note whether you are using block style or point-by-point style and why. You must compose at least 2 complete sentences for this section.]
I. [Note your first main point in a complete sentence. Be sure this point supports your choice of blocked or point-by-point style- i.e., is this a point about how your two items are similar in a specific way? Or is it a point in which you’ll be addressing just one of your two items?]
The first thing that people consider when shopping is store selection and product availability.
A. [Based on your topic sentence above, list three sentences of support, being as detailed, engaging, and energetic as possible, making your reader see the relevance and importance of these ideas and images. “A.” here will be your first sentence of support for your topic sentence “I”]
B. [Follow the same instructions as above, but now please write your second support item for this paragraph.]
II. [Note your second main point in a complete sentence. Be sure this point supports your choice of blocked or point-by-point style- i.e., is this a point about how your two items are similar in a specific way? Or is it a point in which you’ll be addressing just one of your two items?]
The second point is that flexibility and convenience.
A. [Based on your topic sentence above, list three sentences of support, being as detailed, engaging, and energetic as possible, making your reader see the relevance and importance of these ideas and images. “A” here will be your first sentence of support for your topic sentence “I”]
III. [Note your third main point in a complete sentence. Be sure this point supports your choice of blocked or point-by-point style- i.e., is this a point about how your two items are similar in a specific way? Or is it a point in which you’ll be addressing just one of your two items?]
Another point will be personalized customer service.
A. [Based on your topic sentence above, list three sentences of support, being as detailed, engaging, and energetic as possible, making your reader see the relevance and importance of these ideas and images. “A” here will be your first sentence of support for your topic sentence “I”]
Although, both online and in-store shoppers are striving to provide good and better customer service, people still prefer face-to-face discussion with a person.
B. [Follow the same instructions as above, but now please write your second support item for this paragraph.]
Just like many people, I prefer my questions answered by a human being than an automated voice system or talking over the phone which is one of the advantages of in-store shoppers.
C. [Follow the same instructions as above, but now please write your second support item for this paragraph.].
These days the internet stores are advancing to live chats and video calls with an agent which is good because you have someone that will answer any question as you shop.
IV. CONCLUSION
In this section of the outline, draft a possible concluding paragraph. Your conclusion should summarize the overall findings and link to your purpose with a restatement of the thesis.
[Insert full conclusion paragraph, with transition, reiteration of overall point without restating the thesis word for word, and a look to the bigger picture, to leave your reader thinking about larger and/or future and/or personal implications.]
ENGL 117 Week 3 Discussion: Comparison-Contrast Methods and Topic Preparation
Read the following in your textbook: “Love, Internet Style” by David Brooks (p. 179). In complete sentences and with depth and detail, answer the following:
- Which specific two items does Brooks compare and contrast?
Next, begin work on your own essay by choosing a topic. Your topic must be very narrow, must compare very similar items, and must have a purpose. Complete the following:
- Briefly list 3 possible topics for comparison and contrast. Examples might include two different high schools you attended, your two best friends, your two dogs, a movie and its remake. There are many, many options; these are simply a few examples illustrating level of specificity and level of similarity between the items (comparing apples to apples).
- Which topic do you feel most passionate about?
- Who will be your audience, and what purpose will this essay serve?
- Brainstorm a list of three sensory details (brown, soaring, shiny, tanned, etc.) for each of the two items you are comparing.
Michael Jordan – tough, loyal, passionate LeBron James – strong, tall, flexible
Russell, K. L. (2016). Write Now (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.