EN120 English Composition I: Assignment 04: Comparison-Contrast Paragraph

ASSIGNMENT 04

EN120 English Composition I

Directions: Be sure to make an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English spelling and grammar. Your response should be a maximum of two (2) double-spaced pages. Refer to the “Assignment Format” page for specific format requirements.

Comparison-Contrast Paragraph: You will write a comparison-contrast paragraph. You may choose any comparison-contrast approach related to persons, places, or things. You must demonstrate mastery of the following in your paragraph, so make sure that the depth (length) of your paragraph is sufficient to demonstrate these concepts:

a. Topic Sentence – Be sure this is a general statement that identifies what you will compare and contrast. (10 points)

b. Body Sentences – Be sure to select ideas and write sentences that clearly compare and contrast two persons, places, or things and that are definitely related to the topic sentence. The quality and relationship of these sentences will be evaluated. (30 points)

c. Organization/Coherence: In comparison-contrast paragraphs, the organization of the sentences is very important. Be sure that you organize your paragraph in the best way possible. Select transitions for your paragraph that demonstrate your understanding of the order you select. At a minimum, you must use three (3) transitions to demonstrate your understanding of this concept. Highlight these transitions in yellow. (30 points)

d. Language Awareness: Your paragraph should demonstrate an awareness of language usage. For example, your writing should be exact, concise, and fresh. (10 points)

e. Concluding Sentence: Be sure to complete your paragraph with a well-written concluding sentence. (10 points)

f. Mechanics and Grammar – Be sure that you complete the final step of the writing process: proofreading. Your paragraph should definitely be free from sentence construction errors and should demonstrate correct use of verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun use; in addition, it should be spell-checked.

(10 points)

Grading Rubric

Please refer to the rubric below for the grading criteria for this assignment.

EN120 English Composition I: Assignment 04: Comparison-Contrast Paragraph

CATEGORYExemplarySatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryUnacceptable

10 points8 points5 points0 points

The topic sentence is engaging and specifies what is to be compared and contrasted.

The topic sentence specifies what is to be compared and contrasted.

The topic sentence only vaguely suggests what is to be compared and contrasted.

The topic sentence fails to specify what is to be compared and contrasted. 30 points20 points10 points0 points

Sentences clearly compare and contrast two persons, places, or things that are definitely related to the topic sentence.

Sentences compare and contrast two persons, places, or things that are apparently related to the topic sentence.

Sentences compare

and contrast two

persons, places, or

things that are not

clearly related to

the topic sentence.

Sentences fail to

illuminate

comparisons and

contrasts suggested

or implied by the

topic sentence.

30 points20 points10 points0 points

The paragraph is

organized in the

best possible

way, and

includes more

than three

transitions.

The paragraph

is organized

effectively and

includes three

transitions.

The paragraph is

organized

somewhat

effectively, but

includes fewer than

3 transitions.

The paragraph is

poorly organized

and but includes

few transitions or

no transitions.

10 points8 points5 points0 points

The paragraph

demonstrates

excellent

language

awareness

The paragraph

demonstrates

adequate

language

awareness

The paragraph

demonstrates weak

language

awareness.

The paragraph

demonstrates poor

language

awareness

Language

Awareness (10

points)

Topic Sentence

(10 points)

Coherence (30

points)

Body

Sentences (30

points)

10 points8 points5 points0 points

Concluding

sentence is

strong, clear,

and engaging.

Concluding

sentences is

strong and

clear.

Concluding

sentence is

ineffective.

The concluding

sentence offers no

conclusion

15 points10 points5 points0 points

Student makes

no grammatical

or spelling

errors.

Student makes

1 grammatical

or spelling

error.

Student makes 2

grammatical or

spelling errors.

Student makes

more than 2

grammatical or

spelling errors.

Concluding

Sentence (10

points)

Grammar and

Mechanics (15

points)