Write a 750-word essay that compares and contrasts two of the articles from one of the groups below

Group One:

"Daycareless" -- The National Review
"Addicted to Day Care" -- Salon

Group Two:

"Pass the Midol" -- The New York Times
"Ally McBeal: Woman of the ’90s or Retro Airhead" -- Salon

Group Three

You will want to locate similarities, differences, or similarities and differences between the two sources. In your essay, you want to be sure not only to highlight the similarities and differences but also to analyze the consequences or significance of the similarities and differences. To help with this goal, as you are drafting your essay, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Why do the similarities and differences exist?
2. What effect do the similarities/differences have on your understanding of the topic?

What should you consider after you made a listing of the major points and arguments from each essay? Why do the essays have different viewpoints for the same topics? Here are some questions to get you started:

Goals of the assignment

Point out the similarities and differences between the two sources of information.
Analyze why the similarities/differences exist.
Use the info from the two sources to shed new light on the topic that the articles by themselves do not do.

Introduction

Background on the topic
Introduction of the two essays
Thesis: By comparing and contrasting two sources, you should come up with an opinionated thesis that answers the appropriate question for your subject group:

Body paragraphs: Find 2-4 major points from the articles regarding your topic. Discuss the similarities/differences from each article for each point. For example, if you are comparing "Daycareless" with "Addicted to Day Care" you may have entire body paragraph devoted to the subject of the mother and child relationship. If you compare "All for the Good" with "Who Gets the Good Genes," you may have a body paragraph devoted to the topic of how genetic engineering may prevent some diseases or birth defects. If you compare "Pass the Midol" with "Retro Airhead," you might have a paragraph on feminism.

Conclusion: In comparing the two sources what new view do you have on the topic?

Use MLA style documentation throughout your essay. This means:
Parenthetical documentation.
Works Cited page.

With each essay assignment, we will view writing as a process. As part of this process, I will ask you to complete a variety of activities on the way to finishing the final draft. Some activities we will complete in class; others at home. Some will be collected; others will not. Below are the activities that I want you to complete and turn in with this assignment. These activities are worth points, so put some thought into them.

1. Complete a summary list of major points for each essay that will be in your comparison/contrast essay. This should be turned in with Portfolio 1.
2. Complete a similarities and differences list (see p. 82) for the two essays you will compare/contrast. This should be turned in with Portfolio 1.
3. Complete an outline of your essay following the point-by-point organizational pattern. Each of your body paragraphs should have three major points like the examples we completed in class. Below is the start of a sample outline. Yours will be more specific, of course
   I. Introduction
   --background information on the topic
   --introduction of essays
   --thesis
   II. First topic or point of comparison between two essays
   --Essay 1:
   --Essay 2:
   --Why does the difference exist between the two essays?
   Turn your outline in with Portfolio 1.
4. Peer Review Workshop. Bring a complete rough draft to class on Feb. 17, 1999 to participate in peer review. I would like this rough draft to be typed. You will turn in a peer review workshop sheet at the end of class this day that is worth 10 points.
5. Your final draft is due on Feb. 19, 1999. This draft is worth 10 points. The final graded version will be due with Portfolio 1.