This document will explain what you have to do in order to prepare for Week 2.

JUAN FELIPE PALACIOS SÁNCHEZ 201616389

1. View the videos listed under “Preparation”.

2. Take notes.
Comparison/ contrast essay: Talk about the similarities and differences between two topics.
Avoid the obvious. Introduction, the same as other essays: a Hook (engage the reader), The
background (information to understand the main point), and the thesis that focuses the
comparison.
The main differences are that we have options for this type of essay: Block Method which have
two paragraphs, one for similarities and one for the differences of your topics; subject to
subject, first topic on the first paragraph and the second topic on the second paragraph.
Point-by-point: Two or more points for comparison. Always, it needs to be a conclusion that
summarize your main ideas and give the reader the final opinion.

Compare or contrast writing: How things are similar (comparison). How things are different
(contrast).

Comparative thesis: six issues (Topic sentence, the question format, preview of arguments,
vagueness, on being untenable or unprovable, being true but obvious). Three questions: What
tow things ae you comparing? (something specific); What is the point of comparison between
these two people or things? (main interest to be on just one or the other). Why are you
comparing these two things? (A greater message).
Point of similarity -> Point of differences -> Why do you care?
Watch out: your similarity and difference are linked to each other.

3. On your own

Answer the following questions:

1. What are the purposes of an outline?

An outline is a list of topics or subjects that you are going to use in your paper or in an
assignment. This helps you to create an idea of what are you going to write. With this technique
 you can predict the direction of your assignment and also a better distribution of topics before
you write something on the run.

2. What is the role of an introduction in an essay?

The introduction in an essay is the first paragraph that gives the reader an overview of your
essay. According on the common structure of an essay, this part is where you find the thesis of
the essay and the opinion of the author. This may help readers to understand the essay they are
going to read, and also a summarize of the entire text.

3. How does the introductory paragraph help the reader anticipate the organization of the whole
essay?
The introductory paragraph helps the reader to analyze, first of all, the topic and the writer’s
opinion. Second, the structure of the essay depends on how is written the first paragraph. For
example, if you expose your thesis then you need to do a summary (like 3, 4 or 5 words) of how
you are going to support your thesis; this help the reader to make an outline of the arguments
you’re going to give him/her.

4. What is a funnel-like introduction?

This type of introduction is called in that way because it begins broad, and then takes you to your
point of the essay. The first sentence should get the reader’s attention. The introduction leads the
reader sentence by sentence (all connected, and particularly attractive to the reader) to the main
idea that has to be in the end.