Basic Academic Writing Essay Example for Free

Basic Academic Writing Essay Making a Venn diagram or a chart can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more things or ideas. To make a Venn diagram, simply draw some overlapping circles, one circle for each item you’re considering. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common. Example: 1. Write each topic name above one of the circles. List attributes or qualities of that topic in the circle, placing any shared qualities in the overlapping section. Be specific and use details. 2. Review the lists and identify three categories or aspects that describe these details. 3. Then choose one option (point by point or block method) to structure your essay. Comparison-contrast Thesis The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help  you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so she/he doesn’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for example, â€Å"This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places,† or â€Å"Pepper’s and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others,† or â€Å"Pepper’s and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference†) with something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, â€Å"Pepper’s and Amante have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.† Be careful, though—although this thesis is fairly specific and does propose a simple argument (that atmosphere and delivery make the two pizza places different), your instructor will often be looki ng for a bit more analysis. In this case, the obvious question is â€Å"So what? Why should anyone care that Pepper’s and Amante are different in this way?† One might also wonder why the writer chose those two particular pizza places to compare—why not Papa John’s, Dominos, or Pizza Hut? Again, thinking about the context the class provides may help you answer such questions and make a stronger argument. Here’s a revision of the thesis mentioned earlier: Pepper’s and Amante both offer a greater variety of ingredients than other Chapel Hill/Carrboro pizza places (and than any of the national chains), but the funky, lively atmosphere at Pepper’s makes it a better place to give visiting friends and family a taste of local culture. How do I know if my thesis is strong? If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following: Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than  making an argument. Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like â€Å"good† or â€Å"successful,† see if you could be more specific: why is something â€Å"good†; what specifically makes something â€Å"successful†? Does my thesis pass the â€Å"So what?† test? If a reader’s first response is, â€Å"So what?† then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue. Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s o.k. to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary. Does my thesis pass the â€Å"how and why?† test? If a reader’s first response is â€Å"how?† or â€Å"why?† your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning. Example of Comparison-Contrast Essay The Similarities and Differences between Public and Private Universities Malaysia has progressed in many areas since its independence. One significant area that all our past and present leaders have emphasized is education. The drastic growth in the number of universities over the past 20 years signifies this, together with the increasing demand for post-secondary education. Therefore, when public universities faced major challenges in operating within the limitations of the financial aid given by the government, the government not only encouraged private institutions to play a more active role in the higher education industry, but also supported these institutions in their efforts to increase their student intake. In 2006, there were 17 public universities and 21 private universities. Within a year, these numbers ballooned to 20 and 30 respectively. Today, students who wish to pursue higher education are spoilt for choices as there are plenty of courses offered in both public and private universities. However,  deciding on which higher education instit ution to go to, after completing secondary school, is a crucial undertaking. Students need to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of both types of institutions based on the courses available, the course fees charged and the competitiveness of these universities. Firstly, the types of courses that public and private universities offer vary significantly. Public institutions offer a whole range of courses that cover various aspects of science, business, social sciences and humanities in an ala-carte form. For example, the engineering programmes incorporate all aspects of engineering which include specialised areas such as marine, gas and aeronautical. Likewise, the business programmes in these institutions include various degrees in business administration like Islamic banking and insurance. In contrast, private universities only focus on programmes that have higher market value such as health sciences, religious studies, history and literature are not offered by these universities. This is especially so since they are profit-driven institutions. In fact, private institutions only specialise in certain fields, such as health sciences. University Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, for example, specialises in medicine, pharmacy, nursi ng and radiotherapy, while Masterskill University College specialises in nursing, physiotherapy and environmental health, among others. With such vast choices available, students should choose which university to go to and what programme to enrol in wisely. Another difference between public and private universities lies in the course fees. Even though the roles and responsibilities of both types of institutions are similar, the way they are structured is different. Public universities charge rather modest fees as compared to private universities. The primary reason for this is that public universities are largely funded by the government, as opposed to private universities that are usually privately funded by shareholders. For a public university the high cost involved in managing one is borne by the government. In contrast, private universities manage their institutions through the shareholders’ funds and the revenue they earned. Private universities charge a high fee for their  courses as a means of increasing the revenue. The amount charged is normally very much higher compared to that charged by public universities, where the course fees are subsidised by the government. For instance, the fee to study medicine in University Malaya is about RM100 000 whereas in International Medical University (IMU), the fee is about RM350 000. However, since the income per capita of Malaysians has increased; many parents can afford to pay such expensive fees. Moreover, education has become a priority in Malaysia. The government is willing to support these private institutions by making student loans such as those offered by Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) available for students. This helps to lessen not only parents’ burden, but also the shareholders’. Despite these differences, public and private universities are similar in being competitive in nature. They compete to be the best educational institution in their respective fields of study. Both types of institutions strive to stay abreast to sustain their position in the education industry. The benchmark has been raised very high so that every university has to be sensitive to their customers’ needs. Most universities have made wi-fi connections available around their campus and have upgraded facilities such as computer laboratories, hostels, cafeterias and transportation. Apart from that, these universities also recruit the best faculty staff to make the teaching and learning process an exciting journey. In addition, these universities advertise their annual graduation ceremonies and highlight their top academic achievers to maintain their name and ranking among the top universities. All these criteria have become the yardstick for universities to measure their reputation as world-class education institutions. There is paradigm shift today in the way parents and children regard education. Parents nowadays are sending their children to higher education institutions so that they could obtain a minimum university qualification. Students take up university courses not only to obtain wisdom and knowledge, but also to acquire the expertise and qualifications needed to compete in today’s knowledge-based economy. Thus, it is up to the students to compare the similarities and differences between a public university and a private  university before deciding which institution to pursue their tertiary education in.

The Effect of Cohabitation on Marriage Essay -- Compare Contrast Essay

Abstract The Effect of Cohabitation on Marriage Several published studies look at the increase in premarital cohabitation and the effect of premarital cohabitation on the traditional marriage relationship from the 1960s to present. Issues considered are marital satisfaction, marital stability, marital communication, and incidents of divorce within each group. Contrary to common perceptions, studies on couples who cohabitated prior to marrying indicate marriages that are less satisfactory, less stable, report poorer communication and higher incidents of divorce when compared to couples who did not cohabitate prior to marriage. Factors that attempt to explain these results are explored. The Effect of Cohabitation on Marriage Finding a compatible partner and getting married is the dream for the majority of people in America. Statistics show that approximately 95% of all people will be married at some point in their lives (Cherlin, 2002). However, marriage is coming to be considered more of a short-term and an economic arrangement by many and less of a life-time commitment (Risch, Riley & Lawler, 2003; Seltzer, 2000). It is true that divorce is becoming less stigmatized and is a more frequent event with a current divorce rate of approximately 40% for first marriages (Risch, Riley & Lawler, 2003). It is also true that cohabitation is becoming a more common and accepted way to live. It is estimated that between 50% and 60% of all people will live together before marrying (Cherlin, 2002, Seltzer, 2000; Teachman, 2003). Cohabitation is defined as the sharing of a household by unmarried persons who have a sexual relationship (Cherlin, 2002). Many couples make the decision to cohabitate in order to see if they are compatible and ... ...: Quality or commitment? Journal of Marriage and the Family, 54: 159-267. Treas, J. & Giesen, D. (2000). Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting Americans. Journal of Marriage & the Family, Vol. 62, 48-60. U.S. Bureau of the Census. (2000). Statistical abstract of the United States: 2000. Washington, CD: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved on March 14, 2004, from http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/p20-537.pdf Watson, R. E. L. (1983). Premarital cohabitation vs. traditional courtship: Their effects on subsequent marital adjustment. Family Relations. 32, 139-147. Wineberg, H. (1994). Marital reconciliation in the United States: Which couples are successful? Journal of Marriage & the Family, Vol. 56, 80-88. Wu, Z. (1999). Premarital cohabitation and the timing of first marriage. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 36, 109-127.

Adventures of Huck Finn

American society during the time when the book was written. The protagonist, Houck, goes through a significant development and changes his views about life different from what the society has taught him. Throughout the story, characterization of the society and how it works, progress In Husk's relationship with Jim, and explanation why Houck respects certain individuals and why he is critical of some are evident.The picture of Southern society that can be derived from the book is a society that sacks an effective government and full of violence. In chapter five, a Judge releases an order to give Husk's custody to his father despite the father's history of neglect and abuse. This makes public officials' wisdom and morality questionable. In chapter eighteen of the book, it is revealed that there is a feud going on between the Grandiose and Sheepherders that has been going on for years and that multiple lives have been lost. In chapter twenty-two of the book, a mob charges to Shrubbery' s a house to lynch him for shooting a drunken man.It shows that there is a myriad of lenience but also a lack of rightful laws. People could execute someone accused of crimes without legal due process. This Is the kind of society Houck grew up In. The knowledge Houck gained from the society creates a conflict with the progress of his relationship with Jim. When Jim realizes that Houck is just pulling a trick on him saying that their separation due to a heavy fog is Just a dream, Jims feelings are hurt and Houck feels bad and apologizes. This is when Houck becomes aware that Jim cares about him and he cares about him too.Although when they think that they are close o Cairo, Husks conscience bothers him because he is actually letting Jim free which the society has taught him to be a wrong doing. Houck almost tells on Jim but decides to disregard morality. Their friendship grows stronger through series of events and eventually Houck decides that he would rather go to hell If It means f ollowing his gut and not the society cruel principles. Husk's relationship with Jim changes from weak to strong and makes him change his views about life particularly sense of morality.Houck respects Tom Sawyer and Jim while he Is critical of the duke and the pippin. Houck utters in chapter thirty-four that if he had Tom Sawyers head, he would not trade it off for anything. In addition, in most of his adventures he thinks what Tom Sawyer would do. In regards to Jim, the more Houck finds out about Jim, like how much he cares about his family especially his children, the more he finds out how great of a person Jim is and the greater the admiration he has for him. On the other hand, the people that pretend to be the duke and the dauphin are the ones Houck dislikes and disapproves.This is evident when Houck gets the $6,000 in gold that he duke and dauphin scammed from Mary Jane and her sisters and tries to give it back. In chapter twenty-four, the duke and the dauphin make Houck â€Å" ashamed of the human race†. Houck looks up to people who mean no harm to others. The book contains a myriad of lessons and questions about different aspects of life. It also Informs the readers of what the American society used to be like, one of It being the noble goodness of a person derives from the purity of their ancestry. To be looked up to and liked. The book undoubtedly has some though-provoking subjects.

The Stigma Against Genetically Modified Foods Kill People

The stigma against genetically modified foods kill people. How, you think? How does simply an idea cause the death of thousands of people? First of all, genetic modification is the direct manipulation of an organism s genome by changing the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. Genetically modified organisms are food crops that have been created through application of transgenic, gene-splicing techniques. By definition, food crops are genetically engineered in order to improve the crop- making it more pest-resistant or healthier. Through natural selection and selective breeding, humans have been manipulating genes for thousands of years. It has been occurring since around 12,000 BC, when humans first began to domesticate organisms. Genetic engineering as the direct manipulation of DNA by humans though, only came about in the 1970s. In 1972, Paul Berg created the first recombinant DNA molecules by combining DNA from the monkey virus SV40 with that of the lambda virus. In 1973 Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen created the first transgenic organism by inserting antibiotic resistance genes into the plasmid of an E. coli bacterium. the term genetic engineering was first coined by Jack Williamson in his science fiction novel Dragon s Island, published in 1951, before its role in heredity or the DNA. In 1976 the technology was commercialized, with the advent of genetically modifiedShow MoreRelatedGenetically Modified Organisms For Consumer Purposes1963 Words   |  8 Pageshas revolutionized the field of science and introduced genetically altered organisms for consumer purposes. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are created with an intention to eradicate poverty by increasing the volume of crop yield, which proportionally gives people an easy access to a food supply. With the ever-growing world population, food shortage has been an immense obstacle many developing countries are facing. Genetically modified foods have addressed this problem by being widely incorporatedRead MoreThe Core Values Of Food Movements2156 Words   |  9 Pageseveryone has filled in their parts I figured we could go from there as far as smoothing out flow. I also haven’t put in anything from the Cultural Modeling in Two Eras of US Food Protest yet but it’s coming! Food movements begin when the decision is made to be considered a citizen instead of solely a consumer. The core values of food movements include: 1. We have rights that need to be fought for, not just assumed 2. Human and environmental health go hand in hand 3. There is no such thing as an averageRead MoreAn Evaluation of an on-Farm Food Safety Program for Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Producers; a Global Blueprint for Fruit and Vegetable Producers51659 Words   |  207 PagesAn evaluation of an on-farm food safety program for Ontario greenhouse vegetable producers; a global blueprint for fruit and vegetable producers A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Graduate Studies Of The University of Guelph by Benjamin J. Chapman In partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science February, 2005 ( Benjamin Chapman, 2005 Abstract An evaluation of an on-farm food safety program for Ontario greenhouse vegetable producers; a globalRead MoreInternational Management67196 Words   |  269 PagesInternational Management—Revisited Summary of Key Points Key Terms Review and Discussion Questions Internet Exercise: Finding Out What Makes Fujitsu Tick In the International Spotlight: Poland You Be the International Management Consultant: Go East, Young People, Go East 297 298 298 298 299 300 301 9 Entry Strategies and Organizational Structures The World of International Management: From Matrix to Customer-Centric Management at ABB Entry Strategies and Ownership Structures Export/Import WhollyRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesSociology 14 †¢ Anthropology 14 There Are Few Absolutes in OB 14 Challenges and Opportunities for OB 15 Responding to Economic Pressures 15 †¢ Responding to Globalization 16 †¢ Managing Workforce Diversity 18 †¢ Improving Customer Service 18 †¢ Improving People Skills 19 †¢ Stimulating Innovation and Change 20 †¢ Coping with â€Å"Temporariness† 20 †¢ Working in Networked Organizations 20 †¢ Helping Employees Balance Work–Life Conflicts 21 †¢ Creating a Positive Work Environment 22 †¢ Improving Ethical Behavior 22