Oct 03 2008
Extended Comparison Assignment
Assignment: Write a 500-word (min - that’s about 1/2 page single spaced) extended comparison, spreading the comparison throughout. You’ll be writing about one item and comparing it to another. Make at least 4 good references to the second object. Use similees, metaphors and/or allusions.
“Good” means it adds value to the description without causing other problems as we discussed in class. If you’re unable to come up with 4 good points to compare, at least do 2 good ones and 4 okay ones. If you can’t do that, step back and pick a different set of items to compare.
Due Date: Wednesday, October 7. I’ll need two examples to read/critique on Monday (you can then revise and turn it in for your grade on Wednesday). If you’d like to use yours for this, please submit it by Sunday night.
Grading: 10 points for doing a good job = the comparison made the description more interesting and informative without confusing the readers, 15 for a great job = the comparisons added a ton of value and make it a lot more interesting. Feel free to underline each comparison.
Step by step instructions:
1. Brainstorm a list of items to make a comparison of. For ideas, begin with a list of common places and items/events/etc. you’d find there. Select one of those items.
2. Make a biiiig list of attributes of that item. Size, shape, emotional impact, value, usage, etc.
3. List a bunch of items that share *some* of those attributes. Pick something from this list to compare to the item in step 1.
4. Freewrite/brainstorm a ton of things you could say in your comparison, THEN actually write the thing out.
For even more explanation and examples, read through the “Comparison” links to the left. I haven’t yet formatted them all pretty and added images, but the info is there.
Here’s a short example: “First Born” by Anonymous
A baby is born. The baby is ours. We look carefully at our newborn. We turn it over. We hold it up to the light. We rummage through the blankets. No matter how thoroughly we look, here just doesn’t seem to be an owner’s manual.
We feel as though we have been given a new toy that is so technically advanced we have no idea what to do with it. It starts to make noise. Where is the button we push to make the noise stop? What do we do now?
We want the very best for this child. What is the “very best”?
I’ll make a homework submission form on this site and program it to show your word count. You can use the one at utahvalleyreview.com until then, or just email it to me but please NOT as an attachment. Paste it into the text of your email.