See attached file.
California and Ohio
Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help
you to refine skills, and demonstrate application of knowledge. You can work on a
Touchstone anytime, but you can’t submit it for grading until you have completed the Unit’s
Challenges. After you’ve submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward
your final course score.
Touchstone 2.1: Comparison/Contrast Essay
BEFORE YOU START
Consider revisiting the Writing Effective Comparison/Contrast Essays tutorial about
brainstorming and organizing comparison/contrast writing. You might find it helpful to
outline your topic choice using one of the two organization options for this
Touchstone to kick-start writing this comparison/contrast essay.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a 3-4 page (approximately 700-1000 words) comparison/contrast
essay in the informative mode. In addition, you must answer the “Think About Your
Writing” questions, described below, beneath your essay.
! Sample Comparison/Contrast Essay
●
Ready
●
Submitted
●
Graded
Touchstone whenever
you want, but you must
complete the previous
assessments in the Unit
before you can submit
SUBMIT TOUCHSTONE
Currently, it takes about 2-3 business days for a Touchstone to be graded.
UNIT 2 — TOUCHSTONE 2.1:
Comparison/Contrast Essay
-/50
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 1 of 9
In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written
specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a
Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for
more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of
generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.
CopyLeaks Originality Checker: All writing will be checked for originality. Do not use
any outside text from third party sources to complete Touchstone 2.1. Focus on
showcasing your ability to rely on common knowledge to compare two things.
A. Directions
Step 1: Choose a Topic
Begin by choosing a topic for your comparison/contrast essay. You are free to select your
own topic, or you may use one of the sample topics listed below. However, you should
choose a topic that you have some personal knowledge of so that you have sufficient
points of comparison or contrast to discuss in your essay. Avoid choosing subjects that
require extensive outside research that require citation (you will learn how to properly cite
in a later unit). Consider subjects and points that fall under “common knowledge”:
information that the average educated reader would accept without needing a source
citation to back it up.
You will need to compare or contrast two or three primary points about the two subjects
you choose to write about, resulting in an essay with either four or six body paragraphs, an
introductory paragraph, and a conclusion. The writing for this assignment should be
informative and objective, avoiding the first-person voice or any personal details that may
inform bias or personal opinion.
The following are some ideas that can help you to select a topic for your essay:
Compare or contrast two cities you’ve visited or that you’ve lived in
Compare or contrast two sources of news
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 2 of 9
Compare or contrast two singers in different music genres
Compare or contrast two historical figures
Compare or contrast two artists (e.g. two painters or two photographers)
Compare or contrast two television series
Compare or contrast two types of technologies (for example, two smartphone brands
or two gaming consoles)
Remember that the two subjects you choose should have a meaningful connection so that
you can draw comparisons or contrasts between the two.
# HINT
Topic Choice Guidance: We encourage you to choose two subjects to compare that
allow you to draw from your understanding and common knowledge about the topic.
Your thesis should convey the main idea of the essay and clearly articulate what two
topics you are comparing/contrasting. Because you are writing in the informative mode
for this essay, you should use objective language. Remember that for this essay, you
are not trying to persuade or convince the audience that one thing is better or worse
than the other; you are instead informing the reader about the similarities or
differences between the two subjects in an objective manner.
Keep in mind that no outside research is required for the writing of this essay. If you do
conduct research and use what you learn to make comparisons, make sure to avoid
plagiarism concerns by citing all sources. The following resources will be helpful to you if
you need to cite any sources:
. Purdue Online Writing Lab’s APA Formatting and Style Guide
a. This site includes a comprehensive overview of APA style, as well as individual
pages with guidelines for specific citation types.
. Frequently Asked Questions About APA Style
a. This page on the official APA website addresses common questions related to APA
formatting. The “References,” “Punctuation,” and “Grammar and Writing Style”
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 3 of 9
sections will be the most useful to your work in this course.
. APA Style: Quick Answers—References
a. This page on the official APA Style website provides numerous examples of
reference list formatting for various source types.
Step 2. Write a Comparison/Contrast Essay
Write a comparison/contrast essay that meets the following criteria:
Properly applies elements of a comparison/contrast essay using personal or common
knowledge of the subjects: Makes a clear and meaningful connection between two
subjects related to one of the writing prompts; effectively organizes body paragraphs
in one of the two prescribed ways and consistently uses transitional words or phrases
to comparison/contrast ideas. Relies on personal or common knowledge.
States the focused central claim of the essay with the clear purpose of
comparing/contrasting two subjects: Has a clear, focused, and detailed thesis
expressed in a single sentence that states the central claim of the essay; the thesis
statement effectively communicates the two subjects that will be compared or
contrasted and the two or three main points of comparison/contrast.
Exhibits competent organization, flow, and writing techniques: Includes all of the
required components of an essay, including an introduction with a strong thesis, an
adequate number of body paragraphs (4-6), each with an effective topic sentence and
a conclusion with an effective concluding statement; the sequence of sentences and
paragraphs is logical.
Establishes an informative tone and makes thoughtful choices: Demonstrates
thoughtful and effective word choices and uses a wide variety of sentence structures;
establishes a consistently objective and impersonal tone that is appropriate to an
informative essay.
Demonstrate command of standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling,
capitalization, and usage: There are few, if any, negligible errors in grammar,
punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 4 of 9
Step 3. Think About Your Writing
Below your completed narrative, include answers to all of the following reflection
questions:
. Did you use the point-by-point or block method to organize your body paragraphs?
What made you decide to organize your essay in this way (3-4 sentences)? Sophia
says: Consider the ways a comparison/contrast essay can be organized. Which
organization did you choose and why?
. In what ways did writing a comparison/contrast essay differ from the Narrative essay
you wrote in Touchstone 1? Give specific examples (3-4 sentences). Sophia says:
Consider how the structure, point of view, and purpose of the two essays differ.
. Remember that the writing process is a recursive process, and your first draft of an
essay is rarely your last. What part of the draft did you struggle with (3-4 sentences)?
Sophia says: Think about how you could improve the draft if you continued the writing
process with revision and editing.
Step 4. Review Rubric and Checklist
Your essay will be scored according to the Touchstone 2.1 Rubric, which considers required
elements for a comparison/contrast essay, the thesis statement, focus, organization, style
and tone, conventions, and answers to the “Think About your Writing” questions above.
Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your
Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
Elements of a Comparison/Contrast Essay
❒ Are there significant points of comparison or contrast between the two subjects you
have selected?
❒ Do you make clear comparisons or contrasts between the two subjects within the body
paragraphs of the essay?
❒ Are the body paragraphs organized either by point or by subject?
❒ Have you used transitional words or phrases to indicate points being compared or
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 5 of 9
contrasted?
❒ Does the essay have a clear and consistent focus of comparing and contrasting two
subjects?
❒ Does the essay maintain an informative/objective tone throughout to avoid persuading
the reader or arguing a point about the subjects compared?
❒ Does the essay rely on personal knowledge and/or common knowledge (information
that the average educated reader would accept without needing a source citation to back
it up)?
Thesis Statement
❒ Have you included a clear, focused, and detailed thesis statement?
❒ Does your thesis state the subjects to be compared or contrasted and include the two or
three points of comparison or contrast?
❒ Is your thesis a single sentence located towards the end of the introductory paragraph?
Organization
❒ Is there an introductory paragraph that contains your thesis statement?
❒ Are there four or six total body paragraphs, each with a clear topic sentence restating
the subject(s) and point of comparison/contrast?
❒ Is there a conclusion paragraph with a concluding statement?
❒ Have you used transitions to connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs?
Style and Tone
❒ Is the tone of the essay objective and informative?
❒ Have you carefully considered your word choices?
❒ Is the purpose of your essay clearly to inform rather than persuade the reader about the
similarities or differences between the two subjects?
Conventions
❒ Have you checked your essay for grammatical and mechanical errors?
❒ Have you used spell check or another method to check spelling?
Before you Submit
❒ Have you included your name, date, and course at the top left of the page?
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 6 of 9
❒ Have you completed the “Think About Your Writing” questions?
❒ Is your essay between 3-4 pages (approximately 700-1000 words)?
B. Rubric
Advanced
(100%)
Proficient
(85%)
Acceptable
(75%)
Needs
Improvement
(50%)
Comparison/Contrast
Essay Elements (15
points)
Properly apply
elements of a
comparison/contrast
essay using personal or
common knowledge of
the subjects.
Makes a clear and
meaningful connection
between two subjects
related to one of the
writing prompts;
effectively organizes
body paragraphs in one
of the two prescribed
ways and consistently
uses transitional words
or phrases to
comparison/contrast
ideas. Relies on
personal or common
knowledge.
Makes a clear
connection between
two subjects related to
one of the writing
prompts; organizes
body paragraphs in one
of the two prescribed
ways and often uses
transitional words or
phrases to
comparison/contrast
ideas. Relies on
personal or common
knowledge.
Makes a predominately
clear connection
between two subjects
related to one of the
writing prompts;
organizes body
paragraphs in one of
the two prescribed
ways and occasionally
uses transitional words
or phrases to
comparison/contrast
ideas. Ideas may be
outside the realm of
personal or common
knowledge without
attempted citation.
Makes a connection
between two subjects
related to one of the
writing prompts, but the
connection is not very
clear or lacks meaning;
attempts to organize
body paragraphs in one
of the two prescribed
ways, but organization
could use some work.
May occasionally use
transitional words or
phrases to
comparison/contrast
ideas.
outside the realm of
personal or common
knowledge without
attempted citation.
Thesis Statement (10
points)
State the focused
central claim of the
essay with the clear
purpose of
comparing/contrasting
two subjects.
Has a clear, focused,
and detailed thesis
expressed in a single
sentence that states
the central claim of the
essay; the thesis
statement effectively
communicates the two
subjects that will be
compared or
contrasted and the two
or three main points of
comparison/contrast.
Has a clear and
focused thesis
expressed in a single
sentence that states
the central claim of the
essay; the thesis
statement
communicates the two
subjects that will be
compared or
contrasted and the two
or three main points of
comparison/contrast.
Has an acceptable
working thesis that
states a claim, but it
may be somewhat
unclear or unfocused or
composed of more than
one sentence; the
thesis statement
somewhat
communicates the two
subjects that will be
compared or
contrasted and the two
or three main points of
comparison/contrast.
Has a working thesis,
but it is not clear and/or
focused and/or it does
not state a claim; the
two subjects being
compared or
contrasted and points
of comparison/contrast
may not be clearly
articulated.
Organization (10 Includes all of the Includes all of the Includes all of the Is missing one of the
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 7 of 9
points)
Exhibit competent
organization, flow, and
writing techniques.
required components
of an essay, including
an introduction with a
strong thesis, an
adequate number of
body paragraphs (4-6),
each with an effective
topic sentence and a
conclusion with an
effective concluding
statement; the
sequence of sentences
and paragraphs is
logical.
required components
of an essay, including
an introduction with a
thesis, an adequate
number of body
paragraphs (4-6), each
with a topic sentence
and a conclusion with a
concluding statement;
the sequence of
sentences and
paragraphs is
predominantly logical.
required components
of an essay, including
an introduction with a
thesis, an adequate
number of body
paragraphs (4-6), each
with a topic sentence
and a conclusion with a
concluding statement,
but some components
may be ineffective; the
sequence of sentences
and paragraphs is
somewhat logical.
required components
of an essay or most of
the components are
ineffective; the
sequence of sentences
and/or paragraphs is
frequently illogical.
Style and Tone (5
points)
Establish an informative
tone and make
thoughtful choices.
Demonstrates
thoughtful and effective
word choices and uses
a wide variety of
sentence structures;
establishes a
consistently objective
and impersonal tone
that is appropriate to an
informative essay.
Demonstrates effective
word choices and uses
a variety of sentence
structures; establishes
an objective and
impersonal tone that is
appropriate to an
informative essay, with
occasional minor
exceptions.
Demonstrates
generally-effective style
choices, but may
include poor word
choice and/or repetitive
sentence structures;
primarily establishes an
objective and
impersonal tone that is
appropriate to an
informative essay;
however, some
sections express bias
or include personal
observations.
Frequently includes
poor word choices
and/or repetitive
sentence structures;
primarily establishes a
tone that is subjective
and personal
observations and
opinions are expressed
frequently.
Conventions (5
points)
Demonstrate command
of standard English
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
and usage.
There are few, if any,
negligible errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
There are occasional
minor errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
There are some
significant errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
There are frequent
significant errors in
grammar, punctuation,
spelling, capitalization,
formatting, and usage.
Think About Your
Writing (5 points)
Reply to reflection
questions thoroughly
and thoughtfully.
Demonstrates
thoughtful reflection;
consistently includes
insights, observations,
and/or examples in all
responses; answers all
reflection questions
effectively, following or
exceeding response
length guidelines.
Demonstrates
thoughtful reflection;
includes multiple
insights, observations,
and/or examples;
answers all reflection
questions effectively,
following response
length guidelines.
Primarily demonstrates
thoughtful reflection,
but some responses
are lacking in detail or
insight; answers all
reflection questions,
primarily following
response length
guidelines.
Shows limited
reflection; the majority
of responses are
lacking in detail or
insight; answers
reflection questions
inadequately: may not
answer all of the
questions and/or may
not follow response
length guidelines.
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 8 of 9
C. Requirements
Your essay must be 3-4 pages (approximately 700-1000 words), double-spaced, with
one-inch margins.
Comparison/contrast essay guidelines must be followed or your submission will not be
graded.
Use a readable 12-point font.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment and all writing must be
appropriate for an academic context.
Use of generative chatbot artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Bard) in
place of original writing is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission should include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title
of your composition.
Submission must include both your comparison/contrast essay and your answers to
the “Think About Your Writing” questions
Include all of the assignment components in a single .doc or .docx file.
About Contact Us Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms of Use
Your Privacy Choices
© 2024 SOPHIA Learning, LLC. SOPHIA is a registered trademark of SOPHIA Learning, LLC.
1/10/24, 7:07 PM
Page 9 of 9