Moran Lit & Comp

Portrait Comparison and Contrast

Assignment: Write a short essay in which you compare and contrast two portraits.

Deadline: Rough draft—block one next week; final draft—block three next week.

Genre: Expository essay. Your task is to expose, or reveal the differences and similarities
you see in two portraits.

Length: At least 250 words, and not more than 500 words.

Assessment: See rubric on the reverse side of this sheet.

Models: I am giving you a model of a comparison and contrast essay, which you should
consult for matters of structure (organization of ideas). As always, though, you should
start with your ideas and develop the structure that suits them.

Rubric: See rubric on the reverse side of this sheet.

Format: Name, date and block in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. Times New
Roman, 12-point font. 1.5 or double spaced. Indent the beginning of paragraphs. Do not
skip lines between paragraphs. Your final draft must be turned in with this assignment
sheet stapled to the top.

Skills: Diction, organization, sentence structure.

 Good Fair Needs Improvement
Organization •Writer provides a •Writer provides a •Writer either does
clear and precise clear introduction. not provide an
introduction. •Writer uses introduction, or the
•Writer uses paragraphs to introduction is
paragraphs to organize his or her unclear.
logically and ideas. •Writer does not use
coherently organize •Writer at times paragraphs to
his or her ideas. uses transitions to organize his or her
•Writer correctly move between ideas.
and consistently ideas. •Writer does not use
uses transitions to transitions to move
move between between ideas.
ideas.
Sentence Structure •Writer varies •Writer attempts to •Writer does not
sentence structure vary sentence vary sentence
apprpriately. structure. structure.
•The meaning of the •The meaning of the •The menaing of
writer’s sentences is writer’s sentences is many of the writer’s
always usually sentences is
unambiguous. unambiguous. ambiguous or
•Writer fulfills all of •Writer fulfills most unclear.
the expectations on of the expectations •Writer fails to
the checklist below. on the checklist fulfill most of the
•Writer does not use below. expectations on the
run-on sentences or •Writer almost checklist below.
sentence fragments. never uses run-ons •Writer uses run-ons
or fragments. and fragments
frequently.
Diction •Writer consistently •Writer often uses •Writer uses
uses precise and precise and correct imprecise, incorrect,
correct diction to diction to convey or lazy diction to
convey his or her his or her meaning convey his or
menaing and portray and portray meaning and portray
comparison and comparison and comparison and
contrast. contrast. contrast.

The essay should include:

One compound-complex sentence in italics _______

One appositive phrase in bold _______
One participial phrase underlined _______