Comparing and contrasting is something we do every single day. We compare prices on luxury items we want to buy, ingredients in food products, and movies in which our favorite actor or actress stars. We can't escape this form of analysis.
Learning how to write about the things we are comparing or contrasting can be a bit tricky however. There are some definite rules. We can make our comparisons (and our contrasts) in one of two ways: point by point (color of A & B, the cloth used for A & for B, and the cost of A compared to B) or we can fully discuss item A and then fully discuss item B. Remember that comparing means showing how two or more things are the same, while contrasting means showing how those same things are different.
Your writing assignment: Select your topic from #1, #5, or #6 on page 135. Then write a compare and contrast paragraph based on the selected topic.
My response:
While I am still a mom and a teacher, my life today and my life five years ago are substantially different. Five years ago my daughter was living at home and attending high school. I was working at a middle school about seven miles away. I drove her to school in the morning and then proceeded on to my school. When my teaching day was over, I picked my daughter up and we drove home together. That afternoon drive was the highlight of our day; it was the time to share everything about our day as we made our way home. Working at the middle school was the only teaching assignment I had so I was free to spend time in pursuits that pleased the entire family. Now, however, things are quite a bit different. My daughter is living in her own apartment in Gainesville, where she has successfully completed four years of college, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in English, and a minor in the German language and a minor in zoology. We don't commute together anymore, and therefore our level of communication has slipped some, which makes us both very sad. In addition, I am no longer teaching middle school; I have finally graduated to high school. I am also teaching at the Palm Beach Gardens campus of our local college, so all my free time is spent grading papers and revising my lessons for interest. Time for myself? Not anymore!
Your turn: Post by the 19th at 5:00 p.m.
L. Spann
ReplyDeleteWriting Assignment pg.135
Me, and my family live in a gated community, where it’s peaceful, and quiet. We have free access to the gym, computers with internet available, and even to the swimming pool. But, what I love the most is that, me and my children goes to different gatherings the facility have for family fun and that’s one of our special moment to bond and get more closer as a family ought to. Thinking ten years back, me and my family was living in a one bedroom apartment. We shared one mailbox with the entire building. We was surrounded by violence everyday people being arrested, mother abandon their children leaving them crying for help or food while they’re in the streets at night, loud music vibrating our windows as they drive by, and even homeless people laying out in the hallway moaning, and groaning for food or drugs all night long begging. The moment I’ll always remember is when we had dinner. We set around the table and my sons lead us in prayer, following that, we’ll discuss our dreams, concerns, and goals in life. Do I worry about a better place? No, not like I use to, because dreams will come true if you believe.
I have lived in New-york city and here in south Florida and they are different and similar in ways. The similar things about the two locations are both large states which is comfortable for me since the only small place I would live is on a Island. Florida and New york are major vacation spots, Florida for it's beaches and sunshine and New york for it's famous Manhattan skyline, Liberty island and Ellis island. New york on the other hand has a lot more traffic mostly in the city and I dealt with a lot more Rats and mice than in Florida. I took the train or bus when I needed to get from borough to borough but sadly on the other hand in Florida I have to drive everywhere. Florida is a peninsula with many beaches I enjoy and New york is loud and fast paced always as the city that never sleeps. The one great thing they have in common is that the two states are located in the great United States of America.
ReplyDeleteMy life today, and my life 5 years ago share similarities but show some drastic changes. If my life were a movie and I could rewind it 5 years, you would see the basically the same man in phyiscal appearance, minus some hair, but a totally different man spritualy and emotionally. The last 5 years have had lessons that were only learned through heartbreak and failure. These experiences gave me the oppurtunity to find out a lot about my self and make changes in my life to become a better person. There have been some material changes as well, I no longer sleep on my Aunt's couch, I have a place of my own. I no longer ride the bus, I have a car that I just purchased. The last 5 years have a been filled with tremendous growth, and some set backs along the way, but none the less I would change a thing.
ReplyDeleteCompare and Contrast shopping at two different discount stores. Ross and Marshall sells the same types of iteams. Certian types of iteams youll find at Ross sells for a lesser price than Marshall.On the other hand, Marshall have better quality of things than Ross. For example, Ross texture of clothes feels tough like a tiger skin rather than Marshall, it texture of clothes have a softer tough like a bear.Therefore, when i need a cheaper and less quality of things ill go to Ross,and when i need something that is nice and have good quality ill go to Marshall.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between my life today and my life five years ago is immence to say the least.There are huge differences in my entire life style. To begin with five years ago I was married to lovely woman that I was sure I would be with for the rest of my life,however; we discovered things about one another that led to a sepperation and eventualy a divorce. Today I live in my own home by myself, and I am comfortable that way.I live in a new place now, and I have new friends,and yes, my old friends are still around, but I just don't see them as much as I use to. I am in school today and that is a big change also. I never would have thought of myself as a student five years ago.I was always onto some great new adventure that I thought would keep me to busy for school. Some major ghanges have taken place over the past five years, and I think they have all been for the better.
ReplyDeleteLiving in two completely different places can definitely make change exciting. I lived most of my life in New Jersey and moved down to South Florida when I was 19. What can I really say about New Jersey, besides it’s a completely different universe. The people are wonderful there but definitely much different from southerners; in all honesty southerners are a lot nicer. Not only are the people different but obviously the weather is a huge difference. As much as I loved and miss the four seasons, I don’t mind living in a sunny, warm environment like Florida, all year round. As you can tell, I had my time in jersey and appreciate it because it’s where I grew up but I would never leave this beautiful sunshine state to go back north.
ReplyDeleteComparing ang Contrasting at discounting stores. Me,and my cousin always shop at department stores. But, two of our favorites i would have to say is TJMAX and Marshalls. They are different but similiar in prices. The similiar things about both stores are they have similiar clothes and shoes. Which is a great ordel for us. Because when one store doesn't have we shop at the other. Marshalls may have a blouse for ten dollars but TJMAX may have it marked on clearance for eight dollars. TJMAX closes their store at 9:00 pm but Marshalls have a advantage to stay open a little later for their customers. Comparing prices when you shop helps you save money and you dont have to be at the crazy mall with all the crowd. I would truely have to say that I love shopping and I bargin shop alot so it makes my life a little at ease
ReplyDeleteCompare and Contrast two different places you lived...
ReplyDeleteI came to Jupiter from Miami and I cant even begin to tell you how different it is. Jupiter to me is more about what you drive and where you live other than in Miami its about culture and diversity. I am more of a city person so of coarse i would rather be in Miami then anything else. The only thing to me that they have in common is that my family lives in both. The one and maybe only thing in Jupiter that I like is at night when it's so quiet and a lot safer than Miami. But in the end there is no other place where I would want to be than Miami where most of my family is and just somewhere where I feel is home.
I was born July 8 which makes me a cancer. Cancer has the symbol of a crab, as you might know crabs walk backwards. Since i'm a cancer I have to live up to my symbol and walk backwards. Perfect example; five years ago 2006 I began my day by taking a shower and brushing my teeth by 6am afterwards I would pick up my Nextel radio and tell my crews where to make the deliveries too and what jobs to do first. All this was done while I headed to the pancake house in wellington where I ordered eggs over easy, country potatoes, bacon, sausage, fresh orange juice and a glass of milk. After eating my delicious breakfast my quest would continue with meetings, supervising my guys, delivering backorders, invoices and collecting checks. It seems easy; I must stress the fact that this job is stressful because people never want to pay backorders and no matter how many times you tell someone how to do the job they never do it the way they are told. People tend to always ask the if's and why's.I loved to tell them if you knew why you would have your own business. 2011 even though I start my day the same I don’t have my own business any more, instead I go to school full time and I work weekends selling heating pads at home shows stress free. Like a crab now I’m walking sideways. To be continue.
ReplyDeleteThinking about my life today in addition to 11 years ago are completely diffferent. I can remember 11 years ago staying at home with my brothers and mother with no financial worries at all whereas of now bills are all I worry about. Back then I didn't have a mortgage, insurance, electricity I was oblivious to all those things, but now I find myself calculating my checks looking at what check is paying what. 11 years ago the kitchen was the place I would go if I needed to put away dishes after eating and grabbing a coke, however now the kitchen is where I'm constantly cleaning dishes and cooking for the family. Back in those days I would pick up my friends and we'll drive as far as Orlando just for fun, however now I find myself thinking twice about taking my car anywhere because the price of gas. 11 years ago compared to now I was stress free living off my parents, but now I find myself a parent with responsibilities and much more worries. That's life as we know it; can't wait to see how it is another 11 years from today.
ReplyDeleteSo often, I think about my life in Russia and today, in USA.I compare choices of education in both of this countrys.Several years ago,when I was studyed in school back home,children did't have much choices for schooles.Everyone finishing publick school and then go to college or univercity they can get to.Peope in States,can choose any education,from private school to a publick school anyware of the states.However,now Russia start change their vision for education,so people can go to a different citys,or even to a different countrys and be able to have a choice of school and life style.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how two different places can be similar and different. I lived in Florida and Peru. They compare in ways such as when it is summer in both countries and most major cities are located on the coast line, everyone likes to go to the beach to have some fun. Also, both of these places have a friendly atmosphere when meeting and greeting people. On the other hand, they differ in ways as in Florida almost throughout the year it is sunny while Peru is mostly cloudy. The architecture in Florida is spread out, where in Peru it is closed in. And in Florida one needs a car to transport themselves to point A to Point B, but in Peru someone can wait on the side of the street to wait for a taxi driver to pick them up. As where I would live? I like to live in Florida because of its warm and sunny days.
ReplyDeleteMy respond O, John
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved to south Florida, I lived in Miami for the first few years. I never saw such a crazy place like Miami. The peoples are acting crazy, the streets are dirty. I said to myself, no dot; this is totally a different world from the one I used to live. In fact they transportation was better than West Palm Beach. However; I had lived there for 2 years than I moved to West Palm Beach, FL which is a much comfortable places then Miami Fl. I have been living in West Palm Beach for a little over 15 years. I enjoy the environment much better then Miami. The traffic here is much nicer then Miami. I live in West Palm Beach because it’s nicer and it easier for me to get a better paying job then Miami.
Five years ago when I was sixteen years old life was so easy and simple. I lived in Lake Worth Florida, and went to John I Leonard high school. Where I played sports and was inn the marching band. I had my first job a little after I turned sixteen at a motor cycle shop called cycle gear. Looking at my life now five years later I graduated from high school and is now living in Palm Beach Florida. After taking some time off from school and just working and paying bills, I was ready to go back to school. Now I have no time on my hand, working, college and paying bills! I wish I could go back and be sixteen again.
ReplyDelete