Thursday, September 22, 2011

Two Sides (at least) to Everything

It's true; there are at least two sides to every story, every issue, and just about everything. And that's where comparison and contrast come into the picture.  We have to be able to look at the details and see where they are the same and where they differ if we are going to have any valid opinion of our own. So, how  do you accomplish this in a piece of writing.  Well, there are two ways to approach a comparison/contrast piece: (1) you can tell all about Thing A, and then you can tell about Thing B, being sure to line the details up in the same order, or (2) you can approach the topic one point at a time (usually with each point in a separate paragraph when you are writing an essay) discussing that point in relationship to Thing A and also to Thing B. Those transition words and phrases will keep the reader on track, so be sure to use them carefully.

Keep reading for more clarification.

Blog Assignment:  On page 135 in the textbook, select either #3, #7, or 9 and write a comparison and contrast paragraph. Be sure to provide a topic sentence.

My Response:  When I have the chance, I prefer to do my grocery shopping at Sam's Club rather than at Publix. Both Publix and Sam's Club are kept spotless, so either one of these two stores rank high on my list of favorite places to shop for everyday needs. However, while Publix seems to have a greater variety of products, all the products at Sam's (including the Member's Mark brand) are high quality products.  So, instead of having to wade through 60 different flavors or varieties of coffee at Publix, I can compare eight products before I make my decision, which saves me a lot of time. Another reason I prefer to shop at Sam's Club is that I get more product for my dollar, and this is usually true even when an item is "buy one, get one free" at Publix. For example, let's say I have chosen to buy some soup. At Publix I will pay $2.15 for a can of Healthy Select, times 6 cans, and my price is over $12.00!  On the other hand, I can buy a case of six cans for $7.99 at Sam's. And that's only one item. While I may not have the extensive variety of fresh fruit and vegetables that are available at Publix, when I purchase fruit and vegetables from Sam's I get much more for a smaller cost. I can get a pound of blackberries for $3.95 at Sam's instead of paying $4.95 for 10 ounces. It's a no-brainer for me -- when I have the chance, I shop at Sam's Club.

Your Turn:
Sign in and post your assignment in the Comment box. Preview your response so you can see what you need to correct. Make your corrections and click the Post Comment button. Please be sure to post your response no later than midnight of September 28. Remember your Engrade option is still available should you need it; look for Blog #4.

8 comments:

  1. When given the chance I elect Starbucks over Dunkin’ Donuts. The two are fine establishments that serve coffee, however, Starbucks has a nostalgic aroma that fulfills my nostril’s unnecessary needs and pricey wants. Coffee and frilly drinks are my weakness so when I want coffee I go for the best. We all have our guilty pleasures. I believe Coffee is not only a drink it is a flavor, a fashion statement, and way of life. Another reason I prefer Starbucks because they have healthier items on the menu. For people concerned with their health they are able to order a smoothie instead or perhaps purchase a fruit cup. After eating Dunkin’ Donuts I feel sick to my stomach because of the Hash Browns that are greased to perfection along with the plastic cheese inside of my breakfast burrito. The prices vary with Starbucks being the more expensive brand however you can choose to eat healthy. You can spend $6 bucks on a coffee and a food item with more nutritional facts or simply spend the same at Dunkin’ Donuts on four other items that are greasy. Another reason why I choose Starbucks over Dunkin’ Donuts is because of the moral values they support. You can donate coffee beans to support the troops in war or purchase an “ETHOS” water that donates a percentage to poor families in Third World Countries. Starbucks also cares about your health for everyone store contains a poster board of local walks/runs enabling you to support a cause such as an “AUSTISM SPEAKS’ walk, or Susan G. Komen “Race For The Cure”.

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  2. Although Costco and Publix are both grocery stores I love to shop at their selections vary from each other. Costco sells items wholesale, which is great because I like to buy more in bulk and it’s cheaper in price. At Costco they offer great prices for chicken, steaks, and pork;therefore, I usually buy larger portions of that stuff there. At Costco there is a membership fee that is applied to everyone once a year to take advantage of those discounted prices, but it’s a bargain! Publix is great for smaller items like milk, butter, or fresh vegetables to go along with the purchases I made at Costco. There is a Publix located right by my home which is a quick pit stop making it convenient. There is no membership fee for shopping at Publix, which is nice. Publix offers sales once a week starting every Thursday; however, after buying from Publix’s sales ad I do not see that much of a savings compared to Costco’s. Costco and Publix are always clean and sanitary; I’ve never had a problem with purchasing anything from their stores. I believe Costco and Publix both offer great selections on food, have comparative prices, and are conveniently close by my home for desirable grocery shopping.

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  4. Recently, I heard on NPR that Americans are considered the coolest people in the world, followed by the Brazilians, according to a certain survey. Given I have lived each half of my life in either country, and hold a citizenship for both, I feel entitled to make some comparisons: America was born from the constitution created by the Founding fathers; Brazilians first king, was sent away there from Portugal, because he was a burden to his father. Americans take the innocent until proven guilty approach; Brazilians, guilty! prove me your innocence. In another words, Americans are trusting and trustworthy, while the later is sly and more vigilant of the situation.
    Americans are hard working people, they will do what they have to; while Brazilians, more often than not, will only do it, if they have to.
    Americans are generous and compassionate givers throughout the world; Brazilians...will have their hands out knowing they are a gift to the world.
    For excelling in most of everything it does, Americans are arrogant. They only recently found out that there were other civilizations beyond their familiar surroundings. When they heard on television that we were going to invade another country. UHH?... Might as well have been another planet by the way the people and terrain looked. It could only have been compared to one of those planets seen on Star Wars, where Luke Skywalker and Chubaca visited in search of the 'force'. OH, yes! ... Brazilians?… For being ‘smarter‘ than Americans, always new where America is located. For that reason, I am here, enjoying every day what makes America the greatest country on this planet.

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  5. I think pubilx and winn dixe are two of the top grocery stores in palm beach county. I go to doth of them but the contrast is small to me. At publix the store looks alot cleaner with winn dixe the store looks run down. there is a publix about 10min from me and the winn dixe is also about 10min too. The distence is not the factor. The price is pretty much the same with milk and other stuff but I believe that publix has more choices than winn dixe. There is also a difference between the two, publix has movies you can rent from. the winn dixe I go to does not have one of those. Every time i go into publix there are tons of people walking and shopping. When i go to winn dixe there are not so many people there. I think that there are small difference between the two but if you want to shop at a great store I will recommend that you go to pubilx. Now if you go to winn dixe there is nothing wrong with that.

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  7. I am one of those individuals who do not take pleasure eating at restaurants. However, if I have no choice but to eat at a fast food restaurant, my option would be Chick fil-A rather than Burger King. For instance, most of the foods at Burger King are smoked flavored, and are greasy and weighty. In addition, Burger King’s chicken sandwich comes in a circular shape like processed meat; it is difficult to taste any chicken for it is dry, and covered in breading. On the other hand, Chick fil-A’s food has a homemade taste, are lightly seasoned, and are not fatty. For example; the Chick fil-A signature chicken sandwich is made of 100% white breast meat and cooked in refined peanut oil. Another reason I prefer Chick fil-A is their ice cream, it is to die for. Even though, I am not an ice cream lover, however, my son loves ice cream, therefore, I find myself enjoying a vanilla cone with him once in awhile. The rich flavored cream is palate pleasing; it’s not too sweet or too thick. It does not slide down your throat like molasses; it is just right. Additionally, Chick fil-A has superb customer service; no matter what location one may visit the employees are trained to be patient and treat customers with respect, unlike Burger King. If I have to eat at a fast food restaurant, I would eat at Chick fil-A

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  8. Comparison and Contrast Paragraph
    Shopping at both the well-known Sam’s Club and the local supermarket Bravo is often fun and enjoyable for me. As a result, it is my delight to admire the fresh fruits with varied colors, in the fruit bowl in my kitchen. Likewise, the sight of the yellow organic bananas in both stores is adorable. In addition, the clean smell inhaled makes it a pleasure to leave my comfortable home and go grocery shopping at these stores. Equally, the distance from my house to both Sam’s Club and Bravo supermarket are within close proximity, as a result, less fuel is used. Also, all brands are carried, so I am able to try various products such as hair sprays and shampoos. Although I like to shop at Bravo supermarket; however, my experience at Sam’s have been different.
    On the other hand, the isles are less spacious at Bravo, and it is often a challenge to maneuver the trolley through the narrow isles, while the space between isles in Sam’s can accommodate two trolleys passing each other. However, being a born Jamaican, I must have my delicious, appetizing and enjoyable Caribbean food. For example, green bananas, ackee and salt fish which is sold at only Bravo, and not Sam’s. The items sold in bulk at Sam’s can be cost effective for a large family size. For instance, it can be more economical to buy a pack of toilet tissue containing 36 rolls for a price of $18.99. But buying a single pack of the same item at Bravo would cost less; however, the larger pack at Sam’s would last for a longer time. In contrast, the shopping carts at Sam’s are newer, wider and bigger in size; therefore the wheels pull very smooth. In opposition, most times it is often a struggle to pull the empty cart, and it is even harder to steer when it is filled with grocery. Nevertheless, whether before I start to shop or after, I entertain myself by listening to the relaxing, and breathe taking Bose electronic equipment at Sam’s Club.
    Finally, with all the mentioned similarities and differences between these two discount stores, it is always a pleasure to either go by myself or with my family to Sam’s Club when I am off from work.

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