Assignment
Comparing and Contrasting
Summary of the Assignment:
Task: In this assignment, you will write an essay in which you compare and contrast
two websites for their use of proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast.
Length: 900-1200 words
Graphics: You must include at least eight graphics in order to provide support for your claims in the essay
At least two graphics for proximity
At least two graphics for alignment
At least two graphics for repetition
At least two graphics for contrast
Brief Description and Strategies to Follow:
You must select two websites of the same topic or genre. In other words, you can select two banking websites, two shopping websites, two health provider websites, or something of this nature.
In the discussion topic for week 4, you will be posting your choice of two websites for this assignment.
Select two local websites or two websites involving small businesses. Do not choose sites that involve national chains or national news organizations.
For example, do not choose any of the following websites: Amazon, Walmart, Target, eBay, Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Hulu, or Netflix.
The reason is that these sites are often so professional and so similar that there is not much to say about them.
Instead, choose sites related to a hobby or interest you have, or simply choose sites that are local. The following are some ideas from previous students:
The websites for two small shopping sites
The websites for two local banks or credit unions
The websites for two local coffee shops
The websites for two churches in the area
The websites for two products (jet skis, keyboards, automotive parts, handmade furniture)
The websites for smaller organizations or government entities (local libraries, hospitals, hotels, or police departments, or pet rescue or animal sites)
It is much more interesting to pick sites that are not necessarily that polished. When choosing these types of websites, you will have more interesting points of contrast and comparison to note in your paper.
You will write at least six paragraphs:
An introductory paragraph
A paragraph on proximity
A paragraph on alignment
A paragraph on repetition
A paragraph on contrast
A concluding paragraph
Again, each paragraph will incorporate at least two graphics in order to show how each of the four areas compares and contrasts between the two websites.
Helpful Guides and Resources:
Compare/Contrast Essays by Lumen Learning
Comparing and Contrasting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
