Write a 600 – 700 word essay that contrasts your expectations of an experience with the reality of the experience. OR Option Compare or contrast yourself with a family member.

1. Write a 600 – 700 word essay that contrasts your expectations of an experience with the reality of the experience.

OR Option # 2  Compare or contrast yourself with a family member. If you choose this option, there should be a point behind your paper–not just these are some differences or similarities between my brother and me. An example of a good essay on this topic was written by a student who had a terrible mother. Her paper contrasted her own parenting style with her mother’s.

I am adding a new topic option for this semester in light of what we are all experiencing right now:

3. We have all seen how the pandemic is dividing people because of how we are reacting differently to what is happening. Think of the two people you know who are on the farthest ends of opposing views about the coronavirus (such as one who is afraid to go to the grocery store versus one who goes to parties) and write an essay that contrasts these two people’s stances. If you choose this option, a good conclusion would be to explain which side you are leaning towards.

Your essay should have an attention-grabbing introduction that ends with a thesis statement.

Each body paragraph should be based on a specific point of contrast and should develop both subjects (the imagined and the real) equally.

Your conclusion should be in a separate paragraph. It should give a satisfying ending to the paper by explaining the significance of what you’ve said earlier in the paper. For example, if you learned a lesson from the experience, you might discuss what that lesson was.

Your paper needs to be a minimum of five paragraphs, so you need at least three supporting points in the body.

As always, your paper needs to be formatted according to MLA guidelines.