Comparative Essay
Answer the prompt in a 2-3 page essay.
Compare and contrast political parties in the United States and the EU with at least 1 similarity and 2 differences.
US
Essay Checklist:
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Has a brief introductory paragraph
Includes a 1-sentence thesis that is underlined
Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence directly related to the thesis
All information within the body paragraph relates to the topic sentence
Paragraphs conclude with closing sentences
Paragraphs begin with transitional sentences or phrases
Includes a concluding paragraph that rephrases the thesis & main points
Spelling and grammar check!
EU
Comparison Essay Rubric
Full Credit
Purpose &
Supporting
Details
[30 points]
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Organization & 
Structure
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[10 points]
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Transitions
[5 points]
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Grammar &
Spelling
[5 points]
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Partial Credit
Compares & contrasts
items clearly
Uses specific examples
Only includes relevant
and accurate
information
Thorough analysis of
the examples /
explains causes and
effects
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Whole-to-whole
similarities
Whole-to-whole
differences
Similarities-todifferences
Or point-by-point
structure
Consistent order when
discussing the
comparison
Moves smoothly from
one idea to the next
Comparison and
contrast transition
words to show
relationships
Variety of sentence
structures &
transitions
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No errors in grammar
or spelling
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Limited Credit
Compares and
contrasts clearly,
but supporting
information is
general
Only includes
relevant
information
Insufficient
analysis /
explanation of
causes and
effects
Beaks
information into
one of the
structures
Does not follow
consistent order
when comparing
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Moves from one
idea to the next,
but with little
variety
Uses comparison
and contrast
transition words
to show
relationships
between ideas
1-2 errors in
grammar or
spelling that
distract the
reader
TOTAL _____/50
Minimal Credit
Compares and
contrasts clearly,
but supporting
information is
incomplete.
May include
irrelevant
information
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Breaks
information into
structure, but
some information
is in wrong
section
Some details are
not in logical or
expected order
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Some transitions
work well, but
connections
between other
ideas are fuzzy
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Transitions are
unclear or
nonexistent
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3-4 errors that
distract the
reader
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Excessive errors
that distract the
reader from the
content
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Compares or
contrasts, but
does not do both
No supporting
information, or
incomplete
information
Many details are
not in logical
order
Little sense that
the writing is
organized