Need ideas for an essay

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:27 pm

I have to write a compare and contrast type of essay and I'm stumped. I do not want to do anything sports related as my instructor is a female and I am not sure she likes football or any sport for that matter.

I want something somewhat original but I am having trouble thinking of anything. I've written 4 essays and my brainstorming powers are damaged by over use. Anyone have any unique interesting ideas that could point me in the right direction?

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:52 pm

Is it JUST a compare and contrast essay and you have to pick the topic or is there something she may be looking for?

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:05 pm

She is only looking for the technique in which it is written. The idea for and the ideas contained are 100% up to me.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:27 pm

What things interest you? What things will make it easier for you to do a compare/contrast piece?

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:57 pm

There was a blonde girl sitting three chairs away from me in 10th grade english who was failing the class. Teacher told her to do an essay for extra credit, she jumped all over the mexican guy in the first row.
Thank you. You've been a great audience.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:58 pm

Two ideas that I would love to write about IF I had the time:

1) We eat what we are and we are what we eat. The role of food to shape culture and how culture shapes our food. For example, I would love to compare how differnt the food and culture in the Chesapeake Bay region is differnt than, say, Texas or Tennesee. Can you say something about a society based on the way they eat? Does geography shape the dishes? I just had some great crab cakes and crab filled trout (not in season, I know) in Maryland last week. But the way to cook tells you something more about the people than most think. Time, effort and flavour (as in New Oreans or the Carolinas) speak volumes. My hobbies are cooking and fishing.

2) Same as above but between regional music and culture. Do we really shape blue grass because the way we are or blue grass shapes us the way blue grass is, or both, for eaxample.

BernieSki · Post by **BernieSki** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:06 pm

Compare and contrast two of your favorite restaurants.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:07 pm

Like Ponderosa v. White Castle.
(She's a young Mom.)

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:14 pm

How about the experience of being a parent and the lessons that raising kids teach us (the tough ones and the good ones)? What have we been able to learn that we do not feel we would have learned if we did not have kids?

I thought you really may want to write on something that interests you and makes you think but you do not have to do much research on. :idea:

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:06 pm

Compare the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln and George W. Bush.

Both Republican presidents, one who was responsible for signing the Emancipation Proclaimation and leading the country during our own civil war.

The other responsible for leading our country during a time of war, and verginig on civil war in another country.

Or you could compare Lincoln and Kennedy, both assassinated, and both given credit for making strides for civil rights.

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:49 am

tcwest10 wrote:There was a blonde girl sitting three chairs away from me in 10th grade english who was failing the class. Teacher told her to do an essay for extra credit, she jumped all over the mexican guy in the first row.
Thank you. You've been a great audience.

Dude, thats pretty funny I don't think anyone got it. ROTFALMAO

tazlah · Post by **tazlah** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:37 am

Redskin in Canada wrote:How about the experience of being a parent and the lessons that raising kids teach us (the tough ones and the good ones)? What have we been able to learn that we do not feel we would have learned if we did not have kids?

I thought you really may want to write on something that interests you and makes you think but you do not have to do much research on.

Along the same lines...

Compare and contract different parenting styles: Example, many parents are trying to raise their kids differently than how we/they were raised, in that they are trying to minimize boundaries, and allowing technology to "babysit" their kids, and trying to be their kids' "friend" -- and as such, are failing miserably! Other parents are providing boundaries and rules, and working hard to keep their kids active (mind, body, spirit); not trying to be a friend, but concentrating instead on being a parent... This is a tried and true method which usually works. My 2 cents

Hooligan · Post by **Hooligan** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:41 am

You could compare/contrast popular movies today versus popular movies from years ago. The popularity of different movie genres in America tend to follow current events and the needs/fears of people of the time.

For example: science fiction movie makers often hide controversial themes in their movies. Communism used to be a popular buried theme. Some actors got blacklisted because of their roles in a few of them. During the cold war you had movies where the "threat" came from the sky. This was a time when space travel was getting going and the Russians had a satellite over our heads. Also, The Blob was a RED mass that consumed and grew without stopping. See any themes? Can you see anything in today's movies?

Compare/contrast example: In the original War of the Worlds, the threat came from the sky as most did, but in today's "modern remake" the threat was buried here all along, under our noses... just a random artistic change to freshen the movie, or is there a theme there? Similar threat, different origin.

You could go anywhere with such movies and what's going on today versus in the not so distant past. Have fun with it.

Hooligan · Post by **Hooligan** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:48 am

One more idea. Diversity in the classroom is pretty big anymore. You could compare the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust to other incidences of genocide elsewhere in the world, like ancient Japan for instance. There is a LOT of material to draw from and a lot of different directions to take it. Depending on how long you want your essay to be, you can aggressively tackle the issues of religion, culture, race (and the definition of "race"), psychology, who started it, how they got people to follow, etc.

Whatever you choose to write about, good luck!

I had a lot of coffee this morning.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:52 pm

Essay, ese...whatever. (rimshot)

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:51 am

Crazyhorse/Thiaphoon

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:36 am

I went with an essay inspired by Taz. I did stay at home mothers versus working mothers. Not much research involved because I've been on both ends of the spectrum. And although I like all of the ideas you guys came up with, I'm not sure I want to delve into anything quite so serious for a 250 word essay. I already have trouble keeping it short. lol Thanks so much though guys. I'm writing all of those down for later in the semester.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:11 pm

NikiH wrote:I went with an essay inspired by Taz. I did stay at home mothers versus working mothers. Not much research involved because I've been on both ends of the spectrum. And although I like all of the ideas you guys came up with, I'm not sure I want to delve into anything quite so serious for a 250 word essay. I already have trouble keeping it short. lol Thanks so much though guys. I'm writing all of those down for later in the semester.

Sure, she now gets ALL the credit. How much of that A+ are you going to share with her?

I say this was a biased choice based on gender bias. Sure the topic is about a working MOM, suggested by another WOMAN, on women's issues. Men are people too, you know? Why do I just feel discriminated against and overlooked? :cry:

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:57 am

Redskin in Canada wrote:I say this was a biased choice based on gender bias. Sure the topic is about a working MOM, suggested by another WOMAN, on women's issues. Men are people too, you know? Why do I just feel discriminated against and overlooked?

Because you are a weenie.

EA7649 · Post by **EA7649** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:29 am

compare the redskins and whatever she likes shed prb like that

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:02 pm

tcwest10 wrote:Because you are a weenie.

No, I am a Redskin fan, not a Puke fan. I think you are confused.