Wallace 1 Jessica Wallace Composition I Comparison Contrast Essay October 15, 2013 Cats are the Purrfect Companions: Why Cats Make Better Pets than Dogs The debate over cats versus dogs isn’t exactly a hot-button issue, but most of us probably know someone who is either a self-proclaimed cat person or dog person. Few people would deny that cats are more independent than dogs, while dogs tend to be more obedient. But which of these popular animals is really better when it comes to choosing a pet? Actually, there is no contest: Cats are better than dogs because of the noise level, the exercise requirements, and grooming habits. When it comes to noise, cats win every time. Cat owners don’t have to worry about their guests being accosted by loud barking—or worse, growling—every time they come over. Even if a canine companion isn’t acting aggressively, it will often beg for attention in a frenzy of barking, whining, and leaping at anyone who is in the room. Cats, on the other hand, are more likely to observe from afar until they are in the mood to say hello in the form of a polite “meow.” In fact, it would be safe to say that even the loudest cat is quieter than most any dog. Certainly, cat owners never have to worry about the neighbors calling to say that the cat’s hissing is keeping them awake. Aside from the potential noise level, another reason why cats make better pets than dogs is the exercise that dogs require. Imagine this scenario: Work lasted longer than expected, it’s already late, a thunderstorm is raging outside, but there is no getting around the fact that the dog needs to be walked. Find the leash, bring the poop bags, and get out the umbrella all because Fido demands a walk. Meanwhile, the cats sits patiently on the windowsill and stays dry while the dog goes out to do its business. A quick trip to the litter box is all the cat needs, and the owner can simply scoop out the Commented [SL1]: Try to create a catchy title. This two- part title (first part is more creative, second part is more straightforward) is a good way to get the reader’s attention Commented [SL2]: This paper starts with a bit of background, and then goes into the specific thesis. Commented [SL3]: Remember to underline the thesis! Commented [SL4]: This is the topic sentence of this paragraph. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence, and then the paragraph itself should elaborate on and support that topic sentence Commented [SL5]: Dashes should be used very sparingly. They are used to interject parenthetical words that you really want to emphasize. Again, do not overuse them. In this case, the writer really wanted to emphasize the fact that dogs might growl at guests, so dashes were used instead of parentheses. Commented [SL6]: This transition sentence helps the paper move smoothly from the previous topic to this one Commented [SL7]: Here are the two grammar rules for colon .

1. Wallace 1
Jessica Wallace
Composition I
Comparison Contrast Essay
October 15, 2013
Cats are the Purrfect Companions:
Why Cats Make Better Pets than Dogs
The debate over cats versus dogs isn’t exactly a hot-button
issue, but most of us probably know
someone who is either a self-proclaimed cat person or dog
person. Few people would deny that cats are
more independent than dogs, while dogs tend to be more
obedient. But which of these popular animals
is really better when it comes to choosing a pet? Actually, there
is no contest: Cats are better than dogs
because of the noise level, the exercise requirements, and
grooming habits.
When it comes to noise, cats win every time. Cat owners don’t
have to worry about their guests

2. being accosted by loud barking—or worse, growling—every
time they come over. Even if a canine
companion isn’t acting aggressively, it will often beg for
attention in a frenzy of barking, whining, and
leaping at anyone who is in the room. Cats, on the other hand,
are more likely to observe from afar until
they are in the mood to say hello in the form of a polite
“meow.” In fact, it would be safe to say that
even the loudest cat is quieter than most any dog. Certainly, cat
owners never have to worry about the
neighbors calling to say that the cat’s hissing is keeping them
awake.
Aside from the potential noise level, another reason why cats
make better pets than dogs is the
exercise that dogs require. Imagine this scenario: Work lasted
longer than expected, it’s already late, a
thunderstorm is raging outside, but there is no getting around
the fact that the dog needs to be walked.
Find the leash, bring the poop bags, and get out the umbrella all
because Fido demands a walk.
Meanwhile, the cats sits patiently on the windowsill and stays
dry while the dog goes out to do its
business. A quick trip to the litter box is all the cat needs, and
the owner can simply scoop out the

3. Commented [SL1]: Try to create a catchy title. This two-
part title (first part is more creative, second part is more
straightforward) is a good way to get the reader’s attention
Commented [SL2]: This paper starts with a bit of
background, and then goes into the specific thesis.
Commented [SL3]: Remember to underline the thesis!
Commented [SL4]: This is the topic sentence of this
paragraph. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence, and
then the paragraph itself should elaborate on and support
that topic sentence
Commented [SL5]: Dashes should be used very sparingly.
They are used to interject parenthetical words that you
really want to emphasize. Again, do not overuse them. In
this case, the writer really wanted to emphasize the fact
that dogs might growl at guests, so dashes were used
instead of parentheses.
Commented [SL6]: This transition sentence helps the
paper move smoothly from the previous topic to this one

4. Commented [SL7]: Here are the two grammar rules for
colon usage: 1. Colons should be used only after complete
sentences. In this case, we have an understood “you” as the
subject. 2. The words that follow the colon should explain,
define, or elaborate on the sentence before the colon. So in
this case, the words after the colon explain what the
“scenario” is.
Wallace 2
results. True, some people may not enjoy scooping litter boxes,
but it beats going out in a thunderstorm
to take the dog for its nightly walk.
Fortunately, scooping the litter box is one of the only things
cat owners need to worry about
when it comes to cleanliness, which brings me to the final
reason why cats are better pets than dogs:
Cats clean themselves, while dogs require baths and, depending
on the breed, regular grooming. There
is a reason why we don’t talk about a “wet cat smell.” Cats
simply do not emit bad odors like dogs do.

5. Maybe this is because cats groom themselves daily, while dogs
roll in the dirt and simply wait for their
owners to take care of their filth.
Cat lovers can surely come up with many more reasons why
their beloved pets are the better
choice when compared with dogs, but the three simple reasons
described here are evidence enough. Of
course, some people don’t mind excessive barking, nightly dog-
walking, and bathing their pet every time
it gets dirty. Then there are those of us who prefer the soft purr,
the calm demeanor, and clean fur of
the feline.
Commented [SL8]: In this essay, you might use some first
person, but do be aware that overuse of this point-of-view
can make your writing too informal. As long as you balance
the tone, some first person is okay.
Commented [SL9]: This paragraph reiterates the main
points without repeating them verbatim

6. Compare and Contrast
This writing assignment involves writing your Comparison and
Contrast essay. Once you draft your essay
and revise, you may submit it for feedback. The feedback will
help you revise the draft so you can
submit it as a final. The final version will be graded.
Option #1: The Classroom or the Web?
Which method of learning is better?
Option #2: The City or the Country?
Which is the better place to live?
Option #3: Which Vehicle is Better?
Which of two vehicles in the same class do you prefer?
Choose one of the options above and write an essay comparing
or contrasting the two topics in your
selection using EITHER the point-by-point OR the subject-by-
subject method to organize the details and
specific examples. Consider focusing on three to five subtopics
and generate ideas through prewriting.

7. Develop a strong thesis statement for your essay that both
includes your opinion (either your
preference for one topic over the other OR which topic is best
for each subtopic) as well as the specific
subtopics you used to compare or contrast the two topics in your
body paragraphs.
Sample Thesis Statements:
If you prefer one topic entirely over the other:
“Living in the city is better than living in the country because
(add reason 1), (add reason 2), and (add
reason 3).”
OR
If you believe some subtopics work best for one topic while the
other subtopics are best suited to the
other topic:
"Online learning is more (add one reason why online learning is
better) than classroom learning;
however, classroom learning (add one reason why classroom
learning is better) and (add a second
reason why classroom learning is better)."
Tips

8. Be sure to avoid beginning your comparisons or contrasts in the
introduction. The only place the
subtopics should appear in the introduction is in the thesis.
Therefore, in the introduction consider
discussing your experience with each location.
Then, in the body paragraphs remember to support your
preference(s) outlined in the thesis. For
instance, if you said you prefer the city over the country, your
comparisons or contrasts should show
evident favoritism for the city. Remember to avoid focusing on
similarities in one paragraph and
differences in another. Instead, compare or contrast the same
subtopics across the two topics.
If you choose the point-by-point structure, the topic sentence
for each paragraph should include the
paragraph’s two topics as well as your opinion. For example,
“The traditional classroom is better than an
online class for collaborative learning.” The paragraph would
compare or contrast collaborative learning
in both learning environments. If you choose the subject-by-
subject structure, the topic sentence for

9. each paragraph should include the three to five subtopics
discussed in the paragraph as well as your
opinion. For instance, “The country is so peaceful and quiet, but
it does not have many restaurant or
shopping options.”
The conclusion should sum up the specific subtopics as well as
your preference. A well-developed
paragraph often contains a minimum of five sentences.
Point-by-Point Subject-by-Subject
I. Introduction
A. Thesis
II. Subtopic 1
A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
III. Subtopic 2
A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
IV. Subtopic 3

10. A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
V. Conclusion
I. Introduction
A. Thesis
II. Topic 1
A. Subtopic 1
B. Subtopic 2
C. Subtopic
III. Topic 2
A. Subtopic 1
B. Subtopic 2
C. Subtopic 3
IV. Conclusion
Here’s an example of how you might organize using these
methods for an essay about cats versus
dogs as pets (remember, this topic is not one of the options for
this essay).

11. Point-by-Point Subject-by-Subject
I. Introduction
A. Thesis: Cats are better pets than dogs
because . . .
II. Subtopic 1: Noise level
A. Topic 1: Cats are quiet
B. Topic 2: Dogs can be noisy
III. Subtopic 2: Exercise
A. Topic 1: Cats do not have to be walked
B. Topic 2: Dogs require exercise
IV. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness
A. Topic 1: Cats groom themselves
B. Topic 2: Dogs need to be bathed
V. Conclusion
I. Introduction
A. Thesis: Cats are better pets than dogs
because . . .

12. II. Topic 1: Cats
A. Subtopic 1: Noise level
B. Subtopic 2: Exercise
C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness
III. Topic 2: Dogs
A. Subtopic 1: Noise level
B. Subtopic 2: Exercise
C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness
IV. Conclusion
The guidelines for this assignment are as follows:
Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words.
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your
writing assignment with the following
information:
• Your first and last name

13. • Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast)
• Current Date
Format:
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard 12-point font (Arial, TimesNewRoman, Calibri)
• 1” margins on all sides
• Save the file using one of the following extensions: .docx,
.doc, .rtf, or .txt