Running head; COMPARISON
COMPARISON 6
Yuechun Yang
Shuyuan Liu
ESL15-SEC18
Feb. 20. 2019
Do buildings in Campuses communicate a message?
Buildings in an institution can be used to communicate a particular message to its students, staff, and visitors. Penn State University landmarks are comprised of buildings, land areas and other objects that symbolize its history and architectural heritage. There are various ways in which a building in a University communicates a message by the design in which they are building. For example, the Penn State University Pattee Library facilitates learning for the students while the Hub center provides students with opportunities in social responsibility, learning, volunteerism, leadership and student employment. Pattee Library and the Hub have different histories, functions, and architectural styles that show its differences in the world of academics and that of community life.
Penn State University Library was located at the Old Main building. It originally consisted of 1500 books for sciences and agriculture. The Library was then moved to Carnegie Building that provided 50,000 book capacities. The library collection had further grown by the year 1904 to 150,000, which was then permanently moved to Pattee Library Building. Pattee Library was then renovated in the year 1990s and in 2000. The library currently consists of more than 5.4 Million Volumes, which depicts the growth of the institution over time, and its history as well because of naming it after renowned people in history. Pattee Library was named after Fred Lewis Pattee who was the first professor of American literature studies. Pattee Library was constructed by the renowned architect Charles Z. Klauder. It was founded before the Hub which portrays how Penn State University puts academics first in a student’s life. In contrast, Penn State University set up a cultural center in the year 1972. Before the year the Black cultural center used to be center where African American students practiced their cultural heritage. The black cultural center was supported by Penn State University to minimize cultural shock that affected the black students.
The Pattee library has expanded 3 times, which involved the construction of the Stacks, West Pattee, and East Pattee in the year 1973 while the Hub center did not involve lots of expansions. The expansion included the Paterno Library. The expansion of Pattee and Paterno Library helps ensure that services meet the changing environment of teaching, learning, and research for the students. Expansion of this library means the students will be in a position to advance their group studies, improve movements in the libraries and create a state of art that is essential for teaching research and learning. Plenty of entrances within the University library facilitate movement of students in and out of the library for minimal disturbance. On the other hand, the renovation of the Hub took place .
1. Running head; COMPARISON
COMPARISON 6
Yuechun Yang
Shuyuan Liu
ESL15-SEC18
Feb. 20. 2019
Do buildings in Campuses communicate a message?
Buildings in an institution can be used to communicate a
particular message to its students, staff, and visitors. Penn State
University landmarks are comprised of buildings, land areas and
other objects that symbolize its history and architectural
heritage. There are various ways in which a building in a
University communicates a message by the design in which they
are building. For example, the Penn State University Pattee
Library facilitates learning for the students while the Hub center
provides students with opportunities in social responsibility,
learning, volunteerism, leadership and student employment.
Pattee Library and the Hub have different histories, functions,
and architectural styles that show its differences in the world of
academics and that of community life.
Penn State University Library was located at the Old Main
building. It originally consisted of 1500 books for sciences and
agriculture. The Library was then moved to Carnegie Building
that provided 50,000 book capacities. The library collection had
further grown by the year 1904 to 150,000, which was then
2. permanently moved to Pattee Library Building. Pattee Library
was then renovated in the year 1990s and in 2000. The library
currently consists of more than 5.4 Million Volumes, which
depicts the growth of the institution over time, and its history as
well because of naming it after renowned people in history.
Pattee Library was named after Fred Lewis Pattee who was the
first professor of American literature studies. Pattee Library
was constructed by the renowned architect Charles Z. Klauder.
It was founded before the Hub which portrays how Penn State
University puts academics first in a student’s life. In contrast,
Penn State University set up a cultural center in the year 1972.
Before the year the Black cultural center used to be center
where African American students practiced their cultural
heritage. The black cultural center was supported by Penn State
University to minimize cultural shock that affected the black
students.
The Pattee library has expanded 3 times, which involved the
construction of the Stacks, West Pattee, and East Pattee in the
year 1973 while the Hub center did not involve lots of
expansions. The expansion included the Paterno Library. The
expansion of Pattee and Paterno Library helps ensure that
services meet the changing environment of teaching, learning,
and research for the students. Expansion of this library means
the students will be in a position to advance their group studies,
improve movements in the libraries and create a state of art that
is essential for teaching research and learning. Plenty of
entrances within the University library facilitate movement of
students in and out of the library for minimal disturbance. On
the other hand, the renovation of the Hub took place in the year
1999. Robeson Centre was moved to a new building and
partnered with Hub-Robeson Centre Complex. The cultural
center emphasized the diversity in historic, current and the
future of African American culture. It also increased the
diversity of students in their cultures thus minimizing racism.
Renovation of the Hub-Robeson building is a reimage of a core
area in the University. It also depicts an evolution of the role of
3. the campus center for the students outside their classroom.
A library in an institution has historically been seen as a
Universities repository of knowledge and always a gateway to
human knowledge. The idea of a library as a source of
knowledge in an institution places itself in a position as an
asset, thus affecting its architectural style of construction.
Library spaces were designed for fluidity, versatility,
convertibility, scalability, and modifiability. Designing the
libraries in this manner provides a dynamic space that serves
the next generations. The Library portrays a learner-centered
space: it consists of windows where students can view outside,
natural daylight, robust internet network’s that facilitates
sharing of media, smooth and flat floor for efficient
arrangement of furniture. It also has adjustable lighting that
facilitates group discussions, video recording and video
presentation. The Library has plenty of entries that are
connected to other buildings thus making it accommodate the
crowds. Connecting the library with other building enables
students to meet informally such as the Hub. The stairwell and a
two-story enclosed atrium that is connected to the ground floor
and an expanded elevator necessitates pedestrian flow in the
building. The grass lawns and trees provide a cooling effect for
students to study. On the other hand, The Hub-Robeson Atrium
acts as a focal point with a 5400 sq.ft of the skylight. Students
designed ways in which the Hub could be instrumental in their
success and future roles as leaders. The undulating glass and
steel canopy provides the complex with an energized and
existing profile which beckons a student to enter and get
involved in those activities taking place at the center. The
design was inspired by the campus context. Also, its network of
pathways facilitates movement to the building. Its space in an
urban nexus portrays the importance of the building in student,
academic and campus life. The design grows from the main
square and a gathering under the glazed roof that is open daily
for students, to break the monotony of class work. There exists
a variety of objects that depict the importance of diversity in
4. the institution. The Hub is also near a series of zones that are
connected in a logical manner to enhance flow in the building.
The high- performance glazing systems for the skylights and the
windows provide affluent performance that reduces solar gain,
making students enjoy a subtle environment, and to add to the
aesthetic view. The design portrays to the University how the
Hub plays an important role in student success in the future.
What’s more, equipped with plenty of food stores, bookstores,
banks, and other facilities, Hub offers a great opportunity for
students to rest and involve in activities out of curriculum.
Students are able to engage in clubs, blood donations, music
shows, which diversify their lives.
Comparison of the two building depicts how Penn State
University values academics and cultural diversity. Their
architectural designs, functions and histories portray the
uniqueness of the two buildings’ importance to the school.
References
Gund Partnership. (2018). Hetzel Union Building
(HUB)/Robeson Center. Retrieved from
https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/hetzel-
union-building-hub-robeson-center
Paul Robeson Cultural Center. (2015). Paul Robeson Cultural
Center - History. Retrieved from
https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/cultural/prcc-history
Library News. (2019). Penn Sate University Libraries. Retrieved
from https://libraries.psu.edu/libraries2020/atrium
Penn State University Libraries. (2019). General Information.
Retrieved from https://libraries.psu.edu/about/general-
information/history
Running head; COMPARISON
5. Yuechun Yang
Shuyuan Liu
ESL15-SEC18
Feb. 20. 2019
COMPARISON 2
Do buildings in Campuses communicate a message?
Buildings in an institution can be used to communicate a
particular message to its
students, staff, and visitors. Penn State University landmarks
are comprised of buildings, land
areas and other objects that symbolize its history and
architectural heritage. There are various
ways in which a building in a University communicates a
message by the design in which they
are building. For example, the Penn State University Pattee
Library facilitates learning for the
students while the Hub center provides students with
opportunities in social responsibility,
learning, volunteerism, leadership and student employment.
Pattee Library and the Hub have
different histories, functions, and architectural styles that show
6. its differences in the world of
academics and that of community life.
Penn State University Library was located at the Old Main
building. It originally
consisted of 1500 books for sciences and agriculture. The
Library was then moved to Carnegie
Building that provided 50,000 book capacities. The library
collection had further grown by the
year 1904 to 150,000, which was then permanently moved to
Pattee Library Building. Pattee
Library was then renovated in the year 1990s and in 2000. The
library currently consists of more
than 5.4 Million Volumes, which depicts the growth of the
institution over time, and its history
as well because of naming it after renowned people in history.
Pattee Library was named after
Fred Lewis Pattee who was the first professor of American
literature studies. Pattee Library was
constructed by the renowned architect Charles Z. Klauder. It
was founded before the Hub which
portrays how Penn State University puts academics first in a
student’s life. In contrast, Penn
State University set up a cultural center in the year 1972.
Before the year the Black cultural
7. center used to be center where African American students
practiced their cultural heritage. The
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
You need more effective topic sentence for this body paragraph.
Remember that a topic sentence contains a main point and
previews the content of a body paragraph. Do you think this
sentence here could serve as a good summary of the main
content of the paragraph?
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
built
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
Good categorization!
COMPARISON 3
black cultural center was supported by Penn State University to
minimize cultural shock that
affected the black students.
The Pattee library has expanded 3 times, which involved the
construction of the Stacks,
West Pattee, and East Pattee in the year 1973 while the Hub
center did not involve lots of
expansions. The expansion included the Paterno Library. The
8. expansion of Pattee and Paterno
Library helps ensure that services meet the changing
environment of teaching, learning, and
research for the students. Expansion of this library means the
students will be in a position to
advance their group studies, improve movements in the libraries
and create a state of art that is
essential for teaching research and learning. Plenty of entrances
within the University library
facilitate movement of students in and out of the library for
minimal disturbance. On the other
hand, the renovation of the Hub took place in the year 1999.
Robeson Centre was moved to a
new building and partnered with Hub-Robeson Centre Complex.
The cultural center emphasized
the diversity in historic, current and the future of African
American culture. It also increased the
diversity of students in their cultures thus minimizing racism.
Renovation of the Hub-Robeson
building is a reimage of a core area in the University. It also
depicts an evolution of the role of
the campus center for the students outside their classroom.
A library in an institution has historically been seen as a
Universities repository of
9. knowledge and always a gateway to human knowledge. The idea
of a library as a source of
knowledge in an institution places itself in a position as an
asset, thus affecting its architectural
style of construction. Library spaces were designed for fluidity,
versatility, convertibility,
scalability, and modifiability. Designing the libraries in this
manner provides a dynamic space
that serves the next generations. The Library portrays a learner-
centered space: it consists of
windows where students can view outside, natural daylight,
robust internet network’s that
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
This body paragraph too needs more effective topic sentence.
COMPARISON 4
facilitates sharing of media, smooth and flat floor for efficient
arrangement of furniture. It also
has adjustable lighting that facilitates group discussions, video
recording and video presentation.
The Library has plenty of entries that are connected to other
buildings thus making it
10. accommodate the crowds. Connecting the library with other
building enables students to meet
informally such as the Hub. The stairwell and a two-story
enclosed atrium that is connected to
the ground floor and an expanded elevator necessitates
pedestrian flow in the building. The grass
lawns and trees provide a cooling effect for students to study.
On the other hand, The Hub-
Robeson Atrium acts as a focal point with a 5400 sq.ft of the
skylight. Students designed ways in
which the Hub could be instrumental in their success and future
roles as leaders. The undulating
glass and steel canopy provides the complex with an energized
and existing profile which
beckons a student to enter and get involved in those activities
taking place at the center. The
design was inspired by the campus context. Also, its network of
pathways facilitates movement
to the building. Its space in an urban nexus portrays the
importance of the building in student,
academic and campus life. The design grows from the main
square and a gathering under the
glazed roof that is open daily for students, to break the
monotony of class work. There exists a
11. variety of objects that depict the importance of diversity in the
institution. The Hub is also near a
series of zones that are connected in a logical manner to
enhance flow in the building. The high-
performance glazing systems for the skylights and the windows
provide affluent performance
that reduces solar gain, making students enjoy a subtle
environment, and to add to the aesthetic
view. The design portrays to the University how the Hub plays
an important role in student
success in the future. What’s more, equipped with plenty of
food stores, bookstores, banks, and
other facilities, Hub offers a great opportunity for students to
rest and involve in activities out of
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
What do you mean here?
COMPARISON 5
curriculum. Students are able to engage in clubs, blood
donations, music shows, which diversify
their lives.
Comparison of the two building depicts how Penn State
University values academics and
12. cultural diversity. Their architectural designs, function and
histories portray the uniqueness of the
two buildings’ importance to the school.
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
Please don't forget to add at least four citations in APA format
in your final draft.
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
I think your conclusion paragraph here does not connect well
with your thesis. It seems that they are talking about different
points.
Shuyuan Liu
10500000006833584
Instead of listing all these facts about both buildings, you need
to think about how to purposefully select relevant facts to
support your points of comparison and purpose of comparison in
each body paragraph. In addition, I do think that this body
paragraph is too long which undermines the effectiveness in
conveying key ideas.
COMPARISON 6
References
Gund Partnership. (2018). Hetzel Union Building
(HUB)/Robeson Center. Retrieved
from https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/hetzel-
13. union-building-hub-robeson-
center
Paul Robeson Cultural Center. (2015). Paul Robeson Cultural
Center - History. Retrieved
from https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/cultural/prcc-history
Library News. (2019). Penn Sate University Libraries. Retrieved
from
https://libraries.psu.edu/libraries2020/atrium
Penn State University Libraries. (2019). General Information.
Retrieved from
https://libraries.psu.edu/about/general-information/history
https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/hetzel-
union-building-hub-robeson-center
https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/hetzel-
union-building-hub-robeson-center
https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/cultural/prcc-history
https://libraries.psu.edu/libraries2020/atrium
Student Name
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME- SHUYUAN LIU
DATE- SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
Class & Section Number
DO BUILDINGS ALSO SPEAK?
A building is not just about roof, walls and furniture. Every
space or building that we see around us has a story embedded in
it, a story that not everyone can extract or in better words, not
14. everyone cares to. By comparing and contrasting the two Penn
State buildings, Old Main and the Millennium Science Complex,
I plan to shed light on the stories that the two buildings are
trying to tell based on the differences in their architecture, aura
and symbolic significance. Comment by Shuyuan Liu:
Thesis statement: with information of buildings compared,
meaningful purpose of comparison, and points of comparison
applied to both buildings.
Old Main, formerly called the “Main Building,” was the first-
ever building at Penn State University. Talking about its
architectural history, it was constructed over a period of seven
years by a world-renowned architect named Charles Z. Klauder
and was finished in 1863 (Old Main, 2017). The Main Building
was constructed from limestone that was quarried from beneath
the Old Main Lawn itself in a style called “Federal Revival
Architecture” (Old Main, 2017). While the original Main
Building “housed a chapel, the President’s office, classrooms
and residential spaces for up to 400 students” (Old Main, 2017),
the Old Main we know today is a renovated version that serves
as an administrative centre. The Old Main clock tower, one of
the most recognizable features at Penn State, houses a bell
whose electric chimes are heard all over the campus. Inside Old
Main are murals and frescoes which were designed by some of
the professors as an act of “tribute to the university’s land grant
education” (Land Grant, 2015; Old Main, 2017). The
Millennium Science Complex on the other hand, was built as
recently as 2011 by a world-renowned architect named Rafael
Vinoly, with a total investment of $225M dollars (Millennium
Science Complex, n.d.). Home to both the Materials Research
Institute and the Huck Life Institutes for the Life Sciences, the
building encompasses an astounding 275,600 square-feet area
and is designed in ‘L’-shape. It is “equipped with solar devices
on its green roof terrace, quiet labs, a nano-clean room and
multiple fume hoods and biosafety cabinets” (Millennium
Science Complex, n.d.). Another important feature is the
“vibration-free buildings built underground for carrying out
15. motion sensitive experiments” (Millennium Science Complex,
n.d.).
Old Main, being an administrative building, has an intense aura.
The presence of big doors, a clock tower, the hollow globe
structure, flag posts and tall cylindrical pillars all seem to
catalyse that atmosphere further. The fact that it only has two
entries makes it somewhat opaque for its visitors and the people
around. The Millennium Science Complex on the other hand, is
surrounded by gardens, roads, other academic buildings and has
multiple entries. This makes it more approachable for its
visitors. Ironically enough, visitors are free to go inside the Old
Main building, but a special permit is required to do so in the
case of the Millennium Science Complex. One possible reason
for this irony could be the fact that Millennium Science
Complex is a research building and hence doesn’t allow visitors
to go inside without a valid permit. Old Main, on the other hand
is the heart and soul of the university and hence is open for the
faculty and students to walk in.
Old Main is identified as the heart of the university. It reflects
Penn State’s values of responsibility, excellence, leadership and
discovery and reminds us of the university’s humble beginnings.
It commemorates the hard work and perseverance that went into
elevating it to the current global level, while clinging to its
basic values at all times. The front wall of Old Main reads, “To
promote liberal and practical education”, which signifies that
the university believes in providing broad interdisciplinary
education to its students. Also, it is fascinating enough to
realize how well the name of this building syncs with its
architectural style. The Millennium Science Building on the
other hand, boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure and acts as a
centre of convergence “by allowing researchers, scientists and
students from different fields to collaborate and share their
ideas at one central location” (Millennium Sciences, 2008).The
literal meaning of the word Millennium is ‘period of thousand
years’. Therefore, naming such an important space of the
campus as ‘Millennium Science Complex’ is the university’s
16. gesture to acknowledge the fact that exponential developments
in the field of biology, technology and work space atmosphere
are the needs of the hour. And, by adopting such a modern
infrastructure it depicts how the university responds to the need
of keeping up with changing times, while still maintaining the
old buildings on the campus. It stands to symbolize the
university’s development and how the collaboration of modern
technologies and working space can exponentially benefit the
field of research and advances.
In conclusion, the architecture, design and the history of every
building symbolize something unique. They possess a
characteristic vibe and seem to whisper the history they have
seen. They symbolize the changing times and the values of the
society. But it is on the visitor to comprehend the language they
speak! (828 words)
References
PennStateMRI. (2008, October, 21). Millennium Science
Complex. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ahbeNnp8A&feature=play
er_embedded
The Pennsylvania State University (2015). The Land-Grant
Frescoes. Retrieved from:
https://www.psu.edu/ur/about/frescoes.html
The Pennsylvania State University (n.d.). Millennium Science
Complex. Retrieved from:
https://www.mri.psu.edu/about/millennium-science-complex
Old Main (Pennsylvania State University). (2017). Retrieved
September 24, 2018 from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Main_(Pennsylvania_State_U
niversity)
17. Planning Worksheet for Campus Space Comparison Essay
Your Name: Yuechun Yang
Class Section: ESL 15 -SEC18
It is a good idea to choose locations that are related to your
major or are places that you walk by a lot, but they could be any
building on campus that sparks your interest.
1. The buildings or campus spaces I plan to analyze are
a. Building/space 1: Pattee library
b. Building/space 2: Hub center
2. Go visit and take some pictures about both buildings/spaces,
what are some features/objects/spaces that make these buildings
special (please list at least 5 features/objects/spaces for each
building)? How do they construct the symbolic meaning
(symbolic meanings are meanings represented by physical
signs/objects/designs that help tell the stories, styles and
functions of the building) of the building?
a. Building/space 1:
1. Extraordinarily splendid architecture style
2. Plenty of entrances
3. Connected to other buildings
4. Spacious interior
5. Long staircase in front of the gate
6. Study room
Library is sort of a symbol of a university. So, it is supposed to
have splendid architectures and massive designs. Also, the style
of the building doesn’t fit modern style of architecture.
Therefore, we can tell it has a long history. What’s more, it has
plenty of entrances and it is connected to other building, which
means the library is designed to accommodate crowds. Also,
18. the propose of building a library is to construct a space where
students can study. As a result, it owns tons of books,
computers, and study rooms.
b. Building/space 2:
1. A few entrances
2. Center round shape
3. A huge lawn in front of the gate
4. Many restaurants inside
5. Locate in relatively the center of the university
6. Alumni hall
7. Pnc bank
8. Bookstore
9. clubs
As a center of university community life, hub offers students
quantity of opportunities of leadership, volunteerism, and
community life. So they have diverse facilities to help students
build a more meaningful life.
3. Please look up the buildings online. There is usually a
website for the departments located there, and sometimes there
are additional websites about particular buildings. Look up
more information about key terms that are related to the
building, which can be related to their functions, history,
architectural styles/design, the architect, etc. What are five
websites that you found that can help you compare these two
buildings/spaces? List these five websites below:
https://libraries.psu.edu/about/general-information/history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_State_University_Li
braries
https://libraries.psu.edu/libraries2020
https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub
https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/cultural/prcc-history
19. 4. How can these two buildings/locations be
compared/contrasted? What points of comparison can you use?
What’s your purpose in comparing/contrasting these two
buildings/spaces?
1) My purpose in comparing these two buildings/spaces:
Compare center of academics to center of community life
2) Some possible points of comparison (evaluation) I want to
analyze:
Minor point 1.1: when the two buildings are built, the persons
that are named after
Minor point 1.2: how they expanded through time
Minor point 1.3: the historical significance of two buildings
Major point 1: history
Minor point 2.1: design style of two buildings
Minor point 2.2: inspirations of two buildings
Minor point 2.3: inner space of buildings
Major point 2: architecture
Minor point 3.1: resources
20. Minor point 3.2: activities that two buildings hold
Minor point 3.3: open spaces they have
Major point 3: function
3) Based on my purpose and points of comparison, my Thesis
Statement for Comparison and Contrast essay is:
The building’s purpose decides plenty of things like
architecture, function. According to different buildings, their
resources and a lot of staff inside buildings may vary.
Major Assignment 2:
Comparison/Contrast of Two Campus Spaces
Oral Presentation and Paper
Focus: Organization, finding sources, paraphrasing research,
citing and quoting, presentation skills (oral skills and visual
design skills)
Length Requirements:
· 700-900-word paper with at least 4 sources cited
· 10-12 PowerPoint slides for a 4-minute oral presentation
Background: How do campus spaces “speak” to us? What are
the designers trying to say?
As you walk around campus, think about how the buildings and
gardens on campus are communicating messages to you. Who
are the “authors” who designed these buildings? What are the
“messages” (symbolic meaning) that the designers are trying to
send to you? Who are the “audiences” they are trying to reach?
Are they trying to persuade you to think or feel a certain way?
How do the campus designers use architecture, words, images,
21. and other kinds of objects to influence students at Penn State, to
create an effective learning environment, and to create a
comfortable atmosphere for employees?
Choosing Campus Spaces and Doing Research:
Using the Planning Worksheet, choose two PSU campus
buildings or spaces (e.g., gardens, courtyards, etc.), as guided
by your instructor, and analyze them using specific points of
comparison. Take a few photos of these buildings/spaces and
various objects located there, both inside and outside. It is also
a good idea to take a notebook with you and to spend at least 15
minutes writing down as many details as possible at these
locations. In addition, try looking up these buildings/spaces on
Google or on the Penn State website to find more information,
and also study the websites for any academic departments that
are located in those buildings. Overall, you must find four
websites, books, or articles to use as sources. The sources could
be either directly related or indirectly related to your locations
(“indirectly” means the source provides ideas that help your
analysis even though it does not mention that specific place).
To guide your research, think about these questions, as well as
other questions:
· What do the spaces look like, and why where they designed in
these ways?
· What are the different parts of these spaces?
· What kinds of symbols or messages are displayed outside and
inside the building/area?
· How does it make you feel as an observer? Why does it make
you feel this way?
· What is the history behind the name of the building/space, and
when was it built?
· Who uses these areas, and what do they use them for?
· What kinds of ethical values do these spaces communicate to
people at PSU?
· Make your own questions about the aesthetics, practicality,
22. and morality of the spaces.
Written Paper: Then organize your findings about these two
places and write a 700-900-word research paper that analyzes
both campus spaces/buildings using clearly defined points of
comparison.
This essay should have an interesting title, a brief introduction
stating your thesis, a body that applies your points of
comparison, and a brief conclusion.
Oral Presentation: At the same time, create a PowerPoint
Presentation that uses visual design to clarify the points of
comparison you are using to analyze these two building/campus
spaces. On your scheduled presentation day, you will present
the PPT in class and it will cover the same content as the essay.
Length: about 6-7 PPT slides; this is designed to be a brief, 4
minute-presentation, so you must practice your timing at home.
Due Dates:
First Draft Due on Canvas, Feb. 14th, Thursday, 2hrs before
class meeting, 1 point
Submit your PPT slides to me through Canvas, Feb. 18th,
Monday by 11:59pm, oral presentation 5 points
Final Draft Due on Canvas, Feb. 21st, Thursday, by 11:59pm, 9
points
List of Suggested Campus Spaces:
ESL015 Academic Writing
Alumni Center and Garden
Arboretum/ Botanical Garden
Beaver Stadium
Berkey Creamery
Borland Building
Bryce Jordan Center
Business Building
Childcare Center at Hort Woods
Courtyard outside of your dorm
Food court in the HUB
23. Hepper Fitness Center ("Rec Hall")
HUB Robeson Cultural Center
Huck Life Sciences Building
IM Building (Gym)
IST Building/Bridge
Kern Building first floor atrium
Lewis Katz Law Building
Millennium Science Complex
Old Main Building
Old Main Lawn (grassy area)
Pasquerilla Spiritual Center
Pattee Library Humanities Reading Room
Pattee Mall (area in front of the library)
Pattee-Paterno Library
Pegula Ice Arena
PSU Arboretum
Seating area in front of Willard
Sparks Building
Stuckeman Family Building
White Building (Gym)
Or any building or campus space you like!
Criteria
Points
Content: The ideas are well-developed, focused, and creative.
The examples support the main ideas effectively.
2.5
24. Structure/Organization: The thesis and topic sentences clearly
introduce the points of comparison that are applied. Paragraphs
are unified. The organizational pattern of either point-by-point
structure or subject-by-subject structure is clear in the essay.
2.5
APA References: For every piece of research, there is a citation.
For every citation, there is a reference in the correct format.
1
Introduction and Conclusion: The introduction introduces the
two subject matters of comparison/contrast, and contains a
thesis. The thesis briefly summarizes points of analysis and
clearly indicates a purpose. The conclusion includes a brief
summary and a “take home message,” ending with a graceful
and thoughtful sentence.
2
Grammar and Coherence: The sentences are clear, flow well,
and do not have major errors in grammar that interfere with the
meaning.
1
Comparison and Contrast Essay Grading Rubric