This document provides guidelines for writing a contrastive analysis essay comparing linguistic aspects of English and Vietnamese. It recommends choosing a specific topic that focuses on one linguistic aspect, such as idioms or thematic progression patterns. Sample topics are provided. The essay should include an introduction with background, thesis, and research questions; a literature review of relevant studies; a methodology section; a contrastive analysis identifying similarities and differences; a conclusion; and a discussion of implications. Academic language, avoiding plagiarism, and using scholarly resources are also addressed.

1. Contrastive
Analysis
Essay Guidelines
INSTRUCTOR: LE NGUYEN NHU ANH

2. Writing The
End-of-Term Essay

3. CONTENTS
1. Choosing your topic
2. Components of the essay
3. Using academic language
4. Plagiarism
5. Using resources

4. Choosing your topic
• The TOPIC is what the essay revolves around so it needs to be
specific.
• Focus on the similarities and differences between English and
Vietanamese by examining just ONE linguistic aspect.
• Identify the languages that you compare in the topic.
• Hint: Ensure that you have the following phrase in the topic:
"English and Vietnamese" and "A contrastive analysis of", ...
• Avoid topics that are outside the comparision scope.
• Hint: Ensure that you have the following phrase in the topic: "A
contrastive analysis of", ...
• Avoid writing topics in full sentences, use Title or Phrase. If you
begin the title with a Verb, write it in the Gerund form.
• Example: “Analyzing the similarities and differences...” or “A
contrastive analysis of ...

5. Sample Topics:
• A Contrastive Analysis of Idioms about
Colors in English and Vietnamese
• An Analysis of Thematic Progression
Patterns in English and Vietnamese
Scientific Texts
• AN INVESTIGATION INTO ENGLISH AND
VIETNAMESE IDIOMS RELATED TO LOVE
• PERSUASIVE TEXTS IN VIETNAMESE AND
ENGLISH: A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS

6. Components of the essay
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Methodology
4. Contrastive Analysis
5. Conclusion
6. Implication

7. Components of the essay
1. Introduction
• Background information
• Problems identified
• Thesis statement
tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the
subject matter under discussion.
• Research questions
• Research outline

8. Components of the essay
1. Introduction
• Research question(s):
• Focus on the topic.
• Avoid questions about definitions,
descriptions, implication, factors, etc.
• Example of a simple research question:
• What are the similarities and differences between English
and Vietnamese + [the aspect you are examining]

10. Components of the essay
2. Literature Review
• Consider current knowledge related to the
topic
▪ Define concepts
▪ Contrast views
▪ Report findings of relevant studies
➢You should specify the framework you adopt
for the essay at the end of this section.
➢Do not mistake annotated bibliography with
literature review

11. Annotated Bibliography

12. Literature Review

14. Components of the essay
3. Methodology
• Provide the methods and procedures used in a
research study or experiment.
• Describe the followings:
• How you collect data (source of information,
collecting method/procedure)
• How you analyse data (approaches to the
topic [see chapters 3, 4 and 5 for more
information])
See sample here:
https://tinyurl.com/y32goe6g

15. Components of the essay
4. Contrastive Analysis
• Describe aspect in L1
• Describe aspect in L2
• Contrast to identify similarities and
differences

16. Components of the essay
5. Conclusion
• Confirm or disprove thesis statement
• Summarise answers to research
questions

17. Components of the essay
6. Implication
• Discuss the implications of findings (see
Chapter 6 for more ideas)

18. Components of the essay
Abstract
• Summarise the key ideas of the research
• Placed at the beginning of the essay

20. Using academic language
Academic language is:
➢Formal
• should not sound conversational or casual
• avoid colloquial, idiomatic, slang, or journalistic expressions in
favour of precise vocabulary
• use full forms rather than contractions
➢Objective
• unbiased, based on facts and evidence and is not influenced by
personal feelings
➢Impersonal
• don’t refer to yourself as the performer of actions (avoid “I”,
“we”, “you”
• use Passive voice
• use third person
• make things rather than people the subject of sentences

21. Plagiarism
Follow this link to read the full description of
10 types of plagiarism:
https://myassignmenthelp.com/blog/the-10-
most-common-types-of-plagiarism/

22. Warning
Your work will be checked using iThenticate. If it is detected
with plagiarism, you will fail the course.

23. Using resources
•Resources in the LMS
•Google Scholar:
•https://scholar.google.com/
•Science Direct:
•https://www.sciencedirect.com/
•Grammarly
•Discuss your ideas with me using TEAMS