Unit III: Student Essay Assignment

Education Essay

Choose one of the following essay assignments.

1. Compare the similarities and differences of the American and Japanese education systems.
   
   
2. Compare the similarities and differences of two systems (for example, public and private).

Conclude with your ideas about what elements from the systems are better or what combination of factors from both systems would make the best system.

Self-check: Answer the questions while re-reading your essay. Make necessary changes in your essay to improve it. Hand in with your essay.

1. Does your thesis statement guide your essay? Does it introduce the topic and give your angle? How do you evaluate your thesis statement?
   
   
   
2. Does each paragraph support the thesis? If yes, how do the paragraphs support it or how do they tie back to it? If no, how can you change a paragraph that does not support the thesis?
   
   
   
3. Look at each topic sentence. Does it introduce the topic of the paragraph? Is it a strong sentence that gives the topic and interests the reader in the paragraph? If yes, why do you feel your topic sentences are effective? If no, what can you do to change them to make them more effective? If you talk about both the Japanese and American systems in your paragraph, is your topic sentence comparative?
   
   
   
4. Do your examples and details show the advantage or disadvantage being discussed? Do you have examples of each advantage or disadvantage illustrated? If no, what other examples and details are needed?
   
   
   
5. Do you use at least 3 quotations from the articles to support your analysis of the education systems? How did you introduce the quote? How did you express your own ideas about the quote and connect it to your main point? How do you feel quotations work in the essay (in terms of support or evidence)?
   
   
6. Did you include 5 subordinating conjunctions in your essay? How do you feel they fit into your essay? How do you feel they communicate your ideas?