EC Sample Paragraph E
Prof. Bryan Alkema
Word Count: 285
'Food Choices at HGU'


    Handong University’s students, all of whom need three meals a day, have two basic options open to them: they can eat at the cafeteria or they can eat at some of the on-campus restaurants. The three main differences between eating at Handong’s cafeteria and eating at an on-campus restaurant are price, variety, and environment. The first factor, price, is important because many students don’t have a lot of money. At the cafeteria’s Korean Table outlet, students can eat as much as they would like for 3000 won. Compared to the 6000-won salads at InBreezes or a 7000-won Whopper set at Burger King, this price is very low. The second factor that is important to many students is variety. While the cafeteria costs less, some students prefer to pay a little more money to get a little more choice. For example, some of the meals at Mom’s Kitchen provide a wider selection of vegetables and traditional foods than the cafeteria. Alternatively, some students choose Burger King for the opportunity to eat some non-Korean food. Finally, the third factor that many students consider is the environment. With about five thousand students needing to eat, all of the food providers are busy at mealtimes, but the overcrowded cafeteria is especially affected because it is larger than the other food outlets. The more people, the longer the wait, and the noise in the cafeteria can also be unpleasant. At the restaurants, even though there are line-ups, the noise is less and there is also music to create a more pleasant environment. To sum up, students who are feeling hungry should consider whether cost, choice or atmosphere is most important to them before choosing where to eat.
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Sample Paragraph E: Structure Questions [Comparison / Contrast]

• Where is the topic sentence? What two things are being described in this paragraph?
  
  
  
• How many supporting points are there, and what are they?
  
  
  
• Complete the following table using ideas and details from the paragraph.
  

• Does the author compare (describe what is the same) or contrast (describe what is different) these two types of classes?
  
  
  
• Look at the sentences that start each supporting point of the paragraph.
  What transition words tell the reader that there is a new idea?
  
  
  
• How long is the conclusion section of this paragraph?
  
  
  
• What suggestion does the author give as part of the conclusion?
  
  
  
• Compare and contrast the supporting points of the topic sentence and the supporting points in the conclusion. [How are they the same? How are they different?]

Sample Paragraph E: Skill Questions

• Circle any words you don’t know. You may add these words to your vocabulary workbook. 
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• Find and underline one compound sentence and one complex sentence.
  Write “CD” and “CX” in the margin of the page. 

Sample Paragraph E: Content Questions

• Where have you eaten this week?
    (In the cafeteria – and if so, which station? Or at one of the on-campus restaurants?)
  
  
  
• When do you choose where to eat? How do you make that choice?
  
  
  
• What other factors – other than the ones described in this paragraph – are part of your decision?
  
  
  
• What other restaurants / food choices would you like to see at Handong?
  
  
  
• How often do you order food from off-campus restaurants?