LATTC, English 21, Mr. T. Stevens

Both sides in the same paragraph: The first half of this paragraph below fully explains one side of the contrast (the difficulty of going to the Charthouse). The second half of the paragraph deals entirely with the other side (the ease of going to Burger King).

Simple One Paragraph Paper

The Charthouse is a beautiful restaurant and it's sweet of my girl friend to want to take me there. But I honestly like Burger King better. To me, food is food, and a meal at the Charthouse is not five times better than a meal at Burger King but that's what it costs. I like a plain cheeseburger better than something I can't pronounce or identify. The waiters at the Charthouse are snooty and make me feel awkward-how can you enjoy eating when you're tensed up like that? Have to wear jacket and tie to the Charthouse and I've gained weight; not sure jacket will even fit. Sweats or jeans are great at Burger King. Desserts at Charthouse are great, better than Kingcookies or whatever they're called. Parking is a hassle at the Charthouse and easy at Burger King. No tipping at McD's, either. I don't know why they keep it so dark at the Charthouse-guess it's supposed to be relaxing, but seems creepy to me. Burger King is bright and cheerful.

Short Multi-paragraph Paper

                                                Burger King Kicks
            Samantha has offered to take me anywhere I want for my birthday dinner. She thinks I'll choose the Charthouse, but instead I want to eat at Burger King.
            The Charthouse has a jacket-and-tie rule, and I hate wearing a jacket and tie, and the jacket's probably too tight for me anyway. I have to dig them out of the closet and get them cleaned. I can wear any old thing to Burger King. We'd also have to leave the house early, since the Charthouse requires reservations. Since it is downtown, I have to leave an hour early so I'm sure to have time to park. The Charthouse cancels reservations if a party is more than ten minutes late. Going to Burger King, on the other hand, is easy. I don't have to do any advance planning. I can leave my house whenever I'm ready.
            Burger King is a pleasant place where I feel at ease. It is bright and well lighted. The employees serve with a smile, and the food is easy to pronounce and identify. I know what I'm going to get when I order a certain type of sandwich. I like simple meals more than gourmet ones. The Charthouse is dimly lit. While I'm struggling to see what's on my plate, I worry that I'll knock one of the glasses off the table. The waiters at the Charthouse can be uncomfortably formal, too. I get the feeling that I don't quite live up to their standards. Even the other diners can make me feel uncomfortable.
            There's a big price difference between the Charthouse and Burger King. Dinner for two at the Charthouse can easily cost $50, even without any "extras" like appetizers and dessert. And the $50 doesn't include the cost of parking the car and tipping the waiter. Once, I forgot to bring enough money. At Burger King, a meal for two will cost around $10.
            So, for my birthday dinner, or any other time, I prefer to eat at Burger King. It is convenient, friendly, and cheap.

Longer Integrated Comparison Paper

                                               Burger King Kicks
            For my birthday this month, my wife has offered to treat me to dinner at the restaurant of my choice. I think she expects me to ask for a meal at the Charthouse, the classiest, most expensive restaurant in town. However, I'm going to eat my birthday dinner at Burger King. When I compare the two restaurants, the advantages of eating at Burger King are clear.
            For one thing, going to the Charthouse is more difficult than going to Burger King. The Charthouse has a jacket-and-tie rule, which means I have to dig a sport coat and tie out of the back of my closet, make sure they're semiclean, and try to steam out the wrinkles somehow. The Charthouse also requires reservations. Since it is downtown, I have to leave an hour early to give myself time to find a parking space within six blocks of the restaurant. The Charthouse cancels reservations if a party is more than ten minutes late. Going to Burger King, on the other hand, is easy. I can feel comfortable wearing my jeans or warm-up suit. I don't have to do any advance planning. I can leave my house whenever I'm ready and pull into a door side parking space within fifteen minutes.
            The Charthouse is a dimly lit, formal place. While I'm struggling to see what's 3 on my plate, I worry that I'll knock one of the fragile glasses off the table. The waiters at the Charthouse can be uncomfortably formal, too. As I awkwardly pronounce the French words on the menu, I get the feeling that I don't quite live up to their standards. Even the other diners can make me feel uncomfortable. And though the food at the Charthouse is gourmet, I prefer simpler meals. I don't like unfamiliar food swimming in a pasty white sauce. Eating at the Charthouse is, to me, less enjoyable than eating at Burger King. Burger King is a pleasant place where I feel at ease. It is well lighted, and the bright-colored decor is informal. The employees serve with a smile, and the food is easy to pronounce and identify. I know what I'm going to get when I order a certain type of sandwich.
            The most important difference between the Charthouse and Burger King, is price. Dinner for two at the Charthouse, even without appetizers or desserts, would easily cost $50. And the $50 doesn't include the cost of parking the car and tipping the waiter, which can come to an additional $10. Once, I forgot to bring enough money. At Burger King, a filling meal for two will cost around $10. With the extra $50, my wife and I can eat at Burger King five more times, or go to the movies three times, or buy tickets to a football game.
            So, for my birthday dinner, or any other time, I prefer to eat at Burger King. It is convenient, friendly, and cheap. And with the money my wife saves by taking me to Burger King, she can buy me what I really want for my birthday-a new Sears power saw.