4 hours, $10 What is a literary compare & contrast essay? A comparison emphasizes the similarities between two works, while a contrast highlights their differences. The best points in compare and contrast papers emerge from the analysis of two works similar enough to illuminate each other (Klotz 57). In other words, by examining similarities and differences between two poems or two short stories from class, you will not only highlight how they are similar and differentyou will guide your reader to a newfound conclusion or awareness about their subject matter. To accomplish this you will need to consider the poetic/literary devices at work in each piece and reflect on our in class discussions of their subject matter. What will I be writing about? You have the option of responding to one of the prompts below OR designing your own argument regarding any two poems OR two short stories from class. If you choose your own topic, please be sure to email me your thesis by September 29. PROMPT A) Consider Fitzgeralds short story Winter Dreams and Diazs short story Cheaters Guide to Love. How does Dexters obsession with Judy compare to the implied readers obsession with his X-girlfriend? Why do they authors use different points of view to tell their tales? What literary devices does each author use in his story? How do these devices help to capture his/her abstract message about longing and relationships? What new understanding about relationships can we come to by juxtaposing these two stories? PROMPT B) Consider Amy Tans short story Two Kinds and Toni Morrisons Recitatif. What is similar about their narrators? What literary techniques does each author use to capture the world from a young girls point of view? How does each story capture the tension between two opposing forces/characters? What new understanding about identity and growing up do we gain by considering these works side by side? PROMPT B) Consider Emily Dickinsons poem #449 (written 1862) and Dylan Thomass poem Do not Go Gentle into that Goodnight (written 1952). What poetic techniques does each author use to communicate his/her thoughts on death and the silence and finality surrounding it? How does the reader benefit by comparing and contrasting these two poems? PROMPT C) Consider Walt Whitmans poem America (written 1888) and Claude McKays poem America (written 1912). How does each author use various poetic techniques to capture his vision of America? How do their conceptions of America differ? What new understanding about America and the American dream do we come to by considering these two poems alongside one another? Do I need to do any outside research? In addition to quoting and citing your two poems/short stories, you need to reference AT LEAST TWO articles/entries from a DCCC library database, one examining each author. Depending on your thesis, you may want to cite facts from each authors biography, discuss the literary movement he/she was a part of, provide cultural context surrounding the historical moment of the poems composition, and/or cite critical interpretations of one or both of the stories/poems.. Be sure to cite all of your sources in your Works Cited! What will be doing to prepare for this paper? In addition to reading a strong sample essay, we will review the structure of academic essays and the rules of MLA citation, learn how to properly cite poetry and fiction, and complete online peer editing. How will this style of writing benefit me outside of this course? In addition to improving our writing skills, being able to evaluate two sources against one another and come to newfound conclusions is an applicable skill in numerous professional fields. Additionally, being able to use evidence to support your arguments and to synthesize multiple sources into one cohesive document are important writing skills to master. What exactly are you looking for in my paper? Im looking for clear, well-structured, effective writing that reflects your critical thinking about the poems/stories. (Be sure to refer to my grading rubric on Webstudy.) I want to see that you researched, read, understood, and integrated relevant articles pertaining to the literature you are examining. Furthermore, Im looking for the application of the MLA citation techniques and elements of poetry and fiction reviewed in class. Finally, Im eager to see your own thoughts about and analysis of our readings! What can I do if Im confused or stressed about this assignment? First of all, dont stress! For most of us, this is a completely new style of writing. This is why we are approaching this assignment step by step and you have the option of rewriting Paper One after it is graded. If you are confused about any part of the assignment or are looking for help with your writing, you are encouraged to email me and visit me during office hours, work with writing tutors and librarians online or in the Learning Commons, and to use SmarThinking. (See our syllabus for details on these resources). POLICIES & PAPER EXPECTIONS Each day a paper is late 10% will be taken off of your grade. A B will become a C. This deduction cannot be negated by your final rewrite. This also applies to drafts due for peer editing. Extension policy: If you are struggling to meet our final paper deadline, speak to or email me 24 hours in advance of the deadline to work out an extension. Each student is entitled to one extension per semester.

4 hours, $10 What is a literary compare & contrast essay? A comparison emphasizes the similarities between two works, while a contrast highlights their differences. The best points in compare and contrast papers emerge from the analysis of two works similar enough to illuminate each other (Klotz 57). In other words, by examining similarities and differences between two poems or two short stories from class, you will not only highlight how they are similar and differentyou will guide your reader to a newfound conclusion or awareness about their subject matter. To accomplish this you will need to consider the poetic/literary devices at work in each piece and reflect on our in class discussions of their subject matter. What will I be writing about? You have the option of responding to one of the prompts below OR designing your own argument regarding any two poems OR two short stories from class. If you choose your own topic, please be sure to email me your thesis by September 29. PROMPT A) Consider Fitzgeralds short story Winter Dreams and Diazs short story Cheaters Guide to Love. How does Dexters obsession with Judy compare to the implied readers obsession with his X-girlfriend? Why do they authors use different points of view to tell their tales? What literary devices does each author use in his story? How do these devices help to capture his/her abstract message about longing and relationships? What new understanding about relationships can we come to by juxtaposing these two stories? PROMPT B) Consider Amy Tans short story Two Kinds and Toni Morrisons Recitatif. What is similar about their narrators? What literary techniques does each author use to capture the world from a young girls point of view? How does each story capture the tension between two opposing forces/characters? What new understanding about identity and growing up do we gain by considering these works side by side? PROMPT B) Consider Emily Dickinsons poem #449 (written 1862) and Dylan Thomass poem Do not Go Gentle into that Goodnight (written 1952). What poetic techniques does each author use to communicate his/her thoughts on death and the silence and finality surrounding it? How does the reader benefit by comparing and contrasting these two poems? PROMPT C) Consider Walt Whitmans poem America (written 1888) and Claude McKays poem America (written 1912). How does each author use various poetic techniques to capture his vision of America? How do their conceptions of America differ? What new understanding about America and the American dream do we come to by considering these two poems alongside one another? Do I need to do any outside research? In addition to quoting and citing your two poems/short stories, you need to reference AT LEAST TWO articles/entries from a DCCC library database, one examining each author. Depending on your thesis, you may want to cite facts from each authors biography, discuss the literary movement he/she was a part of, provide cultural context surrounding the historical moment of the poems composition, and/or cite critical interpretations of one or both of the stories/poems.. Be sure to cite all of your sources in your Works Cited! What will be doing to prepare for this paper? In addition to reading a strong sample essay, we will review the structure of academic essays and the rules of MLA citation, learn how to properly cite poetry and fiction, and complete online peer editing. How will this style of writing benefit me outside of this course? In addition to improving our writing skills, being able to evaluate two sources against one another and come to newfound conclusions is an applicable skill in numerous professional fields. Additionally, being able to use evidence to support your arguments and to synthesize multiple sources into one cohesive document are important writing skills to master. What exactly are you looking for in my paper? Im looking for clear, well-structured, effective writing that reflects your critical thinking about the poems/stories. (Be sure to refer to my grading rubric on Webstudy.) I want to see that you researched, read, understood, and integrated relevant articles pertaining to the literature you are examining. Furthermore, Im looking for the application of the MLA citation techniques and elements of poetry and fiction reviewed in class. Finally, Im eager to see your own thoughts about and analysis of our readings! What can I do if Im confused or stressed about this assignment? First of all, dont stress! For most of us, this is a completely new style of writing. This is why we are approaching this assignment step by step and you have the option of rewriting Paper One after it is graded. If you are confused about any part of the assignment or are looking for help with your writing, you are encouraged to email me and visit me during office hours, work with writing tutors and librarians online or in the Learning Commons, and to use SmarThinking. (See our syllabus for details on these resources). POLICIES & PAPER EXPECTIONS Each day a paper is late 10% will be taken off of your grade. A B will become a C. This deduction cannot be negated by your final rewrite. This also applies to drafts due for peer editing. Extension policy: If you are struggling to meet our final paper deadline, speak to or email me 24 hours in advance of the deadline to work out an extension. Each student is entitled to one extension per semester.