Purpose: Students should write a thesis driven essay, which analyzes and draws connections between two texts. This essay should be 3-5 pages long. Assignment: For this assignment you are to write a comparative analysis of two texts. Your analysis should focus on synthesis and evaluation and not merely summarize the similarities and differences between the two texts. In fact, you might consider looking for differences in similarities or similarities despite differences. In a sense, you are assessing two texts for an argument of definition and exploring how each text argues for such a definition. Find two pieces with a similar theme and explore their approach to such a meaning. Be wary of choosing texts from different forms of media. Analyzing how two scenes from a film explore metaphysics or how two poems contain radically different metaphors about death is much simpler than analyzing similar themes using a poem and a film. You are allowed to choose your own texts for this paper, so be sure to choose texts that are of appropriate length and complexity. In order to give each student more guidance, you must bring your topic for approval to our class on October 8th, 2010. This proposal must be typed and include a brief description of the texts utilized and your central claim for the proposed essay. (See Proposal Assignment Sheet for details.) Objectives: To analyze the rhetorical situations of arguments and the relationship between two arguments with similar themes To understand how each author employs rhetorical techniques, such as claims, warrants, the rhetorical appeals, and word choice and how these elements contribute to texts overall meaning To write an essay that is thoroughly developed and logically organized. To incorporate in-text citations and develop a works cited page. To achieve a tone that is both accessible and academic. Grading Criteria: You should be able to demonstrate the ability to do the following: Keep any plot summary of your texts to a bare minimum. Assume that I am aware of your choice of texts (Three pages of plot summary will have an adverse effect on your grade). Explore the texts respective arguments. Use concrete examples to support your comparisons (The scene in which Tallahassee lures the zombie out of hiding in the general store exhibits Zombielands philosophy on finding purpose because. or When the four arrive at the palatial Hollywood mansion is a comment on consumerism since). Whats being shown, and then why do you think the respective author is showing it? You can use outside sources, but I dont want you to use them to make your argument for you. They should provide supplementary information only. Include them in your Works Cited page. Consider the following: What is the purpose and context of each argument? Do the writers achieve the goal according to the context and purpose? Who are the intended audiences? How do you know? How do the authors connect or not connect with that audience? What language or style does each author use? What effect does this have on the meaning and the relationships between each text? As usual, these questions are merely starting points; do not attempt to answer just the questions listed as doing so would create a disjointed, chaotic essay. Requirements: The essay should be 3-5 pages, not including your Works Cited page, should be written in MLA format, and should follow MLA style for the documentation of sources. Due Dates: Proposal (50 points) due 10/05 Rough Draft and Peer Review due 10/14

Purpose: Students should write a thesis driven essay, which analyzes and draws connections between two texts. This essay should be 3-5 pages long. Assignment: For this assignment you are to write a comparative analysis of two texts. Your analysis should focus on synthesis and evaluation and not merely summarize the similarities and differences between the two texts. In fact, you might consider looking for differences in similarities or similarities despite differences. In a sense, you are assessing two texts for an argument of definition and exploring how each text argues for such a definition. Find two pieces with a similar theme and explore their approach to such a meaning. Be wary of choosing texts from different forms of media. Analyzing how two scenes from a film explore metaphysics or how two poems contain radically different metaphors about death is much simpler than analyzing similar themes using a poem and a film. You are allowed to choose your own texts for this paper, so be sure to choose texts that are of appropriate length and complexity. In order to give each student more guidance, you must bring your topic for approval to our class on October 8th, 2010. This proposal must be typed and include a brief description of the texts utilized and your central claim for the proposed essay. (See Proposal Assignment Sheet for details.) Objectives: To analyze the rhetorical situations of arguments and the relationship between two arguments with similar themes To understand how each author employs rhetorical techniques, such as claims, warrants, the rhetorical appeals, and word choice and how these elements contribute to texts overall meaning To write an essay that is thoroughly developed and logically organized. To incorporate in-text citations and develop a works cited page. To achieve a tone that is both accessible and academic. Grading Criteria: You should be able to demonstrate the ability to do the following: Keep any plot summary of your texts to a bare minimum. Assume that I am aware of your choice of texts (Three pages of plot summary will have an adverse effect on your grade). Explore the texts respective arguments. Use concrete examples to support your comparisons (The scene in which Tallahassee lures the zombie out of hiding in the general store exhibits Zombielands philosophy on finding purpose because. or When the four arrive at the palatial Hollywood mansion is a comment on consumerism since). Whats being shown, and then why do you think the respective author is showing it? You can use outside sources, but I dont want you to use them to make your argument for you. They should provide supplementary information only. Include them in your Works Cited page. Consider the following: What is the purpose and context of each argument? Do the writers achieve the goal according to the context and purpose? Who are the intended audiences? How do you know? How do the authors connect or not connect with that audience? What language or style does each author use? What effect does this have on the meaning and the relationships between each text? As usual, these questions are merely starting points; do not attempt to answer just the questions listed as doing so would create a disjointed, chaotic essay. Requirements: The essay should be 3-5 pages, not including your Works Cited page, should be written in MLA format, and should follow MLA style for the documentation of sources. Due Dates: Proposal (50 points) due 10/05 Rough Draft and Peer Review due 10/14