1. Count of Monte Cristo Versus Shawshank Redemption ECM 11 Comparison Essay Format

2. Your essay will be made up of 5 paragraphs 1. Introduction 2. Comparison #1 3. Comparison #2 4. Comparison #3 5. Conclusion

3. Introduction Things you must mention/include What topic you are writing about (i.e. In the films The Count of Monte Cristo and Shawshank Redemption, the two protagonist Edmond and Andy have similar goals and feelings.) Are you comparing or contrasting (you HAVE to pick one of the other) Introduce each of your three points. (i.e. Edmond and Andy each seek revenge for the wrongful imprisonment they suffer, each struggle with their faith, and each escape from prison).

4. Comparison #1, 2, and 3 Choose three different moments or ideas from each film to compare or contrast. (i.e. how each escaped, why each escaped, what each did when they escaped to get their revenge) Choose your most strongest point or argument for the first paragraph 2 nd strongest next, weakest argument last. Be sure to include proof from the films for each – support your evidence! (i.e. Andy escaped by tunnelling through his cell wall, while Edmond and Priest worked together to tunnel under their cell floors).

5. Conclusion Rewrite your three points again to drive home your argument. (i.e. Fernand and Warden Norton betrayed Edmond and Andy by denying them their freedom, by taking what was rightfully theirs ( since Fernand stole Mercedes and Norton stole Andy’s chance for freedom), and both characters were ruthless in their betrayal by killing anyone who got in their way). End with a strong sentence that wraps up your arguments.

6. What NOT to do… DO NOT use ‘I’ (i.e. I think…, I believe…) in your paper. If you feel the need to say it use ‘one’ (i.e. One could think…, One would believe…) DO NOT say ‘in this essay I will compare Andy and Edmond’. Say instead ‘the two characters Andy and Edmond are very similar). DO NOT talk about how the two films differ AND how they are similar, chose one side. DO NOT forget to separate each point/argument by paragraphs.