1. Comparative Analysis English 1301

2. The Introduction  Start by discussing the general idea (theme/issue) of the essay (i.e. gender roles and expectations).  Then introduce the pieces you will analyze and provide some context. (***this will be the same for everyone)  Finally, the introduction should conclude with a single- sentence, unifying thesis.  The intro should be 7-8 sentences in length.

3. The struggle for gender equality has remained a pressing social issue, even into the modern age. Many writers, philosophers, activists and the like have attempted to shed light on the horrifying effects of inequality among the sexes, but in many cases, society still proves unable or incapable of promoting a healthy sense of gender equality. In “A Story as Wet as Tears” by Marge Piercy and “Little Woman” by Peggy Loomis, each authoress attempts to shed light on what it means to be a woman, and more specifically, what it means to be a woman through a social lens. In addition, both pieces notably reflect on how the inequality of women also has a negative impact on men. As one considers the ways in which each individual argument is crafted, the resonating notion is that gender is ultimately the product of social construct rather than the projection of self.

4. Topic Sentences: Organizing by devices  In both Loomis and Piercy’s pieces, the authors employ diction as a means of reiterating the dangers of social construct.  The use of figurative language in each piece further underscores the dangers of social constructs, highlighting the devastating impact of inequality.

5. Topic Sentences: Organizing by pieces  Piercy’s poem highlights the inequity of gender, a burden largely borne by women. The author’s diction, in particular, brings light to the obstacles many women face in achieving a sense of self, a self that is largely determined by what others think or say about her. For example, “the cherry-colored lipsticks” bring the reader’s attention to the idea that from an early age girls have gender identity pressed upon them in the form of “GE stoves and irons.” Through the images created in the text, Piercy develops a pejorative tone regarding the ways in which gender is ingrained in young girls.

6. Writing the Conclusion  The conclusion should not:  Reiterate points already made in the text  Introduce new ideas or assertions  The conclusion should:  Expand the idea; offer a judgement  Demonstrate some sense of relevancy

7. Sample  The questions regarding gender and identity continue to perplex and dismay. As seen in each of the pieces, the attempt to uncover and express the self is inevitably defined by external factors.Thus, the saga continues. How far can we go in creating an identity that does not in some way link to social construct, one may ask. The answer lurks somewhere beneath the surface of reality. The possibility of a world in which the self is defined by the self remains elusive and, perhaps, impossible. However, the quest continues, for in the absence of individual journeys to achieve independence from social norms, surely we will all fall prey to a world in which fantastical notions of perfection govern our realities.