Compare and Contrast

Essay Details  3-5 pages (no more than 5 pages max)  Incorporate (and CITE) at least three quotations from EACH text  Narrow angle of comparison, clear organization, intro and conclusion  Well-written, revised for grammar, spelling and mechanics.  Due November 14 th / 15 th

What is it?  Comparing and contrasting texts is a means of textual analysis. In other words, by comparing two texts, the reader can go deeper into the text. Literature has many layers, the reader can compare the superficial (length of text) to the specific (the character’s response to situations through dialogue).  You have to make the choices required in comparing texts. It is a four step process. Select the texts Decide on the topic or angle of comparison Perform the comparison Determine the implications of making the comparison (the hard part!)

Comparison-Contrast Essay Outline format  Typical questions on which to build your thesis: How do these two texts differ?  Character, setting, conflict, devices? How are the two texts similar?*  Plot, POV, theme, etc? What makes these two texts different or similar? Example:  Q: "How does the protagonist characterization compare in The Book Thief and ‘The Ring’?"  A: Thesis: These two texts characterize the protagonist through the thoughts and perspective of an omniscient narrator, which limits the range through which the character is portrayed. *your two texts should have more in common than different.

Two patterns of development:  Pattern 1-- Block Method  Life of Pi Characterization The impact of the choice of characterization in that text  The Book Thief Characterization The impact of the choice of characterization in that text  Pattern 2-- Alternating Method  Characterization Life of Pi The Book Thief  Impact of characterization Life of Pi The Book Thief

Your comparison thesis statement  The thesis statement should state the two items that you are comparing, how you are comparing them, and the implications of comparing these two things.  In essence, the thesis statement is two-tiered;  The topic you are comparing How that topic affects the text directly Ex: Life of Pi and The Book Thief both express how the loss of innocence makes a young child grow up quickly. Ex: Both Pi and Liesel struggle with forced abandonment from their respective families in the novels Life ot Pi and The Book Thief. But this abandonment leads to a strong sense of personal survival.

Thesis Statements  One way to start a compare and contrast thesis is by using words like whereas, while, even though, and although to suggest a contrasting element will follow. Ehow.com  Thesis statements lead toward an analytical conclusion. What can you conclude about Martel and Dineson both integrating ideas of identity? Key question: Why is this compare/contrast important?  While Martel’s novel deals with the acceptance of identity, Dineson’s short story deals with the rejection of identity.  Body paragraphs:  Explore identity through characterization (1), symbolism (2), and theme (3)

Thesis Checklist – Peer Review  Does the thesis statement integrate two texts? Specifically, one in-class text and the outside reading novel? List them.  Does the thesis statement clearly identify specific elements that will be compared or contrasted? List them.  Based on the thesis statement, what will the body paragraphs compare or contrast?

Choosing your comparison topic:  First: What stands out to you in your novel? What do you notice the author doing? Select three topics.  Second: What short story do you see those topics appearing in? How do they appear in the short story? How does the story compare to your novel?  Third: Write three possible thesis statements that compare the two stories.

Comparing Exercise:  Compare “All Summer in a Day” to one of the short stories we read in class. Find a strong and specific angle of comparison (topic)  Starting points: setting, character, theme  Specific: How does setting influence the theme in both stories? Determine the implications of that topic in both stories  So what? Why is this comparison important and what does it tell us about the stories? Write a thesis statement  Identify the two stories  Identify the topic  Identify what you believe are the implications of this comparison.

Text #1Text #2

Creating your outline  Decide which format to use; block, or alternating.  Break down your thesis statement into parts, what do you need to prove?  Don’t forget the “so what” question.

What should an outline look like? Block Method I. Thesis Statement I. Introduction II. brief description II. Text #1 I. Quotations II. support from the text III. Text #2 I. Quotations II. support from the text IV. Implications I. SO WHAT? II. Summarize your results V. Conclusion Alternating Method I. Thesis Statement I. Intro II. brief description II. Topic/ Main Idea I. Text #1--Quotations II. Text #2--Quotations III. Effect on the text I. Text #1--Quotations II. Text #2--Quotations IV. Implications I. SO WHAT? II. Summarize your results V. Conclusion

Descriptors543 Angle of comparison Angle of comparison is narrowly focused, the comparison is valid between the two stories angle of comparison is somewhat narrow, the comparison is valid, but broad angle of comparison is broad, but the comparison is mostly valid Writing is organized (intro/ conclusions) Writing is well organized and coherent. Comparison is clearly stated Writing is somewhat organized and coherent. Comparison is somewhat clear. Writing is not very organized or coherent. May be missing clear transitions. Well-supported thesis (including quotations) Writer has used effective support from both texts. Quotations are used well and cited correctly. Writer has used some support from both texts. Quotations may not be incorporated effectively or cited correctly Writer has used minimal support from each text and the quotations are not incorporated well or cited correctly. Voice and Tone Writer's voice is compelling and engaging. Writer demonstrates clear and accurate knowledge of both texts. Writer's voice is somewhat engaging. The writer demonstrates a fair understanding of both texts Writer's voice is not compelling or engaging. The writer doesn't have a clear understanding of either text. Revision Grammar, usage and mechanics have been closely revised. Writer shows evidence of revision There may be a few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics, but it doesn't impede meaning. Writer shows some evidence of revision. There are many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics, which impedes the meaning and clarity of the writing. Very little revision done.

Voice and Tone  How do you add voice and tone to your writing? Use vivid details Vary your sentence structure Vary your word choice Specify your purpose and audience More?

The Hunter—Voice and Tone The hunter walked through the leaves. The leaves had fallen. The leaves were dry. The hunter was tired. The hunter had a gun. The gun was new. The hunter saw a deer. The deer had antlers. A tree partly hid the antlers. The deer was brown. The hunter shot at the deer. The hunter missed. The shot frightened the deer. The deer bounded away.

Comparative Analysis Essay  Typed Heading  Proof/edit  Correct citations  Double space

Basic In-Text Citation Rules  In MLA style, referring to the works of others in your text is done by using what's known as parenthetical citation. Immediately following a quotation from a source or a paraphrase of a source's ideas, you place the author's name followed by a space and the relevant page number(s). Human beings have been described as "symbol-using animals" (Burke 3).  Your in-text citation will correspond with an entry in your Works Cited page, which, for the Burke citation above, will look something like this: Burke, Kenneth. Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method. Berkeley: U of California P, 1966.

Short Quotations  To indicate short quotations (fewer than four typed lines of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks.  Provide the author and specific page citation (in the case of verse, provide line numbers) in the text, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page.  Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation. Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.  For example: According to some, dreams express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184), though others disagree. According to Foulkes's study, dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (184). Is it possible that dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184)?

Long Quotations  Place quotations longer than four typed lines in a free-standing block of text, and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented one inch from the left margin; maintain double-spacing. Only indent the first line of the quotation by a half inch if you are citing multiple paragraphs. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)  For example: Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

Adding or Omitting Words In Quotations  If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text. Jan Harold Brunvand, in an essay on urban legends, states: "some individuals [who retell urban legends] make a point of learning every rumor or tale" (78).  If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipsis marks, which are three periods (...) preceded and followed by a space. For example: In an essay on urban legends, Jan Harold Brunvand notes that "some individuals make a point of learning every recent rumor or tale... and in a short time a lively exchange of details occurs" (78).

Correct the citation error! 1. Martel uses similar writing style in his description of the “rushing, roiling, tumbling water.” (Martel p. 105). 2. Pi reaches out to Richard Parker at first, saying, “Come to the life boat{…}swim” (Martel 97)! 3. On the boat, “there were noises. Deep structural groans. (he) stumbled and fell. No harm done.” (Martel 103) 4. Martel uses descriptive words like, “forbidding, beautiful and dangerous” to describe the sea in this passage. (Martel 102). 5. Pi states, “It was only when I had pushed open the heavy door leading onto the main deck that I realized what the weather was like. Did it qualify as a storm? It’s true there was rain, but it wasn’t so very hard.” (102)

What will your works cited page look like?  Novel: Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.  Short Story (from the textbook): Lastname, First name. "Title of Essay." Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's Name(s). Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Page range of entry. Medium of Publication.

Topic Angle of comparison is narrowly focused and well-chosen Comparison is valid and an analysis is performed Implications of the analysis are stated clearly Voice and Tone Writer’s voice is engaging Writer is aware of the audience and purpose for writing Writer understands both texts and clearly demonstrates that knowledge Organization Writing is well-organized and cohesive Comparison is clearly stated Intro and conclusion are sufficient to introduce the topic and summarize the findings Support Thesis is well supported with examples from the texts The quotes (2 from each text) are well-integrated into the body of your essay The sources are cited, and footnotes are formatted correctly Revision Grammar, mechanics, punctuation have been revised carefully and accurately Writer shows evidence of thoughtful revision What is the best part of this student's essay? Are the implications of this comparison clear to you? Peer Review: Read your partner’s essay. Using the topics at left, review the essay and evaluate how the essay meets the criteria.