Compare and Contrast Essay Analysis

Compare and Contrast Essay Overview: Students will learn about poetic interpretations of universal themes (love, hurt, joy, dreams, and hopes) and how those interpretations impact the author’s writing. The students will look at the work of two artists who address the same universal theme in their writing. They will then complete a compare and contrast essay talks about each author’s approach to the theme. In class, the instructor will lead students through an analysis of a selected poem, an in-depth exploration of the social context that inspired the poem, and an investigation of the universal theme present.
Following these discussions, students will explore a second poem provided by the instructor as an example of another work that deals with the same universal theme. Students should note the ways each poem deals with that theme and discuss the similarities and differences in their essay. Length Requirements: 3-5 pages Audience: Imagine that you’re writing this paper to present at Undergraduate Research Day. Sources: Choose one pairing of a love song and a love poem to use for this paper: 1. Fine China by Chris Brown & I Knew a Woman I Knew a Woman by Theodore Roethke 2.
Lotus Flower Bomb by Wale & she being Brand by e. e. Cummings 3. Thinkin Bout You by Frank Ocean & Calamus (In Paths Untrodden) by Walt Whitman Poem A Poem B Documentation: Because you are imagining yourself as a writer in the humanities discipline, you should adhere to the guidelines of MLA documentation style. Writing Process and Due Dates: Discovering Ideas: Choose one of the three topics listed above to write about in your essay. In a word document, write a couple of sentences that tell me what you chose and why.

Feel free to do background research on the song or poem if you are unfamiliar with either. Due 4/15/13 by midnight via CAMS Planning: Use the handout labeled “Comparison and Contrast Organization Strategies” to prepare an outline for your essay. Due 4/19/13 in class Drafting: Prepare a draft of your essay over the weekend. Bring two (2) copies to class for peer review. Due 4/22/13 in class Revising: Complete your peer review conference with Prof. Shelton Due 4/23/13 in 304-B Editing: Complete a writing center consultation.
Schedule an appointment here: www. st-aug. mywconline. com Due by 4/24/13 Publishing: Final Draft due 4/25/13 by noon. Organizational Strategies: When preparing this assignment, you should observe the following general structure: Introduction The introduction paragraph of the essay should introduce the text(s) that the writer intends to talk about. As with any introduction paragraph, the writer should provide any background or contextual information that their readers will need to know understand the essay’s discussion.
Remember that good introduction paragraphs also begin in an engaging way and end with a focused statement of the claim that the writer is making in the essay, or the thesis statement. The thesis statement for this essay should make a claim about the similarities and differences between the two poets’ approach to the topic. Body The body paragraphs of the essay should support the thesis statement that makes the writer’s claim about the similarities and differences between the two poets work and how they address their topic.
Conclusion The conclusion paragraph of the essay should reiterate the writer’s claim about the similarities and differences between the two poets’ work. Evaluative Criteria: When I evaluate your response, I will be looking to see how well you have met the goals of the assignment; that is, I will be looking for how well you analyze the text(s) and how well you apply your analysis in describing the similarities and differences between the text(s). You will also be evaluated n how you develop your ideas and if that development aptly backs up your claim and clearly conveys your point to the reader. Your paper will also need to meet the general criteria of good academic writing: a clear focus, logical and purposeful organization, strong use of supporting evidence, and thoughtful development of the ideas you are presenting. Of course, it will also need to be well-written both stylistically and grammatically. In addition, we will be discussing specific evaluative criteria in class