Compare and contrasting essay
Essay #3 asks you to compare and contrast images, ideas, characters, stylistic details, and so forth from two different texts. Choose your texts carefully based on any and all connections you observe between them—the deeper the connection, the easier the paper will be to write. It will also help if you choose both works and topics that interest you or about which you harbor strong feelings.
YOU MAY NOT USE ANY WORK YOU HAVE ALREADY USED IN THE PREVIOUS TWO PAPERS.
Choose a focus (a specific element that the stories share) before you write, make a list of the similarities and differences based on this focus, and then formulate a thesis. This will lay the groundwork for the entire essay.
Some things to keep in mind as you draft:
Make sure you introduce BOTH works (titles and authors) in your introductory paragraph.
Make sure you clearly state you thesis toward the beginning of your paper.
Make sure you stick to your focus throughout the paper. Don’t just make it into a list of similarities and differences.
Make sure you restate both your thesis and your MAIN POINTS in the conclusion. Also, answer the question, “So what?”
· AVOID PLOT SUMMARY. This is not what the assignment calls for. Delve.
Requirements:
Your final essay should be at least 1000-1250 words.
You should use 12 point Times New Roman font and double spaced paragraphs.
Your margins should be 1” on all sides.
YOU MUST CITE THE TEXTS using either MLA or APA style.
A Works Cited or References page will be required.
