Index Cards–You will need at least 40 index cards. It is important that the index cards be exactly like the ones linked (i.e. White, lined, 3×5)
1. PBA–Keep in Mind: What is your frame of reference (This is the context within which you place the two things you plan to compare and contrast; it is the umbrella under which you have grouped them.)? What are your grounds for comparison (The rationale behind your choice of frame of reference)? What key literary element(s) do the authors use in order to convey the theme? How is the authors’ treatment of theme different/similar? How do the two novels compare/contrast in terms of how they convey the role of the individual in society? Why do they have similar and/or different views on this topic? In what light is society portrayed in both texts? How do the novels treat the theme of morality? How do the protagonists respond to their environments? How do the texts differ in their depiction of the human will to survive?
Possible Literary Elements (this is not an exhaustive list):
Setting
Motifs
Symbolism
Irony
Language (figurative language, dialect, etc.)
Character
Point of view
Cultural context (i.e., time period in which it was written, author’s background, etc.)
General Requirements:
- 4-5 pages
- Comparative or Critical Lens/Comparative
General Formatting:
- Double-spaced; size 12 font; Times New Roman or similar
- .75 margins on both left and right sides. Indentations– .5” or 1 tab space.
- All pages beyond the first page should be numbered. Page numbers should be placed at the bottom right of each page.
- No Cover Page. Include name, class/band, and date in upper left-hand corner of first page only
- Be sure TITLE reflects the theme of the essay.
- Include Title, Author, and General Theme of work in first paragraph of essay…For Example—Jean Paul Sartre’s No Exit
- Follow MLA guidelines
Order of Arrangement:
- Final Draft on top. Staple or fasten with a paperclip.
- 1st Draft—with significant corrections made + name and signature of reader
- Thesis and thesis process
Avoid the Following:
- Avoid Pronouns: I, it, you, me, we, us
- Avoid Troublesome language. DO NOT USE ANY of the following words: it, these, this, those, kind of, almost, seems, maybe, like, then, later, eventually, basically, so, many, a lot, things, due to the fact (or any variations of the fact that), in reality, very, really, forms of the verb “to be”
- In the intro, nix all book-review commentary—i.e. “is fascinating, interesting…”
- Be extremely careful with your use of all words…yet, for these words in particular, don’t think they are cheap: Truth, Beauty, Love, Nature, Reality
Keys to Good Writing:
- Cohesion—Every sentence fits together; paragraphs flow smoothly. Ensure that the entire discussion comes together as one unified discussion of your text and its context.
- Concision—Less is more. Use fewer words to explain yourself. Begin fusing sentences by merging ideas into tightly knit phrases.
- Precision—Accuracy. Use words that accurately capture what you mean. Don’t settle for words or expressions that come close.
- Coherence—Does your essay make sense? Are your ideas organized in a logical sequence? Do you prove your thesis? Do the parts contain the essence of the whole?
