The Literary Comparison and Contrast Essay Assignment
Read chapter three of the MindTap Literature. Read Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” watch the movie “Everyday Use” directed by Bruce Schwartz and read O. Herny’s short story “The Gift of the Magi.” Then, choose two of the above to write a Comparison and Contrast essay. For more details, structure and directions regarding your essay format and steps, refer to the following PDF document: http://scsworkshops.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/The-Literary-Comparison-Contrast- Essay.pdf
Moreover, here are the links to:
“Everyday Use” text – https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/leonardamy/Everyday%20Use.pdf
“Everyday Use” movie – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKU_PLHjA3s&feature=youtu.be (Links to an external site.) by Director Bruce Schwartz
“The Gift of the Magi” - https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1- the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf
Once finished with the reading and watching, write a Comparison and Contrast Essay of minimum 1000 words that has three parts to it: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
In the introduction, you can summarize the literary works of your choice; in the thesis, you should mention which literary terms you plan to compare and contrast. Then, in the body paragraphs, you should conduct the comparison/contrast after dividing the body into two sections: similarities and differences. Organize your comparison and contrast with subject A (e.g. text version of “Everyday Use”) and then Subject B (e.g. movie version of “Everyday Use”) in mind. Finally, in the conclusion, you should answer the question so what and explain what you learned about subject A and B during the process and why the comparison was of any importance to you.
The Essay Format
- Following the MLA format, insert your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of the paper so that it shows on every page like so:
Brown 1
- In the upper left hand corner, provide your name, instructor name, course info, and the date like so:
Mary Brown Instructor Petrosyan English 01B 10 October 2017
- Do not forget to double-space the above information along with the rest of the paper. - Right after the above information, provide your (capitalized) essay title. Center the title and let there be no extra space either above the title or below it. - Choose standard font size (12) and type (Times New Roman). - Your paragraphs should be minimum seven and maximum 15 sentences long. Points will be deducted if your paragraphs are either under or over developed. - Provide your essay word count at the end of the essay.
Draft due date: ______On the due date, drop a soft copy of your essay into the appropriate Canvas drop-box for peer- review by 11:59 pm. Your draft does not have to be your final “product” and can be less than 1000 words long. Moreover, you do not need to double-space your draft.
Peer-Review due date: ______Using the attached questionnaire (in the drop-box), peer-review 3 of your classmates’ essays as assigned to you by the folder by this due date, by 11:59 pm.
Final version due date: ______Improve your draft based on the feedback you received from your classmates. Proofread, edit and double-space your work and drop a soft copy into the Final Version drop-box in Canvas by 11:59 pm on this due date.
NOTE: If you do not participate in the peer-review process, one full grade point will be deducted from your paper. Make sure that you submit your draft on time so that your peers can review your paper in a timely manner, and you will get the chance to improve your essay before turning in the final draft. If you miss the draft due date, do not email me a copy. There is nothing I can do with it after the draft folder closes.