Select one pair of short stories that we read (listed below) and write a 3-4 page essay in which you compare and contrast how those stories use one specific element of fiction (also listed below) to convey their different (or similar) meanings/themes. You may discuss other elements/devices in the body of your essay to support your thesis, however your main argument should focus on the one element listed below only.
The goal is to craft one argument about both stories. Before coming up with a thesis, you will need to find an issue or problem common to both texts. Your thesis statement should include all of the following:
• A statement of the most important similarit(ies) and/or difference(s) with respect to the highlighted element and the stories’ themes.
• An argument about the significance of these similarities and/or differences. In other words, a compare/contrast paper doesn’t simply list all the similarities and differences—you should channel those similarities and differences in order to make one central point.
• A rationale for why the works are worth comparing (the “so what”), what is gained by comparing the two works in this way.
Short story pairs (choose one):
1. Third-person point of view: “The Story of an Hour” (Chopin) and “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” (Marquez)
2. First-person point of view: “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” (Alexie) and “Wants” (Paley)
3. The fantastic/unreal: “Poseidon” (Kafka) and “The Writing of the God” (Borges)
4. Characters: “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “The River” (both O’Connor)
5. Setting (time and place): “Sonny’s Blues” (Baldwin) and “Birdsong” (Adichie)
Do NOT:
• Do the “compare” part and forget the “contrast.” Even if your thesis is about how both stories are similar, don’t forget to state the ways in which they are different. Look for both similarities and differences.
• Be too general with your observations—you need SPECIFIC examples to back-up your thesis. For example, don’t just say both stories have similar characters. Tell me HOW they are similar and WHY this is important (related to your argument/thesis).
• Give me plot summaries of the two stories—you should assume I am familiar with plots so you can go right into your analysis.
• Assume that your quotations will prove your point without explanation—you need to explain WHY your quotes are important.
• Use secondary sources. The two stories should be the only items on your Works Cited page.
• Restate ideas mentioned in class. Your argument/thesis should be NEW and ORIGINAL.
Do:
• Use MLA format for your paper, including a Works Cited page and in-text parenthetical citations.
• Use the present tense (the “literary present”) to discuss the stories.
• Put short story titles in quotations, not italics.
• Include a thesis paragraph that 1) clearly names the stories and authors to be discussed, 2) lays out the focus and structure of your paper, and 3) clearly states your thesis or argument about the two stories.
• Give your paper a title.
• Go to the Writing Center for additional feedback on comparing your stories and/or writing your paper.
• Visit my office hours to discuss the stories one-on-one and talk about possible theses.
Some useful compare/contrast transition terms:
• Whereas A …, B ….
• While both A and B are …, only B….
• Nevertheless, although, on the contrary, despite, however, similarly, on the other hand, in the same way, etc. …
➢ There are two example compare/contrast essays in your anthology, the first on poetry (pages 1192-93) and the second on short stories (pages 1205-07).
In grading your papers, I will be looking for:
1. a clearly defined, focused, and well-argued thesis on the single element used in both stories;
2. well-chosen, specific examples from the stories used to prove that thesis;
3. some discussion of both the similarities and differences in the two stories;
4. clarity of writing (i.e., your writing presents your ideas in a CLEAR and CONCISE way, and that any grammatical errors do not hinder your meaning);
5. MLA format, including a Works Cited page and in-text citations (see your anthology, page 1176 and 1179 for additional help with this).
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