Thursday, August 17, 2023

ENC1101--Guidelines for Compare/Contrast Analysis Essay on Angelou, Walker, and Hurston. Assigned October 3, 2023. Written version due at end of class on Oct. 3, 2023. Typed version due October 9, 2023.



ENC1101 Students Fall 2023:
You will handwrite this essay in class. Do not use your laptop computers or phones for any reason. You may use the notes you took during class discussions of these texts. By the end of class, you will turn in your handwritten version of your essay. Before turning in your handwritten version of the essay, take a picture of the pages so that you can use those pics for the final typed essay (see specific details below) due on October 9, 2023, at the beginning of class. If you do not have the final essay, you will earn a grade of zero. If you are late unexcused to class, you will also earn a grade of zero. If you are excused late to class because you had to print the essay, you will earn a grade of zero. You have plenty of time to print this essay. Plan to complete the assignment two days before it is due in case you encounter any difficulties. Thank you.

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Write an essay (see directions and guidelines below) in which you compare and contrast a theme in essays by two of the following writers: Walker, Angelou, and Hurston. Late work is never accepted in this class. You get a grade of zero. Plagiarism is a serious offense. A plagiarism program will be utilized.

Pre-Writing/Discussion (Does not need to be submitted):

Print out, read, and annotate all three essays. If you cannot print the essays, read them on an electronic device. Take copious notes. Be sure to indicate which pages, paragraphs, and lines your annotations refer to.

The Essay Readings:



 Guidelines for Compare/Contrast Essay

  • Make sure you decide on a focused thesis statement/theme. Do not try to compare/contrast too many elements. Choose a few elements (rhetorical devices) to compare and contrast for such a short essay.
  • The essay needs should be two pages (to one inch from the bottom). A paper that is less in length will lose points.
  • Be sure to use the correct MLA format. A paper that has mistakes in MLA format cannot achieve a grade of A.
  • Your essay must contain quotations (short ones; no longer than a sentence; even words and phrases will do).
  • You must cite the page number and line or paragraph number where you found the quotation. Look at the MLA format guidelines at the top of this web page for how to correctly format your in-text citations. There is also MLA formatting information in the first module on the Canvas page for your course.
  • Your essay should be an analysis, not a summary.
  • Compare and contrast the essays evenly throughout (your discussion should be balanced). In other words, do not have one half of the paper about one author, and the last half about the other author. Your analysis/comparing and contrasting should be well integrated throughout your discussion.
  • Do not have very short paragraphs (this is a sign of poor organization).
  • Body paragraphs should be at least seven sentences. Opening and closing paragraphs should be shorter (3-5 sentences maximum).
  • Do not have overly long paragraphs (a whole page, for example).
  • When you refer to the authors in the body paragraphs, use their last names.
  • Titles of the essays should be within quotation marks. Capitalize important words.
  • Write the entire essay in the present tense (literary present).
  • Be sure not to be "chatty." An essay should be in formal English.
  • Watch run-on sentences, fragments, and careless errors in mechanics and grammar.
  • Proofread your essay well. Have someone else proofread your essay.
  • Be sure the essay is mostly your thoughtful commentary and not a piecing together of quotes from the handouts. Choose your quotations carefully.

Notes on an Opening Paragraph for an Essay

Opening paragraphs need not be long. Begin with a broader first sentence, followed by a more specific sentence that focuses on the authors and titles of the writings you will be examining. Follow with a sentence that includes a focused and narrow thesis statement (for a short essay, you must be very selective). You may choose to end your introductory paragraph with a transition sentence to the body of your essay, although this is not necessary. Be sure to write the full name of each author and the complete title of each essay in the opening paragraph. In the body text, you should refer to the authors by their last names only. You may also abridge the titles of the essays within the body paragraphs. For example, "Beauty" and "How It Feels."

Note: Always use the literary present tense.

Example:

Issues of race have been a prominent theme in American literature, history, and culture. Maya Angelou in her essay "Graduation" and Zora Neale Hurston in her essay "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" describe how perceptions of race affect them in different periods of their lives. Angelou and Hurston's African-American heritage influences their self-esteem in both positive and negative ways. In their respective essays, both writers use effective rhetorical strategies to persuade their audiences that the concept of race has a significant impact on their lives.

Format: Typed, MLA format, 12-point font, one-inch margins, literary present tense, two double-spaced pages (to the bottom margin of the second page). See the tab at the top of this website for information about MLA format and sample paper. Also, consult the Rubrics tab to guide you. Find the appropriate rubrics for this essay.

Introductory and Concluding paragraphs should not be long (3-5 sentences max.) Body paragraphs should be at least 7 sentences.

See the tab at the top of this website for information about MLA format and sample paper. Also, consult the Rubrics tab to guide you. Find the appropriate rubrics for this essay.

Check out these links for more assistance with writing a Compare and Contrast Essay:

Rubrics to Consult









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