COMPARATIVE ESSAY (130 POINTS)

 COMPARATIVE ESSAY (130  POINTS) 

Your final essay is a comparative essay analyzing two of the novels we read this semester. Follow the process listed below:

1.  two novels: Pride and Prejudice, Their Eyes Were Watching God

2.  Write two claims about the ideas you are comparing a.  Each claim must address both novels

3.  Get claims approved

4.  Find quotes to support each claim (two quotes per body paragraph, one from each novel)

5.  Get quotes approved (optional but suggested)

a.  Both quotes will prove second half of claim (significance)

6.  Begin drafting body paragraphs

7.  Submit rough draft

8.  Proofread and finalize entire essay

Requirements:

●   12 point font in Times New Roman; double-spaced

●   5-7 typed pages

●   Follow the CQA organizational structure

●   Use third person

●   Keep writing in present tense

●   Complete entire writing process

●   Revise, proofread, and repeat

Comparative Essay: Organizational Structure (5-7 total pages)

Introduction

●   Attention getter (will not provide specific details about either text—broader concept)

●   Introduction of novel #1 – title and author

â—‹   Introduce major characters and conflicts relevant to your discussion

●   Transition

●   Introduction to novel #2

â—‹   Introduce major characters and conflicts relevant to your discussion

●   Thesis statement

Body 1

●    Claim = example from each text that shows pattern of behavior (part 1) + culturally significant argument (part 2)

â—‹   Must reference both novels

●   CQA for novel #1

â—‹   Context = summary of part 1 of claim (plot info)


Body 2


â—‹   Quote with citation

â—‹    Analysis = your discussion of how quote proves the culturally significant argument

●   Transition

●   CQA for novel #2

â—‹   Context = summary of part 1 of claim (plot info)

â—‹   Quote with citation

â—‹    Analysis = your discussion of how quote proves the culturally significant argument

●    Concluding statements (both novels – significant similarities/differences depending on your claim)

●    Claim = example from each text that shows pattern of behavior (part 1) + culturally significant argument (part 2)

â—‹   Must reference both novels

●   CQA for novel #1

â—‹   Context = summary of part 1 of claim (plot info)

â—‹   Quote with citation

â—‹    Analysis = your discussion of how quote proves the culturally significant argument

●   Transition

●   CQA for novel #2

â—‹   Context = summary of part 1 of claim (plot info)

â—‹   Quote with citation

â—‹    Analysis = your discussion of how quote proves the culturally significant argument

●   Concluding statements (both novels – significant similarities/differences depending on your claim)


Conclusion

●   Review claim #1 in multiple sentences

●   Review claim #2 in multiple sentences

●    Discuss the universal lessons revealed through your essay (how does this discussion apply to us?)

Preparing for the Comparative Essay

Requirements of the comparative claim:

●   Each claim must apply to both novels

●   Each claim must make reference to the ideas you are comparing

●    Each claim must include an argument (something that is not directly stated in the text)

How the comparative claim is different from an ordinary claim:

●   Applies to both novels


●    The first part of the claim is NOT a specific event, more likely to reflect an ongoing pattern of behavior

●   The second part still answers the “so what?” question but also addresses the culture

Sample claims:

A.  Sudha’s and Tita’s self-sacrificing behaviors reveal the cultural burden of familial obligation, which later causes the women to lead unfulfilled lives.

a.  Part 1 of the claim makes a general reference to an ongoing pattern “Sudha’s and Tita’s self-sacrificing behaviors”

b.  Part 1 of the claim will be addressed in the context – you will NOT present a quote for the first part

c.   Part 2 of the claim—the underlined portion—will be supported by quotes from the novels

B.  Sudha’s and Tita’s quests for independence and pursuit of happiness reveal a deliberate and courageous rejection of the culture’s practice of valuing men more than women.

a.  Part 1 of the claim makes a general reference to an ongoing pattern “Sudha’s and Tita’s quests for independence and pursuit of happiness”

b.  Part 1 of the claim will be addressed in the context – you will NOT present a quote for the first part

c.   Part 2 of the claim—the underlined portion—will be supported by quotes

How to create the comparative claim:

●    Jot down general topics you might want to use: education, family, money, status, gender, etc.

●   Then list how each topic applies to each novel. For example:

â—‹   What do you know about socioeconomic status in Pride and Prejudice?

â—‹   What do you know about socioeconomic status in Their Eyes Were Watching God?

â—‹   List bullet points of relevant examples