Literary Analysis
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Paper #3: Literary Analysis: Comparison and Contrast
Due date: Peer Edit: Mon 4/9 or Tues 4/10 :: Final Draft: Wed 4/11 or Thu 4/12
Length: 1000-1250 words, minimum
Value: 20% of your final grade
Description: This assignment requires you to create a persuasive argument about Fences and AngelaÕs Ashes by using the strategy of comparison and contrast. Remember that it will not be enough for you just to point out similarities and differences between your two main subjects. Those similarities and differences must help you support a persuasive argument.
Selecting Points to Address
You should highlight comparisons and contrasts that go beyond trivial points. Do not be satisfied with pointing out things that any reader of these works will have already noticed. Do not merely repeat things that have been said in class. You want to incorporate only important points of comparison or contrast that are relevant to your argument. Remember, however, that small details that seem unimportant at first glance may turn out to carry great meaning. A sense of balance should help with your selection of details. Any point you make about one of your subjects should also be made about the other subject
Technique
á Use evidence from the text to support your points. Summarize, paraphrase, and quote where appropriate.
á Provide explication of the passages you cite. Do not assume your reader knows why they are significant.
Research
No outside sources are required. All sources must be cited according to MLA style.
Possible approaches to take
á Compare and contrast two characters, one from each work. Think about their motives, their weaknesses, their strengths, their successes, their failures.
á Compare and contrast the authorsÕ portrayal of two characters, one from each work. Is it a sympathetic portrayal? A judgmental one?
á Compare and contrast two incidents, one from each work. How or why are they important?
á Compare and contrast the language used in the two works. Do the characters speak in distinct ways? Why? Describe the language. What role does it play?
á Compare and contrast how each author makes use of the conventions of their genre: memoir and drama. You might focus on point of view, narrative, dialogue, or setting.
If you have another idea for your Comparison and Contrast paper, discuss it with me before starting to write.
Literary Analysis: Comparison & Contrast
Student Name:__________
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Writing Skills Evaluation |
Excellent |
Average |
Weak |
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High |
Low |
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High |
Low |
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Quality of Thought |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Recognition/examination of complex ideas Credible and logical support Thesis |
Thesis is clearly stated and is argumentative. Unified and strong control of content. Opinions and claims are well-supported. Ample evidence. Logic is maintained. Paper is ambitious and insightful. Original ideas are presented, not repetitions of class discussion. |
Thesis is vague or not clearly argumentative. Generally unified. Ideas are balanced. Opinions and claims are adequately supported and usually logical. Paper is ambitious but quality is inconsistent. Ideas are repetitions of class discussion. |
Thesis is hard to find. Little evidence of control of ideas. Ideas are not supported, or support is clichŽd or illogical. Paper is not ambitious or insightful. Ideas are largely obvious to any reader or are a repetition of what was said in class. |
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Clarity of Purpose |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Clear purpose Audience awareness |
Positions are insightful and clear. Thesis is focused; intent is obvious. Clear sense of audience. |
Positions are sound and understandable. Thesis is general; intent is evident. Somewhat aware of audience.
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Lacks position on topics. Thesis may be absent or intent is unclear. Superficial. Little to no recognition of audience. |
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Organization of Content |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Arrangement Unity Coherence |
Ideas are well connected through structural and linguistic transitions. Structure complements and completes content. |
Some evidence of structural and linguistic transitions. Structure is generally adequate for the content.
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Overall unity and coherence are flawed. Parts are poorly connected, and there is little evidence of planning or organization. |
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Language and Style/Voice |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Vocabulary Register Tone |
Exhibits confident, skillful use of language. Uses a varied, accurate, and appropriate vocabulary. Sentences are purposefully designed and matched to content. |
Exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language. Uses generally appropriate vocabulary and varied sentences.
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Displays little facility in the use of language. Uses limited vocabulary or inappropriate word choice. Sentences are basic. Paper may be repetitive or wordy. |
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Mechanics |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Grammar and usage Punctuation Spelling |
Grammatical structures are well-chosen. No errors detract from meaning. |
Grammatical structures carry the meaning forward, although readers notice occasional error(s).
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Grammar errors are so obtrusive that readers are seriously distracted by them. |
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Research / Citations |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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MLA formatting Number of citations Evidence from the text |
Clear attribution and accurate documentation. In-text citations and works cited page are correct. Proper use of signal phrases. Uses multiple examples from the text. |
Some evidence of citations in text and on works cited page. Inconsistent use of MLA formatting. Uses a few examples from the text. |
Little or no use of signal phrases. Significant errors in formatting in-text and works cited page citations. Uses two or three examples from the text. |
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Essays plagiarized or not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.
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