Analyze and compare two or more of the texts examined in class, bringing them into conversation with each other. Essays should include an innovative thesis which makes unique connections between the given texts. Papers should include close readings and textual evidence to support the student’s claims.
Students are welcome to compare any two or more texts that have been examined within the course. This includes short stories, novels, poems, essays, or historical documents. Context given from class lectures can be incorporated but should be appropriately cited. If utilizing a critical essay, be sure to use it primarily as support for a textual analysis. If you choose to engage with more than two texts, please be sure to keep your argument tightly focused so as not to be too overwhelmed by content and broad generalizations. The essay’s central thesis should be appropriately constrained, meaning a simple run down of similarities and differences between the two texts will be too broad. Instead, students should focus on one or two central themes, characters, genres, etc., and analyze the ways in which the chosen texts engage with these elements. The final comparative essay must be 1200+ words.
Key components of your comparative analysis essay:
• Background Information/Contextualization-Name the text and author you have chosen for to analyze for your paper, and provide any historical context you feel may be relevant to understanding your claims. Be sure to be concise, spending a few sentences and no more on this background information in your introduction, and making clear how it is relevant to your paper.
• Claim-The thesis of your analysis makes a claim about the two texts you are analyzing in comparison to one another. This thesis MUST have a clear and debatable argument, make clear the significance of this argument, and should reach beyond a simple list of similarities and differences between the two texts. This can be placed early in your analysis, or come as the conclusion following your full analysis (or both!)
• For each body paragraph, provide a clear topic sentence at the start, with evidence from the text to support your claims. Including at least one direct quote from your texts in each paragraph is recommended. Please remember that these quotes must be followed by an explanation and a close reading. Extrapolate on what the formal elements of a text mean and create support for your overall claim.
• Conclusion-Brief wrap-up pulling your thoughts together and reiterating your overall claim.
