Write a compare/contrast essay
Purpose: Write a compare/contrast essay on “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “Sweat”. Several of our last readings have focused on the American female experience told from many different perspectives. In these pieces by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Zora Neale Hurston, consider ways in which the themes, settings, conflicts and events are similar or different. Here are some essay questions to explore:
Compare the settings in two of the short stories. Think about descriptions, objects, and moods.
Compare the female characters—personality and actions.
Compare the code of behavior for women in the short stories.
How do these female characters defy the code?
How do the authors’ backgrounds and events during the time the stories were written affect the way the stories were written?
Focus on similarities or differences of the societies in your chosen stories.
Compare/Contrast the depiction of the male characters in two of the works.
***These are potential topics, but by no means are you limited to one. You may propose another angle if you’re so inclined.
Requirements
The essay: Must be at a minimum of 600 words in length (2-3pgs.).
Must have an original title.
Must have an explicit thesis statement and precise topic sentences.
Must use evidence from research, observation, and personal experience to support points.
Clearly and logically articulate your claim/stance.
Use an appropriate level of formality, and use a reasonable tone.
Use at least one outside academic source.
Must have in-text citations as well as a Works Cited page.
Sources must be documented using MLA-style parenthetical references and works cited page. The works cited page should include only those sources that are actually cited in your paper.
Must be typed double spaced 12pt font/Times New
Grading
Your Essay will be worth 35 points and will be evaluated on 5 criteria each worth 7 points: focus, development, organization, sentence structure and word choice, grammar, spelling, formatting and MLA documentation.
**I am attaching the specific essays from the book we are supposed to use the read the stories, use that as one source throughout the essay. The Norton Anthology American Literature, Shorter 9th Edition.**
