two stories: FACING THE LIGHT BY TALAT ABBASI AND DISAPPEARING BY MONICA WOOD
Select ONE of the following prompts:
PROMPT #1: Compare and contrast any two stories and explain, evaluate, and analyze how the authors teach you about women’s rights, equality, or marriage. (Suggested stories: “Facing the Light,” “Disappearing.”) Please do not merely summarize the plot.
PROMPT #2: Compare and contrast any two stories and explain, evaluate, and analyze how the stories successfully use a combination of magical elements and realistic elements to convey a theme. (Suggested stories: “Umbrella,” “The Elephant,” or “The Falling Girl.”) Please do not merely summarize the plot.
PROMPT #3: Compare and contrast any two stories and explain, evaluate, and analyze how the setting helps to convey the theme of the story. (Setting is “time and place.” Any two stories may be used.) Please do not merely summarize the plot.
PROMPT #4: Compare and contrast any two stories and explain, evaluate, and analyze how and in what ways the stories are political in nature. (Suggested stories: “The Street-Sweeping Show” and “The Elephant.”) Please do not merely summarize the plot.
a. Six (6) paragraphs, each of which is well-developed. Sentence count, 8 – 12 per paragraph. If you have only eight sentences, make sure they are longer, more detailed, and richer. Essentially, this essay is a compares and contrasts two stories.
b. MLA-formatted (see samples in your textbook).
c. Include quotes from the story as needed to add specific detail. Quotes will be necessary in paragraphs three, four, and five.
d. Insert a clear thesis at the bottom of the introduction and use strong topic sentences to connect things together.
e. Beware of excessive plot summary. Rather explain why your observations and details are important.
e 3/4. Use the language of fiction, specifically terms that are necessary to writing about literature / fiction.
f. Submit by the deadline with an acceptable percentage match in Turnitin. This percentage must be fifteen percent (15%) or less.
g. At any time, please contact me if you have any questions! I am always happy to review a draft and give you some pointers!
PARAGRAPH DESIGN
Paragraph #1 – Great hook sentence; introduce both authors and both stories; provide some limited biography for each author; give a quick overview or summary of each story; include a strong thesis and essay map.
Paragraphs #2 & #3 – Argue, evaluate, compare, contrast and analyze the first story. How does the author make you understand his / her message? Make sure to relate your ideas back to the thesis. (You may wish to use literary techniques such as symbolism, imagery, word choice, dialogue, irony, etc. as you argue your thesis.)
Paragraphs #4 & #5 – Argue, evaluate, compare, contrast and analyze the second story. How is it alike the first story? How does it differ? Make sure to relate your ideas back to the thesis. (You may wish to use literary techniques such as symbolism, imagery, word choice, dialogue, irony, etc. as you argue your thesis.)
Compare contrast note: You are free to discuss the both stories equally in all four body paragraphs–just do so in an organized fashion. Clarity and transitional words will be key.
