Historical Narrative

Comparative Essay

The AssignmentO Write an essay of 5 or more

paragraphs comparing and contrasting 2 of the historical narratives you read.

FormatO Handwritten blue or black ink or typedO One side of paperO 1” marginsO Double spacedO Name, period, date, and title on 1st

pageO Neat correctionsO 3rd person

FormO EssayO 5 or more paragraphs O No researchO Intro, body, & conclusion

IntroductionO Grabs audience’s attentionO Clear thesis statementO Identifies the works by title (correct

punct.)O Identifies the authorsO Identifies the genreO Succinctly states the meaning of

each of the works

Thesis StatementO 1 Sentence that clearly expresses

the main idea of the paper

O Example: _____ and ____ are similar/dissimilar works because _______.

Example ThesisO William Bradford’s historical

chronicle Of Plymouth Plantation and Olaudah Equiano’s slave narrative The Interesting Narrative of the Life Of Olaudah Equiano are similarly important historical documents.

A Thesis for a Comparative Essay

O In a comparative essay, you will be required to formulate a thesis that encompasses two or more features that you will be comparing and analyzing. Therefore, you will be writing a thesis that looks at multiple perspectives, not necessarily leaning one way or the other, but bringing out a central comparative idea between or among the things, issues, authors, etc., that you deem worthy as the focus of your essay. http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/thesis.html

Example of a Comparative Thesis

O In Kate Chopin's book The Awakening and Charlotte Perkins Gillman's novella The Yellow Wallpaper, the female protagonists veer from the collective mainstream of a patriarchal society because of their pronounced feelings of alienation, frustration, and emotional and creative repression within this social structure, marked by the subordination of women.

Try something like thisAlthough Of Plymouth Plantation and The Interesting Narrative of the Life Of Olaudah Equiano were both written within 100 years of each other, their differences can mainly be contributed to _____________________.

Although Of Plymouth Plantation and The Interesting Narrative of the Life Of Olaudah Equiano were both written within 100 years of each other, their similarities can mainly be contributed to _____________________.

Try thisO Although Of Plymouth Plantation and

The Interesting Narrative of the Life Of Olaudah Equiano both express the hardships people endured in the early years of the American Colonies, readers are more likely to be sympathetic toward Equiano’s slave narrative than William Bradford’s historical chronicle.

BodyO Explains and develops the thesisO Provides supporting examples from the

work to back up the main point of the paragraph

O Uses 2 or more carefully selected quotes to help explain or give examples to points made in the paragraphs.

O See “Compare/Contrast Essay Help Sheet”

Whole-to-Whole Organization

I. IntroductionII. 1st piece informationIII. 1st piece additional informationIV. 2nd piece informationV. 2nd piece additional informationVI. Conclusion

Similarities-to-Differences

OrganizationI. IntroductionII. Piece 1 & 2 similaritiesIII. Piece 1 & 2 similarities IV. Piece 1 & 2 differencesV. Conclusion

Point-by-Point Organization

I. IntroductionII. Main point 1 about both piecesIII. Main point 2 about both piecesIV. Main point 3 about both piecesV. Conclusion

ConclusionO Restates the thesisO Leaves the reader with a question,

quotation, fresh insight, or memorable impression

To Turn inO Historical Narratives Notes pages

10 pts

O Comparison Essay Planning pages 10 pts

O 1st draft 10 pts

O Final draft 70 pts

100 points total