Required Readings:

All previously assigned readings in Meyer
and "Questions for Developing a Topic into a Revised Thesis" Meyer 276
and review "Questions for Responsive Reading and Writing" Meyer 44-46
and "Documenting Sources" Meyer 2179

This essay assignment asks you to write a comparison and contrast paper.  If you turn to the inside cover of your Meyer text and look at the Comparison and Contrast section, you will get tips as well as sample student essays to help you get started with the format.

Each choice also asks you to read a story (or stories) you have not yet read.

Choice One: Focus on Plot

Write an essay comparing the plot development in Alice Walker's "The Flowers" (Meyer 73), Raymond Carver's "Popular Mechanics" (Meyer 248), and E. Annie Proulx's "55 miles to the Gas Pump" (Meyer 491).  These very short stories can be considered experimental in nature.   Despite their brevity of their stories, how do the authors use plot to create compelling fictional worlds?  Can the last lines be interpreted as "resolution?"  

Tip:   Examine the stories with an eye to the components of plot as outlined in chapter 3.  Read each story at least twice. (This is really important as the second time around knowing the ending will result in "seeing" in a different light the details that lead up to the ending.) Free write on Plot questions 2, 4, and 5 on page 44 of Meyer to begin brainstorming.   DO NOT write answers to these questions in your essay!  The point is to get you thinking analytically about the stories about the stories.  Develop a focused thesis that addresses the essay prompt.

Choice Two: Focus on Character

Compare the personalities of Brille in Bessie Head's "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses" (103) and Abner Snopes in William Faulkner's "Barn Burning " (373).  How does each character cope with oppression?

Tip: Character questions 8, 9, 10, and 11 on page 44 of Meyer are good starting points for brainstorming.  DO NOT write answers to these questions in your essay!  The point is to get you thinking analytically about the stories.  Develop a focused thesis that addresses the essay prompt.

Choice Three: Focus on Setting

Contrast the attitudes toward patriotism implicit in Hemingway's "Soldier's Home" (Meyer 136) with those of Tim O'Brien's "How to tell a True War Story" (Meyer 420).  How do the stories' settings help to account for the differences?

Tip: Start your brainstorming by free writing on the Setting questions on page 45 of Meyer.  DO NOT write answers to these questions in your essay!  The point is to get you thinking analytically about the stories.  Develop a focused thesis that addresses the essay prompt.

Choice Four: Focus on Symbolism

Compare and contrast the use of the hand as a symbol in both Collette's "The Hand" (205) and Hawthorne's "The Birthmark" (306) in terms of how they help convey the central meanings of each story.

Tip: Start your brainstorming by free writing on the Symbolism questions on page 45 in Meyer.  DO NOT write answers to these questions in your essay!  The point is to get you thinking analytically about the stories.  Develop a focused thesis that addresses the essay prompt.

Organization:

Your essay should reflect what you already know about essay organization, and, therefore should exhibit the following:

• an interesting introduction that includes a highly focused thesis statement

• body paragraphs that have topic sentences and that support the thesis with specific details and BRIEF quotes from the readings.

• an interesting conclusion

• parenthetical references and a works cited page

Due Dates and Length:

Thursday, June 16, 10 PM: Final Draft 1250-1500 (also submit to turnitin.com)
(not including Works Cited Page)
Packet Requirements

Include these clearly marked documents:
Final Draft and Works Cited Page