Essay Topic This essay of no more than 700 words requires you to choose two stories from among those covered so far in Modules 1 to 5 and assigned in Module 6. You’re limited to the stories that you...

Essay Topic

This essay of no more than 700 words requires you to choose two stories from among those covered so far in Modules 1 to 5 and assigned in Module 6. You’re limited to the stories that you haven’t already written about in your last two essays. One of your challenges for Assignment 3 is to select two stories that are good matches for your chosen topic. You may wish to consult your Open Learning Faculty Member about your topic and short story choices.

In the meantime, review the list of stories and strike out the two you chose for your previous essays.

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  “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

  
  


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  “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather

  
  

Note

You’re not required to do any research for Assignment 3; however, if you feel confident about including secondary sources, feel free to do so.

Comparison and Contrast Essay Topics

Choose justoneof the following topics:

1. 
   

   Using two stories, compare and contrast the protagonists’ isolation from the world and the people around them.

   
   


2. 
   

   Using two stories, compare and contrast the marital or romantic relationships presented.

   
   


3. 
   

   Using two stories, compare and contrast the use of point of view.

   
   


4. 
   

   Using two stories, compare and contrast the presentation of selfishness.

   
   


5. 
   

   Using two stories, compare and contrast the parent/child relationship.

   
   

Instructions

Your essay should have three parts: an introductory paragraph, a body containing fully developed paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Following is a general guide for what to include in each section of your essay.

In your introductory paragraph:

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  Introduce your chosen stories (with their full titles) and their authors.

  
  


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  Identify clearly your essay topic—the subject of your comparison/contrast.

  
  


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  Include a strong thesis statement on the comparison and contrast topic that indicates what a reader ultimately can learn from the comparison/contrast.

  
  


• 
  

  Forecast the categories of the comparison and contrast that your essay will analyze in detail.

  
  

In your analysis in the body of your essay:

• 
  

  Make effective use of topic sentences to identify the categories of comparison or contrast in your analysis.

  
  


• 
  

  Support your comments with evidence (paraphrase and direct quotations) from your chosen stories.

  
  


• 
  

  Explain the significance of each piece of evidence you present as it relates to your thesis.

  
  


• 
  

  Contribute to your reader’ understanding of the two stories as a whole.

  
  

In your concluding paragraph:

• 
  

  Summarize how your analysis of the categories of comparison/contrast supports your thesis.

  
  


• 
  

  Restate in different words the purpose of your comparison/contrast.