English 10EM (Liberty Stanavage): Short Paper 2
From UCSB English Department Knowledge Base
[category:English 10]]
| Welcome to the English Department Knowledge Base at the University of California, Santa Barbara. |
|---|
Short paper #2: Comparative thematic analysis
Due: May 31, 2007 [Peer Review (3 copies due) May 29]
In this paper (5-7 pages), you will be comparing and contrasting two of the texts we have read, one play and one non-dramatic work, to explain/argue their relation to one of the following topics.
- Class/Social Position and society
- Gender roles or relations
- Vengeance and justice
What this means is that you will be looking carefully at the ways in which the two works represent or work through some aspect of the topic. How do these representations differ? How are they similar? What can the intersections between these texts tell us about their subject matter? What is the overall effect of reading the two texts together? How do the different genres of the works affect their discussion or working through of your chosen topic?
You might consider one or more of the following questions:
- Do the works have particular moral or social messages? How do these relate to each other?
- What is the apparent purpose of each work; in other words, how is it designed to affect the reader? How do the purposes of the works relate to their differences?
- How do the two texts present their material? (You might consider things like language, imagery, voice, plot, characterization, etc.)
- Do the texts privilege their subject matter or demean it?
- How does the structure of each work shape our understanding of its subjects; what parts are emphasized or glossed over?
Your paper should be 5 -7 pages in Times Roman 12 pt font, with 1-inch margins. It should follow MLA format guidelines, and should (read must) contain the following:
- A clearly articulated argumentative thesis that stakes a claim about the representation of this topic in the works. (This means that your paper should not just tell us what you see happening in the texts, but also how the works inform each other. In other words, your paper should deal with both texts in relation to each other, not just independently. Your paper should also address what the broader significance of this is; in other words, “so what”.)
- Specific textual evidence and support for your claims (this means quoting the relevant lines from both works and explaining how they relate to and develop your thesis).
- A conclusion that briefly summarizes your argument AND relates your argument back to its broader context (if we now understand your argument, what does this do to our understanding of the works, their possible social context, etc.)
Remember that you need to work closely with the text. While this assignment is not specifically a close reading, you should apply the principles of close reading to your work with the texts. You need to quote relevant parts of the works AND also explain how these sections develop your meaning. Avoid making claims that you cannot and/or do not support from the text. Also, please explain the significance of all the quotes that you do use, and trim the quotes accordingly.
