Compare / Contrast 2 short stories from Fiction unit You will write a 750-word (3–4 pages) essay that compares and contrasts 2 stories from the Fiction Unit. Equip yourself objectively by compiling information from a variety of sources in order to compose a persuasive analysis of a literary work. You will also follow standard usage in English grammar and sentence structure; identify the theme and structure of each literary selection as well as the significant characteristics or elements of each genre studied; and evaluate the literary merit of a work FICTION ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS Before you begin writing the essay, gather all of your information, plan the direction of your essay, and organize your ideas by developing a 1-page thesis statement and outline for your essay. Format the thesis statement and the outline in a single Microsoft Word document using current MLA, APA, or Turabian style (whichever corresponds to your degree program); check your Perrine’s Literature textbook, the Harbrace Essentials Handbook and/or its companion website, MindTap, to ensure correct citation format is used. Fiction Essay Requirements The Fiction Essay should include: A.Title page B. Thesis & Outline page C. Poetry Essay itself followed by a Works Cited / References / Bibliography page of the short story & any other sources used in the essay Fiction Essay choices: Choose 2 of the following short stories to compare & contrast • The Lottery by- Shirley Jackson • The Destructors- by Graham Greene • The Rocking-Horse Winner- by D.H. Lawrence • Young Goodman Brown- by Nathaniel Hawthorne • The Prodigal Son- by St. Luke, the physician Make at least 2 of these elements of fiction the focus of your essay: Characterization Conflict Structure Setting Setting Theme Purpose of Authors Point of View Tone Style Irony Symbol Imagery 1.Conflict: this is NOT a summary of the stories What are the basic conflicts, and how do these build tension, leading to major complicated incidents and climactic moment(s)? What are the ways in which each major character experiences conflict (either with self, with other characters, or with the social and/or physical environment)? How are the conflicts resolved? Do the protagonists succeed in achieving their goals? Who receives your deepest sympathy and why? Note that plot = summary—do not summarize. As you explain the message through characterization/theme/etc., you will be summarizing the story, so integrate the summary/plot into the major points of the essay. 2.Characterization this is NOT a summary of the stories Who are the main characters in the stories? What are their outstanding qualities? Does the author give any indication as to how or why the character developed these qualities? What are the characters’ emotions, attitudes, and behaviors? What do these indicate to the reader about the character? Can the characters’ motivations be determined from the text? 3.Theme(s) of Authors: What is the major theme (or themes) of each story Are the themes of the stories similar or different? How does the author convey the theme (or themes) to the readers? What unique style, techniques, or devices do the writers use to communicate the themes? 4.Purpose(s) of Authors: Do the themes relate to the purposes of the authors? Examples of author purpose include: to entertain to satirize to realistically portray life’s problems to analyze emotions and responses to communicate a moral message What unique style, techniques, or devices do the writers use to communicate the purpose? 5.Tone: How would you describe the tone of the piece? Does the tone correspond with the action of in the plot? 6.Style: What style does the author use? (For example, one way an author might satirize is by including a lot of irony, hyperbole, or unrealistic scenarios.) How might the story be different if the tone or style is changed? 7.Setting: Where and when do the stories take place? geographic location—country, region, era time of year/time period—work day, play time, vacation, daily life urban, city, suburban, small town, rural Do the settings make the stories believable or credible? How does setting impact the plot of the story? How would the plot be affected if the story took place in another setting? Are the characters influenced by their settings? How might they behave if they were in a different setting? What atmosphere or mood does the setting create? EX: darkness may create a mood of fear or unhappiness EX: light or bright colors may create one of happiness Is the setting or any aspect of it symbolic? Does the setting express particular ideas? Does setting create expectations that are the opposite of what occurs? 8.Irony & Symbolism: Does the writer use irony or symbols to communicate the message? NOTE: These questions are a means of ordering your thoughts while you collect information for your essay. You do not need to include the answers to all of these questions in your essay; include only those answers that directly support your thesis statement.
#Fiction #Essay
