Sophomore Advanced English: The Effect of Beauty
100 Points
Please write an essay that considers how the motif of beauty is explored in at least
two of the following works:
“Beauty” by Tony Hoagland
“Beauty: When the Other Dancer is the Self” by Alice Walker
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
The Sum of Your Facial Parts by Sarah Kershaw
You may wish to consider any/all of the following questions when forming your
thesis:
 Is beauty positive, negative, or both? Is beauty destructive? How so?
 Examine what statement each text makes regarding ugliness—what produces
it, what characterizes it, what effect does it have on individuals? On
society?
 Is there a difference between internal beauty and external beauty?
 What symbols are used to explore beauty? How does that connect with
ideas presented above?
 Is beauty presented differently in various works? Why is that? What is
the difference?
Your essay should meet the following requirements:
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Minimum 4 full pages plus a cover sheet (include a creative title)
standard formatting—typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font,
standard margins
Turned in by 2:30 on 5/28
Submitted to Turnitin.com by 2:30 on 5/28
Essays that are late either electronically or in written form will be
considered late—10 points per day
Elements of writing we have focused on: strong organization, strong
transitions, and detailed analysis. Also ensure that you select strong, active
tense verbs.
Detailed analysis—focus on the type of detailed analysis you complete on a
commentary but apply it this larger, comparative essay. Use the yellow
sheet!
Essay planners are optional for this essay—though strongly suggested! You
may find a copy of the essay planner on my website.
Name:
Free Write: Beauty Essay
1. What is the first text you are going to write about? What statement does
it make about beauty?
2. What is the second text you are going to write about? What statement does
it make about beauty?
3. If you were to select a third text to write about, which one would it be?
What statement does it make about beauty?
4. How are the texts the same (in terms of their statement about beauty)?
5. How are the texts different (in terms of their statement about beauty)?
6. Are there common symbols, motifs, patterns expressed in the works? Is the
meaning the same?