Comparison Essay
Name:
British Literature Honors
Date:
For this process writing piece you will create a well-developed comparison essay that incorporates text and
evidence from Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead or, if you prefer, Lord of the Flies. In
addition, you will need to cite one critical essay within your own writing to further your argument.
Topic Choices
Each choice has a list of several questions following the main topic. You should not answer
all of these; rather, you should use them to start forming an argument.
1. The themes of life and death as revealed in both texts: How are the author’s attitudes different?
What conclusions can the reader draw about the author’s message, characters, time period, etc. by
examining these differences?
2.
The role fate plays in both works: How does it drive the plot? How does the historical period
shape this? How does the characters’ approach to this change/shape the plot or theme? What is
the author’s attitude toward it?
3.
The idea of trust (or lack thereof) in both texts: To varying degrees, how does it drive the action of
the play? What is the author’s attitude toward it? What message are the authors trying to convey?
Is one work in response to another? Is trust a reflection of social issues surrounding the works’
creation?
4.
The author’s view of the human condition in both texts: What does each author think is
universal? Do these authors agree with each other?
5. Shakespeare and Stoppard’s point of view and portrayal of characters in both texts: How does the
story change and for what purpose with these changes? Why would Stoppard change the original?
6. Shakespeare and Stoppard’s treatment of the “madness” of Hamlet: How does each author define
it? Who is really “mad” in each work? How does this affect the story? Is one work conflicting
with another? If so, to what end?
7. The purpose of theater in the works
8. The different roles of the players in each work
9. Reality vs. art
Not digging R&G? You may also use one of these topics to compare LOTF and Hamlet.
1.
Dramatic function of character pairs in the works
2. Shakespeare’s and Golding’s attitude toward human nature and how it affects the works
3. Character foils: How are they used in each work? Is there any message or theme that author
wishes to convey through them?
4. Order and chaos and its effect on civilization: Theme? Author’s attitude?
5. Reluctance and inaction: How are Ralph and Hamlet similar? What is each author trying to tell
the reader?
These are just ideas to help you get started. You are not limited to only these topic choices.
You may use the topics above to guide your thesis statement.
Prewriting:
Before you begin composing your essay, you will be asked to conference with a paper
proposal (worksheet to follow) so that you do not spend a lot of time on an argument that will
not work or be developed in the paper.
Requirements:
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2-3 pages double-spaced (500-750 words)
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A cohesive argument. You need to come to a conclusion as to why it
matters that the two plays are either similar or different
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12-point Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins
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Integrated quotes from the 2 works you are comparing and 1 critical
essay. A minimum of 4 citations is required.
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All citations MUST be in MLA format (see link to OWL on website).
This includes properly citing outside sources.
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There must be a well-developed thesis and essay that follows it.
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A works cited page is required (MLA format).
The rough draft of this essay will be submitted to turnitin.com on:_______________
Final draft is due on: ____________________________________________
Final copies must be submitted to turnitin.com. Notes about this:
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You may only submit once, so be sure to edit before uploading.
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Save each draft of your essay (rough and final) as a separate file.
Your works cited page is part of the essay; make sure it is not a separate
document.
To sign up for TurnItIn.com:
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To create an account, go to TurnItIn.com and click on “Create Account” in
the top-left corner.
Enter your information (your e-mail address will be your ID; you create your
own password).
The class information is as follows:
o ID: 5540117
o Password: britlit
Click “I Agree – Create Profile.” You should see your class and Ms. Cook’s
name on the page that loads.
If you already have a TurnItIn.com account, log in and click on “Enroll in a
class.” Enter the ID and password above.
Helpful Hints and Reminders
Use this sheet as a checklist when writing your essay.
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Research—decide on the topic and begin researching in the library (remember
that eBooks are your best friend!)
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Complete the paper proposal sheet and meet with Ms. Cook on Monday
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Create an outline (suggested, but not required—a good idea if you have issues
with organization and structure)
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Find your quotations. You need only four, so make sure they are pertinent
and they do not exceed 3 typed lines (each) in your paper
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Rough draft. It is a good idea to use a flash drive, google docs, or Microsoft
skydrive. This way you do not accidently e-mail attachments before they are
saved.
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Use the links and PowerPoints on my website to aid in composing your work
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Make sure you have enrolled in Ms. Cook’s class on turnitin.com
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Make sure you have submitted a rough draft on the due date or you cannot
peer edit. Even if you are absent, you will be asked to peer edit someone’s
paper, as this can be done online at home.
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You will have to work on this paper outside of class, so make you allot some
time at home to compose.
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E-mail questions that you might have to bcook@pennsbury.k12.pa.us.
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Use the discussion board on TurnItIn if you are stuck or find something
helpful for your classmates. Remember that I am also on the board, so keep
the Academic Integrity policy in mind.
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I will not be editing rough drafts for you. If there is something in particular
you would like me to look at, please e-mail the paper to me and write in the email what you would like me to review.
Compare/ Contrast Rubric
Standards and Criteria
Point Value
A
20
B
17
Focus
-A single, controlling point is established
-Evident awareness of task/ body paragraphs support thesis
- Proper introduction is created that guides the reader
C
15
D
13
F
10
Content
25
20
18
16
14
-Substantial, specific, and/or illustrative details about the specific topic
(must include quotes from the two works compared and one critical essay)
-Strong development of each point made (no unsupported statements)
- Prose exhibits sophistication of topic
-Evidence of writer’s control
- Effective argument made
Organization
20
17
15
13
10
-Details within the body paragraphs follow the points described in topic sentence
-Strong utilization of transitional words or phrases throughout the essay
-Essay is structurally sound and has a logical progression
-The concluding paragraph brings the essay
to an effective close (should sum up, solidify argument, NO NEW POINTS)
Style
15
13
11
10
8
-Usage of a variety of words and sentence structures
to enhance the fluidity of the essay
-Writing is natural and fluid
- Style is consistent through entire piece
- Thorough understand of the connotative and denotative qualities of words
Conventions
20
17
15
13
10
- No grammatical, spelling, usage, or syntactical errors
- Sentence variety
- Maintain point of view (first person references will result in a grade no higher
than a C)
-quotations and paraphrasing properly cited with no errors (MLA)
- Maintains literary present and active voice
- includes a properly formatted works cited page
TOTAL POINTS____/100
Comments: