In this first part of the Week 5, you will set up the foundation upon which you can build an excellent Paper #2. In order to accomplish that, please complete the following activities:
a. a) List the titles and authors of both the stories you have chosen and their shared theme. The theme must be the one you chose to analyze in Paper #1, and one of your chosen short stories must be the one you chose for Paper #1.
b. b) Compose your thesis statement. The thesis statement should reflect that you are comparing and contrasting both stories, as they relate to the same theme in both stories.
c. Compose your introductory paragraph for your Paper #2; remember to include both stories in your paragraph. Remember to include your in-text citations (using MLA) and a \”Works Cited\” complete citation at the end of your paragraph.
d. Post your outline. Indicate which features in both stories you will be comparing and contrasting. Your outline might look something like this:
– Introductory paragraph
– Thesis statement
– Comparison paragraph (list the features from both stories you will be comparing; be sure to relate them to the shared theme in both stories)
– Contrast paragraph (list the features from both stories you will be contrasting; be sure to relate them to the shared theme in both stories)
– Concluding paragraph (you will develop this in a later discussion; for now, just note, in your outline, that it will be a part of your Paper #2).
Topic for Paper 2: How do two short stories help the reader to understand a common theme? By writing this paper, you will answer this question and demonstrate the following skills for writing and literature:
Analyze literature for a purpose
Distinguish digital or print materials through annotation in order to demonstrate reading and summary skills
Identify a common theme in two short stories
Identify one to three examples from each story to support the theme
Write a thesis statement that clearly identifies the titles of the stories, their authors, the theme, and what the paper will discuss about the stories and the theme
Write clear topic sentences for paragraphs that inform the reader what the paragraph will discuss
Develop paragraphs that explain how the examples from the stories support the topic sentence of the paragraph
Organize a comparison and contrast paper by presenting paragraphs in a logical and interesting fashion using one of two methods for comparison and contrast: story-by-story or idea-by-idea
Write sentences in standard American English that clearly express ideas
Demonstrate the correct use of MLA formatting within the paper and on Works Cited page
Explain your writing process in a clear and logical fashion
Overview of the Workshop Format for Paper 2
In Paper 1, you developed an initial thesis statement that considered how a theme is shown in a short story. In Paper 2, you will be building on that discussion by considering and analyzing the second story. You will be developing a comparison/contrast paper that focuses on bringing inappropriate material from Paper 1 and your stories. You will be using the feedback you received on Paper 1 from your instructor to help you revise any material you may want to use in Paper 2.
For Paper 2, review the selection of stories and choose another story that would work with your previously chosen theme and short story. Then, as you did for Paper 1, you will workshop the following areas in the weekly discussions.
Thesis. Your thesis statement should include both stories and the theme. You will work on the thesis, a pattern of organization, and outline in the Week 5 discussion. Topic sentences for the outline will also be reviewed. You will also be applying the critical reading skills youve been developing throughout the course.
Development. The development or body of the paper will focus on analyzing how the literary element connects to the meaning of the theme in both stories. During Weeks 6, 7, and 8, in the discussions, you will review the following writing strategies to develop your paper. The paragraphs are becoming more complex because you will be using the two stories (instead of one) to develop and present your ideas.
development of body paragraphs that include strong topic sentences and transitions that set up comparison/contrast of the two stories and their shared theme
development and management of the they say/I say components for using multiple sources in writing
inclusion of claims and evidence that help to develop your argument
using keywords and lengthy quotations as development
Sentence Level and MLA. Your writing should be carefully proofed for sentence-level concerns. It should be formatted and documented according to MLA documentation in the form of parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page (work from an anthology). Throughout the writing of Paper 2, you will be applying these grammatical and documentation skills you learned from Paper 1 to Paper 2.
Reminder: As in Paper 1, remember that your reader has read the story and is familiar with them. You do not have to spend time on a summary. Instead, your development should explain and analyze how the examples from the two stories help your reader understand the theme and your thesis.
Reflection: When complete, upload your work to the Assignment Folder within the link \”Paper 2\” by the deadline. On a separate page of your submission, provide an overview of your writing process for this paper.
Include an outline based on your paper
Word Count: 800-1,000 words
Sources that must be used:
The Gift of the Magi. | O. Henry. http://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/the-gift-of-the-magi
The Pianist in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot | Shao Wang. http://gateway.proquest.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2003&xri:pqil:res_ver=0.2&res_id=xri:lion&rft_id=xri:lion:ft:journals:R04050462:0
