DIRECTIONS:

1. Select two out of the five short stories we have read thus far to write about: Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," Fay Weldon's "Ind Aff, Or Out of Love in Sarajevo," Mansfield's "Miss Brill," or Updike's "Summer." Choose twoshort stories and write a compare and contrast essay. This essay will still have an argument proving "something." Only this time you will prove your reasoning for synthesizing two works by two different authors. You can compare authors, along with the elements of fiction we have learned so far.For example, you can compare and contrast, theme, setting, symbols, plot or characterization within the two texts. No outside sources necessary. Thisessay will be 3-4 pages of writing, with the 5th page being the work cited.You can write more, but I do not recommend it! The point of a short essay is to prove your point and not stray too far from your thesis or the texts you are writing about. Choose from one of the suggested topics below on which to write your paper or you may create your own topic:a. Compare Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" with Mansfield's "Miss Brill." To what extent are the author's' attitudes about symbolism similar?b. How does passion figure in Weldon's "IND AFF" and in Updike's"Summer"? Explain how Weldon's and Updike's perspectives on passion suggest similar or differing views of love and human relationships.c. Compare and contrast Weldon's "IND AFF" and Updike's "Summer" orGilb's "Love in L.A."  Do you think that the stories end happily, or the way you would want them to end? Are the endings problematic?d. Compare and contrast setting in Weldon's "IND AFF" and Updike's"Summer" or Gilb's "Love in L.A." How is setting viewed as an important character in both stories?

2. OVERVIEW of a college essay: Your first paragraph MUST include the

author's name and the title of the story you are writing about.  It must also include an introduction (2 - 4 sentences). The introduction should leads smoothly and logically to your thesis statement.  Your body paragraphs will develop and support your thesis by using direct quotes from the story.Remember that each body paragraph needs a clear topic sentence with the following three elements: a transition, a reminder of the thesis, and the main idea of the paragraph.  Your final paragraph should give your essay a sense of closure; it should not simply reiterate your thesis.

3. To support your observations/opinions, use direct quotes from the story. Each body paragraph must have a minimum of two BRIEF quotes. Please avoid long (block) quotes.

4. Please write in the present tense, using the third person point of view.Follow the MLA format for integrating quotations into your essay and for  parenthetical documentation, which includes the author's name and the exact page(s) where the quotes are located.  See your handbook for information regarding the use of "quotations marks," [brackets], and ellipsis marks . . . .5. Your essay should be 3-4 pages of writing. The heading, page numbers,font size, and spacing must conform to the requirements outlined below. 

Requirements for structure of essay:

All essays MUST be typed and turned in using the drop-box. Use Times New Roman font. Size type must be 12. Double Space In upper left-hand corner your information (look to example paper) Title centered Page numbers: (last name, 1) in the upper right-hand corner of each page Work Cited page is a separate page and must be accounted for-see example paper in your Writer's Reference Handbook for format

Important Reminders

1. Italicize your thesis statement.

2. Each body paragraph must have a clear topic sentence.

3. A direct quote from the story should be introduced and explained so the reader understands how the quote illustrates the point you are making. Using Several quotes in a row, without transitions and/or explanation, is unacceptable.  (Give page numbers for direct quotes, not paragraph numbers.)

4. Use transitional words and phrases whenever possible.

5. Write in the present tense.

6. Give your essay a title (not the title of the story you are writing about).

7. Mention the author (first and last name) and the title of the story (in quotation marks) in the 1st or 2nd sentence of paragraph one.  Use the author's last name only in subsequent references.