English

English 1302 Paper 1: Poetry Comparison/Contrast (worth 15% of final course grade) Thesis workshop: F 2/10 Conferences: Week of 2/13-2/15 Final copy of Paper 1 due*: F 2/17 *in a folder with your conference draft Length: Minimum 2 1/2 pages Format: MLA (12 point font, 1 inch margins, double-spaced, appropriate heading and works cited page) About the Assignment For this assignment, you will write a paper that compares or contrasts (or compares and contrasts) two of the poems we have read. For example, you might discuss similarities/differences in the poems’ messages about an issue/topic or you might discuss how similarly/differently the two authors approach setting, tone, word choice. Below is a list of prompts that you may choose from; review these, your journals, and our class discussions to find the topic you are most interested in. Please note: You do not have to address all of the ideas mentioned in a prompt! Instead, use these to help you find your focus. And, if a topic you are interested in is not on the list below, you may still pursue it, but I would like to meet with you briefly so that I may address any questions you have. Requirements Your paper should have: a well-developed introduction with a clear, specific thesis (topic + comment); several body paragraphs in which you provide evidence and explanations that support your thesis; direct quotes from the poems as evidence, when possible; proper in-text documentation of the quotes; clear organization and transitions (see the end of these instructions) a “satisfying” conclusion; a works cited page, with the documentation information for both poems. Resources For general advice regarding writing about literature, you should check out the following sections in your Literature: Craft & Voice (V2) text:

Guide to Writing from Reading (pp. 50-55) Sample Student Paper (pp. 56-63) A Handbook for Writing from Reading (pp. H28-H46) Sample Student Paper (pp. H51-H54) Reading for Words (pp. 96-97); Reading for...