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ENG102 ESSAY TOPIC LIST
1. Compare and contrast the significance of the blanket in “The Blanket” by Floyd
Dell and the
acelet in “The Bracelet” by Yoshiko Uchida.
2. Compare and contrast the use of the literary element of “Plot Twist” or “Surprise
Ending” in “Johanna” by Jane Yolen and “A Secret for Two” by Quentin
Reynolds.
3. Compare and contrast the roles of Lucille in “The Woman” by Zona gale and
Nathalie in “The Kiss” by Kate Chopin.
4. Compare any theme of any of the stories studied in class with either a political or
social event. Describe the event so that someone who is not familiar with it could
understand your argument. Give at least three specific examples from BOTH the
text and the event to show how they relate to each other in your opinion.
5. Select one of the stories studied in class. Look at the year this story was
written/published. Discuss the story through this historical context (in what ways
does the story represent that time period). Give at least three examples to prove
your point. Also, does the story have a different effect for us reading it in today's
time and perspective?
6. Think about the main characters any of the stories studied in class. Which
character do you personally identify with the most? Explain why. Give at least
three examples from both the story and your personal life to prove your argument.
Then, in contrast, discuss in what way(s) you do not identify with this character.
7. Think about the main characters in the story. Which character do you personally
identify with the least? Explain why. Give at least three examples from both the
story and your personal life to prove your argument. Then, in contrast, discuss in
what way(s) you do identify with this character.
ENGLISH 101
ENGLISH 102
Composition and Literature
UNDERWOOD UNIVERSITY
Today’s Class
Introductory Paragraphs
Body Paragraphs
Concluding Paragraphs
Introductory Paragraphs
What is an introduction?
The first paragraph of an essay
It catches the reader’s interest
It provides essential background about the literary work.
It must include the author and title of the work.
It provides the thesis statement of the essay.
Introductory Paragraphs
Hook:
General background:
Thesis statement
Hook
General Background
Thesis
Introductory Paragraphs
The Hook: get the reader interested in the general topic.
Interesting facts or statistics
A snatch of dialogue between two characters
A meaningful quotation
A universal idea
A rich, vivid description of the setting
Introductory Paragraphs
Interesting facts or statistics
Nearly two hundred citizens were a
ested as witches during the Salem witch scare of 1692. Eventually nineteen were hanged, and another was pressed to death (Marks 65).
Introductory Paragraphs
A snatch of dialogue between two characters
“It is another thing. You [Frederic] cannot know about it unless you have it.” “Well,” I said. “If I ever get it, I will tell you [priest].” (Hemingway 72). With these words, the priest in Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms sends the hero, Frederic, in search of the vague “it” in his life.
Introductory Paragraphs
A meaningful quotation (from the story you are analyzing or another source)
“To be, or not to be, that is the question” {3.1.57}. This familiar statement expresses the young prince’s moral dilemma in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
Introductory Paragraphs
A universal idea
The te
ifying scenes a soldier experiences on the front probably follow him throughout his life—if he manages to survive the war.
Introductory Paragraphs
A rich, vivid description of the setting
Sleepy Maycomb, like other Southern towns, suffers considerably during the Great Depression. Poverty reaches from the privileged families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and “white trash” Ewells, who live on the outskirts of town. Harper Lee paints a vivid picture of life in this humid Alabama town where tempers and bigotry explode into conflict.
Introductory Paragraphs
General Information
Autho
Title
Main Characters
A short summary
Introductory Paragraphs
Thesis Statement
Provides the subject and overall opinion of your essay.
It is usually, but can be more than, one sentence long.
It should include two parts: 1)WHAT: What claim are you making about the text? 2) WHY: Why is your claim important?
Body Paragraphs
Contain information to support the thesis statement (usually 3 body paragraphs)
Topic sentence
Textual evidence 1
Explanation
Textual Evidence 2
Explanation
Concluding Sentence
Body Paragraphs
Topic sentence: the first sentence of a body paragraph. It identifies one aspect of the thesis and states a primary reason why the thesis is true.
Example: When he first appears in the novel, Sidney Carton is a loveless outcast who sees little worth in himself or in others.
Body Paragraphs
Textual Evidence: a specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your topic sentence (can be a combination of paraphrase and direct quotation from the work)
Example: When Carlton and Darnay first meet at the tavern, Carlton tells him, “I care for no man on this earth, and no man cares for me” (Dickens 105).
Body Paragraphs
Commentary: explanation/interpretation of the textual evidence (what the author means, how the evidence proves the topic sentence).
Example: Carton makes this statement as if he were excusing his rude behavior to Darnay, but her is only pretending to be polite, perhaps to amuse himself. With this seemingly off-the-cuff remark, Carton reveals a deeper cynicism and his emotional isolation.
Body Paragraphs
Concluding Sentence: last sentence of the body paragraph. It concludes the paragraph by tying the textual evidence and commentary back to the thesis.
Example: Thus, before Carton experiences love, he is able to convince himself that the world has no meaning.
HINT: Repeat the topic sentence in different words.
Concluding Paragraphs
Last paragraph in your essay.
Restatement of the thesis
Restatement / summary of the 3 main points of your essay
Final statement about why your thesis is important.