ENGL 1127 W01 Summer 2017

Assignment: Comparative Essay

Due Date: Friday, July 7 (via D2L)

Overview:
This assignment, worth 15% of your final grade, invites you to compare and contrast at least two of the
short stories that weve read this term. I expect you to write a thesis-driven essay that identifies a main
idea, or topic, and then uses this topic to compare two short stories in terms of their similarities and
differences.

Choose your texts and topic carefully, and ensure youre making an argument in your essaynot just
stating the obvious. Email (mmbrown@langara.bc.ca) me or see me during my office hours for guidance
as you brainstorm your essay.

Formatting and Length Requirements:

3-4 full pages (Works Cited page not included), double-spaced, or approximately 750-1 000 words
standard (2.54 cm or 1 inch) margins
12-pt serif typeface (e.g., Cambria, Times New Roman)
format in-text citations and Works Cited in MLA citation style (see the Online Writing Labs
MLA Formatting and Style Guide at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01)

Criteria:
You will be graded on the overall quality of your essay. This includes your grammar, spelling,
punctuation, style, sentence structure, paragraphing, thesis, the originality of your argument/thesis,
and your attention to detail.

Learning Outcomes:
The assignment is intended to develop the following abilities and skills:
Making connections between ideas and/or texts
Engaging in critical thinking
Focusing on the relevant features of a literary or argumentative text
Producing an analysis or synthesis
Crafting an argument

Relevant Resources:
1) Online Writing Lab (http://owl.english.purdue.edu): Advice on how to format your essay in MLA,
as well as on various concepts and writing strategies (e.g., paragraphing) weve discussed this term
2) Langara Writing Centre (http://langara.bc.ca/student-services/learning-commons/writing-
centre/index.html): Access one-on-one writing help on a drop-in basis; website features Self-Help
Guides, including a guide to writing The Comparison Essay (http://langara.ca/student-
services/learning-commons/writing-centre/online-help/comparison-essay.html)