Comparison Paper

Paper Length: 3-4 pages

Worth: 5% of total grade

Due: September 24^th

Captain John Smith and William Bradford were important figures in colonizing the New World. Write a well developed comparison and contrast essay of the two men. (Use your handouts and model paper for an example of a good comparison and contrast essay) In your essay consider each man's relationship to his fellow settlers, his sense of community (or lack of it), and his view of the role providence played in his affairs and the affairs of his colony.

When comparing two pieces of literature, you must point out what the specific similarities and differences are. Most importantly, you need to determine what the significance of the differences or similarities is. Ask yourself why they exist and how they make you think about the authors' different approaches to the subject.

Below are some suggestions for writing your comparison paper:

1. Your paper should be in essay format, which includes an introduction and a conclusion. Your introduction should contain a thesis statement that indicates what the main point of your paper is to be. Your introduction should also give your reader some idea of the order you will presenting your main points in. Your conclusion should reiterate your thesis without merely restating your introduction.

2. Your paper needs to have a logical and clear order. It should not be haphazard, jumping from point to point with no transitions. It doesn't have to follow the chronological order of the work or works you are discussing, but there should be a method to the way you order your points of discussion.

3. Your paragraphs should be focused and coherent, dealing with a single idea in each paragraph and explaining that idea fully. Use transitional sentences and phrases to lead into following paragraphs.

4. You should use quotes, paraphrases and summaries to show what aspects or details of the work support your comparison or analysis, and to show your reader where in the work you are basing your response.

5. After you have chosen two works you wish to compare, explore the similarities and differences between the two works. You might do this by setting up two columns and comparing the subjects, themes, settings, and ideas found in each work, as well as any formal aspects found in each work. The formal aspects will be more noticeable in poetry than in fiction.

6. Remember that there is more to comparison than simply listing the similarities and differences in two works. There should be a purpose behind your comparison. Having a purpose will aid you in deciding which similarities or differences are the most significant and which ones will receive the most emphasis.

7. Decide how you will organize your paper - for example, the "whole subject" approach, the "point-by-point" approach or a combination of these.

8. Open with a paragraph that focuses on the purpose and point of the comparison, but do not make a general statement of intent.

9. In your conclusion, make sure you reiterate the reason this comparison is significant.