Compare London's "To Build a Fire" and Crane's "The Open Boat" and what messages are they both trying to convey
You will use this comparison to develop an interpretive argument about the meaning of your chosen texts.
Please note that simply identifying similarities or differences is not enough; instead, you will need to draw some conclusion about the texts’ significance based on the similarities and differences you identify. In other words, you must explain what those similarities/differences mean and why they’re important. Essentially, then, your claim will look something like this: “X is like Y, so . . .” (or conversely, “X is different from Y, so . . .”)
Questions you might try to answer in developing your argument:
1. What do certain similarities/differences between the texts reveal about the meaning of either/both?
2. How do multiple texts of the same literary period exhibit similar/different styles or themes?
3. What do multiple texts by the same author reveal about that author?
4. How do texts by different authors (or of different periods) exhibit similar/different styles or themes?
Trying to answer one or more of these questions should lead you to a thesis statement – that is, a debatable, supportable assertion about the texts’ meaning. You should not, however, try to answer more than one of these questions in your paper, as each represents a different focus.
Criteria: Your essay should –
• Establish a clear, focused, and persuasive thesis about the meaning of your chosen texts
• Support that argument logically, citing specific details from the story
• Consist of unified and coherent paragraphs, each with a clear topic sentence
• Include an effective title, introduction, and conclusion
• Be largely free of major grammatical and usage errors
Value: 75 points (15 percent of your overall grade)
• Content (60 points)
An interesting and appropriate title
An effective introduction and conclusion
A clear thesis statement that offers a valid interpretation of the text
Sufficient and relevant details that support your thesis and claims
Accurate information and logical organization of ideas
Unified and coherent paragraphs
• Usage (15 points)
Proper spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation
Appropriate tone and style