Make sure you have highlighted your thesis statement in bold font.
A comparison of A.S. Byatt’s “The Thing in the Forest” to Morrison’s, “Recitatif”.
Review – Format for Comparative Essay:
Paragraph One – Introductory Paragraph
Your introductory paragraph needs to draw your reader in and prepare them for what is to come in your essay. Place your essay in context, by specifying the title of the works, and their author’s names followed by a brief summary of each plot followed by the areas you will highlight in your essay.
How would you describe the plot of the two stories? What’s alike about them? What’s different?
Mention the characters, the theme and symbolism used in each essay, and areas of significance you will be writing about.
Remember this is an introduction, you only need to provide an overview. Additional details will follow in the body of your essay.
Conclude your introductory paragraph with your well crafted thesis mentioning what comparisons you will be making. (Highlight your theses statement in bold letters.)
Body Paragraphs Two, Three, & Four (How you structure the information below is up to you – however, your information should be well organized in a three solid paragraph formation. Since you are comparing, use either “block to block” or, “point to point” format. As a review, descriptions for this is on p. 1060. If you need a refresher on thesis statements and topic sentences you can also find information on p. 1048, & 1056 respectively.) These paragraphs will be longer than most, but they should be separate.
2. – Character Analyses
3 – Theme, Conflict and Resolution
4 – Symbolism and Significance
Paragraph Five – Conclusion
Concluding paragraph must review main points introduced in the thesis statement – do not just copy the thesis, reword it.
Paragraph must review main points and highlights discussed throughout the essay focusing on major points of comparison.
Conclusion with end with a statement that impacts the reader and leaving them with something to think about – possibly suggesting new way to look at the situation.
