Hello all...

I am in a bit of a pickle at the moment.

I have my English (4U) ISP due on Tuesday - a 1000 word comparative essay on the novels "Angela's Ashes" and "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" ....and I'm a little lost.

What to compare? The authors style? The main themes? Different teachers want different things, right?
Does comparing involve only the things that link them, or should I be adding also the things that make them different?

I know it seems silly that I've never done a comparative essay before - and yes I have checked various sites with my queries, but I definetley need some real-live help.

I'm also worried about making it too cut-and-dry - I'm sure my teacher will have no place in her heart for another boring essay to be made to read.
So... pretty much ANY help would be good help at the moment, having read the books or not.

Site links, tips, example essays.... anything.

Thanks a bundle you guys!!
<3333

First here are rubrics for writing a literary comparative essay.

I would choose three strong topics that are important to the novels... theme would definitely be one, author's style might be another...
They do not have to compare; your choices can also be strong contrasts.
Be sure to give quotes from the books to support your arguments
Last make it personal to you...The conclusion should in someway relate these comparisons to why you either enjoyed (or didn't) the books.

http://www.editorsforstudents.com/literatureessay.html

http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:icT9q1cblb4J:teachersites.aquinasinstitute.com/data/FileManager/38/Comparative%2520Essay%2520Rubric.doc+literary+comparative+essay&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&ie=UTF-8

Second. Here are some analysis sites for those books. Look particularly at the Themes, motifs and symbols. Then look at an analysis of the author's writing style.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/angelasashes/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=+writing+style%2C+Angela%27s+Ashes&btnG=Search

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/woman_who_walked.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roddy_Doyle
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1252/is_n17_v123/ai_18783819

Different teachers want different things? Hmmm.

Compare how they are alike, and how they are different. Items to consider: style, plot, plot development, setting, character development, .....basically, analyze each, and compare them.

It need not be boring. Motivate yourself to find neat and exciting things about each, recognizing they can be different. It should not be boring if you are excited. Think on this: if you were writing for your most precious love, would the letter be boring? Treat these two pieces as you would your most precious love...which means you have to trust them to speak to you plainly...and it wont be boring.

Good luck.

boring comparative

Hi there! I can certainly help you with your English ISP. Writing a comparative essay can seem overwhelming at first, but with a clear approach and some guidance, you'll be able to tackle it effectively.

When comparing "Angela's Ashes" and "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors," there are several aspects you can focus on:

1. Writing style: Compare the writing styles of the two authors. Look at their use of language, sentence structure, and overall tone. Consider how their writing styles contribute to the storytelling and the impact on the reader.

2. Themes: Identify and compare the main themes explored in each novel. Examine common themes, such as poverty, family relationships, or societal issues, and discuss how the authors address these themes differently.

3. Characters: Analyze the main characters in both novels. Compare their development, motivations, and relationships with other characters. Look for similarities and differences in their struggles, growth, and impact on the overall narrative.

4. Setting: Explore the settings of the novels and how they shape the stories. Consider the influence of the time period, social context, and geographical location.

To successfully write a comparative essay, it's important to include both similarities and differences between the two novels. This will help provide a balanced analysis and showcase your understanding of both texts.

In terms of making your essay engaging, here are some tips:

1. Develop a strong thesis statement that captures the essence of your essay and provides a clear direction for your analysis.

2. Use specific examples and evidence from the novels to support your points. Quote relevant passages, analyze them, and explain their significance.

3. Organize your essay effectively. Consider using a point-by-point or block method for structuring your comparisons. In the point-by-point method, you compare and contrast specific aspects or themes in each paragraph. In the block method, you discuss one novel in one section and the other novel in a separate section.

4. Include your own insights and interpretations. Don't be afraid to analyze the texts critically and offer your personal perspective. This will make your essay more interesting and showcase your engagement with the texts.

Now, to help you further, here are some resources you can use:

1. Online literary analysis websites like SparkNotes, Shmoop, or GradeSaver can provide summaries, analysis, and themes of the books. However, be cautious in relying too heavily on these sources and make sure to incorporate your own thoughts.

2. YouTube channels such as CrashCourse Literature or The School of Life often provide insightful video analyses of literary works. Search for specific videos on "Angela's Ashes" and "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" to gain different perspectives.

3. Check if your school or local library has any literary criticism books or scholarly articles related to the novels. These can offer in-depth analysis and different interpretations of the texts.

As for example essays, you can try searching for sample comparative essays on similar novels or engage with your teacher for any previous examples they might have.

Remember, the key to a successful comparative essay is to provide a thoughtful analysis and interpretation of the texts while showcasing your own critical thinking. Good luck with your English ISP! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.