I have to compare and/or contrast the forest in the scarlet letter for a research paper. I need help writing a thesis statement!!
What are you comparing and contrasting the forest with?
What ideas do you have about this topic?
I recommend you study this site.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
I am comparing and contrasting the forest and the town
Use the link Ms. Sue gave you in order to write a good thesis statement.
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Whenever you are writing a comparison/contrast paper (paragraph, essay, research paper), you need to plan it out very carefully on paper first.
Try this:
1. Write all the information about one of your topics on one page.
2. Write all the information about the other topic on another page.
3. Then put them together in this order:
1. Intro, ending with your thesis statement.
2. All about topic A
~~~2A. detail 1
~~~2B. detail 2
~~~2C. detail 3
~~~2D. detail 4
~~~2E. detail 5
3. All about topic B
~~~3A. detail 1
~~~3B. detail 2
~~~3C. detail 3
~~~3D. detail 4
~~~3E. detail 5
4. Concl
The number of details for each topic will vary depending on your main points. I would include comparisons (how they are similar) in the introduction and conclusion, but sections 2 and 3 and all those details will be stating and explaining how they are different.
There are two recognized patterns for writing comparison/contrast papers. One is casually referred to as "zig-zag,” but can be very confusing for the reader if you don’t use transitions effectively. The other is topic-by-topic (which is what I've outlined above) and is much easier for the reader to follow.
See http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/comparcontrast.html for further help with comparison/contrast writing.
Once you have organized your information, please re-post if you’d like feedback from someone here.
To come up with a thesis statement for your research paper comparing and/or contrasting the forest in The Scarlet Letter, you need to first analyze the significance of the forest in the novel. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to approach this task:
1. Read and understand relevant passages: Go back to the sections of the novel that depict or mention the forest. Take note of the specific details, emotions, and symbols associated with the forest.
2. Identify contrasting elements: Pay attention to the contrasting elements within the forest. For example, consider how the forest serves as a place of freedom and escape from Puritan society, contrasting with the strict rules and judgment in the Puritan town.
3. Analyze symbolism: Determine the symbolic meaning of the forest in The Scarlet Letter. Consider how it represents different themes such as nature, secrecy, sin, and personal growth. Think about the significance of these themes in relation to the characters and the overall narrative.
4. Brainstorm similarities and differences: Make a list or mind map of the similarities and differences between the forest and the town. This will help you identify the points you can compare and contrast in your thesis statement.
5. Formulate a thesis statement: Consider the insights you have gained through your analysis. Your thesis statement should present a clear argument or claim about the forest's role in The Scarlet Letter. It could be something like:
- "Despite the forest's role as a place of secrecy and freedom for Hester and Dimmesdale, it ultimately reflects the characters' internal struggles and echoes the consequences of their actions."
- "The contrasting settings of the forest and the Puritan town in The Scarlet Letter highlight the clash between individual identity and societal expectations."
- "Through its depiction of the forest, The Scarlet Letter reveals the transformative power of nature and its role in character development."
Remember, your thesis statement should be specific, arguable, and provide a roadmap for your paper. It should also reflect your personal interpretation of the forest in The Scarlet Letter.
Feel free to fine-tune and adjust your thesis statement based on your analysis and desired focus for the paper. Good luck with your research!