I'm writing an essay on March by Geraldine Brooks.
My thesis statement is: Through the use of diction and syntax, Geraldine Brooks creates two women (Marmee and Grace) who initially represent two extremes of the same person. They are virtually more alike than different.
I need to write and essay on this and I'm not sure how to start. I'm thinking of doing a paragraph on how they are similar and how they are different. But after that I'm stumped. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
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
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 repost if you’d like feedback from someone here.
PS - Your thesis statement is two sentences? The two sentences seem to be contradictory.
To write an essay exploring the similarities and differences between the characters Marmee and Grace in March by Geraldine Brooks, you can follow a structured approach. Here's a suggested outline to help you develop your essay:
1. Introduction:
- Begin with a captivating opening sentence to grab the reader's attention.
- Provide background information about the novel and briefly introduce Marmee and Grace as significant characters.
- State your thesis statement that emphasizes the use of diction and syntax to create two women who are more alike than different.
2. Similarities between Marmee and Grace:
- Start by discussing their shared qualities, beliefs, or experiences that highlight the initial similarities between the characters.
- Look for instances in the novel where their actions, thoughts, or dialogues show overlapping characteristics.
- Analyze how the author's use of diction and syntax conveys these similarities, emphasizing specific examples.
- Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis.
3. Differences between Marmee and Grace:
- Explore the aspects that make Marmee and Grace seem different from each other.
- Identify their contrasting traits, motivations, or actions in the story.
- Examine how the author's use of diction and syntax contributes to these perceived differences.
- Again, provide textual evidence to support your analysis.
4. Convergence and transformation:
- Highlight instances in the novel in which the characters gradually become more alike or experience personal growth.
- Analyze the impact of these changes on their relationship and overall character development.
- Discuss how the author's deliberate use of diction and syntax contributes to this merging of their identities.
5. Conclusion:
- Recap the main points discussed in the essay, emphasizing the similarities and converging qualities between Marmee and Grace.
- Restate your thesis, summarizing how the use of diction and syntax contributes to the portrayal of these characters.
- Offer additional insights or reflections on the significance of their similarities and the journey they undergo.
- Leave the reader with a thought-provoking final statement that encourages further reflection or analysis.
Remember, while writing your essay, always reference and analyze specific examples from the text to support your arguments. This structured approach will help you thoughtfully explore the similarities and differences between Marmee and Grace, while considering the author's use of diction and syntax to create and develop these characters.