I have to write a 5 paragraph comparison and contrast essay on Agamemnon, Hamlet, and The Love song of J. Alfred Prufrock. When writing this, do I compare all three stories at once in each paragraph as well as their differences in each of the 3 body paragraphs?
You can organize like that, but you'll have a very difficult time writing a smooth, clearly reasoned paper. Try this ...
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 Agamemnon on one page.
2. Write all the information about Hamlet on another page.
3. Write all the information about "The Love Song ... " on a third page.
4. Then put them together in this order:
1. Intro
2. All about Agamemnon
~~~2A. detail 1
~~~2B. detail 2
~~~2C. detail 3
~~~2D. detail 4
~~~2E. detail 5
3. All about Hamlet
~~~3A. detail 1
~~~3B. detail 2
~~~3C. detail 3
~~~3D. detail 4
~~~3E. detail 5
4. All about "The Love Song ... "
~~~3A. detail 1
~~~3B. detail 2
~~~3C. detail 3
~~~3D. detail 4
~~~3E. detail 5
5. Concl.
The number of details for each topic will vary depending on your main points. Each detail for each topic needs to be contrastable with each corresponding detail for the other topics. You won't be writing about every little thing in each work ... just the major, contrastable points in each.
I would include comparisons (how they are similar) in the introduction and conclusion, but sections 2, 3, and 4 and all those details will be stating and explaining how these works are different.
Or you could plan it in reverse if there are fewer contrastable elements than comparable elements. That is, put the contrastable elements in the intro and conclusion, but put all the comparable elements in the 3 body paragraphs.
There are two recognized patterns for writing comparison/contrast papers. One is casually referred to as "zig-zag,” also known as "point by point," but this 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.
When writing a comparison and contrast essay on multiple works, it is generally more organized and effective to structure your paragraphs in a specific way. Here's a suggested approach for writing your essay on Agamemnon, Hamlet, and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock:
1. Introduction:
In your introduction, provide a brief overview of the three works you will be discussing: Agamemnon, Hamlet, and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Introduce the main points you will explore in your essay, such as the themes, characters, and stylistic elements.
2. Body Paragraphs:
Each body paragraph should focus on one specific aspect or comparison point. Here's a suggested breakdown for your three body paragraphs:
Body Paragraph 1: Compare and contrast the themes:
Start by discussing a common theme that is present in all three works, such as the nature of power or the futility of life. Illustrate how each work explores this theme differently, providing specific examples from the texts.
Body Paragraph 2: Compare and contrast the characters:
Focus on the main characters of each work: Agamemnon, Hamlet, and J. Alfred Prufrock. Compare their personalities, motivations, and the conflicts they face. Highlight both similarities and differences in how they are depicted and how they contribute to the overall themes of the stories.
Body Paragraph 3: Compare and contrast the stylistic elements:
Analyze the different stylistic elements employed in each work, such as language, structure, and literary devices. Discuss how these elements contribute to the tone, mood, and meaning of each work. Identify any similarities or differences in the authors' techniques and their impact on the reader.
3. Conclusion:
In your conclusion, summarize the main points discussed in your body paragraphs. Emphasize the significance of comparing and contrasting these three works, and reflect on the insights gained from the analysis. Provide a final thought that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Remember to support your points with evidence from the texts, such as quotes or specific scenes. It is important to balance the comparison and contrast throughout your essay, and avoid discussing only similarities or differences in each paragraph. This structure will help you maintain clarity and provide a logical flow to your essay.