Compare the Poem "If I can stop one heart from breaking" by Emily Dickenson to "Thank you M'am" by Langston Hughes. What connections do you see between the short story and the poem?
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.
To compare the poem "If I can stop one heart from breaking" by Emily Dickinson to the short story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes, start by examining the themes and ideas presented in both pieces. Then, consider how these themes overlap or resonate with each other. Let's break down the process step by step:
1. Read and analyze the poem: Carefully read Emily Dickinson's poem, "If I can stop one heart from breaking." Take note of the imagery, language, and central message of the poem. Consider the themes of empathy, compassion, and the power of individual actions.
2. Read and analyze the short story: Next, read Langston Hughes' short story, "Thank You, M'am." Pay attention to the plot, characters, and the overall message conveyed in the story. Look for themes of compassion, redemption, and the impact of personal connections.
3. Identify common themes: Look for common themes between the two works. In this case, empathy, compassion, and the power of human connection are potential themes shared by both the poem and the story. Consider how these themes manifest in each work and what specific instances or examples are highlighted.
4. Analyze the different perspectives: Compare and contrast how the two works explore these themes. Do they present similar or contrasting perspectives on empathy and compassion? How do the characters or speakers in each piece embody these qualities? Are there any notable differences in how the themes are portrayed?
5. Discuss symbolism and imagery: Observe any symbolic or visual elements found in both the poem and the short story. How do these elements enhance the themes and contribute to the overall message? For example, in "Thank You, Ma'am," the purse symbolizes trust and the potential for transformation.
6. Consider the impact on the reader: Finally, reflect on the emotional impact each work has on the reader. Does the poem and the short story both evoke a similar emotional response? How do they make you feel about the themes and ideas presented?
By following these steps, you should be able to identify and discuss the connections between the poem "If I can stop one heart from breaking" by Emily Dickinson and the short story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes. Remember to support your comparison with specific examples from each work to strengthen your analysis.