Prompt essay 3: Compare two texts

Essay 3 prompt: Compare two texts

(Homework for Wednesday is below this entry.)

This essay assignment was inspired by your work! I was so impressed with the response papers you did concerning texts you like to read that I am opening up this assignment. The purpose of the assignment is to compare two texts, but you may select your own texts.

The purpose of this assignment is to consider how texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences. The meaning of a text is not just a reflection of its facts and opinions, but how the writer shapes the argument.

The prompt:

Compare two texts, both for content and for rhetorical strategies. Your thesis should characterize the most important difference to you. Your introductory paragraph should include summaries of both texts, including the author, title of the essay and where it was published. (You will need more than one sentence for all this information, so don’t try to stuff all this required information into one.)

Your first body paragraphs will develop that major difference and then you can move on to other differences. In addition, you may also discuss how the two texts are similar. Your conclusion will sum up your argument and point out why the different is important.

What’s a text?

It can be a traditional text; i.e., an article in an academic journal, newspaper or magazine article. Or it could be a book chapter—any relatively short text that you can photocopy and include with your paper.

It could also be a non-traditional “text”; i.e., a blog entry, a website article, or even a Youtube video. If you choose a video, you will have to supply me with the URL. Also one of the texts has to be words on a page, so if you choose to use a video, it can only substitute for one of the “texts.”

The two texts have to deal with the same subject matter. For example, if you choose an article about the Lakers, home prices or “chick flicks,” you’ll have find another article on the same or very similar subject. What’s “similar”? You could compare a sports article about one team to another. If you have any doubts about your texts, you can ask me.

If you are stuck for texts to use, look around you. A lot of wonderful speakers come to campus each week. Look up information about them. Or check out some news websites such as CNN or the New York Times. If you can’t find anything that interests you, you’ve got to develop some interests!

You may use the Facebook texts we are discussing in class. After all, it’s not what you choose to compare, but what you do with it.

What is content vs. rhetorical strategies?

Content includes the facts and claims of an article: What’s it about?
The rhetorical strategies are: How is the text written to convince the reader of its argument?

You can include any number of ways to analyze a text, including:

1. The appeal of the argument: logical, moral, emotional? Which is the most prominent appeal, and which are undercurrents?
2. Who is the author?
3. Who is the audience? How does the author attempt to establish common ground with the audience?
4. What is the purpose of the article? The thesis of the article is an important element.
5. What is the tone of the article? Professional? Whimsical? Other?
6. Word choices?
7. Imagery?
8. As a part of the logical appeal of the argument, does the writer acknowledge other points of view? How does the writer provide a rebuttal to a divergent view?

Other requirements:

Please follow similar guidelines to the other papers:

1. 2,000 word minimum. Please put word count at the end of the paper.
2. Follow all guidelines for MLA, including those for margins, in-text citations, and a Work Cited list. Refer to the Notes on Quotes guidelines you have, or to Hacker.
3. Include at least one direct quote from a text in each paragraph. You may want to include a quote or paraphrase from the other text to contrast. Put MLA in-text citations on direct quotes and paraphrased material.
4. A complete draft copy is due Wednesday March. 4. The final version is due Monday March 9.
5. Don’t forget an inviting title.
6. Spell-check! Spell-check! Spell-check! And grammar check if your computer does that.

I look forward to reading your papers. Teach me. Tickle me. Win me over with your argument and insights.