Posted: October 6, 2011
Eng 111 - Act 1/2 Creative extentsions are due tomorrow. Finish reading Act 2, scene 3 and complete your quesions.
Eng 112 - Work should be well underway for your five paragraph comparison essay on the three Poe stories we read.
Comparison Essay – Edgar Allen Poe
You are to write a 5 paragraph essay on the similarities between Edgar Allen Poe’s three stories: “Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Black Cat” and “Cask of Amontillado”.
In order to discuss how these three stories are similar, feel free to use the following suggestions:
- Use direct examples from the stories (description, plot similarities, characters etc.)
- Use direct quotations from any of the three stories
- Compare Poe’s writing style. Examples may include his use of foreshadowing, suspense, irony, atmosphere, point of view, symbolism, etc.
Evaluation:
Introduction - Provide a clear thesis statement, presented in an original way. Remember: a thesis statement clearly states the purpose of the essay.
Body - There should be 3 separate paragraphs which compare specific elements of the two stories. Possible paragraph ideas are:
- A paragraph on plot similarities.
- A paragraph on Poe’s writing style the types of figures of speech he uses
- A paragraph on Poe’s use of figurative language (suspense, foreshadowing, atmosphere
- A paragraph which includes contrasts (differences) can be used as well.
- you should be able to support your comparisons using quotes or direct examples from the stories.
Conclusion - Give a restatement of the original purpose. It helps to mention the points covered in the body of the essay and tie up remaining loose ends. (ask yourself: have I accomplished what I had originally intended when I started writing? Have I met my objectives stated in the purpose?).