Be sure that you have proofread the paper and have found and fixed all errors. Below is a quick list to use.
Times New Roman 12, double spaced
Heading (your name, my name, class, date)
Title of the paper should be centered (no bold, quot marks, all caps, or underlining)
Indent paragraphs
Thesis at end of intro (must include titles, authors)
Punctuate poem titles within quotation marks
Topic sentences (must be specific) with a transition
Direct quotes- use an att tag, blend, or evidence statement and add parenthetical documentation (look at Using Sources page and Sample Direct Quotes)
Place parenthetical documentation after the direct quotes
Run-ons (FANBOYS) (sentence, and sentence)
Verb tense (use present verbs for literature)
Intro commas (First, In the poem, When Elizabeth sees the veil, )
Missing words–read your essay to be sure it makes sense
Complete sentences
Poem One
Emily Dickinson’s “Success Is Counted Sweetest”
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory
As he defeated – dying –
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
Dickinson, Emily. “Success Is Counted Sweetest.” Poetry Foundation. n.d. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45721/success-is-counted-sweetest-112.
Poem Two
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “What Is Success”
–
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure
the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and
sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived –
This is to have succeeded.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “What Is Success.” St. Mary’s University. http://cl.stmarytx.edu/wluo/poem.html.
Comparison/Contrast Outlines
A comparison and contrast paper can be structured point by point or subject by subject. Once you have chosen one, use the appropriate outline from below. You can add sentences to this outline, but you must have the minimum given in the outline.
The subjects are the two poems. The points are characteristics about them that you can use to make comparisons or contrasts. Success is the main topic in both poems; however, there are differences between them too.
Point by Point Outline
1. Intro paragraph with thesis
In the introductory paragraph, you should introduce your readers to the topic of your essay. DON’T GIVE AN OUTLINE OF YOUR PAPER. Write 3-4 sentences of your definition of success or what it means to be successful to introduce your reader to the topic of your paper. Do not use a dictionary or online definition; use your own words and thoughts. You may use first person in this paragraph. Finally, the thesis should be the LAST sentence of the intro paragraph. The thesis should identify the two poems and where you are going with the paper, your direction. In the thesis, you will include both authors’ full names and the titles of the poems.
DO NOT USE FIRST PERSON PRONOUNS IN THE BODY PARAGRAPHS
2. Body Paragraph One
TOPIC SENTENCE: Begin the paragraph with a transition word (such as first) and a topic sentence that identifies a similarity OR difference between the two poems.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: discuss the trait as it appears in the first poem
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the first poem that exemplifies this trait.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: discuss the trait as it appears in the second poem. Use language that demonstrates whether this is a comparison or contrast.
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the second poem that exemplifies this trait.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: make a comment about how the trait affects the readers’ understanding of the poems
3. Body Paragraph 2
TOPIC SENTENCE: Begin the paragraph with a transition word (such as next, furthermore, or also) and a topic sentence that identifies another similarity OR difference between the two poems.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: discuss the trait as it appears in the first poem
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the first poem that exemplifies this trait.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: discuss the trait as it appears in the second poem. Use language that demonstrates whether this is a comparison or contrast.
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the second poem that exemplifies this trait.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: make a comment about how the trait affects the readers’ understanding of the poems
4. Body Paragraph 3
TOPIC SENTENCE: Begin the paragraph with a transition word (such as finally, also, or next) and a topic sentence that identifies another similarity OR difference between the two poems.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: discuss the trait as it appears in the first poem
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the first poem that exemplifies this trait.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: discuss the trait as it appears in the second poem. Use language that demonstrates whether this is a comparison or contrast.
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the second poem that exemplifies this trait.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: make a comment about how the trait affects the readers’ understanding of the poems
5. Conclusion Paragraph
Begin with a transition (such as in conclusion) and topic sentence that identifies both poems and gives your opinion. For example, you may say that you prefer Dickinson’s poem to Emerson’s. Explain what you do and do not like about the poems. In this paragraph, you can obviously use first person pronouns. The concluding paragraph should be at least 5-6 sentences.
Subject by Subject Outline
1. Intro Paragraph
In the introductory paragraph, you should introduce your readers to the topic of your essay. DON’T GIVE AN OUTLINE OF YOUR PAPER. Write 3-4 sentences of your definition of success or what it means to be successful to introduce your reader to the topic of your paper. Do not use a dictionary or online definition; use your own words and thoughts. You may use first person in this paragraph. Finally, the thesis should be the LAST sentence of the intro paragraph. The thesis should identify the two poems and where you are going with the paper, your direction. In the thesis, you will include both authors’ full names and the titles of the poems.
2. Body Paragraph One
TOPIC SENTENCE: Use a transition (such as first or to begin) to begin the topic sentence that should introduce the traits within the first poem you will discuss.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: tell about the first trait
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the poem that exemplifies the first trait.
TRANSITION SENTENCE- identify and lead into the second trait
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the poem that exemplifies the second trait.
TRANSITION SENTENCE: identify and lead into the third trait
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the poem that exemplifies the third trait.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: make a comment about how the traits affect the readers’ understanding of the poem
3. Body Paragraph Two
TOPIC SENTENCE: Use a transition (such as secondly, next, or also) to begin the topic sentence that should introduce the traits within the second poem you will discuss.
LEAD-IN SENTENCE: tell about the first trait
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the poem that exemplifies the first trait.
TRANSITION SENTENCE- identify and lead into the second trait
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the poem that exemplifies the second trait.
TRANSITION SENTENCE: identify and lead into the third trait
DIRECT QUOTE: Find a line in the poem that exemplifies the third trait.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: make a comment about how the traits affect the readers’ understanding of the poem
4. Conclusion Paragraph
Begin with a transition (such as in conclusion) and topic sentence that identifies both poems and gives your opinion. For example, you may say that you prefer Dickinson’s poem to Emerson’s. Explain what you do and do not like about the poems. In this paragraph, you can obviously use first person pronouns. The concluding paragraph should be at least 5-6 sentences.
Works Cited:
The works cited is a page that lists the works you have cited in the essay. This means you are letting your reader know where you found the direct quotes that you included in your essay.
The title Works Cited should be centered at the top of the page. Look at the poetry pages in the module and find the information for the works cited at the end of each poem. Remember that the works cited page should be in MLA format (Times New Roman 12, double spaced, alphabetical order). Also, be sure to indent any secondary lines you may have. The works cited is opposite of a paragraph; the first line is left justified of each entry, and any secondary lines are indented.
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