Literary Analysis Paper: Frederick Douglass and Night

the overview:
Frederick Douglass and Elie Wiesel both impacted their audiences through their writings. However, their similarities reach far beyond surface connections: both men suffered injustices based on elements of themselves they could not control; both found the strength to survive; both sought a truth they knew could not be found within themselves. By taking a deeper look at the texts, one may also find connections in the religious allusions, imagery, thematic elements (such as hope, knowledge, age, responsibility, or self-reflection), the importance of voice, specific characters or roles, and repetition. By analysing these autobiographies, one may hope to create a well-written, four-paragraph essay which discusses both the similarities and differences of these two pieces.

the assignment:
We will think about and respond to the two autobiographies we completed thus far: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Night. We will complete three parts to this compare and contrast / analytical essay: an outline (due Thursday, 10/19 during first period); a rough draft, including a separate works cited page (due Monday, 10/23, at the beginning of the period); and a final copy, including works cited page (due date TBA). Again, a "rough" copy should be as complete and correct as possible. I will mark "kinds" of errors only once in a paper (i.e., if you do not capitalize the first letter your sentences, I will mark the first sentence and no subsequent sentences). Due to time constraints on this assignment and the desire to not take any more time away from our Romeo and Juliet unit, I will NOT be accepting late work for this project, except in the case of excused absences. If you are present, the paper is due. This paper will focus not only on following criteria but sticking to deadlines as well.

Your outline should have four parts: an introduction, two body points (one for comparison and one for contrast), and a conclusion. Thus, your essay should correlate with this and contain exactly four paragraphs. Word count should be between 500-1000 words, total. No more than 1/3 of your sentences should contain "be" verbs. Do not include 1st or 2nd person pronouns in this piece. Eliminate statements such as "I think" or "I believe."

You should include direct quotes from both pieces in your writing to support your ideas. Be as specific as possible. Broad statements such as "both men suffered hardships" or "both men survived a lot" will earn little points. Be specific without being melodramatic. To learn how to include in-text notation (direct quotes), visit this link. It will also explain a works cited page. For additional help, visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab's MLA section.

As with all formal writings, include your word count at the end of your essay. Follow all other standard procedures for formal writings, including title page and double spacing. To review my requirements for formal writings, visit the link below: http://english9h.blogspot.com/2006/08/format-of-formal-writings.html

the content:

Only five students may sign up for each topic below. Choose carefully; you will not be able to change once you've signed up. Notice both books, Frederick Douglass and Night, appear in all choices; you cannot write a compare/contrast essay over one book. Both must be included in your essay.

• Religious allusions in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Dark / light imagery in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Hope in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Understatement/overstatement OR ambiguity/hyperbole in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Knowledge in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Self-reflection OR the impact of "event" on self v. whole in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Importance of voice/speaking out in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Hugh Auld v. Moche the Beadle as teachers
• Mother figures (or lack of) in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Repetition of words in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Responsibility in Frederick Douglass and Night
• Age / impact of age in Frederick Douglass and Night

extra help:
As always, if you feel like you need help beyond what is available in the classroom, I will be available after school Wednesday, 10/18 in Benjamin's Learning Center (located on the first floor behind the cafeteria) until 3:45pm; Thursday, 10/19 in my classroom before school 7:00-7:25am and after school until 4:30pm; Friday, 10/20 in my classroom before school 7:00-7:25am and after school until 4:30pm. I also check my email daily and may provide assistance this way as well. I cannot provide assistance if you do not ask; claiming to "not understand" an assignment and not asking for help is inexcusable. If you do not ask for help I will assume you understand the assignment and plan to turn it in, completed, on the due date. Again, this assignment will NOT be accepted late, so plan appropriately.

the values:
outline of analysis essay -- 50 points
rough copy of essay, including works cited page -- 100 points
final copy of essay, including works cited page-- 200 points

resources: (*please note spacing will not appear correct via the Internet; please refer to the handouts for specifics on spacing)

sample outline: http://english9h.blogspot.com/2006/10/sample-outline-compare-contrast-essay.html

sample essay:

sample works cited page:

Indiana State Academic Standards met by this project: 9.3.2, 9.3.5, 9.3.9, 9.4.1, 9.4.2, 9.4.3, 9.4.13, 9.4.5, 9.4.7, 9.4.8, 9.4.10, 9.4.11, 9.4.12, 9.5.3, 9.6.1, 9.6.2, 9.6.3, 9.6.4