Writing a Strong Comparative Analysis, Study notes of Literature

Download Writing a Strong Comparative Analysis and more Study notes Literature in PDF only on Docsity!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

EDB

“Writing a Strong Comparative Analysis”

Instructor: Dr. Kira Alexandra Rose

AIMS & OUTCOMES The goal of this session is to provide you with useful tools with which to facilitate active in-class learning and give secondary school students comprehensive preparation in the comparative analysis of literary texts. This session introduces strategies for promoting engaged learning and takes a holistic, step-by-step approach to the process and practice of close reading.

STRATEGIES COVERED

• Designing learning activities for developing close reading and analysis skills
• Modeling the steps for performing a comparative analysis of literary texts, with emphasis on: - Identifying the basis and focus of comparison - Developing a list of similarities and differences - Constructing a thesis statement and an outline
• Exploring strategies for guiding students to write an effective comparative analysis, with emphasis on helping them: - Organize ideas with a clear structure

• Discuss two sources in an integrated manner
• Present points with support from sources
• Balance description and summary with analysis and critique
• Reflect the relative significance of each similarity and difference
• Master the appropriate tone, style, and language for writing a comparative analysis
• Refer to sources properly in their writing
• Assessing students’ work and providing quality feedback for students to improve/revise their writing
• Introducing useful resources and references for comparative analysis

Let’s spend a few minutes discussing the following:

What are some key features of a strong comparative analysis?

What skills do students gain from doing comparative analysis?

What: a strong comparative analysis uses form (framework, thesis, structure) to clearly and compellingly communicate content (argument); reveals key similarities and/or crucial differences between two texts; and illuminates, critiques, or challenges something that we might have taken for granted. Why: the practice of comparative close reading enriches critical and creative thinking and communication, both within and outside the classroom. Our goal as teachers is to make the process less daunting (and more fun!) for students unsure of where to begin and how to proceed. One excellent way to do that is through collaborative in-class exercises, which we will practice together today. How: this refers to the building blocks of a comparative analysis essay, such as determining what features of texts to examine, establishing the basis of comparison/frame of reference, formulating the thesis, coming up with a structure, and helping students hone their ideas through feedback.

Example 1 : “Although both sources do A, one adheres more closely to B,

whereas the other does C.”

Example 2 : “While these two sources draw different conclusions about A, they

share the crucial feature of B.”

Structure: come up with your paragraph topics and decide whether you will

first examine text A and then text B (text-by-text) or alternate points about text

A with points about text B (point-by-point). You need not give equal weight to

similarities and differences. In a case in which text A is a lens for text B, or vice

versa, you will spend more time on the text that is your focal point.

ACTIVITY I

Comparative Analysis:

Film & Fiction

Establishing the grounds of comparison and crafting a thesis

“Flamingo Valley”

Ministry of Moral Panic (2013) Amanda Lee Koe Spend the next 15 minutes reviewing/rereading this short story. Think about the following: What words and phrases stand out to you? What is the story’s tone/mood? What literary techniques does Koe use? What social, racial, or religious themes are addressed? *Note down your observations

IDENTIFYING SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES Let’s first discuss what everyone came up with for the film and short story. We’ll then collaboratively create a list of similarities and differences between the two sources, focusing on aspects such as form, content, tone/mood, characterization, theme, cultural context, etc.

ACTIVITY II

Comparative Analysis:

Poetry

Responding to prompts, structuring essays, and providing feedback

COMPARATIVE PROMPT Mood in a literary work is often evoked by descriptions of weather and seasons. Illustrate this with reference to Thomas Hardy’s “Weathers” and Emily Dickinson’s “Like rain it sounded, till it curved.”

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

“The Comparative Essay” https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/comparative-essay/ “How to Write a Comparative Analysis” https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-comparative-analysis “Comparing and Contrasting” https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/comparing-and-contrasting/ “How to Write a Compare-and-Contrast Paper” (pdf provided) Kerry Walk, Princeton Writing Programme “Teaching with Writing” (pdf provided) Kerry Walk, Princeton Writing Programme Writing Handouts, Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/writing-handouts-and-model-papers/writing-handouts