brent staplesaudre lordesandra cisnerosalan burdicknicholas carrlars eighnerjoan didionverlyn klinkenborgpeggy orensteinalan nortonpaper due H u m a n i t i e s

For this essay, you will compare and contrast two articles. It is imperative that you quote directly from each article and give a close reading that indicates your critical thinking and rhetorical analysis. Your in-text citations and works cited page must be done correctly (just follow the templates we have used in class and I have provided on Canvas).

Consider using a strategy like this:

In “On Keeping a Notebook,” Joan Didion writes, “we are talking about something private, about bits of the mind’s string too short to use, an indiscriminate and erratic assemblage with meaning only for its maker” (120).

In “On Dumpster Diving,” Lars Eighner writes, “Some material things are white elephants that eat up the possessor’s substance” (157).

A strong essay concerning these two articles will examine the idea of possession. For instance, how does Didion’s conception of possessing memories from a journal compare to Eighner’s conception of possessing materials from a Dumpster? How are these conceptions similar/different? What does Didion say about keeping a journal? What does she say about understanding one’s role in society? What does Eighner say about this?

Consider other subjects to compare and contrast:

– the role technology plays in our lives

– the relationship between human and nature

– othering/ race and gender relationships

– environment

You must compare and contrast two of the essays we have read by the following authors:

Brent Staples

Audre Lorde

Sandra Cisneros

Alan Burdick

Nicholas Carr

Lars Eighner

Joan Didion

Verlyn Klinkenborg

Peggy Orenstein

Alan Norton

PAPER DUE: Sunday, 22 Nov (digital copy on Canvas)

Here are some important factors to consider when preparing a rhetorical analysis:

– Purpose: reason for writing, inform, instruct, persuade, entertain.

– Audience: individual or group who reads and takes action.

– Genre: Type of writing. (syntax/diction/word choice)

– Stance: attitude/tone.

– Media/Design: means of communicating via visual.

Essay requirements:

– 1500 word minimum (indicate your word count at the end of the paper)

– MLA formatting:

12 pt font = TIMES NEW ROMAN

double spaced

1″ margins

no space between paragraphs

– Your title should be centered. Do not skip a line between title and text.

– compare/contrast two authors from the provided list

– in-text citations

– works cited page

–

FIRST DRAFT Due: Tuesday, 17 Nov; digital submission made to Canvas (10 points)

– Your first draft should be a minimum of 750 words, establish a thesis to your paper, and dig deep into one the essays you are examining.