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Whitman / Dickinson ~ Comparison / Contrast

Your assignment is to write a comparison/contrast essay on these two American poets. You will be writing a "point-by-point" comparison & contrast, which means that your essay will be developed around three central points, which I will have supplied. Although your papers will be written individually, using evidence you find in the textbook, ALL students will use this same outline. Your essay should consist of five paragraphs, including the following:

INTRODUCTION~ MUST include a thesis that states the main point (i.e. their overall connection or difference)

BODY ONE ~ Personality ~ Focusing on two or three main points, discuss each of the poets' biographies, especially as they relate to their writing.

BODY TWO ~ Approach to Writing ~ Discuss influences, ideas, audience, vision, etc.

BODY THREE ~ Writing Style ~ Using specific examples from their poems, discuss each writer's style (free verse vs. rhyme and meter).

CONCLUSION ~ Should make any remaining statements about the overall connections or differences between the two poets, including a re-statement of the thesis. You could also discuss the writers' impact on poetry in general.

You are each required to use parenthetical citation when referencing specifics from your text, whether directly quoted or not. Note that when citing lines of poetry, each line is separated by a forward slash (/). All essays should be typed (of course) and double-spaced, following all guidelines for MLA.

Honors = 750 words
Non-Honors = 500 words

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