As I read through the Project information for this semester I chose four topics that I currently think I could do well in. Each one I'm interested in due to knowing my strengths, weaknesses, and past readings.
Compare and contrast elements of two different texts. For example, explore the similarities and differences between two characters in the texst, or examine how one theme is handled in similar and dissimilar ways in two different texts.
You may choose from any of the readings we have done this semester including poetry, short fiction, and drama. You may also choose two texts from two different genres to write about (a poem and a short story, for example).
I like the idea of analyzing a similar theme between two texts. I think a common theme among a few texts is "Starting New Beginnings" and i feel like I can tie it into a bigger picture. Can I only mention 2 or is it okay to pick a few?
Choose one short story or novel excerpt. Write a piece in which you explore the following:
- In what ways could this story be considered an artifact of history?
- What does this story teach us about history?
- How does a story teach us about a time or place differently than a history book?
Within many readings there were historical allusions, I think this is especially so for the poems written by Chinese Immigrants after the Great Fire mentioned in "The Californians"
Pick a subject: love, work, freedom, etc. Then choose two selections and discuss how that subject is discussed in those selections. Use literary devices to help frame your discussion.
Hi April. I like that you have already developed a topic if you were to choose the comparing two stories challenge. I am intrigued by this because I think that drawing similarities between texts is fun and a great challenge, especially since we have a word count to keep in consideration. I wonder if we can choose more than two texts, it may get too confusing trying to keep characters from three or more stories straight though, so I can see why Mrs H chose to say two. Which two stories were you going to compare with “Starting New Beginnings”?
ReplyDeleteI liked all of your choices, but my favorite is the last choice. I think that you could write a beautiful essay on “nature” between some of the stories. It seems like you have more ideas mapped out for this as well. I am looking forward to reading whichever one you choose!
Hi April, thanks for sharing your ideas! I like your idea for comparing/contrasting, but I agree with Sandy that it may start to get confusing if you compare/contrast between more than two texts. I wonder, however, if you could still incorporate elements from a 3rd or 4th text or use them as a reference? These would all be good ideas to run by Ms. H. My favorite prompt that you wrote about is the second one. I am doing something similar for my project, although I am only using the Great Fire for reference. I would love to read a project where that is the main subject! And I really think you chose the best prompt for that one as well. I especially like the 3rd question of that prompt, "How does a story teach us about a time or place differently than a history book?" If you choose this one, I look forward to how you answer that question!
ReplyDeleteHi April,
ReplyDeleteI like the topics you’ve chosen and how you give a brief description of what your possible thesis might be for each. I think your first topic is already off to a great start as there are more than a few stories that have to do with starting new beginnings, whether the new start is wanted or not. I think it might be a good idea to just stick to two stories as you might have a hard time staying within the word count limit of your project. My last project compared the female character from two different stories and after expanding my thesis, I came very close to the maximum. I found that all of the great feedback gave me more ideas on how to improve it and after my revisions, I was actually trying to figure out how to decrease the amount of words used. I’m looking forward to finding out what you chose.
Hi April! I really like your first idea! I am sure you could compare and contrast two different books, that shouldnt be a problem. I honestly would like to see what you do with that. Just make sure if you do decide to compare and contrast, you need to make sure that you balance it all out and don’t write more about one story then another.
ReplyDeleteI also liked your second topic, because I love allusions and would love to see what you saw in the short storiess. Good luck!