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COM 1102 - Writing About Literature

Assignment - Compare and Contrast

COM 1102 Writing About Literature- Online Learning

Details for the Research Paper

Due Dates: Normally end of Week Three

Your essay for this course will be a research paper in which you compare and contrast one of our readings with its film version.

Essays should be between 1,300 and 1,500 words, make use of at least three credible outside sources, and be written in MLA format.

 

Topic selections are as follows:

Written Version (All of these works are in The Bedford Introduction to Literature)

  •      Shakespeare, William. Othello.
  •      London, Jack. To Build a Fire.
  •      Hemingway, Ernest. Soldier's Home.
  •      Faulkner, William. A Rose For Emily.
  •      Melville, Herman. Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street.

Film Version

  •      Othello. Castle Rock Entertainment, 1995. DVD.
  •      O. Chickie the Cop, 2001. DVD.
  •      To Build a Fire. BBC TV, David Cobham Productions, 1969. DVD.
  •      Soldier's Home. Learning in Focus, 1977. DVD.
  •      A Rose For Emily. Chubbuck Production Company, 1983. DVD.
  •      Bartleby. Parker Film Company, 2001. DVD.

 

To find options for streaming these films within the U.S.,  consult Justwatch.com.  

  • Your comparison/contrast research paper should explore and analyze the similarities and differences between the story or play and its film version. Your analysis should consider, but is not limited to, any changes to story line, characterizations, setting, and tone.
  • It should also consider whether or not changes to the original story or play are successful in the film version. If the two versions are very similar with few changes, you can analyze whether the decision to adapt faithfully was a sound one.
  • You must use at least three credible outside sources in addition to the story or play and the film.

 

If you wish to select a different reading from your textbook with its film version, you must request permission from your instructor no later than the end of Week 2.

Topic proposal and three proposed sources are due by the end of Week 3.

You must also include an analysis of how each source will help you and how each is credible.

A rough draft of your research paper is due to the discussion board for peer review by Thursday of Week 6.