English 103

Final Comparative Analysis Essay

Comics as Literature
Image: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Assignment: Using the concepts and vocabulary from class discussions, readings, and
outside scholarly research, construct a 5-7 page (5 full pages minimum) concise
comparative analysis using secondary material in conversation with your primary texts.
The objective is to compare two texts in order to DISCOVER something about the works.
This discovery will serve as your thesis statement.

• Option 1: Revise and extend one of your critical analysis papers by choosing a second graphic
novel (outside of the course) for comparison. You must clearly identify points of comparison
(rhetorical similarities, strategies, etc.) rather than conveying the story. Do not simply
summarize the two works or create a new critical analysis. You may also choose a NEW
graphic novel (that you haven’t written about) from the selection of course texts and then
choose an outside text for comparison.

• Option 2: Choose a NEW graphic novel that has a film or televisual adaptation/recreation and
analyze the implications of contrasting rhetorical choices. Is the film version an adaptation or
does it turn the original into something completely different? Discuss the rhetorical strategies of
both and how the different versions alter the narrative.

• Option 3: Choose two completely new graphic novels (outside of class readings) to compare.
Analyze the rhetorical strategies of both, how they compare, and what, in the end, does
studying these two texts tell us?
***You may NOT write about two course texts***
Objectives:
1. Analyze texts in relation to other artifacts.
2. Practice recognizing rhetorical devices and types of argumentation.
3. Practice clear, concise, and compelling analytical writing.
4. Exercise making clear claims that are supported by evidence from the artifact and
secondary research.
5. Continue to build research skills by locating relevant secondary material.
6. Demonstrate understanding of a breadth of concepts about literature across media.
7. Practice evaluating others’ work and offering valuable constructive criticism both orally
and in writing.
After reading and annotating this assignment, follow the “10 steps to drafting a comparative
analysis” we went over in class/on line. Before submitting the final, review the checklist on
the second page of this assignment.

à Before drafting, carefully review Harvard Writing Center’s “How to Write a

Comparative Analysis” (linked on Canvas) and decide which comparative
approach works best for your texts. Review ALL MATERIAL on the module.
Types of questions one might ask of each artifact:
• Who is the target audience?
• What kinds of arguments are at work here? What is the “takeaway” message?
• What cinematic/dramatic/visual/textual devices and choices are at work?

TR: 11/18
 • How do the various choices the author/director/artist makes construct the
message(s) and/or alter the story(ies)?
• How does the text effectively convey its message? Is it successful / Does it work?

CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF THE ESSAY

Use this checklist to help you develop your final submission and to help you understand
your instructor’s grading.

MLA Header:
□ Includes a proper MLA style header with all required information in the correct format
□ Includes writer’s last name and page number at the top right
Introduction:
□ Includes a brief synopsis of each text
□ Ends with a complex thesis statement that gives the reader a clear idea of your
discovery and what you will argue in the paper
Body of the Essay:
□ Makes numerous claims that demonstrate a close reading of each text. Avoids starting
a paragraph with summary.
□ Clearly makes connections between the two texts
□ Provides evidence from both the text and secondary sources for all claims
□ Cites 3-5 credible, scholarly sources
□ Uses in-text citations with proper MLA formatting
□ Uses concepts and vocabulary from class discussion to illuminate claims about the texts
□ AVOIDS using second person (“you”)
□ AVOIDS “filler,” “fluff,” and melodramatic language (really, very, basically, etc.)
□ AVOIDS unnecessary forms of “to be” (which is most of them)
□ Includes logical transitions from one paragraph to the next
□ Includes analysis of the art of these texts using McCloud or other credible comics theory
as supporting evidence
Conclusion:
□ Wraps up the essay with an overall, “bigger picture” assessment of why this
comparison matters—what might it teach us about the world-at-large?
□ AVOIDS simply repeating or highlighting the main points of the essay
□ AVOIDS ending with an unexamined quote
Overall, the essay:
□ Is CAREFULLY PROOFREAD before submission. Tenses are consistent.
□ Meets all of the minimum requirements listed above (length, introduction, body
paragraphs, conclusion, Works Cited page)
□ Makes sense, flows well, and is interesting
□ Written using academic language (avoids slang, informal language, etc.)
□ Demonstrates working knowledge of the concepts from class
□ Practices the FIVE PRINCIPLES OF CONCISION
□ Includes a Works Cited page properly formatted with consistent font, etc. DO NOT USE
BOTS FOR THIS as they often get it wrong.

TR: 11/18