DOs
1. Plan your essay first
-
Outline intro, key points, comparative links, conclusion.
-
Example: “Intro: state texts, GVV, and your comparative focus; Body: 2–3 key moments per text; Conclusion: link GVV to overall vision.”
2. Refer to both texts throughout
-
Comparative essays must consistently link texts, not just mention them once.
-
Example: “Andy’s hope contrasts Kya’s hopelessness when Pa burns the letter, showing how characters respond differently to crises.”
3. Use key moments and quotes accurately
-
Integrate quotes into analysis; don’t just drop them in.
-
Example:
-
Weak: “Andy is brave. He says, ‘I guess I’ll be free soon.’”
-
Strong: “Andy maintains composure under pressure, evident when he says, ‘I guess I’ll be free soon,’ highlighting hope despite imprisonment.”
-
4. Analyze, don’t summarize
-
Focus on techniques, tone, viewpoint, and how they show GVV.
-
Example: “The use of darkness imagery in Chase’s death emphasizes the cruel, bleak GVV of the marsh.”
5. Compare effectively
-
Draw connections and contrasts explicitly.
-
Example: “While Shawshank shows resilience leading to empowerment, Kya’s resilience is quieter, shaped by isolation.”
6. Maintain paragraph structure
-
Point → Evidence → Explanation → Link (PEEL) or PEE for each key moment.
-
Example:
-
Point: “GVV conveys injustice.”
-
Evidence: “Andy’s arrest is described as ‘an icy and remorseless man chills my bones.’”
-
Explanation: “This shows how society punishes the innocent, establishing a bleak vision.”
-
Link: “Similarly, Kya experiences isolation after her mother leaves.”
-
7. Use precise terminology
-
Terms like GVV, tone, imagery, structure, perspective should be applied accurately.
-
Example: “The narrative’s first-person viewpoint intensifies Kya’s sense of vulnerability.”
8. Proofread for clarity
-
Check spelling, grammar, names, and quote accuracy.
-
Example: Always write “Kya,” not “Kaia.”
DON’Ts
1. Don’t summarize the plot
-
Avoid sentences like: “Kya’s father burns her letter, so she gets upset.”
-
Instead: “The burning of Kya’s letter demonstrates how societal oppression enforces hopelessness, shaping her GVV.”
2. Don’t make vague statements
-
Weak: “The GVV is sad.”
-
Strong: “The sadistic GVV emerges through Hadley’s threat on the rooftop, creating fear and tension.”
3. Don’t drop quotes without analysis
-
Weak: “‘I will survive’.”
-
Strong: “‘I will survive’ illustrates Kya’s determination, highlighting resilience in the face of isolation.”
4. Don’t ignore comparative focus
-
Weak: “Andy is brave. Kya is sad.”
-
Strong: “Andy’s bravery contrasts with Kya’s quiet endurance, showing different responses to societal and personal crises.”
5. Don’t over-generalize GVV in the introduction
-
Weak: “The GVV is bleak and hopeful and sad.”
-
Strong: “The texts present a primarily bleak GVV, which is tempered by moments of hope through character resilience.”
6. Don’t repeat the same point excessively
-
Avoid multiple paragraphs saying “Andy is brave.”
-
Instead, develop different aspects: bravery, hope, resilience, responses to injustice.
Quick Tip
Use the formula GVV → Key Moment → Technique → Effect → Comparative Link for every paragraph.