MAJOR ESSAY 3-Comparative Literature Analysis

(Based on Candide by Voltaire)

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS:

This essay is designed to help foster and document your comparative writing skills. Below are the essay requirements:

2-3 pages, typed, double spaced (500-750 words)

MLA formatted

The essay should be in your own words, except for quotes from the two titles you are writing about: Candide and another work of your choice.

No library or Internet resources should be used for paraphrasing or citing. Again, this should be your own analytic analysis of the literature.

You must include at least two direct quotes from Candide and two direct quotes from your other chosen literature to back up your thoughts. These should be cited according to MLA standards. Remember, we are now using 8th Edition MLA formatting. Your in-text citations should look like this: (Voltaire 22) or simply (22) if you use a signal phrase.

You must refer to at least two literary elements and at least two literary devices in your paper. For example, you can note how both works have a strong setting (literary element) and how they are both a form of satire (literary device). See the attached handout regarding literary elements and devices.

Draft 1 is due in Week 13.

Draft 2 is due the final class session.

You will want to include some minimal plot summary and paraphrasing in your paper. However, remember to do this sparingly. Otherwise, you will end up accidentally writing a book report.

You will need two references listed on your Works Cited Page at the end: the Candide reference and the reference for your other title. Remember that the correctly formatted MLA Candide reference is already on the syllabus.

The first essay should be submitted in print and online via CANVAS. The final version only needs to be put in CANVAS.

TOPIC 1

Choose a book, movie, television show, or video game as a comparison to Candide.

Topic: Compare and contrast the character of Candide with another fictional character.

Suggestions for Exploration: How are these characters similar and/or different? What can we learn from these characters? What makes these characters complex and engaging?

Sample Thesis: “Although the character of Candide has a lot in common with ______________, there are some distinct differences between the two.”

TOPIC 2

Choose a book, movie, television show, or video game as a comparison to Candide.

Topic: Explore the concept of adventure in Voltaire’s Candide with your other chosen work.

Suggestions for Exploration: How does adventure play a role in these stories? Why are the plots of these works essential to the overall story? What do these adventures teach us and tell us about the world around us? What makes these adventures captivating and thought-provoking?

Sample Thesis: “Both Candide and ______________ are plot-heavy stories full of adventure, resulting is suspenseful and engaging work.”

TOPIC 3

Choose a book, movie, television show, or video game as a comparison to Candide.

Explore the idea of personal beliefs in Voltaire’s Candide with your other chosen work.

Suggestions for Exploration: How does belief play a role in these stories? How is belief essential to these works? What makes these works important in terms of what they say about beliefs and philosophical thinking.

Sample Thesis: “Both Candide and ______________ explore belief systems and their important role in society.”

TOPIC 4

Choose a book, movie, television show, or video game as a comparison to Candide.

Explore the idea of faith in Voltaire’s Candide with your other chosen work.

Suggestions for Exploration: How does faith play a role in these stories? How is faith essential to these works? In what ways do these works force readers to think about their own faith and/or systems of belief?

Sample Thesis: “Both Candide and ______________ explore the concept of faith and the ways in which faith plays a role in society.”