Jestice/English 3
Comparison/Contrast Essay Proposal (25 points)
DUE: April 12, 2017—only top sheet
Name: __________________________________________________
Jestice
English 3/ Period: ________
Date: ______________________
Directions:
1. Write a research paper comparing black and white American culture as
each influences modern culture or modern war: begin with The Harlem
Renaissance and/or The Roaring Twenties; view an historic midpoint;
include current situations, progressively analyzing American culture.
1920's1930's
1960's1970's
2010-2020
2. Paper must have 6 sources: 1 from The Great Gatsby, 2 from PRHS
databases, 3 of your choice
3. Paper must be in MLA format: double spaced, Times New Roman 12 Font
4. Paper must be 5-7 pages
5. Paper must have an MLA Works Cited page
6. Paper must be submitted to Turnitin.com by 3:15 on May 11, 2017.
Jestice/English 3
How to begin: answer the following questions.
1. Would you like to research progressive American culture and the arts OR
progressive culture as it relates to war?
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2. On what area of culture or war would you like to focus?
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Write Your Own Essential Question?
Example: How did the cultural impact of The Harlem Renaissance on African
Americans progressively compare or contrast with the cultural impact of the
Roaring Twenties on white Americans?
Example: How did the cultural impact of The Harlem Renaissance and The
Roaring Twenties progressively impact American War?
Your Essential Question:
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Jestice/English 3
Thesis Statement: The answer to your essential question.
Example: The Harlem Renaissance and The Roaring Twenties brought blacks
and whites together through subsequent American Wars by redefining
American culture.
Example: Through lyrics and themes, white female jazz performers influenced
and mirrored American culture during the Roaring Twenties and into
subsequent decades, while black female jazz performers claimed an African
American culture during the burgeoning Harlem Renaissance—and into the
twenty-first century—reminding Americans of their basic human right to
freedoms, a collective cultural identity.
What is your projected thesis statement? Hypothesis
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What do you need to research?
Jestice/English 3
Two Organizational Methods for comparison/contrast
This will be reflected in your thesis statement, providing the reader with a
roadmap to follow—what path of logic are you using?
Method #1. Present opposing sides--simplest: white vs. black (use the strongest
side/argument last)
Introduction, provides context—a setting of sorts
 Hook (This can be connected to your last statement!)
 Include definition of Harlem Renaissance and Roaring Twenties for
background information: dates, historical significance, etc.
 Include which artists or areas of war you are choosing: writers, painters,
musicians, singers? Soldiers? Those at home? Define their type of work
 Thesis
Body Paragraphs—presents research and data
 Introduce white artist(s)/soldiers and those at home: biographical info,
work, success, impact on Roaring Twenties and current culture (this may
be more than one paragraph)
 Introduce black artist(s)/ soldiers and those at home: biographical info,
work, success, impact on Harlem Renaissance and current culture (this
may be more than one paragraph)
 In this section refer to the similarities of the black and white
artists/soldiers and those at home in all aspects—past and current.
 In this section refer to the differences of the black and white
artists/soldiers and those at home in all aspects—past and current.
Conclusion—what did you discover?
 Remind the reader of your thesis—what are you talking about? What was
the point of this essay?
 Remind the reader of the importance of context in history.
 What conclusions did you draw? Which group is more influential? How
do you know? Use research/data to support.
Works Cited
Jestice/English 3
What does this really look like?
Intro
• Hook
• Background/Context
• Thesis
Biographical
Information of
Black
Artist/Soldiers
• Who are they?
• Where and when are they from?
• What did they do?
Biographical
Information of
White
Artist/Soldiers
• Who are they?
• Where and when are they from?
• What did they do?
Similarities of
Blacks and Whites
• 1920's-1930's
• 1960's-1970's
• 2010-2020
Differences of
Blacks and Whites
• 1920's-1930's
• 1960's-1970's
• 2010-2020
Conclusion
• Remind reader of your claims
• Refer to your background information
• What is your epiphany?
Jestice/English 3
Method #2. Complex: Present point by point arguments (use the strongest
side/argument last)
Introduction, provides context—a setting of sorts
 Hook
 Include definition of Harlem Renaissance and Roaring Twenties for
background information: dates, historical significance, etc.
 Include which artists/soldiers and those at home you are choosing:
writers, painters, musicians, singers? Define their type of work.
 Thesis
Body Paragraphs—presents research and data
 Introduce black and white artist(s)/soldiers and those at home:
biographical info, work, success (this may be more than one paragraph).
 In this section refer to the topic of proof during the Harlem Renaissance
and Roaring Twenties, using black and white artists/soldiers and those at
home in all aspects—past and current.
Example: Topic 1--cultural impact past and present for jazz music--black
and white, similarities and differences OR military involvement
Topic 2--cultural impact past and present for dance steps--black
and white, similarities and differences OR military involvement
Topic 3--cultural impact past and present for singing the blues-black and white for similarities and differences OR military involvement
Conclusion—what did you discover?
 Remind the reader of your thesis—what are you talking about? What was
the point of this essay?
 Remind the reader of the importance of context in history.
 What conclusions did you draw? Which group is more influential? How
do you know? Use research/data to support.
Works Cited
Jestice/English 3
What does this really look like?
Introduction
•Hook
•Background Information/Context
•Thesis
Biographical Information of Artists/Soldiers
•Blacks
•Whites
Area of Comparison/Contrast
•Service at home?
•Service in war?
•Education?
•Racial Situations at home?
•Art? Performing? Costumes? Lyrics?
Topic of impact, 1920's-1930's
Blacks
Whites
Topic of impact, 1960's-1970's
Blacks
Whites
Topic of impact, 2010-2020
Blacks
Conclusion
• Remind reader of your claims
• Refer to your background information
• What is your epiphany?
Whites