Essay: Comparative Critique
Read these two articles: “Just Do What the Pilot Tells You” by Dalrymple and “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem” by Erich Fromm. Write a comparative critique of two essays you just read: “Just Do What the Pilot Tells You” by Dalrymple and “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem” by Erich Fromm. Your critique will make and then support a claim about an insightful relationship between the two texts. This relationship should focus on how the two authors use particular textual elements or strategies to accomplish the purposes of their essays. To do so, rely on concrete details from the texts in your analysis to establish the significance (the “So What?”) of this relationship. The claim should clearly establish an insightful relationship between the two essays. It should focus on how the two authors use particular textual elements to accomplish the purposes of their essays. The essay should offer a focused analysis of details to support its claim. The essay should remain independent and objective by paraphrasing the authors’ words accurately, using a minimum of quotations, and avoiding judgment or personal association. The essay should exhibit clarity and coherence? Do its ideas progress logically through the use of transitions, attributive tags, and appropriate word choice? Does it adhere to MLA format and citation standards and contain few, if any, grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. This assignment asks that you compose a comparative critique that analyzes HOW two essays address a shared concern or issue. You will need to identify and unpack a meaningful relationship between the two authors’ claims, ideas, approaches, and/or assumptions, using details from each to support the analysis.
1. Intro = TAG, background info, end with YOUR main claim (thesis)
2. Body paragraphs should begin with sub-claims and integrate both works
3. Use transitions that show the logical exploration of your ideas and evidence
4. Remember to attribute ideas to your two sources (avoid sentences where I could ask “says who?”)
5. Try to conclude with a final “so what” or a return to the broader topic or context you used to situation your topic in your intro
6. Go back and check your first and last sentences of every paragraph & your thesis — everything aligned?
Sample Outline:
Introduction:
Introduce the topic being discussed in the chosen articles
Introduce the articles & authors
Transition into your Thesis Claim – your comparative critique statement which addresses HOW both authors address a shared concern/issue. (use the difference within similarity format)
Body:
A combined summary of each authors’ main points and analysis demonstrates the relationship between the two authors’ claims, ideas, approaches, assumptions, etc.
While summary is an important component, the bulk of your paper should be analyzed. You should be working to show your reader HOW these authors address a common issue differently (using difference within similarity). Each claim you make should use details from each author to support your analysis.
Try Making Sources Speak techniques to successfully integrate both authors/texts throughout your essay.
Conclusion:
The further analysis explores the significance of the evidence being analyzed – why the authors argue/present their point in a particular way. Analyzing what would happen if something had been changed or done differently (organization, language, appeal to the audience, etc.) in either author’s case.
Final thought(s)
