Counts as: Two Quiz GradesAssignment: After viewing the 2002 film Minority Report, write a compare and contrast essay between the film and the short story of the same name by Philip K. Dick.
Length: three to five pages
Due Date:
White Day:
Green Day:
Essay Structure
I.Introduction (make me want to read your essay, not fall asleep)
A. Attention-grabbing Introductory Sentence
B. Brief summary of the basic points of the story/film
C. Some sort of reference to the differences
D. Thesis Statement: Sentence about the focus of the essay
II.Point of Comparison (1)*: (for instance 'Technology')
A.Paragraph one, technology: how the technology is similar between the two
B.Paragraph two, technology: how the technology is dissimilar: story
C.Paragraph three, technology: how the technology is dissimilar: movie (Paragraphs two
and three can be combined if the paragraph isn't absurdly long.)
III.Point of Comparison (2)*: (for instance, 'Precogs')
A.Paragraph one, precogs: how the precogs are similar between the two
B.Paragraph two, precogs: how the precogs are dissimilar: story
C.Paragraph three, precogs: how the precogs are dissimilar: movie
IV.Point of Comparison (3)*: (for instance, 'Character Motivations')
A.Paragraph one, motivations: how the motivations of the characters are similar
B.Paragraph two, motivations: how the motivations of the characters are dissimilar: story
C.Paragraph three, motivations: how the motivations are dissimilar: movie
V. Conclusion
A. Restate the thesis (in different words)
B. Wrap up loose ends
C. Final perspective on the topic
* Body Paragraphs
-Begin with a topic sentence with transition introducing the area of comparison/contrast (topic
sentence: a sentence that states what you are going to talk about in the paragraph).
-Write about the similarities and the differences between the story and movie about the area
-Use specific information from the story and the movie; be sure to include examples proving
the similarities and/or differences exist.
-Use compare/contrast cue words such as like, similar to, also, unlike, on the other hand.
-Conclude the paragraph with a “clincher,” or sentence that ties up the paragraph
Some things to keep in mind as you write your essay:
1. This is a short story, not a novel or book. When you mention the specific title in your essay, use quotation marks around the title; don't underline it or put it in italics.
2. DON'T USE I. I know you are writing the essay, so I assume they are your own opinions. This includes "in my opinion," "I believe," "I think," (NEVER "I'm going to write about"
3. Movie details:
Director: Steven Spielberg
Released: 2002
Movie Setting: Washington D.C., 2054
4. Some character names, actors from the film
-John Anderton (Tom Cruise)
-Danny Witwer (Colin Farrell) <3>-Lamar Burgess (Max von Sydow
-Iris Hineman (Lois Smith)
-Agatha (Samantha Morton)
-Lara Clarke, Anderton's wife (Kathryn Morris)
5. I keep spelling Philip wrong. I keep writing Phillip with two L's instead of one (how he spells it).
Paper Format (follow to avoid losing points):
*Double spaced, 1” margins (change in File, Page Setup), Times New Roman, 12pt. font, no bold or expanded text
*Make sure you indent each paragraph, but don’t skip lines between paragraphs.
*Title your paper. After the heading, skip a line and center your title (let’s try for something a bit more original than Minority Report Compare and Contrast Essay).
*Use the following MLA heading:
Name
Ms. Rossetti
English H9 (G1, W4)
7 February 2008
What else should I do to get a good grade and avoid losing points?
In addition to format and content information, I will also be looking at these things:
• Transition: Use transitional words and phrases to move smoothly between topics and ideas (first, next, later, therefore, unfortunately, thus, for example, for instance, moreover, further, meanwhile, on the other hand, similarly, however, as a result, nevertheless, consequently, after, at first, then, for this reason, specifically, etc).
• Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar: Actually reread your essay and make changes; don’t just assume it is perfect because it came from your own superior mind.
• Word choice: Don’t use words that you don’t know, but try to reach for some of your better choices (avoid overuse of words like good, thing, bad, very, etc).
•Avoid fragments, run-ons (two sentences run together with no punctuation), and comma splices (two sentences run together with only a comma between them). Sometimes, commas aren’t strong enough, and you need to use a period or a semicolon.
• Avoid contractions (don’t=do not, when writing essays)
• Avoid homonyms (their, there, they’re; to, too, two; effect, affect); ugh, a pet peeve of mine.
• Don’t use “I,” “me,” “I think,” “in my opinion”—it’s your paper; I already know the opinions are yours.
• Avoid slang and writing as if you are having a random conversation.
• PROOFREAD!!!!!!!!! Avoid excessive typographical errors
• Print it out before you get here! Do not email it.
Notes for Compare and Contrast Essay: Ideas for Paper Content
You must take notes on the film for details and ideas for your essay. Here are some people/ideas to take notes on and various potential points of comparison.
John Anderton; Ed Witwer; Precrime; Precogs; Anderton’s family (wife, son); Lamar Burgess; Leo Crow; Iris Hineman; technology; the beginnings of Precrime; setting; Anderton’s motivations; plot events; public view on Precrime; murder plot; individuals’ views on Precrime; characters not in one of the two versions; style of film/story; themes
I’m sure there are many more that I haven’t mentioned here.
I'll probably end up adding additional information if questions arise.
