The Great Gatsby Essay Comparing/Contrasting the Film and the Novel

Organizing a Literary Comparison

A literary comparison should guess what?? have a point! It should not simply list similarities and
differences but the significance of those similarities or differences. For a comparison to be enlightening,
it should either highlight how two similar things are actually very different or how two different things are
actually very similar. In the process of comparing the two items, you will, of course, explore similarities
and differences, but remember that your essay should have a point (your thesis will convey this point too).
Point by point (alternating) method
Definition:
Works are described by focusing on the point of comparison and then discussing
the point in both works.
Thesis Statement for a Comparison Essay
A thesis statement for a comparison should include:
1. The two items being compared.
2. Your basis for comparison which is one of the themes/characters/symbols you have chosen.
3. Your purpose or the point you want your essay to make.
Sample thesis statements
Unacceptable examples: I am going to compare The Great Gatsby film and novel.
The film version of The Great Gatsby is different than the novel.
Acceptable example: The modern music combined with the frantic cinematography in the film version of
The Great Gatsby distract from the theme of materialism and frivolity intended by
Fitzgerald in the novel.
Organization/Outline Example
Supporting Paragraph #1
Topic Sentence:
Although the soundtrack produced by Jay-Z for the film version contains the same
themes as the music of the 1920s, the modern style takes away from the originality
of the lifestyle of excess prevalent in the Twenties.
Example from film
Example from novel
Supporting Paragraph #2
Topic Sentence:
The fast moving cinematography and quick transitions in the film leave the viewer
unable to focus on the setting of materialism and excess so wonderfully described
by Fitzgerald in the novel and so important to the theme intended.
Example from film
Example from novel
Conclusion Paragraph

For more help, visit http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/eng256/support/litcompare.htm#samp.

Comparison Essay Rubric

Intro
Paragraph

Supporting
Paragraphs:
Topic
Sentences

Supporting
Paragraphs:
Examples
Supporting
Paragraphs:
Analysis

Conclusion
Paragraph

Overall
Organization

Grammar,
Mechanics,
& Format

Use of Time

Provides an essay with a

relevant intro paragraph
that includes a
thoughtful thesis
containing the 2 works,
basis of comparison, &
purpose.
Provides an essay with
clear topic sentences that
support the argument of
the thesis.

Provides an essay with an

applicable intro paragraph
that includes a simple thesis
containing the 2 works,
basis of comparison, &
purpose.

Provides an essay with a

less than adequate intro
paragraph (ex. unrelated to
the thesis) and includes a
thesis lacking in the 3
elements.

Provides an essay with

an unstructured,
unrelated intro lacking
a clear and arguable
thesis.

Provides an essay with clear

topic sentences that support
the argument of the thesis.

Provides an essay with

vague topic sentences that
may not clearly support the
argument of the thesis.

Includes specific,
significant, and relevant
examples from the novel
& film that support the
topic sentence.
Includes an explanation
that connects the
examples back to the
argument in a thoughtful
& purposeful way.

Includes less specific and

relevant examples from the
novel & film that support
the topic sentence.

Sometimes includes vague

& unrelated examples from
the novel & film.

Provides an essay
without topic sentences
and/or includes topic
sentences that are
unclear or unrelated to
the argument of the
thesis.
Includes generic,
unrelated, or no
examples from the
novel & film.

Sometimes includes an
explanation clearly
identifying the purpose, but
other times includes only a
generic explanation of the
connection.
Providesanadequate
conclusionparagraphthat
restatesthethesisandthe
mainpointsoftheessay.

Only provides a generic

explanation of the example
or an incorrect/unclear
explanation.

Does not provide a

connection to the topic
sentence.

Providesaconclusion
paragraphthatrestatesthe
thesisbutincludesinfothat
isunrelatedtothepaper
topic.

Doesnotprovidea
conclusionparagraph
excepttomayberewrite
thethesis.

Provides transitions in most

of the essay, organization,
and focus.

Provides transitions
sometimes, organization,
and stays focused most of
the time.

Does not use

transitions, lacks
organization, and/or
loses focus.

Provides a proofread essay

with a few errors in
grammar, mechanics, or
MLA formatting that do not
interrupt the understanding
of the essay. Uses
transitions most of the time
between paragraphs and
examples.
Class time used wisely with
some mild disengagement.
Assignment turned in on
time.

Provides an inadequately
proofread essay with several
errors that begin to interrupt
the understanding of the
paper & includes less than 3
elements of MLA
formatting. Does not use
transitions consistently.

Provides an essay with

errors that significantly
interrupt the
understanding of the
essay & includes less
than 2 elements of
MLA formatting. Does
not use transitions.

Class time is not used

wisely (e.g., off-task
behavior, excessive offtopic conversations, etc.),
but assignment turned in on
time.

Class time is not used

wisely, and book cover
is turned in past the
deadline.

Providesarelevant&
interestingconclusion
paragraphthatreminds
thereaderofthethesis,
givesclosuretothe
essay,&expandsthe
thoughtsofthereader.
Provides advanced
transitions throughout
the essay, thoughtful
organization, flow, and
focus.
Provides a proofread
essay with minimal
errors in MLA format.
Uses transitions between
paragraphs and
examples.

Class time used wisely

and assignment turned in
on time