M5A1 Assignment: Comparing and Contrasting Poems of Controversy
M5A1 INTRUCTIONS
Comparing and Contrasting Poems of Controversy
In this assignment you will begin by learning more about two poets and reviewing components of a
comparison and contrast essay. You will then have the opportunity to construct a comparison and
contrast essay on two selected poems.
Background Information on the poets you will be writing about:
•Listen to the talk: “The Danger of a single story” by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie
https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story
•For some information on the two poets you will be writing about watch the following two video clips:
◦“A day with Wole Soyinka” https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=dprnVlsw9RE
◦“Sharon Olds Speaks at the 2008 Poets Forum”
https://www(dot)facebook(dot)com/poets.org/videos/504546847601/
Preparation for writing your essay:
•Read about Comparison and Contrast Essay at the Excelsior College OWL.
http://owl(dot)excelsior(dot)edu/rhetorical-styles/compare-and-contrast-essay/
When you have completed all preparations for your essay, continue on to the following:
Read the poems “Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka and “On the Subway” by Sharon Olds.
Write a 500 to 750 word essay comparing and contrasting the themes of these two poems. Remember
that you should use the close reading method of Module 5 or the explication method of this module to
gather evidence and quotes from the poems to support your thesis.