Essay One: Compare and Contrast of Film and Novel
Overview
This essay requires students to compare/contrast the novelization of the film with the film counterpart. How does the novel compare to the film? What does the book do successfully that the movie doesn’t? Or vice versa? How is the notion of “power” portrayed differently or the same in each? Again, remember to think critically.
In short, students should compare the Black Panther novel to the film or they can choose to compare the Thanos novel to Infinity War and/or Endgame.
Students should quote from each source (book quotes and movie quotes) to sufficiently make their points. Students can also use a secondary source sparingly (critical article, established critic movie review).
Assignment
While comparing and contrasting the novels and films is the central focus of this essay, you must make a unique argument about both. In short, this means that you must formulate an argument (thesis statement) about the novel and film.
Examples of successful thesis statements (Do not copy):
1. Overall, both Coates’ Black Panther and Coogler’s Black Panther portray contrasting representations of black power which means X.
2. Both Coates Black Panther and Coogler’s Black Panther portray the struggles of black identity and power through X.
*I use the ‘X’ as an example of how you might insert your own thematic interpretation.
Overall, you must significantly compare and contrast the novels and films. I’ve provided a sample outline below that may make this process a bit easier for you. As a general rule of thumb in the body of the essay you should quote about 2 TO 3 QUOTES PER PAGE as this will not only take up room, but you should spend a paragraph examining and interpreting the quotes critically.
**REQUIREMENTS**
MLA Format. 10 pages FULL. Times new roman font 12 point. Double spaced (no extra space between paragraphs).
Quick Outline—Please note that is merely an example of how you might structure the essay but is not required.
PAGE ONE=Introduction + Thesis
PAGE TWO= This where you can discuss relevant aspects of the novel; I suggest 2 to 3 quotes on this page as you will likely spend a paragraph examining each quote critically.
PAGE THREE=This is where you can discuss relevant aspects of the novel
PAGE FOUR= Transition into discussing the film counterpart. I would spend a good deal of this page quoting from the movie and interpreting said quotes in terms of your argument.
PAGE FIVE= Now, this is where you will begin the comparative aspect of the essay. How are they similar? Feel free to quote from your secondary source right about at this point.
PAGE SIX = Continue to compare the novel and film. How are they similar? PAGE SEVEN= Contrast the novel and film. How are they different?
PAGE EIGHT= Contrast the novel and film. How are they different?
PAGE NINE/TEN=Conclusion: What is the big picture of the novel and film? Are the themes of “power” the same or different? If so, why is this significant? The idea is to see the full ideological/thematic/literary scope of both works? What do they say about our understanding of superheroes? What about our current cultures? You don’t need to answer these questions exactly, but to draw from these questions so that you can sufficiently detail to the reader why both works matter.
Comments from Customer
My advice to everyone is that you need to balance the reading with the writing. If you dedicate two full days to writing this essay, the ten pages should be near or completed by then. While this may take a huge amount of mental fortitude for the moment, I promise you it will be a relief to stay ahead of the deadline. That way, up until the due date you can edit your essay until it is in a good place.
**Note: Although this is Black Panther Week, you should be reading the Thanos novel if you plan to write your essay on Thanos. If you are writing on the Black Panther novel—then by all means simply stick to Black Panther.