- Thursday, December 24
Description:
Based on the portrait of American tennis player Althea Gibson in the film AltheaLinks to an external site., write an essay that compares/contrasts Gibson’s life to the life of a contemporary athlete. This athlete must be alive today, and either still active in his/her sport or recently retired from it. This athlete can be in any field: tennis, basketball, golf, swimming, baseball, football, gymnastics, etc. Obvious examples would be Venus or Serena Williams, Danica Patrick, LeBron James, Jose Altuve, or Colin Kaepernick.
In writing a compare/contrast essay, after you’ve done the necessary research, it’s very important to write your thesis. Your thesis will tell you whether you will be primarily writing a comparison essay (which compares like qualities and experiences between subjects) or a contrast essay (which contrasts differences between subjects).
Be careful about how much of Gibson’s and your chosen subject’s life you cover. So that you don’t become overwhelmed, choose a few aspects of their lives to analyze rather than trying to discuss Gibson from cradle to grave and your subject from cradle to today.
This essay must be written from a 3rd person point of view. Do not tell a personal story. This is not a narrative assignment. Compare/contrast calls for a more academic tone. Do not use I/we as the subject. For example:
- Incorrect: I find Gibson’s life very compelling. I believe she is a hero.
- Correct: Gibson’s life is very compelling. One can say she is a hero.
Requirements:
- Use at least 3 direct quotes from AltheaLinks to an external site. in your paper.
- Use at least 3 direct quotes from at least one outside source pertaining to your comparison subject. This source can be either scholarly or popular. It is up to YOU to find this source.
- Cite Althea Links to an external site.and your other source(s) in MLA bibliographic style.
- 1000 – 1200 words
- typed double-spaced
- font size no larger than 12 points
- 1-inch margins
