Compare Contrast Guided Drafts WS: BP Topic Sentence Narrative Lesson

Here are two examples of topic sentences about O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi” and Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Diamond Necklace”:

Thesis:While both authors use language and symbolism to reveal their characters’ motivations to readers, those motivations are different: Maupassant’s character is driven by selfishness, while Henry’s are driven by love.

Topic Sentence Is about Character Development

Both authors use exaggerated language to reveal each character’s motivation.

Here, the writer points out how the authors use exaggerated language to help readers understand the characters’ desires.

Topic Sentence Is about Use of Symbolism

While Maupassant uses an expensive, flashy necklace to symbolize Mathilde’s selfishness, Henry uses thoughtful gifts of ordinary items—a watch chain and combs—to represent his characters’ love for each other.

This topic sentence helps readers see how the authors use symbolism to reveal the distinct desires that drive each character.

Here are two examples of topic sentences about Sandra Cisneros’s short story “Eleven” and Gary Soto’s memoir “The Jacket”:

Thesis:Both “Eleven” and “The Jacket” revolve around preteens who are upset to receive unwanted items of clothing, but Cisneros encourages readers to sympathize with her protagonist’s frustration more than Soto does.

Topic Sentence Is about Use of Descriptive Language

Unlike Soto, Cisneros uses vivid descriptions to help readers empathize with Rachel’s pain.

This topic sentence points out how Cisneros, unlike Soto, uses language to convey her character’s feelings.

Topic Sentence Is about Narrator Point of View

Because the two stories are told from different perspectives, “Eleven” makes readers feel its protagonist’s pain in a way “The Jacket” doesn’t.

This writer shows how the authors’ narration choices (these stories are told from different points in time) lead readers to feel differently about Soto’s and Cisneros’s characters.

Cisneros, Sandra. “Eleven.” Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories, Kindle ed., Vintage Contemporaries, 1991.
Henry, O. “The Gift of the Magi.” Project Gutenberg, Jan. 2005, gutenberg.org/files/7256/7256-h/7256-h.htm.
Maupassant, Guy. “The Diamond Necklace.” Original Short Stories, Volume 4. Project Gutenberg, 16 Aug. 2006, gutenberg.org/files/3080/3080-h/3080-h.htm#link2H_4_0012.
Soto, Gary. “The Jacket.” The Effects of Knut Hamsun on a Fresno Boy: Recollections and Short Essays, Kindle ed., Persea Books, 1983.