SOAP is a rhetorical guide that helps the writer grasp the precise nature of an assignment. For this assignment, your SOAP can be broken down as follows:
- Subject = A critical comparison of the literary versions of either “Snow White” or “Cinderella” to their film counterparts.
- Occasion = An analysis that demonstrates the student’s ability to critically think and examine the literary works studied/film viewed
- Audience = Your instructor
- Purpose = The purpose will be to analyze the literature and its corresponding film
The following work should be at least three typed pages (double-spaced) in Times New Roman, size 12 font. Margins should not exceed one-inch on any side.
Your writing task: The first task is to choose whether you will analyze “Cinderella” or “Snow White.” See below for criteria to cover in your work:
If you choose “Cinderella”:
- Introduction: Begin the work. Set the context. What is the origin of the fairy tale? Describe what “Cinderella” is and introduce there are two literary versions–Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault. You must also discuss how this classic fairy tale was made into an animated film by Walt Disney in 1950 (remember, italicize the film name; the story names go in “quotation marks”). You need to write a thesis for this work–what is the purpose of your work? To analyze the themes/ideas of the work? To analyze characters?
- Analysis of the Literary Versions of “Cinderella”: You should have two subsections to this major section; one dedicated to Brothers Grimm and one dedicated to Perrault. After developing your thesis, what points will you analyze/describe for each story? Include examples. There is a critical work on this story in the Week 3 folder—read and cite it where applicable.
- Analysis of the Film Version of Cinderella: Again thinking of your thesis, how are you going to analyze the film? You can use any of the Walt Disney articles in Week 4/Week 5 to cite when analyzing/commenting on the artistry of the film.
- Literature vs. Film: In this section, compare the literary versions to the film version. Is one platform stronger than another? Explain.
- Conclusion: End the work. Recap major points. Leave the reader with closing thoughts. What is the purpose of this fairy tale? Is there a lesson the authors/Disney is trying to teach?
If you choose “Snow White”:
- Introduction: Begin the work. Set the context. What is the origin of the fairy tale? Describe what “Snow White” is and introduce there are two literary versions by Brothers Grimm. You must also discuss how this classic fairy tale was made into an animated film by Walt Disney in 1937(remember, italicize the film name; the story names go in “quotation marks”). You need to write a thesis for this work–what is the purpose of your work? To analyze the themes/ideas of the work? To analyze characters?
- Analysis of the Literary Versions of “Snow White”: You should have two subsections to this major section; one dedicated to the first version by Brothers Grimm and one dedicated to the second version. After developing your thesis, what points will you analyze/describe for each story? Include examples. There is a critical work on this story in the Week 3 folder—read and cite it where applicable.
- Analysis of the Film Version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Again thinking of your thesis, how are you going to analyze the film? You can use any of the Walt Disney articles in Week 4/Week 5 to cite when analyzing/commenting on the artistry of the film.
- Literature vs. Film: In this section, compare the literary versions to the film version. Is one platform stronger than another? Explain.
- Conclusion: End the work. Recap major points. Leave the reader with closing thoughts. What is the purpose of this fairy tale? Is there a lesson the authors/Disney is trying to teach?
This is not a reaction work; it is analytical by nature. Therefore, you should avoid using the first-person (I, me, my, etc.) in your writing. Approach the subject matter from a third-person perspective, like a critic.
Your work should begin with a strong introduction to provide context on what the work will be about. The introduction should end with your thesis statement.
The body of this work should address the questions above. Of course, you can further elaborate and explore both the literature and film as you see fit. Make sure you organize the body in a way that makes sense.
Conclude strongly. What is the takeaway of this work? What should the audience have learned? And why is this important? Leave the audience on a thoughtful note.
Don’t forget: Avoid using close-out words that are vague and general (nice, interesting, fun, great, etc.). Use specific examples from the literary selections and film to make your point. Also, this work is by no means to be a summarization of the literary works or film. You are making an argument that is to be supported by examples from the story. Summarization is not necessary.
