Chianglin 2
Chia-hao Chianglin
Professor Michael Cheng
Writing and Reading (II)
4 January 2011
Comparison-Contrast Essay Outline
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background Information: Avatar is such a spectacular movie full of fantastic special effects. The director, James Cameron, had spend over a decade making this movie, from creating the screenplay, learning the scientific techniques, to shooting the film. “An enormous cost of over $280 million makes Avatar one of the most expensive movies which have ever made.”
B. Thesis statement: However, the originality of its movie plot is questioned and looked upon as a very close likening to Disney’s 1995 production Pocahontas. And we can discuss it in two major aspects: the plot and the topic.
II. BODY
A. Support Paragraph 1
1. Thesis statement: “Two different worlds, one true love” is the major story line of both.
2. Supporting Ideas
a. The male character gets an opportunity to step on a brand new world, and then makes the acquaintance of a girl with whom he will be in love.
b. The girl is the daughter of the local chief.
c. Overtime, the male as well as female characters fall in love with each other.
d. The best warrior in the world cannot accept the newcomer all along, and later be killed by the intruders.
e. With the passing of time, the male character gradually identifies himself to be one of them and will try his best to protect the place when it encounters big trouble.
f. The two distinct cultures eventually resolve their differences.
3. Summarizing/Concluding/Transition sentence:
B. Support Paragraph 2
1. Thesis statement: They also resemble in the topic, or the message conveyed in the film.
2. Supporting Ideas
a. Self-protection for the place which certain people belongs to: Even confronted with an all-time catastrophe, all the creatures pluck up their courage, arm themselves, and fight for their land to the last minute.
b. Destruction through colonialism and the accumulation of wealth: The settlers are mining for gold in Pocahontas and unobtanium in Avatar.
c. Wrongs in modern society: The society focuses on the advancement of modern technology, but overlooks the necessity of the abstention of exploiting the environment.
3. Significance of the theme song related to the message conveyed in the film: The singing female character is the representative of the new world where the male one never pictures and he is served as a stranger.
4. Summarizing/Concluding/Transition sentence: In both of the movies, a strong sense of identification with and unshakable resolution to stick up for the people’s home can be seen and felt deep into our heart.
III. CONCLUSION
A. Review key points
B. Conclusion:
Therefore, we can be sure for certain that the movie Avatar bears a striking similarity to Pocahontas. In terms of the topic, fifteen years ago, Pocahontas portrayed the so-called “civilized” people’s invasion of nature; later in twenty-first century, the movie Avatar again put stress on the severity of the environmental destruction caused by human beings. However, while we leaving aside the controversy viewpoint of plagiarism, the importance of the concern about the environmental protection comes out apparently on its own.
IV. REFERENCES (use APA or MLA format)
Wiles, A. (2010 January 15). ‘Avatar’ versus ‘Pocahontas’;. Retrieved from http://www.nineronline.com/a-e/avatar-versus-pocahontas-1.2136620
Mancini, V. (2010 January 5). JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR = DISNEY’S POCAHONTAS. Retrieved from http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2010/01/james-camerons-avatar-disneys-pocahontas
VandeBerg, J. (2009 December 21). Avatar: Pocahontas meets internet-age sci fi. Retrieved from http://www.dailyillini.com/blogs/on-the-town/2009/12/21/avatar-pocahontas-meets-internet-age-sci-fi