•Step 1-Hook

•Step 2-Explain

•Step 3-Thesis

Even though in both Perrault’s “The Little Glass Slipper” and the Grimms’ “Cinderella” the Cinderella character faces many of the 1) same obstacles, they have 2) different godmother figures, 3) magical transformations, and 4) outcomes for their wicked stepsisters.

•Subtopics 1, 2, 3, and 4 provide the “map” because the writer will address the points in this order in the essay. • Subtopic 1 = Body Paragraph 1• Subtopic 2 = Body Paragraph 2

• Subtopic 3 = Body Paragraph 3• Subtopic 4 = Body Paragraph 4

A beautiful young woman is treated cruelly by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, but her fairy godmother makes all of her wishes come true, and she lives happily ever after with her Prince Charming. Sound familiar? This sums up the classic story of “Cinderella,” brought to life by Disney. However, there are multiple versions of this fairy tale from different cultures around the world, all with similarities and differences. The French version of “Cinderella” by Charles Perrault is romantic and happy, where the Cinderella character forgives her evil stepsisters by finding them husbands and allowing them to live with her in the palace. In Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s German tale, the stepsisters are violently punished for mistreating Cinderella. Even though in both Perrault’s “The Little Glass Slipper” and the Grimms’ “Cinderella” the Cinderella character faces many of the same obstacles, they have different godmother figures, magical transformations, and outcomes for their wicked stepsisters.

This vivid description of

the Disney story hooks the

reader.

This middle section briefly explains what

the essay will be about and

summarizes the two versions.

This thesis statement

expresses the main idea of the

essay in a complete sentence.

• P: Point

• E: Evidence

• A: Analysis

• L: Link-This sentence should clearly indicate that you are concluding this paragraph, and link to the next paragraph. Be sure that you make a smooth transition to your next point.

First off, in the French and German versions of the “Cinderella” story, Cinderella must overcome similar obstacles. The chores which both Cinderella characters must perform are perhaps the most comparable obstacle between the two tales. In the French text, Cinderella “scoured the dishes, tables, etc., and cleaned madam's chamber, and those of misses” (Perrault). The German Cinderella “had to do hard work from morning until evening, get up before daybreak, carry water, make the fires, cook, and wash” (Grimms). Both Cinderella characters are forced to complete household chores for their stepmother and stepsisters on their journeys. Not only must both face these same obstacles before they can reach their “happily ever after,” but both must also receive help from their godmothers.

Point: Clearly states that the topic of the

paragraph will be how the obstacles are

similar.

Evidence: Quotes that support that the

obstacles are the same: household chores.

Explanation: Explains how the evidence proves the point.

Link: Summarizes the paragraph’s point

about the obstacles, and transitions to the

next paragraph, which will be about the

godmother figures.

1. Restate your thesis in a new way.

2. Summarize.

3. “So what?”

Even though Perrault’s “The Little Glass Slipper” shares similar obstacles with the Grimms’ “Cinderella,” the godmother figures, magical elements, and stepsister punishments are very different. Both stories’ Cinderella characters must overcome the obstacle of performing dirty housework. Though both have godmother figures, the French version’s godmother is the classic fairy godmother, while the German version’s godmother is a white bird who grants Cinderella’s wishes. The magical transformations which cause Cinderella’s wishes to come true are different as well. Perrault’s fairy godmother uses her magic wand to transform animals and Cinderella’s clothes, but the Grimm brothers’ white bird simply gives Cinderella the garments she needs to attend the festival at the hazel tree. Furthermore, severe and brutal punishments come to Germany’s villainous stepsisters, while Perrault’s Cinderella forgives and forgets. All in all, despite the dissimilar cultures and elements of the tales, there are enough similarities so that they both carry a very similar message: treat others the way you want to be treated, a message which rings true no matter what culture one comes from.

The 1st

sentence restates the

thesis in a new way.

The middle summarizes the

essay’s main points.

The end addresses the

greater significance:

despite cultural differences, the

message remains the

same.

• I: Introduce

•C: Cite

•E: Explain

• In the French text, Cinderella

(Perrault). Such chores are common obstacles for Cinderella-figures to overcome.

•Her stepsisters make terrible fun of her, saying things like,

(Grimms). Cinderella characters often fall victim to this kind of cruelty from their wicked stepsisters.