Thanks Cridamour, comp lit is sort of different in terms of applicant pools and numbers, but I think the grad application process is the same. Your advice is good.
One thing I'm chewing on is whether to list award nominations on my applications. I was nominated for best undergrad thesis, and best seminar paper in women's studies but did not win. Unfortunately our graduate department only has three awards: best narrative theory paper, best seminar paper, and best dissertation. You would think they would create more for their students, but whatever. I have two years of teaching composition. I don't necessarily agree with contacting professors beforehand--I've been told that it's not unheard of but is never entirely productive. You can contact them, but I'm not sure of what you would say that you couldn't say in your
statement of purpose that would be equally effective. Unless you have specific research-based questions, an email saying "Hi, you're great, i want to study with you" would be ineffective.