Your final research essay is the final project for the class and will be based on a topic that you select among the following as related to literature.
Gender roles and expectations
Race and class
Abilities/Disabilities in literature
Family relationships
Justice and morality
Truth and Reality
Once you have selected your topic, you will narrow it to a specific issue on which your essay will focus.
You will write a 1200-1500 word fully documented MLA style research paper on your topic. You must use one of the readings (a novel or play) from this semester as your primary text, and have at least 6 scholarly sources that you cite in your paper. You will list all seven resources on your “Works Cited” page.
Your thesis statement will be an answer to a research question and will make a clear, original argument backed by several specific reasons and evidence. See The Little Seagull for developing research questions and thesis statements.
In a well-organized paper of at least 1200 words, research and develop an argument on an issue that you identified from your broad topic. You will come up with this more narrowly focused, specific subtopic for your research. For example, if you choose “Gender roles and expectations” you can look at a specific text from this semester’s reading list in which the writer makes a specific point about the expectations of women or men based solely on their gender. Perhaps you can explore a point that is made by the ways in which a character defies gender roles or expectations and ways in which the author conveys this. If you choose “Race and Class”, first narrow your selection to either race or class, and second, identify a specific point that the author is making about the way in which race or class creates conflict for a character or characters. The specific issue will determine the research question and the key words that you use to develop your argumentative research paper.
You must have a clear thesis with supporting arguments. You will need to provide evidence to support your thesis. Your body paragraphs should contain ample summary and quotation to demonstrate that this is a research paper.
You must make an argument and respond to the position of others.
Requirements and Standards:
1. You must cite at least one primary text from this summer’s reading list and six scholarly secondary sources.
2. Finding your sources. Use the library databases and catalog to locate appropriate sources. Evaluate sources carefully before you plan to use them.
3. You must submit all requirements for this assignment as scheduled — an outline and thesis, an annotated bibliography, a first draft and the final draft. All steps must be submitted and approved before the next step can be accepted.
4. Organization: Your paper should follow the classical model of organization.
5. Style/Expression: Your paper should be written in a formal style as appropriate for an academic audience. There should be no informal language. Use the third person only. The only first or second person references should come from direct quotations.
6. Punctuation, Grammar, Mechanics, Spelling: Your paper should contain few errors in punctuation, grammar, mechanics, and spelling. Please plan ahead to make use of the Virtual Writing Center for help with revision and/or editing.
Schedule:
Topic, Thesis Statement and Outline: August 10
Annotated Bibliography: August 12
First Draft Draft: August 14
Final Draft: August 17
