For your senior English seminar final project, you will have the opportunity to delve into an aspect of literature of your choice, using it as the anchor for a 5-7 page paper (double-spaced, with standard margins; Times New Roman size 12 font). Your task will be to apply research and analysis skills to an area of literature. Alternatively, you may choose to create a literary work in the style or genre you’ve chosen as your focus (such as poetry or a short story, or a chapter of a longer piece of literary fiction, demonstrating your understanding of the literature that is the focus of your study); should you choose this option, you will also need to write an artist’s statement, in which you explain your process and product by making reference to the research you have done about your chosen form and genre; the amount of research you’re required to do is the same as for the analytical essay.
Compile an annotated bibliography comprising a minimum of ten sources (some sources may count more than others), including: critical analyses, scholarly articles, and relevant contextual materials. If you choose to read an entire book, run it by me first so we can decide how many sources it will count as. Annotate each source, evaluating its bias, perspective, and usefulness to your investigation. Submit your annotated bibliography by Friday, April 19th.
Step 3:
With feedback from your instructor, develop a draft of your paper, incorporating your analysis, synthesis, and expression skills. If you have opted for a creative project, the same drafting process is required. Ensure that your thesis is clear and well-supported by evidence from both the primary text and secondary sources. The draft submission deadline is Friday, April 26th.
Step 4:
Revise your draft based on feedback received during peer review and workshop days, paying attention to clarity, coherence, and depth of analysis. Your final paper, along with a reflection on your research process and the evolution of your ideas, is due at the end of the fourth week. Remember to demonstrate proficiency in written expression, critical thinking, and engagement with the text throughout your project. The final submission is due Friday, May 3rd.
For my senior English seminar final project, I aim to explore the themes of hysteria, power dynamics, and morality in Arthur Miller’s screenplay, “The Crucible.” This play, set against the backdrop of the Salem witch trials, offers a compelling narrative that dives into the complexities of human behavior under extreme circumstances. I intend to examine how Miller uses the witch trials as a lens to comment on broader issues such as political oppression, social conformity, and the nature of truth. My thesis is that “The Crucible” serves as a Connect elements of hysteria from real events to pieces of literature where mass hysteria takes center stage
