1. The topic of the drama paper is your choice, as long as it is well developed, proven through quotes from the literature and based on one of the plays and one of the poems or short stories we read. If you can’t argue for or against it, you can’t do it. (The directions for writing a literary argument are in Chapter 2 pages 31-48 in the textbook). The short explanation of the paper is to choose a theme that is apparent in one of the plays and then choose a poem or short story that we read that also has the same theme. Write a thesis statement arguing for the theme in both works and prove it with quotes and paraphrases from the works as well as including some professional critics reinforcing your ideas.
2. 4-5 full content pages (Intro to conclusion).
3. It must be in accordance with MLA guidelines.
4. It must include a works cited page at the end. Any paper turned in without a works cited page will be an automatic F!
5. 4-5 sources – two must come from the PSC library; two will be the play and poem or short story from the book.
6. There are several literature databases in the PSC library databases.
7. Have approximately 2-4 quotes/paraphrases per page.
8. Underline the thesis statement; the thesis statement must state the argument being presented and must be arguable.
9. Begin the researching process with a stance based on the readings and spend the entire paper proving that stance.
10. Use formal language – no first person.
11. A research paper is 80% your words – 20% your sources.
12. It is better to turn in a bad paper than a plagiarized paper.
13. The topic of the paper is your choice, as long as it is well developed, proven through quotes from the literature and based on one of the plays and one of the poems or short stories we read. If you can’t argue for or against it, you can’t do it.
14. The topic must be specific, original and show critical thinking; Ch. 3 and the literature terms that you learned this semester should help guide you.
15. The grade will be calculated based on 20% grammar, 50% content, and 30% MLA format.
