Instructions
Research Paper Assignment (worth 20 points)
The goal of this course is to identify and analyze the different literary genres of fiction, poetry and drama and understand how their respective elements affect their quality and context. For this assignment, you must write a literary analysis research essay using the assigned readings from the Poetry Unit, the Drama Unit, and the Fiction Unit.
STEP 1: Review Questions for Writing about Fiction / Critical Perspectives in the Fiction 101 folder. Choose either OPTION 1 or OPTION 2.
OPTION 1: Go to “Critical Perspectives” and choose Question 28. Identify one critical perspective to apply in your analysis.
OPTION 2: Go to “The Interpretation of Fiction” section, and choose from Question 12, Question 13, or Question 15.
After you have chosen OPTION 1 or OPTION 2, select 8-10 texts from the syllabus to answer the question you chose; you must use at least one text from each Unit. If you choose Question 15, go to STEP 1A. If you choose Question 12 or 13, go to STEP 2.
STEP 1A: If you choose Question 15, select one of the following topics to develop your thematic statement. Review the definition of thematic statement in the Fiction 101 folder. This statement will be the concept that applies to all the texts. Remember that a thematic statement is a complete sentence. Once you select your topic and thematic statement, proceed to STEP 2:
Forgiveness
Love
Greed
Faith
Insecurity
Relationships
Revenge
Hope
Identity
STEP 2: Next, do some research on your subject and see what information is available. You must include three outside resources as material to support your analysis. Acceptable materials will derive from library research databases, journal articles and critical studies (books). Note: internet-based materials such as a website (eg: sparknotes.com) or a review /summary (eg: Amazon.com user review) are unacceptable. Use the library catalogue and databases to locate research materials that provide a critical analysis of your essay topic.
Use your previous assignments and notes to help formulate your essay! Here are your research source options:
A peer-reviewed journal publication.
A book that is a critical study and is factual / research-based (such as a psychology textbook or biography).
A news source (such as Comic Book Resources, CNN or NYT).
STEP 3: In order to successfully complete this assignment, write an essay of 3500-4000 words in an approved 12 point font (see the syllabus). To support your claims, you must include in-text citations from each text used, and include a Works Cited page. For standard MLA usage, it is understood that citation quotes from all the required sources should be included within the essay and those texts should be listed in the Works Cited. Adhere to MLA format and paper guidelines; papers improperly formatted will be penalized. As you should know, the Works Cited page is not included towards the word count and cover pages are unacceptable. Refer to your syllabus and EO for formatting instructions. Note the syllabus “Grading Standards” for specific rubric.
Essays must be in PDF format.
Click the assignment link to view assignment details and submit the essay. Late papers will not be accepted. Papers NOT submitted here will not be read.
Literatures I chose were Milcha Sanchez- Scott’s – The
Cuban Swimmer, Tennessee Williams – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, William
Shakespeare’s – A Midsummers Night’s Dream and David Ives – Sure
Thing. Following with the fiction genre literatures Guy de Maupassant – The
Necklace, Nadia Shammas, and Sara Alfageeh – Squire and Kate
Chopin’s The Story of an Hour. Finally ending with the poetry genre
literatures by Athena Chu – My Chinese.
I chose option 2 question question 13 Analyze the ironic dimensions of a story. Identify examples of irony, and explain their importance in the story.
The following is what she wants me to revise in my paper
Feedback:
Here are my comments:
Proofread for spelling of text titles – model after the syllabus.
MLA format requires the following:
essay titles that align with the essay topic and agenda
pagination in the top right margin
double spaced lines throughout
indented first lines of each paragraph
What are you trying to prove? The argument isn’t clear. It isn’t enough to summarize irony, you must also make a claim.
Review heading format as mentioned in the syllabus. The heading belongs only on the 1st page; it doesn’t belong in your header.
Review essay organization — the thesis statement belongs in the introduction paragraph and it is your main agenda. Connect the texts to the thesis statement.
Summarize less and cite more. The essay should demonstrate specific content knowledge instead of a broad scope. If you’ve done the reading and you understood what you read, the essay should reflect that.
Refer to EO for correct MLA formatting of in-text citations and the Works Cited.
Regarding research texts, follow the assignment instructions. Without the correct research texts, the essay will not pass.
You must revise and resubmit by 6 May.
