Literary Research Paper

English 1020/ Composition II
Literary Research Paper
Hasting

Literature available for research: Trifles, The Story of an Hour, Soldier’s Home, A Rose for Emily, Barn Burning, Good Country People, A Good Man is Hard to Find, Revelation, A & P, poetry must be chosen from the textbook.

Parameters for research:

1. Conduct research on a thesis developed from a play, short story or poem listed in the literature list above.
2. Attendance on library research days and approval dates are mandatory and missing will cause a deduction in your final research paper grade.
3. Anyone who plagiarizes this paper, wholly or in part, will fail the paper and the course.

Possible ideas for development: (Harbrace 704-724)

1. Detailed poetry explication. This requires a line by line explanation and interpretation of the poem(s) you have chosen.
2. Apply a critical theory to a piece of literature, examine three literary elements found in the literature, and apply all towards the question of theme.

For this assignment remember to review the material from our text as well as the handbook.
Format instructions for body text and other elements (Harbrace 632-647)
In-line citation suggestions (Harbrace 603-612)
Guidelines for works cited page (Harbrace 613-632)
Models for works cited page (Harbrace 650-651)

Required Paper Elements

Use standard MLA format for main body text of the paper; include name and page number in top right hand corner of the page (Harbrace 632-647)

Length: Paper must contain a 1000 word minimum quotes included (double-spaced, size-12 Times New Roman ) plus a Works Cited page. No title page

Must have at least 6-10 sentence Introductory (Harbrace 450-453) paragraph in which your argument is clearly presented.

Thesis statement with primary argument must appear in one sentence and as the last sentence of your introduction.. (Harbrace 426-436)

Body of the paper must include 3 main points of development
(Harbrace 426-436)

Topic sentences must appear clearly as the first sentence of each body paragraph. Plenty of supporting details in each paragraph (at least 3-10 sentences per paragraph).

Must have at least 4-6 sentence Conclusion paragraph (Harbrace 453-456) which draws the paper to a close by recapping the main points of your analysis.

Works cited (Harbrace 651)
Lists only works you cited in your paper; listed in alphabetical order and in proper MLA format

Language:

Avoid the first person use of “I.” The word “you” and its derivatives should not be used. Remember that literary essays are written in the present tense only.

Research Requirement List:

5 Sources of Information (Harbrace 546-583)
3 Traditional and/or ebooks
2 Journal articles (hardcopy or from a database)
No Internet sources will be accepted.
Sources should not take up more than 25% of your final essay.

All sources used in the literary research paper must be verified by copying the quotation, paraphrased section, or summarized area and turning them in with the paper on the due date.
The paper must contain a minimum of five quotes, paraphrases, or summaries.
(Harbrace 590-600)

Due Dates: Research Topic approval March 5, 2009
Research Thesis and Formal Outline March 24, 2009
Conferences April 7 and 9, 2009
Research Paper due April 21, 2009