English 1302.500
Research Essay
Length: 800-1,000 words
Format: Modern Language Association (MLA) style
Value: thirty percent of semester grade
For this assignment, you must write an essay involving research and literary criticism on the subject of your choice, and your essay must include reference to at least three critical sources identified on your Works Cited page. Please write a thesis statement which clearly indicates what argument you will present in your essay and then prove your point by mixing your own analysis with the supporting ideas of others found in literary criticism (books, articles, etc.)
Much more information related to possible topics will be conveyed to you. Paying careful attention to class discussion of this assignment will help you to understand its purpose and to become aware of methods and strategies which will help you complete it successfully.
KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL PAPER
Choose an author or poet whose work is interesting or meaningful to you. Work with a writer or poet whose literature you appreciate, admire, and enjoy, so working on your paper will be a delightful experience, not a chore to be completed as part of your graded work.
Write a thesis statement which clearly identifies the point you will argue in your essay, and please be specific. “Frost’s poetry deals with nature” would be too general. As an example, what aspects or characteristics of nature does Frost describe in his poetry, and what insights does he convey through his description?
Quote from critical sources, but not too often or too extensively. One or two quotations from each critical source on the Works Cited page should be sufficient. Also, please remember the importance of quoting the literature you are writing about. This assignment is most appropriately considered to be an argument presented by you, accomplished by your own analysis and reasoning, and occasionally supported by the words of others who have published material on the subject. As you can see, such an approach requires careful study of the literature associated with your essay.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you experience any difficulty. I will be happy to discuss the assignment with you, comment on your choice of topic, evaluate your approach, and suggest modifications which will improve your chances of succeeding. I will devote much class time to discussion of this assignment.