English Research paper

English Research Paper Description

Spring 2018

Goals of Assignment

Gain a deep knowledge of a work of literature that interests you
Demonstrate ability to organize and develop an eight-page paper
Gain proficiency with an academic form critical for continued college success
Learn to identify and apply relevant literary criticism
Use summary, quotes, paraphrases accurately
Use correct MLA format, including in-text citations and works cited.
Write a thesis statement appropriate for an eight-page paper
(Do not write an announcement thesis)
Practice using freewriting or other getting started strategy
Improve grammar and sentence structure

Description

Based on a thorough knowledge of at least two of three plays we’ve studied—The Tempest, Fences, Master Harold. . .and the boys—use scholarly criticism, play reviews, and the plays themselves to argue an interpretation based on one of the prompts. I ask you to reread the plays carefully and use both dialog and stage direction as part of your support of this research paper; in other words, your analysis should spring from a deep understanding of the plays themselves, with play reviews and scholarly research used to develop that deep knowledge.

Special considerations for this essay form

The best papers use unexpected or surprising sources and incorporate them in a fresh, interesting way. Your creativity can blossom in the way you find and combine sources.

1. Incorporate no fewer than three critical essays from El Luria library in your analysis; these may come from books or literary journals. In addition, use a minimum of one play review or similar source that discusses the play in production (obviously more will be required depending on the prompt you choose). If you use sources that come from some place other than the library, please make a copy of them and attach to the final essay.

2. Be sure your essay is well organized around a thesis.

3. Do not expect to know your thesis statement when you start out. You might have some notions, but the thesis should come with thorough research. I urge you to use the writing process to discover ideas and connections. Once you’ve written the paper, you can outline what you’ve actually written to rearrange the organization. The thesis will probably be the last thing you revise.

4. Use quotes and paraphrases to support your claims and be sure that for each you have an in-text citation. Always avoid using long, block quotes unless it is absolutely necessary; however, if you have a quote that exceeds two lines, use a block quote. You must read and use the script of the play itself to support your ideas; you can’t just use a film version. I expect you to include the play’s stage directions in your discussion.

5. The tone of the research paper is more formal. Poetic language or first person experience is not appropriate. One exception to this guideline might be in your introductory paragraph, where you could indicate how your personal experience led to your research project.

6. Be sure your introduction is exciting, compelling. I strongly recommend writing the introduction last, once you know what you want to say. For conclusion, please do not just summarize what you just wrote! Write something interesting: how the play resonates today, for example

The best papers use unexpected or surprising sources and incorporate them in a fresh, interesting way. Your creativity can blossom in the way you find and combine sources.
7. Write a provocative title (“Research Paper” is not provocative).

Specifications

Paper length is 8 pages, typed, double-spaced, using MLA style format. Failure to meet the length requirement will affect the overall grade. Prepare a works cited and be sure each item on your works cited relates to an in-text citation.

Due Along the Way

Prompts

1. All three plays present difficult fathers in Prospero, Troy and in Hal’s unnamed father. Based on a deep reading of at least two of the plays, analyze the good and bad of the fathers. This assignment might be developed using psychological research (from El Luria Library) on issues of fatherhood. For your paper, consider interesting ways that these fathers have been performed on stage. For example, how close does Denzel Washington’s performance track with Fences, or what is the impact of a production that casts Prospero as a woman (such as our local PCPA theater group and Ashland Shakespeare Company did at one time). You might also analyze how the representations of fathers are relevant in the world today. I encourage you to analyze similarities and differences represented by these fictional fathers.

If you wish to pursue an alternative research project, you MUST get my approval via the research proposal; failure to get pre-approval will result in a failing grade. An alternative prompt must incorporate at least two of the plays we’ve studied.