Research paper assignment
The major written work for the semester will be a research paper (6-8 pages) on some aspect of monsters or monstrosity. Students will generate their own topics and thesis, with the guidance of the professor. As you begin this work, a first and crucial step will be to identify both a topic and a set of questions to guide your inquiry/research. To that end, we’ll begin with a research paper proposal.
TIMELINE:
Week 7 Project proposal due by email. Proposal will identify your primary text(s) and a research question. A complete description of the proposal assignment will be posted on Blackboard.
Week 10.1 Annotated bib & revised proposal due (week 10 day 1)
Week 10.2 Plan/outline due
Week 11 Drafts due
4/13 11:59 pm Research paper due on Bb.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. 6-8 pages (not including works cited page), typed and double spaced.
2. A strong, clear, and arguable THESIS about the primary text or monster.
3. Close reading of key textual passages or specific images or features of your primary text.
4. Citation of at least one primary and 4 secondary sources in the essay.
• General online sources do not count. Though you can and should consult general online sources such as wikis, online bios, and literary information sites (SparkNotes, etc.), these sources will NOT count as one of the 4 secondary sources. You should minimize your use and dependence on these sources if you hope to write a successful paper. Start there and then move on.
• 2 of the sources must be “scholarly.” The Cohen article that we read together fits this category. Other sources that we locate as a class that have general interest will be placed on Blackboard in the READINGS or MONSTER RESEARCH tabs. If you need help evaluating a source, ask me. And remember that you can use the works cited lists and bibliographies of sources to locate other sources.
• You must do a database search for articles and include at least ONE source that you discover through database research. The most useful databases are likely to be the Literary Research Center and EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier. The psychology databases might also prove interesting. Ellie Horowitz will introduce us to database research in the library class.
• One of the 4 required secondary sources can be another literary or pop cultural work (tv show, etc). You can discuss as many works as you like but be sure you are clear about what your primary text is. And regardless of how many literary sources you include, the 2 scholarly sources are still required.
• In-text citations must be complete and accurate.
• You will use either MLA or APA style, depending on which is the style used in your major.
5. The citations list page
• Sources should be listed individually if cited. If you draw on multiple sources from an edited collection or from a critical edition, you should enter each of the articles or texts you have cited separately, by the author of the text, not by the editor of the collection.
• The page and the entries on the page must be formatted correctly. The entries must be complete and accurate. Check your entries against your preferred style guide.
6. Submission of the final essay. Please submit the essay electronically through Blackboard. I will create an assignment submission box on Blackboard before the essay is due.
The Primary source is the movie “Quiet Place” and how the People survive without talking or making any sound. 2 scholarly sources are required. 6-8 pages
(not including works cited page), typed and double spaced. A strong, clear, and arguable THESIS about the primary text or monster. Close reading of key
textual passages or specific images or features of your primary text. Citation of at least one primary and 4 secondary sources in the essay. General online
sources do not count. Though you can and should consult general online sources such as wikis, online bios, and literary information sites (SparkNotes, etc.),
these sources will NOT count as one of the 4 secondary sources. You should minimize your use and dependence on these sources if you hope to write a
successful paper. • 2 of the sources must be “scholarly.” The Cohen article that we read together fits this category. Other sources that we locate as a class
that have general interest will be placed on Blackboard in the READINGS or MONSTER RESEARCH tabs. If you need help evaluating a source, ask me. And
remember that you can use the works cited lists and bibliographies of sources to locate other sources. You must do a database search for articles and
include at least ONE source that you discover through database research. The most useful databases are likely to be the Literary Research Center and
EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier. The psychology databases might also prove interesting. Ellie Horowitz will introduce us to database research in the
library class. • One of the 4 required secondary sources can be another literary or pop-cultural work (tv show, etc). You can discuss as many works as you like
but be sure you are clear about what your primary text is. And regardless of how many literary sources you include, the 2 scholarly sources are still required. •
In-text citations must be complete and accurate. • You will use either MLA or APA style, depending on which is the style used in your major. 5. The citations
list page • Sources should be listed individually if cited. If you draw on multiple sources from an edited collection or from a critical edition, you should enter
each of the articles or texts you have cited separately, by the author of the text, not by the editor of the collection. • The page and the entries on the page
must be formatted correctly. The entries must be complete and accurate. Check your entries against your preferred style guide.