Senior English Literature and Composition
Research Paper
Essential Questions:
• What defines the work of this particular short story author?
• What are the unique qualities of this particular writer?
• What makes this author noteworthy in the study of literature?
Task: To read, research, and analyze the work of a short story author and share this research in a properly documented research paper (MLA style) and possibly a class presentation.
Stage: Pre-Research
Step One: Read a short story by the author(s) you are considering focusing on for this project. Work from the list of authors provided.
Step Two: Sign up with your teacher for a short story writer from the list. You may not do the same author as another student in the same class block as you for English. Compose a working bibliography.
Step Three: Read about your author in a reference book, from an internet site, or on the Gale Literature link. Get a feel for the kind of writer he/she is, what the author wrote about in general, and what the author’s life was like. Take notes on the background/biographical note sheet and record all bibliographic information.
Stage: Research
Step Four: Read two stories by your author and prepare notes on the Reader Response template for each story. The “LitFinder” link from the “YHS Media Home Page” is an excellent source for finding older, full-text short stories on-line. You may also need to request a collection of short stories through Interlibrary Loan. Be sure to complete bibliographic information for each story.
Step Five: Find two articles of literary criticism on your author and hopefully about one or two of the stories you have read. Use the Gale Literature Resource Center web site on the internet that can be accessed from the school home page under Online Information Services, Maine InfoNet Databases. Start to formulate a personalized research question. Take notes on the Literary Criticism note template. Consider using the bibliography of another source to find more information.
Stage: Pre-Writing/Research
Step Six: Develop a working thesis about your author and his/her work. Remember, this needs to a literary topic, not a report on the author and his/her life.
Step Seven: Find at least two more stories written by your author, read them, and analyze them by taking notes on the template. Look for stories that are referenced in the critical articles. Revise your working thesis and write your introduction. Conference with your teacher about your thesis statement.
Step Eight: Create an outline for your paper based on your research. See sample outline provided.
Stage: Writing and Revising
Step Nine: Write the paper, requesting feedback as needed. Revise. Revise. Revise. Submit final draft.
Cite stories within a collection by using the format for citing part of a work and not the whole resource. Examples will be given in class. Your final paper will include a Works Cited and not a bibliography.
Paper Requirements:
Read and analyze (prepare a short story sheet) for 4 short stories by your author. At least 3 stories need to be cited in paper.
Read and include relevant biographical information on your author as needed. At least 1 source needs to be cited in paper.
Read and take notes on 4 sources of literary criticism. At least 3 sources of criticism need to be cited in paper.
Create a “Works Cited” page on your final paper, not a “bibliography.”
Paper should be 8-10 pages in length, typed, double-spaced. (Page length does not include works cited).
MLA Format must be strictly adhered to, including format for works cited, and citations.
BELOW ARE DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED FOR RESEARCH:
OUTLINE
SHORT STORY WRITERS
PRELIMINARY BIBLIOGRAPHY
SHORT STORY NOTE TAKING GUIDE
CRITICISM NOTE TAKING GUIDE
RESEARCH OVERVIEW AND REQUIREMENTS
Senior English Literature and CompositionResearch Paper
Essential Questions:
• What defines the work of this particular short story author?
• What are the unique qualities of this particular writer?
• What makes this author noteworthy in the study of literature?
Task: To read, research, and analyze the work of a short story author and share this research in a properly documented research paper (MLA style) and possibly a class presentation.
Stage: Pre-Research
Step One: Read a short story by the author(s) you are considering focusing on for this project. Work from the list of authors provided.
Step Two: Sign up with your teacher for a short story writer from the list. You may not do the same author as another student in the same class block as you for English. Compose a working bibliography.
Step Three: Read about your author in a reference book, from an internet site, or on the Gale Literature link. Get a feel for the kind of writer he/she is, what the author wrote about in general, and what the author’s life was like. Take notes on the background/biographical note sheet and record all bibliographic information.
Stage: Research
Step Four: Read two stories by your author and prepare notes on the Reader Response template for each story. The “LitFinder” link from the “YHS Media Home Page” is an excellent source for finding older, full-text short stories on-line. You may also need to request a collection of short stories through Interlibrary Loan. Be sure to complete bibliographic information for each story.
Step Five: Find two articles of literary criticism on your author and hopefully about one or two of the stories you have read. Use the Gale Literature Resource Center web site on the internet that can be accessed from the school home page under Online Information Services, Maine InfoNet Databases. Start to formulate a personalized research question. Take notes on the Literary Criticism note template. Consider using the bibliography of another source to find more information.
Stage: Pre-Writing/Research
Step Six: Develop a working thesis about your author and his/her work. Remember, this needs to a literary topic, not a report on the author and his/her life.
Step Seven: Find at least two more stories written by your author, read them, and analyze them by taking notes on the template. Look for stories that are referenced in the critical articles. Revise your working thesis and write your introduction. Conference with your teacher about your thesis statement.
Step Eight: Create an outline for your paper based on your research. See sample outline provided.
Stage: Writing and Revising
Step Nine: Write the paper, requesting feedback as needed. Revise. Revise. Revise. Submit final draft.
Paper Requirements:
Read and analyze (prepare a short story sheet) for 4 short stories by your author. At least 3 stories need to be cited in paper.
Read and include relevant biographical information on your author as needed. At least 1 source needs to be cited in paper.
Read and take notes on 4 sources of literary criticism. At least 3 sources of criticism need to be cited in paper.
Create a “Works Cited” page on your final paper, not a “bibliography.”
Paper should be 8-10 pages in length, typed, double-spaced. (Page length does not include works cited).
MLA Format must be strictly adhered to, including format for works cited, and citations.