A literary research paper focuses on critically analyzing/interpreting the meaning of literature.
* Students will be analyzing/interpreting a piece (or several pieces) of literature and
supporting their analysis with academic research/scholarship.
The research paper must be 8 to 10 full pages;
*Use MLA standards and guidelines
* Use six (6) sources (within five years and secondary sources are explained below)
* Works Cited page and Annotated Bibliography of fifteen entries (within five years).
* Make selections from any of the authors/assigned readings discussed in class this semester
* Decide how to approach and organize this paper by adopting one of the following
organizing principles
*The research paper is organized around one literary element of the following:
Character; Plot; Theme; Setting, Tone; Point of View. Feel free to examine nuances of
symbolism, irony, imagery, tone, or language
For example: If students want to use the literary element of theme. A research paper is organized around a universal theme of death; life; love, loss; gender; class distinctions, or isolation.
*Critical Approaches: Students must incorporate two critical approaches
*Choose an angle of analysis
* Remember – The focus should be on the primary source THE BOOK/PLAY/STORY
and NOT the film which is the secondary source
* Students must incorporate two critical approaches
When conducting research on a piece of literature, confine the research to solid academic sources. In general, books and journals are considered appropriate sources, while magazines and newspaper articles are considered non-reputable sources. Internet sites like the Huffington Post, blogs, Yahoo, and Google news feeds are not reputable academic sources. There are, of course, exceptions, so if an outside source is questionable please discuss this source with me.
LAMC’s library subscribes to several academic databases, many of which contain full-text reprints of scholarly articles from reputable journals. In general, conduct research by using these resources. In addition, the LAMC library’s catalog is a wealth of relevant material, including collections of essays on specific writers and histories of specific literary periods.
Keep in mind the best choices are classic (short) novels, fairy tales, and plays. Students should think about the classics because the research is already built-in. Newer books very often do not have solid scholarship that can actually support a research paper (however, since there are always exceptions, I listed two newer short novels at the end of the suggestions).
All research paper selections require approval from your Professor. Once students commit to a text they cannot change their mind. Students should use any of the assigned readings, authors, or the following suggestions:
Hans Christian Andersen – The Little Mermaid
Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice; Emma, Sense, and Sensibilities
Charles Dickens – Great Expectations; A Christmas Carol; David Copperfield
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm – Cinderella; Snow White, Sleeping Beauty
Harper Lee – To Kill a Mockingbird
John Steinbeck- Cannery Row; Grapes of Wrath
Laura Esquivel – Like Water for Chocolate
Alice Walker – The Color Purple
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING IN THIS ORDER:
RESEARCH PAPER
WORKS CITED PAGE
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY (fifteen entries within five years)
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