For your final research paper, compose a
6-8 page (approx. 2000 words) critical analysis of one or more literary works from the course focused around a thesis establishing your specific critical perspective. In addition to the primary text(s)
, you MUST use at least 3 (ideally 5) sources to support your claims, which must be
SCHOLARLY resources from an academic database (e.g. JSTOR, Google Sccholar, ProQuest, etc.). One source
MUST be from a scholarly book. Format the paper in professional MLA style throughout.
You may use one of your previous papers as the basis for the final paper; however, you may focus on any text covered in class.
Due to university registrar deadlines,
NO LATE PAPERS can be graded after the deadline! If you think this might in any way be a risk for you,
submit your essay early! Bonus points will be awarded for early submissions!
Papers must include the following:
· Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font throughout—including the Works Cited page.
· A properly formatted title page.
· Header with last name and page number (right justified and formatted in the same font as rest of paper)
· Properly formatted MLA Works Cited page (does not count towards word count but should be on a separate page.
· In-text citations for all quoted material and/or paraphrases.
· Professional standards of grammar, spelling, and punctuation–>use both the Spelling & Grammar Check function in Word and Grammarly to check yourself; Serious points will be deducted for obviously careless prose!
The essay will be graded according to three (3) major components: form, content, and style.
1/3 Grade = Form:
-The paper is in correct MLA format
-No or minimal grammatical, orthographic, or punctation errors.
-Proper paragraphing, spacing, and font
-Correctly formatted Works Cited page
1/3 Grade = Content
-An effectively worded and positioned thesis
-Argument is strongly supported with evidence, both from the text (primary source) and from secondary sources
-Optimal use of scholarly sources
1/3 Grade = Style
-The essay flows well, integrating the use of transitional phrases with close analysis
-The argument is convincingly presented
-The argument contains a mixture of interpretive statements and text-based evidence
-The essay makes an attempt to engage the reader
