Assignments and instructions will be uploaded as well as notes to help with assignment. If you would just choose a proposal to write about in research paper and let me know what story it is on so that I can add extra notes for that particular story to help with assignment.
271 Research Paper Proposal Ideas Texts for Research Proposal: Gilgamesh · Enkidu is civilized through his encounter with Shamhat, a prostitute. As opposed to our own society, what does this say about views towards sexuality and femininity in ancient Mesopotamia? · How were Gilgamesh’s and Enkidu’s constant struggle and defiance of the gods were viewed in Gilgamesh’s time? Are the consequences that both characters face worth the risk each takes? What struggles do people face with “gods” today? Are they worth the risks? Iliad or Odyssey · Role of women and men in ancient Greek society vs. today; Religion & belief systems; glory & honor Antigone · Polarities: Explore one or two of the contrasts within the play juxtaposed to modern society (Discuss as public issues) · Youth vs age; gods vs. humans; pride vs. wisdom, freedom vs. bondage · Gender Conflicts (choose one) woman vs. man= the family vs the state; woman vs. man= divine law vs. human law; woman vs. man= conscience/morality/religion vs. pride/power · Civil Disobedience: Antigone and modern politics (choose one and connect to a situation in America or elsewhere); concept of unchallenged/unquestioned political forces vs. our own freedom; polarization: “you’re either with us or against us” Beowulf or Sir Gawain & the Green Knight · Hero’s characteristics/ what makes a hero today?; influence of Christianity in the text, elements within; monsters of medieval times vs. monsters today; good vs. evil perceptions; what role does morality play within the text vs. what role it plays today Inferno · How Dante views sin vs. modern world; people Dante places in hell (who would they equate to in modern society) Thousand & One Nights · Morals within the stories vs. modern movies/books/television; cultures & customs; role of women Everyman · The allegorical characters and how they relate to us today; symbolism & what other symbolism we follow today RESEARCH PAPER Proposals: · The research paper topic must be based on a text that we have covered in this class. · The research paper must contain actual research, which is different than literary analysis (what you did in ENG102) · What I would like to see is how you’ve taken a text and related it in some way to modern day life, contrasted or compared characters, times, or cultures. As you look at the proposal ideas, think in this way: How can I relate this to modern day life? Are there any conjectures that I can make based on what I know about this character/culture/religious view and what modern life/medicine/study we know now? You will turn in the following: · Thesis Statement (what are you going to prove to me?) · At least 3 topic sentences · At least 3 resources that you will use to prove your thesis (these should NOT be literary sources, book review websites, Wikipedia, or any other non-researched website) Other paper reminders: 1. The paper rubric is already posted in the syllabus. I suggest you download and use it to write your paper. 2. There is No set limit on how long your paper should be. A GOOD paper is usually 3-5 pages. Please make sure that you cover EACH of your topic sentences with supporting details that you submitted in your proposal to completion. You must also have RESEARCH to validate those details. You have PROVE it to me. 3. ALL papers should be written in MLA and follow ALL MLA guidelines (quoted sources, in-text citations, works cited, 1 inch margins, 12 Times New Roman). Consult the MLA guidelines in the Course Documents. Follow all guidelines for margins, headers, spacing, font, mechanics, citing, etc. 4. There is no maximum on sources, however those sources should not take over your paper. The minimum is three research-based sources, excluding your textbook (one to cover each supporting detail). Use the sources to validate your points. Don’t use the sources to determine what you write! 5. Note that sparknotes, wikipedia, encylopedia, goodreads, schmoop, or ANY other WEBSITE that summarizes texts WILL NOT be accepted as sources. Speaking of summarizing, DO NOT INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE TEXT THAT YOU ARE USING IN ANY WAY!!!! You may refer to the text and use quotes from it, but you should not summarize the work. Remember your audience has already read these texts (over and over) for YEARS! Find some new, innovative thoughts that you want to share. DO NOT SUMMARIZE! 6. You will not submit this paper through BLACKBOARD. You will use www.turnitin.com for your submissions. 7. Consult the English Dept.’s Plagiarism Guide (Course Docs & announcements) and refresh your mind on what is and is not acceptable work. ALL forms of plagiarism (whether intentional or unintentional) will receive an F. Research Paper Grading and Assessment Rubric Thesis: (main point) The ideal essay makes a point that is clearly stated or implied, arguable, and important. The hypothesis is a starting point that evolves into a mature synthesis by the conclusion. 0 No main point or doesn’t fulfill assignment. 1 Hypothesis and/or synthesis have potential but are mismatched or one is lacking. 2 Hypothesis and synthesis match but are not worded well. 3 Hypothesis and synthesis are good, sturdy statements and work well together. 4 Hypothesis and synthesis work well together and are especially well-worded or original. Organization: The ideal essay has an introduction to pull the readers in and prepare them for the main point, a body of sufficient length and structure to explore and support the hypothesis, a conclusion that wraps up the point and shines a light out into the world, and transitions that move the reader smoothly from one part of the essay to another. 0 No organization- the essay is a grab bag of ideas. 1 Two or more elements mentioned above are sufficient. 2 Generally well organized, but lacks some connection or flow. 3 Meets the ideal stated above. 4 Meets the ideal stated above exceptionally well. Content: The ideal essay uses specific, concrete, and relevant detail to support the main idea. This may be in the form of description, stories, examples, statistics, paraphrases or summaries of research material, and/or quotes. 0 Doesn’t follow thesis (or meet assignment requirements). 1 Follows thesis generally but has too little, irrelevant, or inaccurate detail. 2 Relevant detail but not entirely at the right level of focus (too broad or too specific). 3 Just right- detail fully supports thesis. 4 Sparkles- detail goes above and beyond the simply adequate. Style: The ideal essay is written in carefully chosen language with words and sentences that fully express the main idea at an appropriate level of diction. It avoids cliché, slang, weak repetition, wordiness, and awkward phrasings. 0 Poorly worded through-out. 1 A few parts worded well. 2 Generally adequately worded. 3 Adequately worded with some spark. 4 Effervescent, exciting writing that invites rereading for pleasure. Mechanics: The ideal essay is typed in a proper format, and lacks errors of spelling, grammar, and usage. It is free of major errors such as comma splices, fused sentences, fragments, lack of agreement, and/or shifts in verb tense or point of view, as well as minor errors in punctuation (other than the above), misspellings or misused words. -4 There appears to have been no effort made to conform to standard format and mechanics. -2 Some effort was made, but this is still far below college-level work. 0 Frequent major errors, or frequent minor errors and improper format. 1 Frequent minor errors, or improper format. 2 Well formatted, but contains several minor errors and/or occasional major errors. 3 Well formatted, but contains occasional minor errors and/or fewer than one major error per page. 4 Well formatted and contains fewer than one minor error per page, with no major errors. Use of Sources: The ideal research-based essay is like a chocolate chip cookie in which the chips are smoothly embedded in a matrix of the student’s own words, questions, and ideas. The research material is quoted, paraphrased or summarized correctly, and the boundaries between it and the student’s writing are clearly marked in standard MLA style, using in-text citations, and a works cited page. 0 Writer has attempted to document source material, but not in standard MLA style or many citations inadequate. Or writer has not used any source materials. 1 Source material not well connected to writer’s essay structure and thesis; and/or works cited page and/or in-text citations contain major errors or omissions and/or not enough sources used. 2 Source material occasionally takes over writer’s thesis. And/or works cited page and/or in-text citations contain errors in style. 3 Source material supports writer’s thesis and doesn’t take over paper. Works cited page and in-text citations are sufficient and follow MLA (or other agreed-upon) style. 4 Source material supports writer’s thesis exceptionally well. Mix of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. Signal phrases are used. Works cited page and in-text citations are sufficient and follow MLA style. Total Points: 24: 100A 21-23: 95A 19-20: 90A 17-18: 85B 14-16: 80B 12-13: 75C 9-11: 70C 6-8: 65D 4-5: 60D 0-3: 50F For assessment: 18-24: Exceeding College Standard 10-17: Meeting College Standard 5-9: Approaching College Standard 0-4: Not meeting College Standard ENG 271 Research Paper Outline The following outline shows a basic format for most academic research papers. No matter what the length of the paper needs to be, it should still follow the format of having an introduction, body, and conclusion. Read over what typically goes in each section of the paper. Use the additional page of the outline for the information on your specific topic. Reminders: 1. Papers should be typed in MLA format (1 inch margins, double spaced, in-text citations, works cited page, 12 Times New Roman font, etc.) 2. Paper should be written solely in 3rd person. DO NOT USE: I, ME, WE, US, YOU, YOUR 3. Sparknotes, wikipedia, encylopedia, goodreads, schmoop, or ANY other WEBSITE that summarizes texts WILL NOT be accepted as sources. Speaking of summarizing, DO NOT INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE TEXT THAT YOU ARE USING IN ANY WAY!!!! You may refer to the text and use quotes from it, but you should not summarize the work. Remember your audience has already read these texts (over and over) for YEARS! Find some new, innovative thoughts that you want to share. DO NOT SUMMARIZE! 4. Consult the English Dept.’s Plagiarism Guide (Course Docs & announcements) and refresh your mind on what is and is not acceptable work. ALL forms of plagiarism (whether intentional