comp and modern english ii eng 1102

Essay #6 (Research Essay)

Major Essays: The majority of your grade in this course comes from a sequence of papers based on the assigned literature. This assignment should use at least 7 sources. Six sources should be scholarly books or articles (secondary sources) published within the last ten years that cover your topic. These are secondary sources. One source, though you are not limited to just one primary source) will be your textbook or primary source material. Use quotes from the textbook (if you’re using a work in the textbook as your primary source) and your secondary sources to support your thesis. Refer to the video in the week 5 module on the difference between primary and secondary sources if need be. Note: you may not use online sources such as Wikipedia, Gradesaver, Shmoop, eNotes, 123helpme, and etc.

Assignment:

The Research Essay topics are posted in the Week 7 module. Right now, you should be researching your topic and selecting sources.

Research topics are posted below:

Below is a list of possible topics for you to choose from. Choose ONE topic.

• In Week 4’s lecture notes, I talk briefly about Plato’s view of poetry and poets. Essentially, Plato says that poetry is a lie and poets are liars, therefore, neither belong in society. Make an argument that either supports or refutes Plato’s criticism regarding poetry.
• How are the roles of men and women portrayed in any of the works we’ve read? What gender expectations do they follow or fight against?
• How does an author use elements such as light and dark (or other symbols/images) to foreshadow or advance a plot?
• What insights into human nature do we get from the stories/plays/poems we’ve read over the course of the term?
• Choose a character from the stories we’ve read and do a detailed analysis of that character by which you argue what you think is the character’s biggest flaw or biggest strength. You may write about more than one character and compare/contrast them.
• Review five or six poems by a single author. Start with a poet featured in your textbook, and then find additional poems at the library or on the internet. Write an analysis of a single element of that poet’s work− for example, theme, imagery, diction, or form.
• Write an analysis of a certain theme (or other element) that you find in the work of two or more poets.
• Write an analysis in which you single out an element of a play for examination− character, plot, setting, theme, dramatic irony, tone language, symbolism, conventions, or any other element. Relate this element to the play as a whole.

Regardless of which topic you choose, make sure that you analyze the piece of literature in detail as you make your argument. You may discuss more than one piece of literature and/or combine the topics. Your textbook also has essay questions at the end of each chapter, so you can also use one of these questions for your topic if none of the questions above interest you.

The research essay should be at least 1,500 words. The essay should use at least 6 secondary sources, none of which may come from the Internet unless it is a journal article from Troy University’s online databases or other scholarly source. Then you will need to use your primary source for a total of 7 sources.

Format. In an academic community that communicates effectively, proper formatting is a mark both of one’s ability to follow instructions and of one’s willingness to interact with one’s colleagues in an accepted, mutually understandable manner. Therefore, it is important that you follow proper MLA format in producing your texts, particularly as you cite your sources. Failure to do so will lower your grade.

Grading Criteria. I’ll be looking for a clearly defined, arguable thesis and a logical organization of paragraph structures in each paper. I’ll also look at grammar, usage, mechanics, and so forth, as well as at your use of secondary material. See the rubric for specific percentage breakdowns.

Paper Submission. Upload your paper to the Turnitin assignment link in the appropriate Learning Modules folders.You must submit your papers electronically through CANVAS on or before the due date. No late papers will be accepted. If you do not turn your assignment in by the deadline, then you will not get credit for the assignment. You will not be allowed to make up or redo essays for any reason.

All essays must be submitted in Canvas by 11:59 PM on the Sunday of the week they are due. All submissions are final, so allow yourself plenty of time to draft, revise, edit and upload. Be sure that you upload the correct document. If you upload the wrong document, then the essay is considered late and you will not receive credit. Allow spare time for unforeseen circumstances. If you wait until 11:55 PM to upload your paper, and you have technical difficulties that cannot be resolved by 11:59 PM, then your essay will be considered late and you will not be able to submit the assignment. I will not accept any essays emailed to me for any reason. Even if you email it to me at 12:00 AM on Monday, I will not accept it. I will not accept any document attached to a comment on the assignment.

If you would like to write on a topic other than those provided, you may do so, but you must have the instructor’s approval. You might want to look at the questions at the end of the works in the textbook for ideas.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as submitting anything for credit in one course that has already been submitted for credit in another course, or copying any part of someone else’s intellectual work – their ideas and/or words – published or unpublished, including that of other students, and portraying it as one’s own. Proper quoting, using strict MLA formatting, is required, as described by the instructor. All students are required to read the material presented at: http://troy.troy.edu/writingcenter/research.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

• Students must properly cite any quoted material. No term paper, business plan, term project, case analysis, or assignment may have more than 20% of its content quoted from another source. Students who need assistance in learning to paraphrase should ask the instructor for guidance and consult the links at the Online Writing Center.
• This university employs plagiarism-detection software, through which all written student assignments are processed for comparison with material published in traditional sources (books, journals, magazines), on the internet (to include essays for sale), and papers turned in by students in the same and other classes in this and all previous terms. The penalty for plagiarism may range from zero credit on the assignment, to zero in the course, to expulsion from the university with appropriate notation in the student’s permanent record.

Rubric

Research Essay Rubric (1)

Research Essay Rubric (1)

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroductionThe student establishes the importance of the literary theme or topic being analyzed in his/her opening paragraph. The essay uses an anecdote or some research to demonstrate why the chosen subject is significant to the primary text being analyzed. The introduction insists on the need to redefine the issue.		10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesisThe thesis asserts a clear and coherent interpretation of the selected theme or topic, explaining the theme/topic’s function within either the work or the work’s genre.		15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrg/DevOn a paragraph by paragraph basis, the essay uses transition devices and topic sentences to remind readers of the basic thesis being argued. Each paragraph demonstrates a proficiency with literary analysis by explicating cited passages. Secondary sources (research) are cited to support the student’s thesis, or as a contrast to it. Each paragraph is well-developed.		15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearchThe essay employs a combination of secondary sources from the Troy University library catalogue and online databases to demonstrate knowledge of existing criticism on the chosen theme or topic in the work selected. (The ratio of books to periodicals is up to the individual instructor).		15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA formattingThe essay demonstrates proficiency with the use of parentheses to designate the page of a cited quote from either the primary or secondary source, recognizing that MLA does not make use of “p.” or “pg.” The student demonstrates knowledge of when to include the author’s last name within the parentheses (Bishop 106) and when not to (106). The Works Cited page demonstrates a commitment to the proper MLA formatting procedures outlined at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/11/. Among these procedures: listing authors in alphabetical order by last name; authors’ last names listed first, followed by first name; proper citation of title using italics for full-length books and quotation marks for article, short story, and poems; use of place, publisher, and date of publication for books and journal title, volume and issue, date of publication, and page numbers for articles; use of punctuation including periods, commas, and semi-colons; and proper acknowledgment of medium of publication, including use of “Print” for physical books (“hard copy”) and articles consulted and URL and date access documentation for sources read online (Web. Date).		15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusionThe student has incorporated a clear conclusion that goes beyond simply summarizing the topic to include the potential implications of their analysis.		10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammarThe student has followed punctuation and grammar rules throughout the paper. The student has also paid attention to accuracy in spelling and the overall formatting of the paper.		10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeImprovementThe essay shows signs of concerted effort on student’s part to correct grammar errors from previous assignments and to demonstrate improvement over the course of the semester.		10.0 pts
Total Points: 100.0