The DiMenna-Nyselius Library is currently closed and will reopen February 10th. Research assistance and physical item delivery is still available. To learn more about our resources and services, visit the link below
This guide is designed to point you in the direction of resources that will help you with your research project for Prof. Rajan's EN 316 course. I know all of you have had library instruction before, and that you may already be familiar with some of these resources. However, if you run into any problems, please feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to work with you.
--CF
EN 316: Theoretical Readings of the 19th C Novel
Prof. Rajan
Research Assignment: Final Paper
Please submit your paper via e-mail. Due Date: 5/15/2014
This is a 17 to 20 page paper worth a total 55% of the grade: the paper is 40%, and the annotated research component is 15%.
In the paper, use an introductory paragraph to make your argument/position clear to the reader. In the body of the essay, make sure you support this argument using explanations, and both textual specifics and external source materials. The paper needs to have a clear/lucid explanation of theoretical ideas as this course is titled “Theoretical Readings of 19th C Novels.” For the conclusion, summarize your paper in such a way that it shows the significance of the argument you have made.
The Research component carries another 15% of the grade: Use 5 external scholarly sources to find evidence supporting your position; these can be journal articles or books that support your argument. See the library website for how to decide whether a source is scholarly: /tutorials/knowscholarly
You may also use reputable websites and other digital/web-based sources in addition to the 5 scholarly sources. The Final paper must have a Works Cited list that is part of your paper.
See the library website for how to check the credibility of sources: /criticallyevaluating Note: these are in addition to the 5 scholarly sources mentioned above.
You must write an annotated bibliography for the scholarly sources; see below for instructions. This is part of the research grade. Please note that the annotated bibliography is a separate assignment that is in addition to the paper. The following two links offer extensive information on how to prepare the annotated bibliography (the links are on the assignments page of the WebCT site, so that you can easily get access to them):
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm#what
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/AnnotatedBibliography.html
Your research grade is made up of four factors: choice of good sources; annotated bibliography; productive use of sources within the paper itself; correct use of MLA citation style (parenthetical citations) within the paper and in the Works Cited list.
Planning and choosing a topic from Possible final paper topics
All these topics are deliberately structured to make you think beyond plot or character summaries. Each question has a theoretical question that you must think about and figure out, and then use as a scaffolding to analyze the novels. Also, you have to do an annotated bibliography of outside sources (5 sources-essays/articles, books written after the year 2004), which can give you a blueprint of both how to read theory and how to complement that reading with analyses of 3 novels)
This is a 300 level final paper, so please use that mark as you begin your research and the construction of your argument.
Finally, chart a timeline to ensure that can realistically enable you to map the research topic, begin and master research sources, and write a strong paper by the due date (May 15).
None of these topics are mandatory, but they will lead you to formulating your own ideas if you choose to write about other issues.
Get your ideas on wiki, as required, and be prepared to discuss your final paper choice with specificity and substance when we meet in class next
Choose one topic from below
Grading Rubric:
An “A” paper must be exceptional in every way: have a clear, focused argument that makes a claim and argue that point, rather than give a description or re-state the question. A sound way to judge if something is an argument is to see if the sentence can be debated. If it is a mere statement and no one can debate it, it is a not an argument. This central argument and all the supporting points in the body of the essay must demonstrate logically how textual sources and external sources have aided the writer in making the argument. There must a clear demonstration of critical thinking and a full development of the ideas discussed. It must be free of spelling and grammar errors. Paper must have an accurate annotated bibliography (MLA). Citation must also be accurate (MLA).
A “B” must be strong. It must have a clear, focused argument that makes a claim rather than give a description. A sound way to judge if something is an argument is to see if the sentence can be debated. If it is a mere statement and no one can debate it, it is a not an argument. This central argument and all the supporting points in the body of the essay must demonstrate logically how textual sources and external sources help the writer in making the argument. It must be free of spelling and grammar errors. Paper must have an accurate annotated bibliography (MLA). Citation must also be accurate (MLA).
A “C” paper must have a basic argument that makes a claim rather than give a description. A sound way to judge if something is an argument is to see if the sentence can be debated. If it is a mere statement and no one can debate it, it is a not an argument. This central argument and all the supporting points in the body of the essay must show an understanding of incorporating both textual and external source materials. It must be free of spelling and grammar errors. Paper must have made an attempt to write an annotated bibliography and cite accurately (MLA).
Below this level, the paper will be marked a “D”