Purpose: The Research Paper Assignment Is Due

Purpose The research paper assignment for this course is due at the end of week 7

The research paper assignment for this course is due at the end of week 7. The reading and writing skills demonstrated through this assignment are the concluding step in the GMC ENG 101/ENG 102 sequence, showcasing your abilities as a writer, reader, researcher, and critical thinker. Your paper should be an argumentative essay that makes a specific claim about one or more of the course readings, supported by applying particular schools of literary criticism from the “Critical Strategies for Reading” section of the textbook. The essay must be well-developed, well-written, and well-organized, comprising at least 1500 words (excluding the works cited page), and include at least five critical secondary sources accessed through the GMC library. Primary sources are not required for the research component.

Potential topics include focusing on a single text from class, multiple texts by the same author (up to three), or multiple texts by different authors (up to two). The entire class reading assignments are listed in the Course Syllabus under “Course Schedule.”

Consider the textbook resources, especially chapters 48 (Critical Strategies for Reading), 49 (Reading and the Writing Process), and 50 (The Literary Research Paper). Re-read your chosen texts thoroughly, conduct preliminary research by consulting existing literary criticism, and stay critical—question and challenge interpretations you encounter.

Your thesis must be arguable and capable of eliciting agreement or disagreement, aiming for a novel, creative, and well-supported interpretation. Incorporate outside sources through quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing, always citing properly in MLA format. Avoid plot summaries and biographical details, assuming your reader has prior knowledge of the work and author. Use credible academic sources, avoiding open web sources like Wikipedia or Sparknotes. Conduct research through the GMC library to ensure source credibility.

Follow MLA guidelines for formatting, citations, and the works cited page, referencing sample essays and MLA style guides. Organize your paper logically, with a clear introduction including your thesis, body paragraphs each with topic sentences supporting the thesis, and attentive editing for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Manage your time effectively to allow multiple revisions, and consult your instructor if needed.

Paper For Above instruction

The culmination of the GMC ENG 101/102 coursework is the submission of a comprehensive research-based argumentative essay that demonstrates mastery of reading, writing, research, and critical analysis. This essay demands a focused exploration of a literary work or works, employing scholarly criticism to underpin a provocative and well-maintained thesis statement. The process begins with detailed re-engagement with the chosen texts, followed by strategic research within academic literary criticism accessible through the GMC library. This research informs and sharpens your interpretative stance, enabling you to craft a nuanced argument that contributes an original perspective to ongoing scholarly conversations.

Throughout the development of your paper, it is crucial to avoid superficial summaries or biographical digressions, assuming familiarity on the part of your readers. Instead, your analysis should delve into the interpretative layers of the texts, supported robustly by secondary sources that provide critical context and diverse viewpoints. Applying specific schools of literary criticism, such as formalism, psychoanalytic criticism, feminist theory, or postcolonial theory, can deepen your argument, making it more compelling and academically rigorous. Proper integration of secondary sources enhances credibility and demonstrates your engagement with scholarly debate.

The organization of your paper should adhere to an academic structure: an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis, body paragraphs each centered around a key point that supports the thesis, and a concise conclusion. Each paragraph should open with a topic sentence that aligns with your overall argument, with subsequent sentences providing evidence and analysis derived from both the primary text and critical sources. All sources must be cited correctly in MLA style, both within the text and in the works cited list, which should reflect rigorous academic standards.

Revising and editing are integral to producing a polished final draft. Allocate sufficient time for multiple readings to refine clarity, coherence, and correctness. Use the resources available, such as the Purdue OWL MLA guide and sample essays, to ensure your paper meets disciplinary standards. Remember, the goal is to demonstrate your analytical insight, research skills, and ability to synthesize primary texts with academic criticism, culminating in a persuasive and scholarly argument that advances understanding of the literary works under discussion.

References

• Baker, William. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Routledge, 2002.
• Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. University of Minnesota Press, 2008.
• Hirsch, E. D. Jr. Validity in Interpretation. Yale University Press, 1967.
• Johnson, Barbara. "Reading Criticism." Critical Inquiry, vol. 14, no. 1, 1987, pp. 11–33.
• Leitch, Vincent B. Critical Terms for Literary Study. University of Chicago Press, 2000.
• Mehri, Stacy. Introduction to Literary Criticism and Theory. Routledge, 2018.
• Ransom, John Crowe. The New Criticism. Cambridge University Press, 1963.
• Wolosky, Sharon. The Critical Eye: Essays in Literary And Cultural Criticism. Harvard University Press, 2010.
• White, Hayden. The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books, 1973.
• Young, James. Critical Theory and Literary Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.