Research Paper Project: Directions And Assignments Overview

Research Paper Project: Directions and Assignments Overview

The Research Paper Project is a course-long assignment culminating in a 2000-word argumentative essay analyzing a literary work using specific critical strategies. Students must select one author from an approved list and develop a supportable thesis, incorporating at least five scholarly sources from the GMC library. The project involves several structured steps: proposing a paper topic, summarizing relevant scholarly criticism, compiling an annotated bibliography, and finally submitting the full research paper.

The research paper requires an argumentative approach, applying literary criticism learned through course materials. The essay should include well-organized, evidence-based support, with proper MLA formatting. Students must avoid excessive plot or biographical summaries, assuming that readers are familiar with the texts and authors. The paper should be at least 2000 words and cite at least five scholarly sources accessed via the GMC library, excluding open-web sources like Wikipedia or SparkNotes.

Early in the course, students submit a proposed paper topic, including their chosen author, work(s), and thesis statement, to help with focus and direction. Subsequently, they locate and summarize one scholarly article relevant to their topic, engaging critically with the source. An annotated bibliography of at least five scholarly resources summarizes each source’s relevance to the research. Throughout, students are encouraged to formulate original, supported arguments and utilize academic research effectively. Proper MLA citation, grammatical accuracy, and logical organization are essential for success.

Paper For Above instruction

The Research Paper Project represents a vital component of the GMC ENG 101/102 curriculum, designed to develop critical reading, writing, and research skills. By engaging deeply with the chosen literary work and scholarly criticism, students demonstrate their ability to craft a nuanced, evidence-supported argumentative essay.

The process begins with selecting an author from the approved list—such as Tim O’Brien, Jamaica Kincaid, Herman Melville, Ernest Hemingway, Walt Whitman, Anne Bradstreet, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, Susan Glaspell, or Henrik Ibsen. This choice guides subsequent research and analysis, emphasizing focused critical inquiry. The initial step involves submitting a proposal that details the author, specific work(s), and a tentative thesis, thus setting a clear research direction.

The next step involves engaging with existing scholarly criticism through the Critical Argument Summary. This requires students to identify a relevant article accessed via the GMC library, summarize its main argument, and critique or relate it to their own thesis. This exercise sharpens research skills and deepens understanding of critical perspectives.

Building on this, students prepare an Annotated Bibliography of at least five scholarly sources that will support their final paper. Each annotation should briefly summarize the source’s main argument and explain its relevance to the student’s research focus. This preparatory step ensures comprehensive coverage of the scholarly conversation and guides evidence collection.

The culmination is the research paper itself—a well-organized, 2000-word argumentative essay that analyzes the selected literary work through a specific critical lens. It must incorporate quotations, paraphrases, or summaries from at least five scholarly sources, correctly formatted in MLA style. The paper should demonstrate a clear thesis, developing paragraphs, and logical progression of ideas, supported by textual evidence.

Throughout the process, students are encouraged to formulate original interpretations, challenge existing criticism, and support their claims with thorough textual and scholarly evidence. Attention to writing conventions, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and MLA formatting, is essential.

Finally, time management is crucial for revision and editing. Multiple drafts and careful proofreading are recommended to produce a polished final product. For guidance, students are encouraged to consult the Purdue OWL MLA resources and sample essays included in the course materials. Regular communication with the instructor is advised for questions or clarification.

References

  • GMC Library. “Literature Databases.” Accessed October 2023.
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab. “MLA Formatting and Style Guide.”
  • O’Brien, Tim. “How to Tell a True War Story.” In The Things They Carried, 1990.
  • Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. “One of These Days.”
  • Kincaid, Jamaica. “Girl.”
  • Minot, Susan. “Lust.”
  • Updike, John. “Outage.”
  • Melville, Herman. “Bartleby, the Scrivener.”
  • Hemingway, Ernest. “Soldier’s Home.”
  • Hughes, Langston. “I, Too.”

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