Research Project Now: Its T

Research Projectnow Its T

Now it's time to begin (two) major writing assignments: 1) the Focused Annotated Bibliography and 2) the Research Paper assignments. The Focused Annotated Bibliography is the research for the final research paper; therefore, you need to provide a "focus," a purpose statement that will become your thesis for the paper. Make sure you use correct MLA style for both papers. Directions for both assignments are in the course content; I suggest that you read all directions, example, etc. before beginning the bibliography assignment. Also read "How to Write about Literature" and "How to do Research" in the course content.

Requirements Specific directions, guides and examples are in Unit One: “Course Resources & Writing Assignments” in the Content. Read Unit One before beginning this assignment. Due Date: check the course calendar in the Syllabus and Start Items in the course content. Clear focus or thesis that is supported with examples, quotes and paraphrases from both primary and secondary sources. 6-8 pages in length, not counting the Works Cited page. MLA documentation style. Typed and double-spaced, 12 point font such as Times New Roman. Written in Standard English, free of grammatical and spelling errors. Use at least five scholarly sources; the best databases are: JSTOR, MLA, and Literary Reference Center. If an article isn’t available in our library, use interlibrary loan. You can order interlibrary loan articles online on the library’s website. Articles will be delivered to your email address. Please note that you may or may not use all the sources cited in your Annotated Bibliography, which is part of your preliminary research. Whether you use a source depends on your thesis or purpose.

A word of caution: do not use non-scholarly sources or any online sources, especially Wikipedia or Sparknotes. If you rely on these sources, you will fail the assignment. If you plagiarize, you will receive a zero for the assignment and may fail the class. I will only accept Word files; do not use PDF. Do not use online bibliography help, services that supposedly put your citations in correct MLA style – these sources are not accurate or reliable. You are responsible for understanding and implementing correct MLA style in your citations and in your papers.

Research Paper Requirements

The research paper is a literary analysis that explains and interprets a specific idea about one of the assigned texts. You must do a close reading of your primary source, finding evidence from the text to support your argument or thesis. This interpretation should be supported with quotes or paraphrases from scholarly critics.

The paper should include an introduction that presents your thesis and provides context, including a brief overview of the primary source’s plot. The body of the paper should develop your argument in a cohesive and organized manner, following a logical progression. All content should relate directly to your central idea. The conclusion should summarize and reinforce your main points without merely repeating the introduction.

Your final essay must be 6 to 8 pages long, not including the Works Cited page, and must follow current MLA formatting guidelines. It should be well-organized, cohesive, and free of grammatical errors. The paper must include a clear, debatable thesis supported by evidence from both the primary text and scholarly secondary sources—at least five, but ideally six, sources. The sources used should be scholarly, reputable, and appropriately integrated into your writing.

The essay should be titled appropriately to reflect your focus and approach. Use proper MLA in-text citations and include a correctly formatted Works Cited page. The final submission must be in Word format, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and in 12-point Times New Roman font. Avoid first-person language and keep the tense in the present. Plagiarism will result in a zero grade and possible failure of the course.

Additional Considerations

Ensure your topic is manageable for the length of the paper. Clearly introduce your topic, author, and work in your opening paragraph, including your thesis statement. Organize your paragraphs logically, supporting each point with adequate evidence, including summary, paraphrase, or quotation, accompanied by explanation and analysis. Use transitions within and between paragraphs to maintain coherence.

Integrate quotations effectively: introduce, contextualize, and analyze each quote and paraphrase. Pay attention to grammatical correctness and MLA formatting throughout your paper. Include a well-structured Works Cited page. Your writing should avoid ambiguous pronouns, run-on sentences, and fragments. The academic tone should be maintained throughout, and the content should reflect critical engagement with the primary and secondary sources.

Conclusion

This research project aims to produce a focused, analytical, and well-supported literary essay that deepens understanding of the chosen text through close reading and scholarly research. Successful completion requires close adherence to MLA style, clear organization, and original thought, supported by credible scholarly sources.

References

  • Gobineau, A. De. The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races. J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1856.
  • Benedict, R. Fulton. The Races of Mankind. Public Affairs Committee, 1900.
  • "Women in American History: A Series," Book Four, 1979.
  • Birnbaum, M. "Alien Hands: Kate Chopin and the Colonization of Race." In Subjects and Citizens: Nation, Race and Gender from Oroonoko to Anita Hill, edited by Michael Moon and Cathy N. Davidson, Duke University Press, 1995.
  • Koppelman, S. "The Politics and Ethics of Literary Revival: A Test Case–Shall We, Ought We, Can We Make of Constance Fenimore Woolson a Kate Chopin?" Journal of American Culture, vol. 22, pp. 1–9.
  • Jones, T. M. Ethical Decision Making by Individuals in Organizations: An Issue-Contingent Model. Academy of Management Review, 1991.
  • Kono, T. "Corporate Culture and Long-Range Planning." Long Range Planning, vol. 23, no. 4, 1990, pp. 9-19.
  • Mason, R. O. "Lessons in Organizational Ethics from the Columbia Disaster: Can a Culture be Lethal?" Organizational Dynamics, vol. 33, no. 2, 2004.
  • Hale, A. R. "Management and Culture: The Third Age of Safety." Occupational Injury: Risk, Prevention and Intervention, 1998.

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