Does the novel contain a great deal of symbolism?, english research paper help

This lesson runs concurrently with other lessons. Be sure to check due dates under Syllabus Page 2.

You are to write a paper (seven to ten pages) on a literary topic related to your novel in some way.  Begin reading your novel on the first day of class and complete reading by midterm. Do not wait till the final days of class to write your research paper. Be sure to check due dates on the syllabus.

Think about questions such as these:

  • Does the novel contain a great deal of symbolism?  Perhaps you could write a paper that deals with the author’s use of symbolism in that novel.
  • How does realism play into the meaning of the novel?
  • How does the change in setting affect the development of the plot?

You may choose to address standard fiction elements such as theme, characterization, symbolism, allegory, irony, realism, or settings.  History papers and biographical papers are not acceptable for this assignment.  Begin planning your literary research paper now.  This is an ongoing project that you will work on while you do other lessons in this course.

Here are some novels which you may choose from; try to choose your novel within the first week of class:

Ellison, Ralph.  Invisible Man

Chopin, Kate.  The Awakening

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451

Faulkner, William. The Reivers

Welty, Eudora.  The Optimist’s Daughter

Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye

Kafka, Franz.  The Metamorphosis

Melville, Herman. Bartleby the Scrivener

Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations.

You may work ahead of the scheduled dates, but not after. Make sure that you do not get behind. Check the Schedule of Assignments on page two of the syllabus for all due dates.

In determining the grade for the paper, I will consider form (mechanics, grammar), content, documentation, and process. Each will affect the final grade for the paper.

  • Research papers will have a body of seven to ten (7-10) pages. The paper must also have title page, outline, and Works Cited pages. (These pages are NOT considered as part of the body page count.) You will find a sample research paper, including a sample Works Cited page at thePurdue OWL website or if you have purchased The St. Martin’s Handbook you can find a sample in Chapter 16. Information about formal outlines is in Chapter 3. The order of pages in the paper is title page, outline, body of paper, works cited. These are all to be saved and sent to me as one document.
  • The final Works Cited page will contain seven to eight (7-8) sources.The sources will be derived from appropriate books, periodicals, etc., to denote variety of sources used. Cliffs Notes, Masterplots, Monarch, Wikipedia are NOT appropriate sources. Each of the sources used in the Works Cited must be used at least once in the research paper.
  • You are to follow MLA format and documentation as described in Chapter 37 of the Literature: Craft & Voice text and also in The St. Martin’s Handbook.
  • Use direct quotations sparingly (no more than 25% of the paper).
  • Be sure topic is sufficiently limited.
  • All words should be spelled correctly and errors in sentence structure eliminated.
  • The level of diction should be formal (no slang, contractions, jargon, or technical terms without definition).
  • The paper should be well written and scholarly.
  • All borrowed information must be noted whether quoted or not.

PLAGIARISM: Each student is responsible for constructing a research paper based on his/her own idea about a topic. Borrowed material must be scrupulously documented. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will result in an F in the course.

PENALTIES: Late paper penalties will be assessed. You are given the assignment at the beginning of the semester with a specific due date in order to have ample time to complete your paper.