This year we have read many interesting novels by various authors, each in a different time period and geographic location. Below is the list of novels available for this research project. You will need a copy, print or non-print, of your selected novel for easy access and in order to reference specific pages for your in-text citations. Use Z Library to create a free account and to access a free copy of your novel. 

Once you have selected a novel, you will find research related to the time period, the author, and the novel itself.  You must synthesize the information researched to support a thesis statement.

Step One:  Select a question. (5 Points) 

  • How did the 1940’s impact Betty Smith’s writing of the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?
  • How did the 1920’s impact F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing of The Great Gatsby?
  • How did the early 1900’s impact Zora Neale Hurston’s writing of Their Eyes Were Watching God?
  • How did 1898-1899 impact Kate Chopin’s writing of the The Awakening?
  • How did the 1950’s impact Arthur Miller’s writing of The Crucible?
  • How did the 1850’s impact Nathaniel Hawthorne’s writing of The Scarlet Letter?
  • How did the 1950’s impact Ken Kesey’s writing of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest?

Step Two: Research. (25 Points)

Find 4 to 6 articles on the time period, author, and literary criticisms of your selected novel. Your article research should support the question you choose in Step One. Build a thesis statement that answers your question. 

TIP One: Use Google Keep to help you stay organized. *Create quick lists * Add structured information and subtasks * Access your notes and lists on the web and your mobile devices. Click here to watch a video on how to use Google Keep. 

TIP Two: Use the CRAAP Test  to help you evaluate your resources.

Below are a few suggested resources for your research:

Literary criticism of your particular novel can also be found in Z Library.

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Step Three:  Create a works cited page (10 points)

A works cited page is an alphabetized list of your sources using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format.  A works cited page serves to show the reader where the information is from giving the source credit for the information and ideas. Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate format.

Here are the best free online bibliography and citation tools that are bound to get the job done!

Step Four:  Complete article notes (see sample model) (25 points)

Annotating or article notes. When reading your book or articles, it is important to remember key information. Annotate the articles, so finding the facts and important information is a bit easier when you begin the writing process. Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what it means to annotate. 

Step Five:  Revise your thesis and write topic sentences (25 points)

THESIS/Topic Sentences – Reread your claim/thesis. Then, read every topic sentence of the paper and note the specific words that relate to the argument. If a topic sentence has no connection to the thesis, it has to be rewritten.

Step Six:  Organize your information by topic sentences (highlight different topics in the article notes by color to help with this step) (10 points) 

See Outline example and model HERE.

Step Seven:  Write an outline with MLA internal citations (25 points)

Find every single direct quote used in the paper.

  • Make sure that right at the end of the sentence, there is an internal citation. If that citation does not exist, it must be added to the Works Cited page.
  • Make sure that a quote is not dropped like a bomb; it must be part of another sentence or a larger conversation. It cannot interrupt flow.
  • Make sure that the quote is thoroughly analyzed and connects back to the thesis.

Step Eight: Check the format of your paper.

Be sure to include the following parameters in your paper: 

  • double spaced
  • Times New Roman 12 pt. font
  • 1 inch margins

Step Nine: Revise and edit (using editing sheet) (5 points)

Read each body paragraph. Find every piece of direct support for the argument. Ask yourself if the paragraph is needed, and if it is, determine what to add.
Find your commentary and original thoughts that you provide throughout the paper. If there is not much of this, add some. This paper should be a synthesis of information from all your sources to answer your research question.

Step Ten:  Final Copy submitted to turnitin.com (100 points)

 

 

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