Honors Author Study Research Paper

THESIS:

· Choose one of the authors listed on the American authors list.

· Read a full length work by this author. The work you choose cannot be a novel you read for another English class or summer reading, even though some of these authors have been addressed before. You may not choose a novel that is on the AP summer reading list. Reading needs to be completed by the end of Spring Break.

· Evaluate the author’s style and make your own observations. Use your novel to support your observations on style. Include within your paper references to critical sources that support your observations.

· Connect the author’s style and content to the author’s life and the era in which the author lived (or is living).

· How does the author represent the time period?

· In what way has the author’s life impacted his or her style and content?

· What is the literary context of the novel? Who influenced this writer? Who did this writer influence?

TIPS:

1. Read the sample student paper to the left of this post. This was the highest grade awarded last year on a research paper.

2. Use the links at the left to review general MLA guidelines, writing introductions, and writing thesis statements.

3. Choose an author whose work actually interests you.

4. Use your rubric as a sort of checklist prior to submitting your paper to me.

5. Feel free to use the online notecards at Noodletools.com in lieu of index cards.

6. Check out the sidebar links to the left for some places to start looking for literary criticism.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Description/guidelines for research paper

Research paper rubric

List of authors

BASIC INFORMATION:

Length: 5 – 7 pages

Due Dates: First 25 notecards: Friday, April 4

Second 25 notecards: Friday, April 11

Works Cited page: Friday, April 11

Outline: Friday, April 18

To turnitin.com: Wednesday, April 23 by midnight

Paper copy (with Works Cited updated and attached): Friday, April 25

Requirements: Outline, Works Cited page, 50 notecards

Parenthetical Citations: At least one for each source (obviously). MLA style (of course). At least two direct quotes from a critical source.

Points: Paper 200, Outline 30, Works Cited page 20, Notecards 50