Literary Analysis Research Paper

Literary AnalysisResearch PaperExpectations & Requirements

Mrs. Barnett

What is a literary analysis?

• A literary analysis is not merely a summary of a literary work. Instead, it is an argument about the work that expresses a writer’s personal perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the work. – This analysis is accomplished by examining the literary

devices, word choices, or writing structures the author uses within the work.

– The purpose of a literary analysis is to demonstrate why the author used specific ideas, word choices, or writing structures to convey his or her message.

Unit Assignments and Deadlines Step in the process What you will turn in/ do/ etc. Due Date

Step 1: Background Information TKAM Index of Quotes April 19/22Step 2: Choose your topic “What I Know & Need to Know & Where I

Might Find It” Topic Selection Worksheet April 23/24

Step 3: Research your topic/questions /read your provided articles

Literary Criticism Quotes Worksheet Research Notes Sheets with full MLA citation

information

April 25/26

April 29/30

Step 4: Develop your thesis Thesis statement Worksheet May 1/2Step 5: Paragraph Organizer/ Organize your research

Paragraph organizer Worksheet Outline submitted to turnitin.com May 3/6

Step 6: Write your paper Printed first draft Includes Works Cited page Teacher conference worksheet

May 7 – 1st Lab 145May 7 – 3rd & 4th Lab 213May 8 – Lab 214 (B day)

May 9 – 1st & 2nd MediaMay 9 – 3rd & 4th Lab 213May 10 – Lab 214 (B day)

Step 7: Revise and Edit Revising and editing checklist worksheet Teacher Conference worksheet Peer Conference worksheet

May 13 – 1st & 2nd MediaMay 13 – 3rd & 4th Lab 213May 14 – Lab 214 (B day)

Step 8: Write and submit final copy Submission of the final copy to turnitin.com May 21 – 1st-4th Lab 213May 22 – Lab 214 (B day)

Requirements of the paper

• 750-1000 words (body of paper-not the Works Cited or Header)

• Use THREE Literary Criticisms (from the eight (8) articles provided)– Must be at least one QUOTE from each

criticism as well as references to them (summarizing/paraphrasing)

• Use at least three quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird

Step 1: Background Information

• Index of Quotes.

You will be completing an INDEX OF QUOTES on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird’s important passages in the text.

Step 2: Choose your topic

• Read the text closely several times.

• Brainstorm a list of potential topics.

• Think about what the author is trying to say.  

• Select a topic that has sufficient supporting evidence.

• Complete the WHAT I KNOW & NEED TO KNOW & WHERE I MIGHT FIND IT worksheet.

– Symbolism (of Mockingbird, mad dog, others)

– Racism (its effect on novel, character of Tom Robinson)

– Classism (its effect on characters in the novel)

– Gender issues (How Scout differs from norm of time; other female characters)

– Atticus as a hero or an anti-hero– Analysis of a main character (Atticus,

Scout, or Jem)– Analysis of minor characters and their

significance to novel (try to pick at least three or three types of minor characters)

– Setting and its importance to the novel

Step 3: Do the Research • Read the articles about your issue using the article packet

provided (which came from GALE database online).– Complete the LITERARY CRITICISM QUOTES worksheet

• Take notes on the NOTES SHEETS. Be sure to cite each source using MLA citation instructions.

• Keep track of PARAGRAPH numbers as you take notes. • Be sure to cite each source you use on your Source Sheet. • EIGHT ARTICLE SOURCES are in the packet. You will be

citing each one used in your research paper PLUS THE BOOK To Kill a Mockingbird.

 GALE Online Database:

At home go to: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/sebr13597

Password: student

Step 4: Develop your thesis

• Write a working thesis.

• Interpret the evidence.– When writing a literary analysis, it is very

important for writers to make sure they express their own personal interpretation of the work. Be careful that the literary analysis is not a summary.

• Complete the THESIS WORKSHEET.

Step 5: Organize your information into a PARAGRAPH ORGANIZER and a typed TOPIC OUTLINE.

• PARAGRAPH ORGANIZER worksheet will help a writer to organize his/her thoughts and ideas.

• The TOPIC OUTLINE will remind a writer of the order of the thesis, as well as the supporting points he/she would like each topic sentence to have.– The outline needs to be written entirely in

complete sentences and typed.

Step 6: Write your paper

• MLA Style Guide—In-Text Citation– For your research paper, you will need to

cite where each piece of information came from WITHIN THE BODY OF YOU PAPER!

• Works Cited Page– Thanks to the GALE database, the articles

have information in the correct MLA format online.

In-Text/Parenthetical Citations

• Citations that go within the body of your paper. • When you hear “parenthetical,” think of

parentheses. ( )• Generally, author’s last name and page or

paragraph number go in these.• You need to cite a source whenever:

– You quote exact words from a source– You paraphrase information or ideas from a source– You summarize information or ideas from a source

Step 6: Write your paper

MLA Style Guide—Works Cited Page• How to cite your sources at the END of your research

paper, on your Works Cited page. • First, you start on a NEW page after the end of your

paper. At the top, you write the title: Works Cited and center it.

• List your resources in ALPHABETICAL ORDER. Most of your resources will be alphabetized by the author’s last name, because that is the first thing mentioned. However, if a source has no author, then you will alphabetize it by the first word of the name of the article.

Sample Works Cited Page

• Alphabetized by author’s last name.

• Different kinds of sources require different information.

• A list of source types and examples will be given.

Step 6: Typing your paper

• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font

• Set typing for double space

• Do not mess with the margins . . . the default settings are just fine, which are 1”. If you do, I’ll know . . . you won’t be fooling anyone.

• Page numbering in header with Last Name on all pages except the title page

• For your title page, use the following format:– Center all information. No fancy fonts, bold, or anything like that. Italicize a

book’s name if used as the title…To Kill A Mockingbird– Give your paper a title– Include your name– Include Mrs. Barnett, English III and your period number– Include the date– Include word count (body of paper-not the Works Cited or Header)

Step 7: Revising and Editing

• Print 1st copy of your typed first draft of your research paper and staple a TEACHER CONFERENCE form with your information filled out to teacher.

• Print a 2nd copy of your typed first draft of your research paper and staple a PEER CONFERENCE form with your information filled out.

Step 7: Revising and Editing

• Use the REVISING CHECKLIST SHEET to take another look at your own paper.

• Trade papers with a peer and use the stapled PEER CONFERENCE form to make suggestions for his/her paper.

Step 8: Revise and submit final copy

• Use the revision you and your peers have made to correct your rough draft.

• Do not throw away your rough draft, as you will turn it in with the final copy.

• You must submit the final copy to www.turnitin.com and print a receipt.

Grades: Below is a list of grades you will receive during this unit; please note—you must keep all parts of this project as they are returned because you have to turn them back at the end.

• Assignments Point value

• TKAM Index of quotes 20• Topic selection sheet 10• Literary Criticism quotes 20• Research Notes and Source Sheet 20• Thesis 10• Topic Outline/Paragraph Organizer 20 • First Draft –typed with 2 printed copies* 50 • Final Draft -submitted 200•  • *1 printed copy – Teacher Conference form and 1 printed copy – Peer

Conference form

• http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11558390/you-cant-just-google-it