AML 2264: MLA Documentation Review Research Paper Assignments Novel Presentation Assignment

1. AML 2264:MLA Documentation ReviewResearch Paper AssignmentsNovel Presentation Assignment LSCC Fall 2010 J. Pierce, Instructor

2. Agenda • MLA Documentation Workshop • Conducting Literary Research @ LSCC • Official Assignments • Midterm Paper • Research Paper • Oral Presentation

3. MLA: Works Cited • Do your works cited list as you locate resources • Start with the stories themselves • Helpful tools • A handbook such as The Little Brown Compact Handbook • Any library will also have the actual MLA Handbook • DO NOT rely on Word 2007 • Sites like www.easybib.com

4. The Basics • Author • Title of work • Title of source • Editors for anthologies • Page numbers for parts like articles, etc. • Dates of publication • Dates of access for electronic sources • Database names, owners, and location of access • URLs

5. The Look • Still plain double-space • Just like the rest of the paper • Part of the same document • Header with page # continues on this last page • Works Cited • Centered at the top of the page • The entries are alphabetized • Entries use the “hanging indent” • Reverse of paragraph indent

6. Citing from our Texts • Working together, let’s create works cited entries for: • The Awakening • Readings from later in the text

7. Citing from an Anthology • Many of the book sources might collect essays: • Author. Title. Source. Edition. Editors. City: Publisher, Year. Page range. Format. • For example: • Mason, Bobbie Ann. “Shiloh.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing. 10th ed. Eds. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. 604-612. Print. • The benefit of using an essay collection is that you might find multiple sources in one book!

8. Book Sources • Book with an overall author: • Author. Title. City: Publisher, Year. Print. • Book that collects essays: • Author of essay. “Title of Essay.” Title of Collection. Editor(s). City: Publisher, Year. Page range of essay. Print. • Reference books—actual Encyclopedia: • “Article.” Encyclopedia Title. Edition. Year. Print.

9. Articles from Databases • Samples abound on the library’s website • Here’s a sample from both of the Literary Databases you’re targeting: • Sackton, Alexander H. "A Note on Keats and Chaucer." Modern Language Quarterly 13 (1952): 37-41. Literary Reference Center. 16 Sept. 2010. Web. • Wood, Michael. "Tolkien's Fictions." New Society 27 Mar. 1969. Literary Resources from Gale. 30 May 2010. Web.

10. Web Sources • Web sources require: • Author. “Title.” Webpage Title. Publisher, Date published. Date Accessed. Web. • The only time you’ll need the URL at the end now is if it’s “hard to find.” • You really should not be using web sources for your secondary material.

11. Citing Inside the Paper • Overtly introduce/mention your sources • In “Sunday in the Park,” by Bel Kaufman, we meet Morton, a “city pale” university professor… • According to Barbara Christian, Alice Walker’s use of…. • End cited material with a parenthetical citation • What goes inside? (Author #) • If no author: (“Title” #) • If author previously mentioned, just (#) • If electronic and no actual page number available (par. #)—this is new to MLA this year

12. The Mention-Citation Sandwich • It is NOT ok to just have a citation at the end of a paragraph • Implies that only the last sentence came from the source • Often, you will include a paragraph full of information from the same source • By starting with a mention and ending with a citation, you make it clear everything from point a to point b came from that same source • Examples….

13. The Mention-Citation Sandwich • John Doe’s early childhood is still somewhat of a mystery to scholars. Nobody really knows much about his school days. We know he attended school for at least part of his childhood. “Doe was apparently not a good student. School records indicate he was suspended three times in one semester” (Appleton 376). • John Doe’s early childhood is still somewhat of a mystery to scholars. Adam Appleton’s book, Doe’s Early Days, offers a little insight into this man of mystery. We know he attended school for at least part of his childhood. Appleton asserts, “Doe was apparently not a good student. School records indicate he was suspended three times in one semester” (376). Which is clearer?

14. What was wrong with… • John Doe’s early childhood is still somewhat of a mystery to scholars. Nobody really knows much about his school days. We know he attended school for at least part of his childhood. “Doe was apparently not a good student. School records indicate he was suspended three times in one semester” (Appleton 376). • Note how it could be just the quote, any part or the whole paragraph that comes from Appleton’s book • Also, note how the quote isn’t attached to any other phrase or sentence: DON’T DO THIS! Integrate quotes with at least an opening phrase.

15. Quoting & Paraphrasing • When writing about literature, you’ll quote more from your primary sources and paraphrase more from your secondary sources • Even then, you don’t want lots of long quotations • Make sure to format quotes properly • In-text vs. Indented • Integrate and follow up on quotes

16. What’s Next • Put together your thoughts on novel and what aspects you wish to cover • Pick passages from the novel that illustrate your points • Research your stories to supplement your discussion • In some cases the research won’t cover what you’re talking about • In those cases, you can include some biographical, historical, or other background with the research • For example, say I wanted to argue that the Celie in The Color Purple suffers from low self-esteem. I could research low self-esteem using psychological sources and then tie to the story myself.

17. Let’s go to the Library… How to find resources for all the major assignments in AML 2264

18. Midterm Paper Assignment • The Mission: to write a short research paper exploring one aspect of one of the works covered thus far in AML 2264 • Requirements: • Minimum of three full pages (not counting the Works Cited page, of course) • At least 2 reputable secondary sources plus the novel • MLA documentation

19. Talk About Topics • A character study • Chopin: Leonce, Adele, Mademoiselle Reisz, Robert. If choosing Edna, focus only on one role (wife, mother, lover…). • Hurston: Logan Killicks, Nanny, Joe Starks, TeaCake, Mrs. Turner. If choosing Janie, focus on only one period (like during a particular marriage, perhaps). • Trace a particular motif/theme • Chopin: birds, art, ocean/swimming, manners… • Hurston: trees, hair, folktales, speaking/silence… • Adopt a critical lens and apply it to a limited aspect of the story

20. The Major Research Paper • Essentially, you’re doing the same thing as you’re doing in the Midterm Paper, just way more of it • Requirements: • 6-8 pages • At least 5 secondary sources in addition to the novel(s) you use • Topics: • Thematic discussions always work • Including tracing a similar theme through 2 books in a comparison • Might consider comparisons of characters within or among novels

21. One More Assignment to Worry About… • Starting in Week 11 (Nov. 1 & 3), individual presentations begin • This can be on any aspect related to our study • Most of you will tie in to either the Midterm or the main Research Paper • Could also, however, get inspiration from one of the Reading or Research Responses, or even just something a class discussion sparks in you • Required: • 5-10 minutes • PPT e-mailed to me prior to your day to present • Document any sources used just as you would in a paper

22. The Novel Presentations: Requirements • Utilize PowerPoint for presenting the information • Presentations should be about 15 minutes in length • Should address the content of the novel, but not just summarize the plot • Organize your discussion around the formal elements of discussing fiction: • Plot • Conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution • Character • Protagonist/antagonist • Other major characters • Important minor characters • Setting • Point of view • Theme(s) • Critical reaction? • Document sources as you would for a paper • Last slide will be Works Cited • Can also include biographical/historical information about the author and period in which it is written

23. PowerPoint Presentation Advice • Use fairly simple background • Slides should be outline of talk, not every word you plan to say • Can use Notes section for that • Check grammar and punctuation VERY CAREFULLY • Avoid overly heavy animation • Will need to save on a jump drive or email to me in advance so that I can bring it to class with me

24. Coming Attractions • Next two weeks will be spent on Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes were Watching God • After that, Carson McCullers’ The Ballad of the Sad Cafe