Writing a Literary Research-based Analytical Paper

1. Writing a Literary Research-based Analytical Paper

2. Literary Research Writing • To begin: You need a topic! • To select a topic: You can … • Focus on an Author (Ex: Khalid Hosseini) • Focus on a Work(Ex: Hosseini’s Kite Runner or ATSS) • Focus on a Biography(Ex: Shakespeare’s personal tragedy, the loss of his twin son, led to his writing Twelfth Night… for Hosseini, this does not yet apply—you can check to see if there are autobiographies) • Focus on the Historical(Ex: The influence of the Taliban…) • Focus on the Cultural(Ex: Afghan Marital Customs) • Focus on the Psychological(Ex: The influence of guilt on how a person deals with decision making…) • Focus on a Literary (technique) (Ex: Hosseini’s use of imagery, point of view, flashback or foreshadowing, etc…)

3. Literary Research Writing • Once you have a topic selected, you need to FOCUS your SUPPLEMENTALRESEARCH: Ask yourself… • Is enough information available on the topic? (You should be able to find/use at least 3-5 good sources; i.e. books, articles, non print sources—ABOVE THE PRIMARY SOURCE—THE NOVEL) • Is the topic OBJECTIVE? • Is the topic unique and interesting or does it simply restate other people’s ideas? • Does the topic need additional research to support? • How can I analyze the events of the plot within the context of my supplemental research to prove or disprove the author’s intent?

4. Literary Research Writing • To help FOCUS the TOPIC, consider: • Purpose: Your reason for writing this paper around an original synthesis of researched information that supports an ORIGINAL concept or interpretation you derived in your reading • Audience: Your readers are your peers and me (you could share these in your ePortfolios, too) • Tone: Using formal tone; 3rd person objective; appropriate grammar and syntax

5. Literary Research Writing OTHER SUGGESTED TOPIC OPTIONS FOR the Hosseini Author Study: • TOPOGRAPHICAL: Bamiyan Buddha Statues, Kabul, Afghanistan, Pakistan • CULTURAL: Nomadic tribes, Hazaras vs. Pashtuns, Attitudes about men vs. women, Kite Running (sport), Wedding ceremonies (nikka), Faith (Islam) • EDUCATIONAL: Access to (per gender); influences on by changes in regimes • HISTORICAL: Foreign policy (US vs. Russia), Leaders who influenced foreign policy (Carter, Reagan, Kissinger); the Taliban; the Refugee experience and/or assimilation

6. Literary Research Writing • The paper expectations: This will be a Writing/Project Grade • A-B range: 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, with a Bibliography page or Work Cited (page is not part of 4-5) • C-D range: 2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced, with a Bibliography page or Work Cited (page is not part of 2-3) • E range: no paper submitted • TIMELINE TO COMPLETE: • Think about a topic (try to identify at least 1 or 2 if you are indecisive) and at least 3 sources you think you will use for your research—EMAIL TO ME BY JAN 12TH • DEVELOP AN OUTLINE FOR YOUR WRITING —EMAIL TO ME BY JAN 19TH • FIRST DRAFT [OPTIONAL] FOR REVIEW —UPLOAD TO SWL BY JAN 21ST • FINAL PAPER DUE [NO EXCEPTIONS] —UPLOAD TO SWL BY JAN 28TH

7. Literary Research Writing • THE NEXT SLIDES PROVIDE SOME DETAILS ON HOW TO WRITE THIS PAPER • I HAVE REFERENCED THE “PURPLE” ANTHOLOGY FOR LANGUAGE USED IN GRADE 12 • IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BORROW THIS TEXT TO HELP REVIEW THE WRITING STRATEGIES, LET ME KNOW

8. Literary Research Writing • Writing a Thesis Statement: pg255 • What is it? • A thesis statement is a sentence or two identifying the main idea you intend to explain or prove in your paper. It is an act of synthesis, reviewing and pulling together all your information to state what your paper will say about your topic (main idea). • What should my thesis statement have? • Specific wording that describes what you will address in your paper • Assertive ideas stated with confidence (3rd person objective) • Arguable concepts that can have different opinions (strive for a concept most people don’t see) • Unique assertions (original thoughts) about the subject

9. Literary Research Writing • Making an outline for your research paper: • Select a pattern you will use • Chronological • Order of Importance • Logical Order • Formal vs. Informal • Informal: allows you to organize ideas without arranging them into outline form with numbers and letters • Clustering and Mapping

10. Literary Research Writing • Clustering or mapping looks like: [This is Inspiration™ available on our network!]

11. Literary Research Writing • Formal outlines: serve as a table of contents for the finished paper. This outline must follow standard outline format. (See pg. 256-257) • You should also include a title to your paper: the tile should describe the contents of your paper clearly and concisely. Example: formaloutline.rtf

12. Literary Research Writing MLA [Modern Language Association] • MLA style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using the English language in writing. MLA style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages. • Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material. • See link on line [AP RESOURCES]

13. Literary Research Writing • Evaluating Sourcespg250-252 • Applying the “4R” test: • Relevant? Must contain information directlyrelated to your topic • Recent? Use sources as currentas possible • Reliable? Sources must be accurate (University sources .edu or .gov are considered reliable) • Representative? If topic is controversial, find sources that support both sides (opinions)—even if you draw your own conclusions

14. Literary Research Writing • Using your sources: • Keep NOTES on what you actually used or referred to for ideas • Work Cited vs. Bibliography • Work Cited: must included EVERY SOURCE you USED or VIEWED (even if you didn’t quote from it) • Bibliographies: include ONLY SOURCE/S USED

15. Literary Research Writing • Documenting sources (while researching): • Make a source card: a 3x5 card with bibliographic information on the source. Also include any page reference actually quoted and/or paraphrased in your writing; some cards even note the actual quote used • Number your sources: this helps with the “pattern” you use for your outline • Record all publishing information: (title, subtitle, editor or translator, volume number, city, publisher, original publication date, revised edition date—see page 272) • Note the call number or location of the sources AND DATE OF DOWNLOAD [for on line resources]—this helps if you need to go back to it

16. Literary Research Writing • While Researching: There are three ways to record information. pg.252 • Summarizing • Paraphrasing • Quoting directly • Drawing Conclusions: pg.254 • Examine all the information in the text • Relate information in the text to prior knowledge • State your conclusions in precise language

17. Literary Research Writing • Pg258: The Research Paper Model Guide • Introduction, 1-2 paragraphs • Hook your readers • Provide necessary background • Include your thesis statement • Body, 3-20 paragraphs (average) • Develop the first idea that supports your thesis • Develop the second idea…and so on.. • Conclusion, 1-3 paragraphs • Restate your thesis (not repeat) • End with some final insights into your research • Create your Works Cited List (attach separately)

18. Literary Research Writing • Pg. 268: Using quoted research • Use ellipsis points (…) three spaced periods to show where you have omitted sections from quoted material • Use a slash (/) to indicate line breaks in verse quoted within the text • Use square brackets [to] surround any letters or words you might need to add to make the meaning clear • Set off longer quotations as “blocks”—see MLA rule for blocking text • Document quotes and references! Avoid plagiarism, pg 268-269

19. Literary Research Writing • Some sample papers • Pg 259-265 • Pg 266-267