Summary:

Research Paper – Instructions

For your research paper, you will write a literary analysis of one of the assigned readings this quarter. To support your analysis, you must use at least five secondary sources from the GMC library in addition to the literary work from the textbook. The paper must be at least 1500 words in length.

Argument

• Your research paper must be a literary analysis of one of the assigned readings.
• Your thesis statement must be clear and arguable and supported throughout your paper.
• You should avoid unnecessary biographical information and plot summary. Your paper should be an analysis of the text.
• As you analyze the information, make sure you employ a consistent third person point of view. Do not use first or second person pronouns.

Use of Research

• You must use at least 5 secondary sources that provide critical arguments about the reading you’ve chosen. These sources should ONLY come from the GMC library or library databases.
• Your secondary sources should be used sparingly to either support or explain your thesis.
• You may quote, paraphrase, or summarize your sources. For more information, view the Purdue OWL’s website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing.html

MLA Style

• Your paper must be formatted according to MLA format.
• You must include a works-cited page at the end of your paper. Your works-cited should include your secondary sources and the assigned reading you’ve chosen.
• You must include in-text citations within the body of your paper.
• For more information about MLA style, you should view the Purdue OWL’s pages on MLA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html

Mechanics, Grammar, and Punctuation

• All written assignments should be mechanically and grammatically correct with proper punctuation.
• For more information on each of these, you should view the Purdue OWL’s General Writing Resources page: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/general_writing_introduction.html

Structure

• The introduction should include a clear thesis statement.
• Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that relates back to the thesis. The information in each paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.
• The conclusion should bring together how you developed the points to show how you fully supported your stance in the thesis statement.
• Bear in mind that the structure of a paper, the thesis statement, the introduction, and the conclusion should all work together. Before you begin writing, I recommend that you write an outline to organize your ideas. Doing this will help you write a logical, well-organized essay.

This assignment is will be assessed using the Research Paper Rubric (see Course Rubrics).