Research Paper Outline (generic)



Research Paper Outline

It is time! This paper will challenge you, but will likely make you develop one of the most important skills you will need when entering college – writing with primary and secondary sources!!

The Primary Source will be the actual poem or short story. You should expect to actually quote from this just like we did with Of Mice and Men.

The Secondary Sources will be the database articles we find on your chosen topics and on your piece of literature. For example – you might use info from an article on 1920’s culture, an article by an expert on your author, or an article written about the specific story you chose. This will be your evidence and is how you prove your point.

1. You must analyze a poem or short story. You MUST READ the primary source – that means READ the poem or short story. ONE PARAGRAPH SUMMARY!

2. Make sure that your poem or short story comes up fairly easy in our database searches. If it doesn’t, we need to get you a different one ASAP. What is hard on the first round will likely be impossible on the second and third.

3. Once you have articles on your piece of literature, make sure you are able to find 3 different ways to analyze it from the list of 6 options in your outline. In other words, choose wisely. I am giving an advance copy of what you are going to do with this poem/short story so that you can avoid a selection that will not fit this paper. If you cannot apply three different analysis angles to it, you cannot use it.

4. Make sure your summary of the work is no longer than 1 paragraph! This is an analysis paper with scholarly research. Be careful about going on and on with summary and making your analysis section appear short and unimportant.

TWO MORE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU GO:

1. Use two types of sources for your paper

a. Primary source: the actual text of the poem, story, novel or play you are analyzing.

b. Secondary sources: articles about the text (database print outs, etc.)

2. Subjective vs. Objective parts of your paper

a. Subjective: Statements of opinion should be limited to the introduction and conclusion of your paper

b. Objective: Information in the body of your paper is generally presented without opinion. It will be facts about what the poem/short story said and what the experts have to say about it.

The Outline

I. Introduction to your author and his/her works – (THIS SECTION IS 1-2 PARAGRAPHS)

A. Works in General – 1-2 paragraphs: A brief statement of some of the “other” works that your author has written and a mention of the themes, symbols and topics your author tends to be known for. Certainly if there is an autobiographical element to your author, you would mention that here as it will probably be relevant later. This should lead into a short synopsis of the work chosen and end with your….

B. Thesis statement (you will get a separate handout for this!)

II. Your Selected Piece of Literature (THIS IS THE REST OF YOUR PAPER)

A. Summary of work and major characters (make sure you identify if it is a short story or poem.) –

1 paragraph

1. Story line (short story or narrative poems) / Interpretation (Poem)

2. Main Characters (short story or narrative poems) – focus on those you intend to analyze or mention later in the paper

B. Analysis of work – Analyzes, interprets, evaluates an author or the author’s works; it is an attempt to understand the literature of an author. It expresses a point of view or opinion about the characteristics and quality of the literature. THIS IS THE BULK OF YOUR PAPER. You analyze: (approx. 2 paragraphs for each angle you have chosen)

1. Theme – this can apply to all forms of literature. The theme is the author’s message or lesson for his/her audience…the main idea of what they are saying.

2. Characterization- this will only apply to poems or short stories that are narrative – in other words, stories or poems that have main characters and action. Remember from Of Mice and Men, characterization is how the author helps us get to know the main character through sharing his/her thoughts, actions, appearance, words, interactions, and setting. If your author does the stereotype thing, or tends to always have a ‘typical’ kind of character he/she uses…this is one to use.

3. Setting - this will only apply to poems or short stories that are narrative

4. Style – this will mostly apply to poems. Poets subscribe to a certain ‘type’ of poem – whether we’re talking about rhyme scheme, pentameter, or even use of certain techniques. This analysis would deal with the technical qualities of the writing - style and language

5. Historical/Political – this can be used with both poetry and short stories. This type of analysis looks at the relationship of the work to the time or social, historical or political trends.

6. Symbolism – this can be used with both types, too. This analysis will work if you have an author who steeps his/her words in symbolism. Expand yourself to find other types of symbols. If you see symbolism mentioned for your chosen poem/short story, read through it and see if you recognize any of the symbols. They exist across literature. You know more than you think you do (.

7. **Biographical**--this will only apply for a few stories or poems. If you feel that your work is biographical (for example, Sylvia Plath) then see me in order to get this angle approved. You may NOT choose biographical on our own.

YOU MUST USE THREE OF THE ABOVE 6 POINTS AS MODES OF ANALYSIS

YOU MUST USE BOTH THE EXPERTS AND POIGNANT LINES FROM THE ACTUAL WORK!

III. Conclusion (THIS IS 1 PARAGRAPH)

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