**PLAGIARISM



Williams / 10 English

Research Paper:

You will be writing a research paper on a topic where you develop an opinion on one of several topics in the play. These topics are figurative language that deals with disease and corruption, Hamlet’s mental health, Renaissance view of humanity, and Hamlet’s sexuality. Or you might choose to examine Hamlet from a critical lens such as Feminist, Archetypal, Psychological, etc.

Choose a topic you find interesting and one you have a definite opinion about. This opinion will be your thesis. You will then research critical essays written by well known and well respected authorities on Hamlet to determine their views on your chosen topic. You should find critics with views similar to yours and critics with views nothing like your own. You should not adopt the findings of a critic; remember you already made up your mind from reading the play yourself. You will, however, use their views to support your own. You will also need to use the views of those who disagree with you. By recognizing the views of those you disagree with and showing the errors in their views, you acknowledge and address a counterargument, which will only strengthen your argument.

Choose one of the following topics:

1. Analyze the figurative language in Hamlet (imagery, similes, and metaphors) in the play, focusing on those that deal with disease and corruption. What is Shakespeare’s purpose in using such language? Which character might be the source of disease and how and to whom might that character spread it? Use the critics’ analysis of figurative language and imagery as your research component.

2. Make your determination about Hamlet’s mental state. Write a paper in which you research what the critics have to say about Hamlet’s mental health. Is he insane or only pretending madness? Gather several critics’ ideas on the topic to enhance your argument.

3. Write a paper in which you reveal Hamlet’s complex sexuality. Research what the critics have to say about Hamlet’s sexuality. Does he suffer from an Oedipal complex? Gather several critics’ ideas on the topic to enhance your argument.

4. 4. If you feel you are up for a challenge, use a critical lens to examine Hamlet (Marxists, Psychological, New Historian, Feminist, Formalism, etc.). I will put information about each lens with thoughtful questions to guide you in the Research Paper Folder on my blog when we begin the research paper. There is additional information and additional lenses on this website . You may not choose the Reader Response lens.

5. Renaissance view of humanity: As Hamlet says, "What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god!" (2.2.286-289). At the same time, though, we are sometimes ruled by our passions (lust, greed, gluttony, etc.). We are capable of greatness and nobility, but we are also capable of behavior fitting a beast, so Hamlet asks another "pregnant" question (a question loaded with meaning) when he asks Ophelia, "What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven?" (3.1.128-129). All of the characters in the play are "crawling between earth and heaven," but some are drawn more to earth by their "beastly" behavior. How does the topic of passion and reason apply to some of the main characters? How does the issue of passion and reason help to determine Hamlet's views of some of the other characters and of life in general?

Requirements:

• 1200 words minimum, 2500 words maximum (not counting the Works Cited page), double-spaced, in standard 12-point font. (Include the word count at the bottom of the last typed page of your paper). YOU WILL HAVE AT LEAST 4 TIDIDE PARAGRAPHS PLUS AN INTRO AND CONCLUSION FOR A TOTAL OF 6 PARAGRAPHS MINIMUM.

• At least three secondary sources (all must be books or literary journals unless otherwise approved), with MLA style works cited page and references within the paper. These sources must be referenced a minimum of two times per source via direct quotation. So you will have a minimum of 6 parenthetical references from your secondary sources in your paper. You may use more than 3 sources, but it is not required. And, in fact, you should not use more than 3 if your paper does not exceed 1200 words. You do not want to overload your paper with research.

• It is unlikely that you will find credible articles on Google. I have guided students through this research paper with the same topics for over 15 years – trust me! If you find something on Google Scholar, it is likely you will have to pay for it. Please come to me if you are having trouble finding source material.

• You should have at least 4 references from the primary source – Hamlet. These citations will look like this (II.iv.120-121) showing the act, scene, and lines. You do not put Shakespeare’s name in the citation. It is well known that Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

• You may not use random information from the internet. The information you access from the web must be from a reputable online journal or a database such as Academic Search Complete, Artemis Literary Sources, Cobb County Virtual Library, JSTOR, Literary Reference Center, Literature Resource Center. If the article does not have an author, you may not use it as a source!!! Any exception must be approved by me.

• You may need to go to a public library or a college / university library in order to find credible sources on your chosen topic. Your Cobb County Public library card will give you access to more databases than our school offers.

• If you have any questions about how to cite a source either on the Works Cited page or in the body of the paper which is not specifically addressed in class via the handouts or our discussions, you need to consult the most recent version of the MLA Handbook which is available in the PHS Library.

• You will turn your paper in online via AND you will submit a hard copy to me as well.

• You must attach copies of all of your source material with the final draft of your paper. You should have all sources printed and annotated. You only need to attach the sources you actually used. You may have submitted research material earlier that you did not use. The sources you submit with your final paper should be only those you use. A final paper will not be accepted without the reference material.

• Plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and you will receive an honor code violation.

**Plagiarism

Presenting someone else’s writing or ideas as your own is plagiarism. To avoid plagiarism, you must credit sources. However, if a piece of information is common knowledge, available in several resources, you do not need to credit a source. If you are not sure, reference the information. Furthermore, plagiarism is a serious crime. If your research paper is found to contain plagiarized material, you will receive a zero on the assignment.

This paper will count as 3 summative grades. The first will be for step1-4 below. The final paper will be worth 2 grades.

1. Working thesis & 3 quotes embedded (10 points) due February 27th

2. 3 research articles annotated w/ cover sheets completed (30 points) due March 6th

3. Beginning outline - topic sentences, primary & secondary quotes (30 points) due March 11th

4. Completed Outline (30 points) due March 18th

Rough Draft in MLA format and Works Cited due end of class March 23rd – quiz grade

Final Paper due March 31st = 2 summative grades

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