RESEARCH PAPER SCHEDULE

OVERVIEW

        Research is an important part of most of the papers you will write in college. Researching a topic—looking up historical references, reading critical opinions, examining the biography of an author, and coming up with a workable thesis—all deepen your understanding of a literary work.

        The research paper in EN 12 is designed to develop the skills one needs to conduct and report on research topics in college.  During our work this semester, we will consider the major tasks: defining an issue; developing a strategy for research; writing a workable thesis; forming and testing a claim or thesis; creating a bibliography; using sources responsibly; developing an argument; and revising, editing, and proofreading the final paper.

         The reasearch topic has been described by one professor this way: have you ever had a pebble in your shoe?  At first you may try to ignore it, but it persists in reminding you it is there.  Finally, you take off your shoe and shake it out and examine the pebble closely.  Your research question should be like the pebble—the question is puzzling, intriguing, engaging, and ultimately illuminating.  The subject you choose should be one about which you would like to know more and that relates to a literary work.  You might look for an interesting problem, an unresolved question, or a disagreement among experts (Little, Brown 622-623).  Then formulate a question: what does this tell us about a work of literature?

                                                                            SCHEDULE

         We need to begin with a schedule, and keep a list of steps.  Rather than begin shortly before the end of the term, starting early will allow you to develop your argument and fulfill each step along the way.

TASK                                                                                                                      DATE

1.  Library session:  Bibliographic instruction                                                                Feb. 7

 
2.  Setting a schedule and beginning a journal                                                                _____________
 

3.  Developing a research strategy                                                                               _____________
 

4. Finding sources and making a working bibliography                                                  ______________
 

5. Evaluating sources                                                                                                   ______________
 

6. Taking notes using summary, paraphrase, and
direct quotation                                                                                                           ______________
 

7.  Developing a thesis and structure                                                                             ______________
 

8. Drafting a paper with sources                                                                                  _______________
 

9. Revising and editing your paper                                                                               _______________
 

10. Preparing a list of works cited                                                                                _______________
 

11. Proofreading final manuscript                                                                                  _______________
 

12. Final paper due                                                                                                        _______________