Monsters & Misfits: Gothic Storytelling in an Age of Turmoil, Dis-ease and Contagion Final Research Paper ~Essay Topic~ Your final paper will focus on our research question this quarter: Why the Appeal of Gothic Storytelling at Certain Times in History? In Particular, Why Now? You must formulate an argument expressed in a thesis-statement and then present evidence in support of your position. The research process will require you to consult with others who have also explored aspects of your topic. The evidence you collect serves to illustrate, clarify, and defend your perspective. Argues for its cultural relevance, stating clearly and with a forceful arguable point, WHY Gothic Storytelling appears at certain times in history and WHICH particular issues it explores. BONUS for focusing on specific current issues. The writer clearly state these ideas in framing sentences that provide structure for the essay. There is a clear thesis statement that remains the focal point of the paper The paper doesn′t seem to randomly explore/wander from point to point but all paragraphs are related to each other and the thesis There is a clear architectural framework emphasizing the thesis at the start and end of paragraphs The paragraphs are coherently organized and linked together with transitions from paragraph to paragraph and from point to point The supporting ideas are completely, thoughtfully developed The subject is explored fully and the writer has taken time and space to flesh out her/his/their thesis Evidence The writer develops the thesis with course readings and one or more contemporary gothic literary texts stories, films, novels, plays, podcasts, tv shows etc., 1990 to present The ideas are supported by a balance of credible voices, but the loudest voice is the writer′s own There are at least five reputable peer-reviewed sources (sources written by knowledgable authors and published by reputable companies or organizations rather than obscure or generic ones, like wikipedia, google, or dictionaries) The quotations provide relevant, illuminating support and are not random or obvious common knowledge Each voice adds to the thesis and main ideas–their words further the development of the paper′s thesis The quotations are properly introduced and worked smoothly into the text The writer uses quote sandwiches, with signal phrasing, punctuation and citations All sources are correctly documented in MLA format on the works cited page 3. Style, Grammar and Mechanics The paper is carefully edited Any errors in punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, or grammar do not detract attention from the main point of the paper? ~MLA Formatting Requirements and Due Dates~ 7-10 Pages Typed, Double Spaced submitted to Canvas and uploaded to Turnitin Minimum of 5 scholarly/peer-reviewed secondary sources (theoretical/academic) Minimum of 3 primary sources from our assigned readings (novels/films/stories) Minimum of 1 additional primary source from current media (in addition to novels/films/stories, this may include graphic novels, podcasts, YouTube, Tik Tok, memes, Instagram accounts or any narrative media with gothic elements) Parenthetical In-text Citations with MLA Works Cited List Draft A (25 pts): Your Thesis, Literature Review and Works Cited List DUE WED Week 10 Draft B (25 pts): Upload essay draft for peer review DUE MON Week 11 (Peer Reviews DUE THU Week 11) Draft C (50 pts): Final Draft of Research Paper DUE MON Week 12 and to turnitin.com ~Suggested Template~ Introduction that defines GOTHIC storytelling and argues for its rhetorical function: why does it appeal to audiences at certain times in history? Specifically, why now? Section that explores various motifs found in Gothic storytelling. (Section means it could be more than one paragraph!) Section that explores Gothic stories from the past, supporting the thesis and showing that certain historical events and challenges to the status quo/social norms are connected to cultural appeal of Gothic at the time. Section that explores Gothic stories from the present, supporting the thesis and showing that the current Gothic storytelling trend is connected to anxiety around recent/current social, political, and economic events.
