Guidelines: To complete the Research Essay, you will need to choose one of the short stories, poems, or plays (from this class) to write about. From there, identify a topic to explore, formulate a strong thesis, and then incorporate source material to support your claims. Please review the Module 7 (The Research Essay) before you begin working on this essay and feel free to choose from the list of topics there. To view the topics, click on Research Essay: Topic Ideas. You will submit this assignment in Module 7. Page count: 5 double-spaced pages (4 pages and 1 Works Cited page). Mode: Argumentation. A three-point thesis statement is required. Sources: 3 academic journal articles. Cite your story/poem/play, as well. You will have a total of 4 sources. Works Cited Formatting How to Format a Works Cited page (Links to an external site.) How to Cite an Article from an Academic Journal or Periodical (Links to an external site.) Essay Outline Quoting: The essay must feature at least one quote from each source (3, in total) and six quotes from the story/poem/play you′ve chosen. Quotes should never exceed two (2) typed lines. In addition, make sure that each paragraph is at least 6-7 typed lines or 10-12 sentences. Introduction Paragraph: Identify the title of the story/poem/play and summarize it briefly. Include any background information you find important. Write a three-point thesis, which argues that the author is using the story′s theme (overall, unifying idea) in 3 ways. Sample Thesis: In ″The Last Night of the World,″ Ray Bradbury uses complacency to reveal humanity′s secrets, convey apathy towards important issues, and show the illusion of maintaining a perfect life. Please see the Sample Thesis Statements at the bottom of the page. Body Paragraph 1: Write a topic sentence that reflects the first point in your thesis. Discuss how the speaker conveys the overall message to the audience. Quote from your story/poem/play and explain the quote (Quote 1 from the story). Then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 1 from a source). Body Paragraph 2: Write another topic sentence that mentions another place in the story where the reader can see the first point in your thesis. Quote only from your story/poem/play and explain the quote (Quote 2 from the story). Discuss why this topic is so important to your overall understanding of this story. Body Paragraph 3: Write a topic sentence that reflects the second point in your thesis. Describe how it enhances the speech. Quote from your story/poem/play and explain the quote (Quote 3 from the story). Then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 2 from a source). Body Paragraph 4: Write another topic sentence that mentions another place in the story where the reader can see the second point in your thesis. Quote only from your story/poem/play and explain the quote (Quote 4 from the story). Describe what larger comment the author is making about society through his or her characters. Body Paragraph 5: Write a topic sentence that reflects the third point in your thesis. Quote from your story/poem/play and explain the quote (Quote 5 from the story). Then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 3 from a source). Body Paragraph 6: Write another topic sentence that mentions another place in the story where the reader can see the third point in your thesis. Quote only from your story/poem/play and explain the quote (Quote 6 from the story). Address one potential counterargument to your perspective on the story. Conclusion Paragraph: In your conclusion, include a ″Thesis Restatement,″ and then discuss why your readers should view each topic your explored as important. End on this brief note: If you wanted to discuss a fourth topic what would that be and why? How to Quote from a Source When quoting a passage from any source, you will need to use an In-text citation. A quotation includes two parts: a signal phrase (The author suggests, The critic makes the case, As the writer points out, etc.) and an explanation. A citation also must quotation marks ″ ″ and parenthesis ( ). Here’s an example quote taken from a story: In the story, Kate Chopin writes that, “He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram…” (14). Another common approach is: One line from the story states, “He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram…” (Chopin 14). Both are correct. From there, you would explain what the quote means and why it is relevant to your argument. The reader will be able to find other information about the source on your Works Cited page. Note: You may begin a quote at any point in a sentence. But if you do not complete the sentence, you must indicate that words were left out with a three-dot ellipsis. Also, never begin a paragraph with a quote. After you use the author′s full name once in the paper, it′s common to use their last name from then on. Quotes should never exceed two typed lines. Sample Thesis Statements In William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” gossip influences the town in three ways: through groupthink, exclusion, and oversimplified perspectives. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown,” faith functions to guide the narrator through daily life, past mistakes, and social relationships. In Eudora Welty’s “Why I Live at the P.O.” mistrust creates a situation that leads to conflict within the family. My argument is that Welty uses family conflict to address issues around loyalty, examine cultural tradition, and showcase the value in constructive criticism. In Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal,” violence is significant because it keeps an unjust power structure intact by reinforcing inequality, ignoring reason, and dividing mutual interests. the essay is about the story last night of the world by Ray Bradbury
