Etymology Research Paper
American Lit. Honors
Moore – E130
Overview of Research Paper
Etymology is the origin and development of a word, traced back as far as possible in
time, usually by the methods of comparative linguistics. In other words, words that
are part of our vocabulary today perhaps may not have had the same meaning 20
years ago or even 600 years ago.
Some of the major influences that have an impact on the evolution of word meaning:
a. societal
b. political
c. cultural
d. ethnic
e. gender
f. age
g. war
h. media
i. classic writers (i.e. Shakespeare)
j. modern writers
k. etc.
In order to demonstrate how words have changed over time, please take a look at
the example below. Note the dates included in the history of the word.
Word Desire
Etymology
-
desire
c. 1230, form O.Fr. desirer, from L. desiderare “long for, wish for,” original
sense perhaps “await what the stars will bring,” from the pharase de sidere
“from the stars,” sidus (gen. sideris) “heavenly body, star, constellation” (but
see consider). from Noun sense of “lust” is first recorded c. 1340.
-
appetiee
c. 1303, “craving for food,” from Anglo-Fr. appetite, from O.Fr. apetit, from L.
appetitius “desire toward,” from appetere “to long for, desire” from ad- “to” +
petere “go to, seek out” (see petition). Appetizer “something taken to whet
the appetite” si from 1862; appetizing “exciting desire or hunger” is from
1653.
Sections to the Research Paper
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Determine the word that you will research.
Submit notes that you will take on your word – in other words, your
research information.
Submit a research abstract as to your overall focus of the word you have
chosen.
Submission of your final paper with a detailed works cited page.
A List of Words To Choose From
allegiance
chance
authority
joy
purity
beauty
liberty
gravity
darkness
knowledge hate
danger
evil
honesty
feminine
destiny
pleasure
vulgarity
fear
fallacy
success
anger
innocence
freedom
pride
humility
courage
equality
love
honor
greed
folly
injustice
truth
sin
power
Words from your etymology journal
Research Questions
Directions:
- Complete each of the following research questions.
- Each response must be addressed in your research paper in a creative manner that
has an overall focus.
- For each of the following questions you must cite your source according to MLA
standards. The OWL MLA website will show ALL MLA citations types.
____ Look up your word in an UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY. Write the word origin
and its first definition. Copy the definition so that you understand it.
____ Look up your word in a THESARUS. Copy as many synonyms as you can find.
____ Look up your word in the CONCORDANCE BIBLE. Find a verse that contains the
word, then copy the verse. Note the book, chapter, verse and line. You may
find this site helpful: http://godsview.com/welcome.html
____ Look up your word in a SHAKESPEARE SOURCE. Find a passage that contains
word, then copy the entire passage in which the word will make sense within
the context. Include the speaker’s name, act, scene and line number.
____ Research how your word has been used in various ways in POETRY. Find and
copy the portion of the poem that contains your word. Again, copy down
enough of the poem so it makes sense in context. Include the name of the
poem and the poet. You may find the following site useful: http://litfinder.com
____ Look up your word in BARTLETT’S BOOK OF QUOTATIONS or an equivalence.
Copy a quotation in which your word appears. Please include all identifying
for proper citation. You may find the following site very helpful:
http://www.bartleby.com
____ Find a magazine article which “deals with” or focuses on your word of choice.
Read and summarize the article. Include the name and date of the article/
magazine and the title and author of the article. EBSCOHOST is a good
periodical source.
____ Look up your word in one of the SIRS databases. Copy the word and the
paragraph in which the word is included. Make sure to write down the
name and date of the publication, and the title and author.
____ Look up your word in the OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY (OED). Copy
down important information about your word. Find and note the earliest
use of your chosen word.
____ Look up the ETYMOLOGICAL evolution of your word. Trace the history of the
word and how it has evolved over time. Note possible impacts on your
word’ evolution. You might find this site helpful: http://www.etymonline.com
____ List all POSITIVE connotations of your word.
____LIST all NEGATIVE connotations of your word.
____ Find a song that your word is used in, copy the verse, summarize the song
and note all identifying information for citation.
____ Look up your word in a Dictionary of Slang or equivalence. Note all identifying
information for citation.
____ Look up your word in a SCIENCE publication. Note how the word is used. Note
how the word is used. Note all identifying information for citation.
____ Look up your word in an ADVERTISEMENT. Copy down the important
information about the word. Note all identifying information for citation.
____ Investigate how your word is used or find an equivalence to your word in the
languages:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Chinese (any dialect)
Spanish
Italian
Russian
French
Hindi
Research Paper Instructions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Must be typed
12 point font
Times New Roman
MLA format
You must include a Works Cited page for all of your sources
You must attach your answers (handwritten ok, typed preferred) to
your research questions for your paper
7. Your paper must be 5 or so pages
8. First person usage is appropriate
Tips
Your paper should tackle your findings in regards to your research in a creative,
insightful, introspective, political, cultural, etc. In other words, your paper is not to
be written in a rote manner. This paper is not a regurgitation of your findings, but
rather should have a clear purpose and focus.
Try to stick to your original word as much as possible versus synonyms of your
word.
Misc.
More information is forthcoming in regards to:
1. parenthetical citations
2. MLA format
3. Sources for research