PROMPTS
1. VIOLENCE: In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose one of the
works we have read this year that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of
violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning
of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.
2. TIME: Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological
sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose one of
the works we have read this year and show how the author's manipulation of time contributes to
the effectiveness of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
3. THOUGHTFUL LAUGHTER: "The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter."
Choose one of the works we have read this year in which a scene or character awakens
"thoughtful laughter" in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is
"thoughtful" and how it contributes to the meaning of the work.
4. QUESTION: Critic Roland Barthes has said, "Literature is the question minus the answer."
Choose one of the works we have read this year, and, considering Barthes' observation, write an
essay in which you analyze a central question the work raises and the extent to which it offers
answers. Explain how the author's treatment of this question affects your understanding of the
work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
5. SYMBOL: A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a
range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify
meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select one of the works we have read this year and, focusing
on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it
reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the
plot.
6. CONFLICT: The eighteenth-century British novelist Laurence Sterne wrote, "No body, but he who
has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man's mind torn asunder by two
projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time."
From one of the works we have read this year, choose a character (not necessarily the
protagonist) whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions,
obligations, or influences. Then, in a well-organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting
forces and explain how this conflict with one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a
whole.
7. PLACES: Many works of literature use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities
or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are
central to the meaning of the work. Choose one of the works we have read this year that
contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place
represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work.
Eng I Pre-IB Research Paper 2010-11
Research Paper Assignment: Choose your topic from the list of 7 prompts. Focus on one or
two works that we have read this year, and write a literary analysis according to the critical
approaches we have studied.
Beginning Steps: Read and understand each of the prompts. Brainstorm which works you
could use for each one. Narrow your choice down and brainstorm what specific examples or
elements you may examine in order to be effective.
These are the works that you may use:
Metamorphoses (Ovid), The Odyssey (Homer), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Anonymous)
Research the Topic: Using the specified databases (under “Sources” below) belonging to one
of those, get an idea of what scholarly work has been done on your topic. While you don’t want
to repeat someone else’s investigation, it is good to get an idea of some of the more specific
elements critics discuss. It is important that you limit your research material to primary sources
and scholarly journals and books.
Research Question:
1. Narrow your topic to one more specific and relevant to the work than in the prompt.
2. Have a concrete idea of which portions of text and which literary elements you will
analyze.
3. Choose a critical approach:
Mythological and Archetypal
Historical and Biographical
Close Reading (Formalist)
4. You should use the dialectical journal exercise and exercises on creating a research
question throughout.
Complete the Research Paper:
Format:
11- 12 point, Times New Roman or Arial font – double spaced, 1” margins;
MLA style throughout ;
Length 700 – 1,200 words - excluding abstract, titles, captions, works cited, appendices
Sources: You will be conducting original research to formulate and support your own arguments, not
simply to rearticulate the ideas of others. Therefore, there are some mandates concerning the types and
numbers of resources you will use. These include:
- No more than one extended quote
-Number of sources required by approach:
- Close reading: 2 – 3 different sources
-Mythological/Archetypal: 5 – 12 different sources
-Historical/Biographical: 9 – 15 sources
- Use Questia, Gale Databases, eLibrary, SIRS Researcher, JSTOR for majority of sources
- Maximum of two (evaluated) websites as sources (note: journal articles/books found in on-line
databases do not count as a website)
-Focus on using primary sources and originators of criticism. It is important that you limit your
research material to primary sources and scholarly journals and books.
Impact to Grade:
You will be graded on the following assignments with regard to this project:
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Dialectical journal (CW/HW)
Bibliography of works researched (CW/HW)
Outline, including your research question (Writing)
Rough draft (Writing)
Final draft (Test/Project)
Rubric
You should use the rubric for the final draft to guide your work. The rubric is based on the
International Baccalaureate Organization’s rubric for the Extended Essay project. The subject
this covers is Group 1 (study of literature in first language), although some approaches may
touch upon skills and content covered in Group 3 (“Individuals and Societies”)
Modifications:
Some modifications may be made in the number of sources, length, and scope. However, all
proposed modifications to this assignment shall be explained to me, in writing, before
proceeding.
The dialectical journal is a type of double-entry note-taking students use while reading literature.
In the left-hand column, copy direct quotes from the work you are analyzing (remember to
parenthetically document) that connects to your specific research question. In the right-hand
column, reflect on the quote/link.
Double Entry Note Journal (DENJ)
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CONCRETE
PROOF
TEXT SUPPORT
EXAMPLES, DETAILS, AND
RHETORICAL STRATEGIES
PARAPHRASE
Example from class:
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ABSTRACT
COMMENTARY
EXPLANATION OF
SIGNIFICANCE
AUTHOR’S PURPOSE
INFERENCE