Core B Research Paper
Topic: How does an author’s background, beliefs, and the historical context in which he or she
lives influence the literature the author writes?
For this paper you will conduct research on the life and times of an author of your choice; you
may even choose an author whose work we’ve read this year. Your paper will then discuss how
the work is influenced by the historical context in which it was written and/or the life of the
author. Maybe the author used his or her work of literature to make a point about a social
structure, philosophy, or event that was prominent at the time. Maybe the author used events
from his or her own life to give the inspiration for the piece of literature, or even in the creation
of a main character.
This paper should not merely state facts that you have discovered in your research, but it should
show how those facts are pertinent to the piece of literature by your chosen author. This is not an
expository essay in which you merely relate what happened or explain an idea. It is an
argumentative essay in which you prove why or that the historical/biographical information is
relevant to the work of literature. For example, show evidence in how the author’s background is
evident in his or her work. Where is there evidence of the author’s beliefs in his or her works?
How does the historical context in which he or she lived shape the plot? You are going to make
an inference or draw a conclusion which you will prove with historical research throughout your
essay; thus, you will have to refer to the research you have conducted as well as the literature
you have read.
You may choose an author and work of your choice, or you may choose from the following list
of works we’ve read this year:
“The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Redchief” by O. Henry
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
If you’re using an author of your choice, make sure there is enough research available before you
start.
Content requirements: The content of your essay should serve to support, prove, or respond to
the inferences or conclusions made in your thesis statement. Personal experience and
generalizations are not sufficient to prove your point in this paper. Your research paper must
conform to MLA standards in all aspects. Summaries, paraphrases, and quotes must be properly
credited with in-text, parenthetical documentation. No more than 30 percent of your final paper
may be quoted material (at least 70 percent of the words must be your own writing).
Resources: You must use at least four sources. At least two sources must be print sources, as
well as Internet and other electronic sources as necessary. Failure to use at least two books as
sources will result in point deductions. Every source must be documented on your Works Cited
page according to proper MLA format.
Note Cards: 30 total in two separate deadlines
Outline: Properly formatted and includes Works Cited page
Rough Draft: In order for me to give you the best and most applicable feedback as possible,
this draft should be nearly perfect. Edit and proof read this copy before you turn it in to me. It
should already meet all of the requirements as given.
Length requirements: Your research paper should be four to six pages in length, not including
the title or Works Cited pages.
Final Research Paper: Your final essay must be submitted in a pocket folder. On the left side,
include all of the materials you have previously turned in for a grade: topic and thesis sentence,
note cards, graded outline, and graded nearly perfect, rough draft of paper. Place your final
essay and a copy of the grading sheet on the right side of your folder.
Paper Deadlines:
January 14: Working topic due
January 26: First 15 note cards due
February 2: Next set of 15 note cards due
February 9: Thesis and outline due
February 16: Revised thesis and outline due (as needed and assigned)
February 23: First two- three pages of research paper due (introduction, beginning of body)
March 1: Last two-three pages of research paper due (completion of body, conclusion)
March 8: Full semi-perfect rough draft due
March 29: Draft returned with feedback- Complete revisions
April 5: Final draft due inside folder
Research Paper Grading Sheet
Name: _______________________________________
Research Paper Preparation:
Assignment:
Approved Topic
Points
Points Received & Comments:
Possible:
10 Points
Note Cards Deadline 1
20 Points
Note Cards Deadline 2
20 Points
Thesis, Outline, Works Cited Page
50 Points
Beginning Draft
50 Points
Concluding Draft
50 Points
Semi-Perfect Rough Draft
100 Points
Total:
300 Points
Score:
/300
Final Research Paper:
Introduction: Hook and Thesis
20 Points
Body: Claims, Support, Organization
50 Points
Citations and Inclusion of Research
50 Points
Conclusion: Restate, Revisit, Wrap Up
25 Points
Works Cited Page
25 Points
Grammar, Mechanics, Style,
Formatting
Score:
80 Points
/250