EN399: Extended Essay Option (2015-2016)
Discipline of English
The option of writing an extended essay is available to all third-year students of English whose
grade average in second year was 60% or higher, and who can put forward a clear, rigorous and
well-conceived project proposal. The number of places on the seminar is strictly
limited. Acceptance will be based on a combination of strength of proposal and grade average.
The 4,000 to 5,000 word essay is submitted in place of a third-year semester 2 lecture course.
Students who decide to take up this option will need to submit a typed proposal either by email or
by hand to Dr Richard Pearson by 4pm on Friday the 27th of November. Please note that no
late proposals can be accepted.
Use the form provided (see below) for your proposal. Keep in mind that the choice of topic is
yours, though you may not revisit texts already covered in your course of study (either in lecture
courses or in seminars). The primary texts must be in the English language. Translations of
foreign texts may not be used. If you choose to study cinema, art, or music, the focus of your
essay must be on the relationship between these media and literature. Your bibliography should
conform to the MLA Styleguide. See the 3BA handbook or the Humanities Reference section of
the Library for help with this.
Try to be as specific as possible in writing your proposal, keeping in mind that close study of
a limited number of texts is preferable to a wide-ranging overview of a topic. Ensure that
your topic is achievable in the 12 weeks of the semester.
Your proposal should include attention to such things like:
Your thesis: what is the question you intend to answer or the idea you wish to explore?
Your aims: what do you think the thesis will achieve?
Your approaches: how are you to go about the project, what kind of methodology will you
use?
Your materials: what books / periodicals / art objects etc will the thesis make use of?
Secondary materials: is there key work already done in the subject that you will need to
use?
Your project will be an independent study devised by yourself and progressed with guidance
from Dr. Pearson. Specialist tutors will not be allocated. Seminar classes will take place during
the first half of the semester and will discuss essay-writing practices such as construction of an
argument, literary searches, essay structuring, methodology, and annotation. You will also discuss
your work and comment on that of others in the seminar classes. These classes are obligatory for
all those hoping to submit an extended essay. The second half of the semester will be your own
independent research and writing. There will be two personal tutorial meetings set up for each
student with Dr. Pearson, one early in the semester and one towards the end.
Those whose proposals have been accepted will be notified as soon as possible to maximise the
time you might use over Christmas. Subject to final confirmation, completed essays will be due
on Friday 15th April 2016.
EN 399 Extended Essay Option 2015-2016
Discipline of English
Please download this form and fill in all areas. It must be handed to Dr Richard Pearson by
4pm on Friday the 27th of November. Please note that no late proposals can be accepted.
Name and Student Number:
E-mail Address:
What is your other subject?
List the seminar courses you’ve taken so far (both 2nd and 3rd year):
Proposed Extended Essay Title:
Proposal (no more than 250 words):
List the texts you plan to write on (primary sources):
List at least 5 books/journal articles (not websites) that deal with the subject you’ve chosen
(secondary sources):
Has your topic been addressed in a previous or current lecture or seminar course?