Eng.IV.H./Br. Byrd/Major Paper Assignment
Major Paper Description: All students will write one major paper of at least five pages in
length. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the following:
1. Comprehension of the original text (Macbeth, Lady Susan, Oroonoko, or Wuthering
Heights), in terms of what the author intended (as far as the text will allow us to speculate).
2. Proper use of original text as part of the presentation of textual analysis. (It must be clear
that you’ve read the entire work, even if you choose to focus on a particular character, etc.)
3. The ability to articulate and evaluate a scholarly source’s comments on the original text.
You cannot simply use your scholarly source to make your case, you have to
articulate what your source’s agenda was in his or her writing.
You have to have something new to add to the conversation. You cannot simply
paraphrase someone else’s argument and call it your own (that’s stealing and is, therefore,
sinful), nor can you simply summarize the original text.
Never write that a scholar agrees with you; since he or she got there first, you agree
with the scholar.
4. Proper use of secondary source as part of textual analysis.
5. Proper MLA citation of both primary and secondary sources.
6. Formulation of strong, original thesis, which is then developed and proven.
7. Demonstration of original thought and a wrestling with the text through the use of one of
the academic interpretive lenses.
8. Attentiveness to revelancy connections (the “so what?” factor that clarifies what the text
teaches about the time period from which it came in relationship to the time period from
which the readers now come).
9. Correct MLA formatting throughout.
10. Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
11. Elevated use of the English language, especially as regards rhetorical skills. Avoid
generalizations and cliches. Avoid first and second person. Do not write like a robot.
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Prewrite Description
Part I: During your reading of a text, allow yourself to use one of the academic interpretive
lenses. For example, the psychoanalytic lens with Macbeth or the marxist lens with Lady
Susan. Doing this will help you to ask deeper questions of the text and to see the
relationship between details you might otherwise miss.
Part II: Create a Citation List for your chosen text. This is an MLA formatted list of at least
ten quotes and/or paraphrases from the original text (with page number citations). You
have to present a comprehensive list, drawing material from the entire work.
Part III: Find at least one academic scholarly source--either a scholarly essay from JSTOR or
a chapter/essay from an academic book. A good rule of thumb--if your source doesn’t have
a works cited or footnotes, it’s not scholarly.
Eng.IV.H./Br. Byrd/Major Paper Assignment
For your source, you must type the following:
A: Works Cited information (as it will appear on your works cited page).
B: The author’s thesis. (Quote it verbatim.)
C: Summary of how the author made his or her case. How is the essay structured? What are
the major points made to prove the thesis.
D: List at least two quotes or paraphrases from the essay you want to use in your own
essay.
E: Articulate the “so what” of this article.
F: Articulate your response to this essay. Again, you cannot simply agree with an author. If
you can’t add or dispute, you need to get a new thesis.
Part IV: Now that you’ve read the entire work and a scholarly source, formulate a strongly
worded thesis. It has to be significantly different from your scholar’s, and significantly
original (not so obvious that anyone who has read the original text could have come up
with your thesis).
Part V: Write an academic paper of at least five pages in length on either your first or
second choice.
Prewrite Rubric
Student Name:
Category
Part I: Academic Interpretive Lens
Identified
Part II: Nine quotes/ paraphrases given
Correct MLA citation for quotes
Part III.A: Works Cited
Part III.B: Author’s Thesis
Part III.C: Summary of Author’s Case
Part III.D: Two Quotes from source
Part III.E: So What? of article
Part III.F: Response to essay
Part IV: Thesis Statement
Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
Meeting--5
Progressing--3
Not Meeting--0