Emmons 11CP
Lit Crit Research Paper Set-Up
What will you be researching?
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Literary Criticism: You will be researching various critiques of your novel.
It’s not just your theme, but what other critics have identified as the theme.
It’s not just your characterization, it’s what other critics have identified about those characters.
It’s not just your stylistic elements, it’s what stylistic elements other critics have recognized in your text. (symbolism,
setting, imagery, diction, etc)
What do you need?
A variety of sources:
 books (at least 2 hardbound lit crit books!)
 academic journals
 academic articles
 internet databases
 NO WEBSITES- sparknotes, pinkmonkey, etc
What exactly do you write about?
1. Introduction = AG, general background, and thesis statement that establishes sections two, three and four. 1
paragraph
2. 2. Body Section #1 = Theme (Identify a major theme in chosen novel.) 1-2 body paragraphs
3. 3. Body Section #2 = Character Analysis (Choose a single main character, two contrasting characters, two similar
characters, or a group of characters that share a family or community and analyze their relevance/connection to the
novel’s theme) 2-3 body paragraphs
4. 4. Body Section #3 = Style Analysis (Analyze one or two of the following: symbolism, setting, imagery, or
diction) Analyze how your chosen author uses the analyzed device to achieve a distinct purpose in the novel. 1-2
body paragraphs
5. 5. Conclusion = Wrap-up essay and make a universal connection
What needs to be included?
 must include direct quotations as well as paraphrasing from the book that you read and the literary criticisms/reviews
that you research
 The paper must have at least one block quote but no more than two
 Use a variety of sources, i.e. books, journals, Internet databases, etc. NO WEB SITES MAY BE USED FOR ANY
REASON
 INTERNET is OKAY - EBSCO, JSTOR, other databases, online journals
 WEBSITES are NOT OKAY- Sparknotes, pinkmonkey, random google pages
Expectation for tomorrow:
5 Source Cards: (due by end of period Friday!)
Find FIVE sources (databases online, academic journals, book sources on criticisms) that supply you with CRITICISMS on
your novel. (these may be digital or on notecards, to be explained later)
30 Note Cards:
From these FIVE SOURCES you will find evidence/criticisms of theme, characterization, and stylistic elements, that you will
put on the thirty note cards. THESE WILL BE YOUR CONCRETE DETAILS IN YOUR PAPER!
These will be collected at the end of your paper; paper will not be collected without it.