Research Paper Outline
It is time! This paper will challenge you, but will likely make you develop one of the most
important skills you will need when entering college – writing with primary and secondary
sources!!
The Primary Source will be the actual poem or short story. You should expect to actually quote
from this just like we did with Of Mice and Men.
The Secondary Sources will be the database articles we find on your chosen topics and on your
piece of literature. For example – you might use info from an article on 1920’s culture, an article
by an expert on your author, or an article written about the specific story you chose. This will be
your evidence and is how you prove your point.
1. You must analyze a poem or short story. You MUST READ the primary source – that means READ
the poem or short story. ONE PARAGRAPH SUMMARY!
2. Make sure that your poem or short story comes up fairly easy in our database searches. If it
doesn’t, we need to get you a different one ASAP. What is hard on the first round will likely be
impossible on the second and third.
3. Once you have articles on your piece of literature, make sure you are able to find 3 different
ways to analyze it from the list of 6 options in your outline. In other words, choose wisely. I
am giving an advance copy of what you are going to do with this poem/short story so that you can
avoid a selection that will not fit this paper. If you cannot apply three different analysis angles to
it, you cannot use it.
4. Make sure your summary of the work is no longer than 1 paragraph! This is an analysis paper
with scholarly research. Be careful about going on and on with summary and making your
analysis section appear short and unimportant.
TWO MORE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU GO:
1. Use two types of sources for your paper
a. Primary source: the actual text of the poem, story, novel or play you are
analyzing.
b. Secondary sources: articles about the text (database print outs, etc.)
2. Subjective vs. Objective parts of your paper
a. Subjective: Statements of opinion should be limited to the introduction and
conclusion of your paper
b. Objective: Information in the body of your paper is generally presented without
opinion. It will be facts about what the poem/short story said and what the experts
have to say about it.
The Outline
I. Introduction to your author and his/her works – (THIS SECTION IS 1-2 PARAGRAPHS)
A. Works in General – 1-2 paragraphs: A brief statement of some of the “other” works that your
author has written and a mention of the themes, symbols and topics your author tends to be
known for. Certainly if there is an autobiographical element to your author, you would mention
that here as it will probably be relevant later. This should lead into a short synopsis of the work
chosen and end with your….
B. Thesis statement (you will get a separate handout for this!)
II. Your Selected Piece of Literature (THIS IS THE REST OF YOUR PAPER)
A. Summary of work and major characters (make sure you identify if it is a short story or poem.) –
1 paragraph
1. Story line (short story or narrative poems) / Interpretation (Poem)
2. Main Characters (short story or narrative poems) – focus on those you intend to analyze or
mention later in the paper
B. Analysis of work – Analyzes, interprets, evaluates an author or the author’s works; it is an
attempt to understand the literature of an author. It expresses a point of view or opinion about
the characteristics and quality of the literature. THIS IS THE BULK OF YOUR PAPER. You
analyze: (approx. 2 paragraphs for each angle you have chosen)
1. Theme – this can apply to all forms of literature. The theme is the author’s message or
lesson for his/her audience…the main idea of what they are saying.
2. Characterization- this will only apply to poems or short stories that are narrative – in
other words, stories or poems that have main characters and action. Remember from Of
Mice and Men, characterization is how the author helps us get to know the main character
through sharing his/her thoughts, actions, appearance, words, interactions, and setting. If
your author does the stereotype thing, or tends to always have a ‘typical’ kind of character
he/she uses…this is one to use.
3. Setting - this will only apply to poems or short stories that are narrative
4. Style – this will mostly apply to poems. Poets subscribe to a certain ‘type’ of poem –
whether we’re talking about rhyme scheme, pentameter, or even use of certain techniques.
This analysis would deal with the technical qualities of the writing - style and language
5. Historical/Political – this can be used with both poetry and short stories. This type of
analysis looks at the relationship of the work to the time or social, historical or political
trends.
6. Symbolism – this can be used with both types, too. This analysis will work if you have an
author who steeps his/her words in symbolism. Expand yourself to find other types of
symbols. If you see symbolism mentioned for your chosen poem/short story, read through
it and see if you recognize any of the symbols. They exist across literature. You know more
than you think you do .
7. **Biographical**--this will only apply for a few stories or poems. If you feel that your
work is biographical (for example, Sylvia Plath) then see me in order to get this angle
approved. You may NOT choose biographical on our own.
YOU MUST USE THREE OF THE ABOVE 6 POINTS AS MODES OF ANALYSIS
YOU MUST USE BOTH THE EXPERTS AND POIGNANT LINES FROM THE ACTUAL WORK!
III. Conclusion (THIS IS 1 PARAGRAPH)