Survey of English Literature 1
Paper Assignment #1
October 12, 2015
Paper Topic: Define the Comitatus Code and explain how it is reflected in the following text.
For fifty years
I ruled this nation. No king
of any neighboring clan would dare
face me with troops, none had the power
to intimidate me. I took what came,
cared for and stood by things in my keeping,
never fomented quarrels, never
swore to a lie. All this consoles me,
doomed as I am and sickening for death;
because of my right ways, the Ruler of mankind
need never blame me when the breath leaves my body
for murder of kinsmen. (Beowulf, 2733-43)
Write a paper of about 400 words in length (Font Times New Roman, size 12, if possible). Use the MLA
style of documentation and paper format (for all further information about the format, go to the
following web page: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/)
You are not expected to do any research of secondary sources for this paper. I am not interested in what
other people have to say about Beowulf and the Comitatus Code; rather, I want you to develop your
own analytical skills and learn how to present your ideas in a clear way. The best papers usually have a
clear thesis (somewhere in the introductory paragraph), a clear line of development, and arguments
clearly presented and supported by textual evidence.
You are not allowed to present other people’s work as your own: it is called plagiarism. Remember,
plagiarism is a deadly sin.
Papers must be submitted in electronic form to the following e-mail address: boris.beric@bj.t-com.hr
The Subject of your message should be as follows: your full name, sur1, paper1. Use your last name as
document name. Late papers will be penalized 2 points a day.
Paper Due: October 26, 2015
Useful tips: Set language to English on your computer before you start typing your paper. Titles must be
more specific than topics. Don’t shift the tenses; stick to the present tense when discussing plot in
fiction or content of books. Titles of books, plays and long poems should be in italics; titles of short
stories, short poems and chapters of a book should be in quotation marks. Edit carefully and proofread
for spelling.
Grading Criteria
Thesis
5
Structure and Content
10
Grammar and Form
5