Psychology and Literature
Mrs. Malanka/Mrs. Haggerty
Senior Research Paper
Fall 2014
Handout #9
I. How do I start to figure out what I am actually writing about? And how will I fill
up 7–12 pages?!?
1. Let’s start with a hypothetical research topic on Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth.
Here is my research statement:
I am going to write my research paper about Shakespeare’s Macbeth. I want to figure out what
ultimately led to his demise —his wife’s influence? Hearing the witches’ prophecy? Something else?
Shakespeare take pains to portray Macbeth as a model subject of King Duncan in the beginning of the
play, so how does he eventually become Scotland’s enemy? I will probably focus on the husband-wife
relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth because they start out so close with another (almost as
equals) and then begin to separate from one another after Macbeth murders Duncan. In examining this
relationship I will explore how Macbeth portrays female and male gender roles and what I see as unique
departures from these traditional roles.
a. Realize first that the research paper I write will answer one or more of the questions I included in
the above statement of research. I’ll consider how I might revise this statement of research to be
the introductory paragraph of my paper—but more on that later on.
b. I continue to brainstorm critical questions that come up as I read about and research my topic.
The goal is to come up with several questions related to my primary source that will help guide
my research.
Below provides an example of a brainstormed list of questions for the above research statement.
I may also decide to create some sort of graphic/organizer/web with my questions/ideas.
I want to write about Macbeth and focus on the following questions:
 Is there a certain turning point in the story where Macbeth changes to a murderer, or is it
more of a gradual change?
 Some critics seem to think that Lady Macbeth is the decisive influence that turns
Macbeth towards his evil ways. I’m not sure I wholly agree with this notion. Does
Macbeth portray certain character traits which predispose him towards murdering
Duncan?
 Does Macbeth think about his decision to kill Duncan or does he act
impulsively/instinctively?
 Does Macbeth feel additional pressure to act on his wife’s urging because she is a woman
who seems to show no fear? Does he feel emasculated?
 Even if Lady Macbeth is not fully to blame for Macbeth’s downfall, she still wields much
power and influence over Macbeth. I think I need to delve into traditional feminine roles
in both Macbeth’s time period and also Shakespeare’s, and how this play blurs the
boundaries between genders.
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2. Next step: I need to organize these ideas too—in a way that makes sense—because I am not just
talking about relationships, I am also addressing gender roles. But, I will worry about the
organization after I’ve started my research and I know more definitely what I want to say in the
paper.
3. When I look back over this, it seems like I am mostly interested in the how the relationship
between the Macbeths leads to his downfall as a tragic hero. This point can be my main starting
place. Now that I have some original, preliminary thoughts down on paper, I can continue
researching the story by looking for sources that cover these particular matters.
4. I will fine-tune my searches on databases and search engines to include some terms that came
up in the questions you come up with.
II.
How am I going to fill up 7– 10 pages?!?
A. First of all, it is important to understand the PURPOSE of this paper. You are going to be putting
together an ANALYSIS of a work of literature. What does this mean? That depends on your topic.
B. Once you have about 10 or more note cards, begin plugging them—all your quotes and commentary on
what you read—into a Microsoft Word Document. FYI, For your second evidence check (which begin
12/4) you’ll need to show me two typed pages of your notes.
You might be discussing any of the following:
o analysis of theme(s)
o symbolism
o historical and/or cultural significance of issues raised
o similarities/differences between 2 or more characters
o writing style
o importance and impact of setting
C. Here’s a simple plan for the paper itself:
a. Introduction:
Here’s where you describe what you’ll be talking about for the next 8-12 pages. You’ll mention the work
of literature and its author. Maybe you’ll say a little something about the time period in which the work
was written, or something kind of general about the author. AND you will certainly have your thesis
here—your main idea statement—which you will explain using a fair amount of detail. This will probably
take at least one paragraph. Again, consider how your statement of research, or part of it, may be revised
as your introductory paragraph.
b. Background on author’s life (OPTIONAL—MAY NOT BE NECESSARY!!): Remember, I don’t
want an A&E Biography! Just a little background, if you use any at all.
c. Analysis of primary source:
o This is where all of the research you did comes into play. This is where you incorporate all the
facts, scholarly opinions, explanations, criticisms, etc. that you found in your research about your
topic (character analysis, use of symbolism, discussion of themes, etc.)
o This is the part of the paper in which you discuss, in as much detail as possible, your thesis or
argument. Your job is to tear apart your work of literature to expose its “hidden meanings” in
relation to your thesis.
o This part of the paper is composed of YOUR IDEAS backed up by RESEARCH (the wellestablished, respected ideas of people who are experts in literary criticism).
a. Conclusion: In which you magnificently summarize your research and the ideas you have
explored about your thesis!
D. Any tips for getting this job done well (and making it easier to do)? There are lots of ways:
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a. This may seem obvious, but start writing!
b. First, begin to arrange your note cards; use the categories you came up and your outline as a way
to put them into one possible order.
c. Second, begin to plug your notes, paraphrases, direct quotes, and summary cards into a Microsoft
Word document, including your citations. You might be amazed to see just how much work
you’ve done through the research and outlining steps.
d. Start to elaborate on your own notes once you’ve transcribed your note cards into the Word
document.
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Analytical/Scholarly essay writing: Some essential tips
The topic you develop, the questions you come up with to guide your writing of a research paper
require critical thinking to answer, the kind of thinking you need to solve a challenging issue or
problem that concerns your primary source. To address fully any of these types of questions, one
cannot simply open the text to a specific page and discover the answer. Finding the answer is more
like solving a jigsaw puzzle; you’re connecting pieces of information, evidence from the text, and
your own thoughts/judgments to form a cohesive picture. In writing your research paper, you’re
joining an ongoing discussion on the text and the questions at hand. This process requires you
to synthesize, which is the highest order of thinking skills one may use. You’re considering an array
of ideas and opinions, joining them together to create something new, using your voice and thoughts
as the thread that connects all the pieces.
When you engage in critical thinking, you take a stand on the question or issue at hand. In coming
up with a response to your research question(s), you need to “go out on a limb” with your thinking,
so to speak. This risk factor is ultimately what makes a compelling, interesting essay. If you can
find evidence in the sources/text(s) to support your view, and you can present logically this
evidence, the “risk” you take is justified.
So, your research paper needs to go beyond simply retelling or describing what happens in your
primary source. I’m looking for your interpretation of it. By definition, to “interpret” means to
read beyond the literal words on the page.
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