English 9 Honors: Guided Literary Research Paper
For this assignment you will write an 850-1000 word (approx. four typed pages) literary
research paper with textual and critical documentation based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo
and Juliet. The organization of the paper must reflect the following guidelines: a broad-tonarrow introduction, two body paragraphs that develop and validate the divisions of the thesis,
and an insightful conclusion that does more than summarize.
The research essay MUST contain a minimum of six parenthetical citations. You must include
one direct quote from the play for each subtopic, and you must have at least two direct quotes
from critical resources to support your assertions. Thus, you must cite a minimum of three
different sources in your research essay. The critical resources will be given to you by the
teacher.
You will formulate your thesis by selecting one of the following research questions to answer:
1. Does Romeo and Juliet meet the requirements of a true Aristotelian tragedy?
2. How do Shakespeare’s minor characters impact the play and its outcome?
3. How does Shakespeare utilize paradoxical elements to develop his themes within
Romeo and Juliet?
-for example--old vs. young, light vs. dark
4. How are stereotypical gender roles portrayed in Romeo and Juliet, and how do
those roles influence the characters’ actions?
5. How does love influence the maturation process of Romeo and Juliet?
6. How is Romeo and Juliet a reflection of the ideals/customs of Elizabethan society?
English 9 Research Paper Checklist
Once you have chosen a question as the basis of your research, you must complete the
following steps in the research process:
1. Brainstorm possible answers to the research question and come up with preliminary
divisions for your thesis statement.
2. You will be given critical essays written by experts who comment on literary elements of the
play. You must read all of the articles and highlight possible evidence that you may use for the
preliminary divisions of your thesis.
3. Write and submit a final thesis statement with clear topic, direction and two divisions to be
graded.
4. Complete bibliography cards for each article using the proper MLA format.
5. Select subtopics for each division of the thesis and complete a topic sentence worksheet in
the proper format.
6. Complete note cards using the proper MLA format. You must have three note cards per
subtopic (twelve total).
7. Construct a two body paragraph rough draft that includes the thesis, a minimum of six
citations (must come from 3 different sources including the book), and submit the draft for
peer editing.
8. Complete a broad-to-narrow introduction and insightful conclusion following the notes and
models provided in class.
9. Create a Works Cited page using the proper MLA format that lists all of the sources used in
your essay.
Upon completion you will turn in ALL completed worksheets, highlighted articles, bibliography
and note cards, edited rough draft, typed-copy of your final draft in MLA format, works cited
page and rubric. Please do not lose any of your materials throughout the research process, or
you will receive a deduction of points!
Rough Draft due on : _______________
Final Draft due on: ________________