Grendel by John Gardner Research Paper
Final Paper Due: Thursday February 13, 2012
Objective:
Students will have the opportunity to learn the process of selecting and researching a topic,
writing a research paper on the topic, and documenting sources used.
The Assignment:
What is your philosophy about the meaning of life? Choose one school of philosophic thought
that is addressed in the novel Grendel by John Gardner. Clearly explain the philosophy and main
tenets of the school of thought, analyze how that school of thought is presented in the novel,
and then explain how and why you adhere to this school of philosophic thought.
Outline:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Introduction with thesis
Clearly explain the school of thought- choose one.
Clearly analyze Grendel by John Gardner and explain how the school of thought
impacts Grendel and the novel (choose a few chapters to analyze).
Clearly explain why you accept this school of thought/why you find it interesting.
Clearly apply this school of thought to aspects of your own life (use
anecdotes/examples from your own life and explain how it operates in your daily
existence). Overall, why do you agree with it? How does the philosophy help to guide
the way you live and the decisions you make? YOU MUST HAVE RESEARCH
EMBEDDED.
Conclusion
The Requirements:
You will utilize both primary and secondary sources in your research.
The primary source is Grendel by John Gardner.
You must have AT LEAST 3 legitimate secondary sources (1 book and 2 internet). What type of
websites? ACADEMIC in nature (.edu). Make sure you write all information from your source
for the Works Cited page.
Your Paper Must:
I.
Have a strong introduction:
Opener
Context (Grendel by John Gardner AND school of thought)
Thesis (subject + opinion + topics)
II. Have 6 parenthetical citations for the school of thought paragraph (2 from each source)paragraph II. Explain the school of thought CLEARLY. What are its major tenets
(characteristics)?
III. Have 3 parenthetical citations from Grendel by John Gardner and 3 parenthetical citations
from secondary sources for school of thought (1 from each source) for the school of thought in
Grendel paragraph (6 total)- paragraph III. CLEARLY explain how the philosophy works in the
novel and how Grendel uses it/observes it. BE SPECIFIC.
IV. Explain what you like about this school of thought. Your perception of it (the positives
and the negatives). 3 secondary source citations to support yours thoughts.
V. Explain HOW the school of thought operates in your life. Give anecdotes and examples
from your own experiences. Explain how it guides your decisions and will influence you in the
future(3 parenthetical citations).
VI.Have a strong conclusion. What are your main points in the essay? What can the novel
Grendel by John Gardner teach us about the meaning of life? What does philosophy (and the
one you adhere to in particular) teach us about life?
Work Cited Page
You must cite ALL sources used in your essay. Please follow proper MLA formatting for the
essay and for the work cited page (go to The Owl at Purdue under MLA formatting and style
guide). 1 primary source (Grendel by John Gardner) and 3 secondary sources (1 book and 2
internet/periodicals).
We will be in the library on the following dates:
Tuesday December 11
Other Dates TBA
Please use your time wisely and bring your i.d. card each day.
Schools of Thought (select ONE):
Existentialism
Christianity (old or new testament)
Ethical Egoism
Metaphysics
Empiricism
Skepticism
Nihilism
Solipsism
Machiavellianism
Orphism
Sophism
Nietzche
Whitehead’s Process theology/philosophy of process
St. Augustine’s Ideas
Due Dates:
Copy/Annotate/Highlight ALL sources (25 points)
AND Works Cited page complete (4 sources)
Due on Wed. Feb. 13
Outline (Roman Numeral/detailed) (25 points)
Due Wed. Feb. 13
Rough Draft with Work Cited (50 points)
Due Wed. Feb. 13
Final Draft with ALL work attached (150 points)
Due Wed. Feb. 13
Total points: 250 points
Your Points: ___________