Mr. Jones
Comparative Literature
2014-2015
Comparative Literature: Senior Thesis Requirements
The Big Question
What lessons do we actually take away from the hero’s journey, and how do those
lessons serve to “educate the human soul” as was implied in Platos Republic?
Your Senior Thesis will look at your book with the same guiding questions we have
used for our other stories in class; how have your character(s) struggled to accept
their call to adventure, if at all, do they succeed in their quest?; ultimately do they
convey a lesson or moral to the reader about a greater subject – life, itself – beyond
their quest? Do you believe that we each are traveling along our own hero’s
journey?
Some other questions to consider:
How does the novel portray the theme of the journey in the search for one’s
meaning? How is this journey challenged? In what way does the novel act as a
guideline for society?
Writing Style within the novel:
The Senior Thesis will need to connect the author’s writing style to his/her message.
This might include the point of view that the story is told from; a changing narrator
or perspective; uniqueness to the sequence of events (the author using flashback
etc.). Your essay should also include reference to the author’s style relating
specifically to the conflict they create in the story. In class we will be focusing on the
basic conflicts in literature (Man vs man; man vs nature; man vs self; man vs society;
man vs fate/God) and how these examples help develop or add to the major themes
of your text.
Format:
The length of the paper should be between 5-10 pages. Papers should be typed,
double-spaced, use correct punctuation and grammar, and be in correct MLA format.
Your paper must have a citation page, which does not count toward the 5-10 pages
of your paper.
Primary Sources:
You are free to select a novel depicting the hero’s journey on your own. I must
approve this novel no later than Decemeber 6, and you should have a HARD COPY of
the novel by December 17.
Mr. Jones
Comparative Literature
2014-2015
Secondary Sources:
You are required to use but are not limited to 2 secondary literary sources to write
this paper.
You are also required to use one film source as your construct your narrative essay.
The secondary sources must be:
1. Books – relevant criticism or commentary from an actual book.
You may use an E-Book version of the text, however you may not use an online
excerpt of the text. Any college library should have the necessary resource(s)
for this requirement.
2. Journal articles – you can go through the Gale in the library.
Literary criticism is preferred. Book or Media reviews do not count.
3. Approved websites – web address ends in .edu and the author has
accreditations (he is the professor of the course for example)
If you have any trouble finding sources or are wondering if a secondary source
works, speak with me prior to the deadline.
To ensure success in class, follow all of the outlined due dates.
Deadlines:
Dec
6th
ASAP!
December 17th
January 5th
January 23rd
Book Selection:
You must have only chosen the actual text at this point. NO
eBOOKS!
READ YOUR BOOK – MAKE OBSERVATIONS THAT CAN LATER
LEAD YOU TO DEVELOP A THESIS STATEMENT.
Proof of Purchase!!!
You will be showing me your HARD COPY of the book in class on
this day.
Reading Update:
You will be showing me you book with highlighted passages and a
brief list of important events that have occurred in the book so far.
This list must also include the detailed types of conflict you have
seen in the book so far. For example, Just vs. Unjust, a coming out of
the cave, the early steps in the hero’s journey.
Thesis:
Thesis of what you believe the author’s message is relating to the
“Big Question” discussed above. You’ll be writing about a
paragraph that explains how you came to the conclusion that your
thesis is what you believe the author’s message is. Please note that
you must be done with the text at this point to do this. Topic
Mr. Jones
Comparative Literature
2014-2015
sentences, and supporting quotes from primary source(s).
Submit to turnitin.com and have a hard copy in class.
January 23Mandatory Conferences:
February 6
Sign up for a time to meet with me regarding your outline. We will
review where you stand and how to strengthen it. Once you have
been told that you have strong ideas, work on revising your outline
and begin looking for secondary sources. If you sign up for a time
slot, do not skip your conference.
In the
Visit a library and/or library website and begin gathering
meantime…
secondary sources.
Print the articles you think you may want later. Determine which
essays, books, or websites are relevant to your claims.
Outline:
Updated thesis, topic sentences, supporting evidence from text
th
February 20
(actual quotes), and where 2 secondary sources fit in with your
claims
Writing Center:
March 27th
You must meet with Dr. Nighn in the Writing Center at least once by
March 27th.
April 17th
Final product:
Submit final paper to turnitin.com.