If you have any questions, or wish to send me your paper electronically, email me at: vao14@gmail.com
Introduction
Over the course of this semester, we have read several novels- some were by prominent authors, while other books were written by more obscure writers. Regardless, each writer made special contributions to American society. Many authors wrote with the intent to change American society. So, it is important to observe how the novels we have read have influenced our modern society while learning about the authors as well.
Task
For this assignment, you must research one American author. You may choose an authors whose novel we have read this semester, or you may choose an author that we did not read about. However, if you wish to choose an author whose works we have not explored, you must have read at least one of their novels and provide a summary as to why you believe he or she has changed American society.
Here is the list of American authorss whose works we have read:
- J.D. Salinger - The Catcher in the Rye
- Ray Bradbury - Fahrenheit 451
- Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged
- Toni Morrison - Beloved
- Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
- Ken Kesey - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
For this assignment, you will write a five page research paper about the author, a famous work he/she wrote, and discuss how that novel changed American society. Of course, you will need to find other sources that back up how that author's novel changed American society. Also, you will have to discuss if the author intended to make a statement in his/her novel about an issue in American society. I'll give you a hint: usually the answer is yes! You will, however, have to explain why or why not the author wanted to make a statement through their work (For example, were they disatisfied with something in American society? Did they diasgree or agree with a law or a societal rule?)
Process
In order to successfully complete this assignment, you must complete all of these steps:
1) Get approval of your author and the book you will be researching.
Again, the list of authors I have you will always be approved. However, if too many people decide to do the same author, you may have to pick another author. Also, if you decide to pick an author from the list but decide to research a different book by the author that we did not read in class (for example, you decide to talk about Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead instead of Atlas Shrugged), you may do so, provided that you have read that book as well. Remember that if you decide to choose an author that is not on the list, you must get my approval before you continue with your assignment.
Due: December 1st
2) Create a thesis.
We’ve discussed how to create a thesis statement earlier this semester. I’ll give you an example: you want to write how J.D. Salinger changed American society through his novel Catcher in the Rye. You must state how he did this (whether by using metaphors, symbolism, or other literary techniques) and how it changed American society.
Due: December 7th
3) Gather resources for your research paper.
Now you must find resources to back up your thesis statement. You must use at least two scholarly sources. You must also cite quotations from the author’s book to back up your thoughts and opinions. So, you will be using a total of at least three sources. The scholarly sources must be from a book or from a database. You may use Ebscohost or our other school-approved databases. If you need help if deciding a source you found is appropriate for your paper, bring it to me so I can help you.
Due: December 11th
4) Create an outline.
You will now begin writing your paper. First, you must create an outline, and it will be approved by me to ensure that you are on the right track. If you need help with writing your outline, there is a link under the 'credits' tab that can help you.
Due: December 16th
5) Finish your paper.
At this point, you should be pulling your paper together. Remember that it must be at least five pages. Also, you will need to CORRECTLY cite your sources. If you need help with your biblography and citing your sources, there is a link under the 'credits' tab that can help you with this. Citations need to be in MLA format.
Due: December 23rd
Evaluation
Here is the evaluation sheet. Remember:
You will be deducted five points from your total research paper grade if you forget to turn in one of your assignments by the due date, with the exception of your final paper. If you do not give me your final paper on the due date, ten points will be deducted for every day the final paper is late. If you cannot come to school the day the paper is due, you must email the paper to me. No excuses!
Conclusion
Remember: do your best! Try to choose a topic that will truly interest you. You may enjoy writing this paper! If you are already dreading to work on this paper, fear not: once you turn in your paper, you can enjoy your Christmas break!
Good luck, and remember that I will be more than happy to help you!
Credits
Help for citing sources (MLA format): https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Help for creating an outline: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/02/
Link to Ebscohost: https://www.ebscohost.com/