“You will create an argument as a thesis and support it with specific quotes and concrete examples from the text as well as outside critical sources.  You will need 5 critical sources BESIDES the text itself .  You will need to have at least 3 quotations from EACH critical source. 

When you are writing your research paper, remember the following:

1.  Don’t start with a  general statement.  Your focus is always the text, and what it consists of. Think of your argument as the answer to a question.  The purpose of a research paper is to analyze a specific element or character in the text. The narrower  your argument is, the stronger your argument.  Social or Historical context  (for example,  Women’s rights, racism, World War II) is only important as far as it is described  by the author in the text.  Write only what is true for the text. 

2.  Be sure to incorporate your quotes from the text and from the critical sources  into your argument.  These quotes are the evidence to prove that your argument is accurate and critical to understanding the text.  You need to always do three steps:

        – Explain the meaning of the quote.

        – Show how the quote supports your argument

        –  Show how the quote is critical in understanding the text

3.  Don’t use “I” or “in my opinion”, or ” in this essay”  .  You do not need to announce yourself. Just focus on the proving the argument.

4.  Don’t summarize the plot.  You are writing for an informed audience.  Only give events from the text as a focus for your argument. 

5.  Your conclusion should be an answer to the question “why is my  argument important?”  Do not use the phrase “in conclusion”

6.  Be sure to make your argument specific.  Choose a specific character, or specific theme or element.  Do not try to include every part of your text.  Your research paper should a intensive exploration of a critical part of the text, NOT a shallow survey of everything that exists in the text. You can find detailed information about the argumentation in  our textbook, The Norton Introduction to Literature, Chapter 32, The Writing Process, starting on p. 1938,  Arguments as well as detailed information about the research process in the Chapter 33, starting on page 1951.

7.  Be sure to refer to our textbook, The Norton Introduction to Literature for information about the MLA format.  Refer to Chapter 34 starting on page 1962, covering,  Quotations, Citation, and Documentation.

8.  Use paragraphs.  Each paragraph should focus on 1 point of your argument.  When you focus on a different point, use a different paragraph.

9.  Be sure to form your argument to prove “Why and How”.  You focus is always the written language in the text, not your opinion of a related general topic.  “

I have already done the work cited and the annotated bibliography.

The Subject of My Research Paper

    The subject for my research paper is, Atonement, written by Ian McEwan. The topic I will be focusing on is about how war serves as a metaphor to the internal struggles of the characters, Briony, Cecilia, and Robbie. McEwan demonstrates war  in both the public and private lives of the characters, from ruined relationships, Brionys internal battles of regret and guilt, and the ongoing separation of Cecillia and Robbie. There were many examples of how war serves as a metaphor, but the main internal struggle is with Briony. Brionys narrative is her attempt at making amends for her regretful decision through writing, but the damage seems to be beyond repair.