Research paper on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
Research Paper
Focus:
Throughout the semester, we have been focusing on thematic connections that link poetry, prose, drama, and non-fiction. There are, of course, other factors that influence writers and their writing. For your research project, you will be writing about the biographical, historical, and socio-economic factors that influenced a writer and one or two of his/her specific works.
Process:
1. Choose an author. You might want to choose an author whom we have already studied or whom you have enjoyed in the past. You might also want to try something new; our text book is an excellent place to start.
2. Choose a literary work or works written by your author. You have some flexibility here. If you choose a novel or drama, you probably only want to work on one; if you choose short stories or poems, you may select 2 or 3. At least one of the works you choose must be new; that is, it must not have been discussed in class or written about in an essay.
3. Submit your proposal. Submit your author and works to me for approval as soon as possible. You can do this in writing, via email, or during an office hour visit. If you want to propose a slightly different approach, please feel free to so.
4. Read, annotate, and analyze your work(s). Your analysis should focus on theme and literary elements. You can use the guided reading template or any other method you prefer.
5. Write a rhetorical analysis (length will vary depending on number and length of texts selected: 2-4 pages). This is a fancy name for the work we have been doing all semester: an essay in which you consider theme and literary elements.
6. Research! Look for scholars who support your interpretations or supply counterpoints you may wish to address. Explore biographical and historical connections.
7. Write and submit a 1-2 page biographical sketch with citations. (This will count as half of WA#3.)
8. Write and submit a 1-2 page historical sketch with citations. (This will count as half of WA#3.)
9. Plan your paper; submit an outline, map, or other graphic organizer.
10. Write a first draft.
11. Visit the Writing Center or my office hours. Revise. Edit.
12. Upload your draft to Turnitin.
13. Read my comments. Think about them! Visit the Writing Center or my office hours. Revise. Edit.
14. Upload final to Turnitin.
15. Celebrate!
Format:
• MLA 8th edition format and citation guide
• 7-9 pages total
• At least five academic secondary sources
• Works Cited page
Important Dates:
ASAP! Submit your proposal
4/13 Rhetorical analysis of work(s)
4/13 LIBRARY INSTRUCTION?
4/17 Biographical Sketch
4/20 Historical Sketch
4/24 Planner (to include combined thesis and links)
4/27 Draft
5/4 Final uploaded by midnight
