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Research Process
Directions to Students
Background
Your task is to select an American writer for an author study. You will be reading one or more of his/her works, conducting research, and examining criticism in order to answer the following essential question:
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How does this writer's works reflect the approach to literary criticism you have chosen for your research? |
Task and Product
Click here to select a writer for your study.
After reading several works by the writer of your choice and studying criticism related to those works, you will prepare a formal written research paper or research video.
Assessments
You may be graded on several steps in the research process as well as on your final product(s).
Questions
Which critical approaches are most applicable to this author's style?
- Formalistic
- Sociological
- Psychological
- Historical/Biographical
- Archetypal
Gather, Sort and Cite
Gather information from a variety
of sources.
Sort your findings using a graphic
organizer, note cards, outline, word document, or other form
for recording your research.
Cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.
- Avoiding Plagiarism (Safari Montage)
- Avoiding Plagiarism (Print Document)
- MLA Bibliography (Print Document)
- EasyBib Citation Creator
Research Skills
The following skills are important components of an effective research paper:
- Developing a thesis statement
- Evaluating Internet resources
- Avoiding plagiarism (print document)
- Avoiding plagiarism (Safari Montage)
- Taking notes
- Outlining
- Creating an effective introduction and conclusion
- Using supporting evidence
- Citing sources within the text (parenthetical documentation)
- Using effective transitions
- Preparing your final draft
Organize
Analyze your research notes to determine if you have adequate support for your thesis statement as well as adequate detail for the length of your paper. Check to make sure that you have answered the essential question with specific details from literary criticism. Remember that not everything you have gathered during the note-taking phase will be useful for your paper.
Synthesize your findings by creating a first draft of your final paper.
- What new insights have emerged about your thesis?
- Which details are the most compelling and would provide the best support for your thesis statement?
Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task.
- Have you gathered sufficient supporting evidence your thesis? What additional details will you need?
- Have you correctly cited sources within your text?
Conclusion
Presentation
See your teacher for direction
Reflection
See your teacher for direction