EWRT1B-16: more research advice

Bowdoin College has a lot of great advice on-line about writing, and about research writing in particular. The focus of the advice is on history papers, but almost all of it applies to literature papers. The real difference is that in history research papers you have to do research to find your primary text(s). In your paper, you already have the primary text–the piece of literature you are analyzing. Here's a pdf of the research process with a nice graphic that shows the circular nature of the process. Here's a general overview of research papers. I also want to add this: there is advice about how to develop good questions. The key, not surprisingly, is to be specific.

EWRT1B-16: library day

Remember to meet in the library on Wednesday, May 19th.

The De Anza library has a lot of helpful information on its website. Here's a page with information about citing sources and evaluating research material. Here's a page listing all the library's academic databases. And here's a page listing more general research databases.

Happy hunting!

Also, remember the new due date for the research paper outline: June 2nd.

EWRT1B-16: essay 3- research paper

Here is the hand-out for essay 3, the research paper.

The proposal for the paper is due Monday, May 17. The proposal should state which piece of literature you will be doing research about and what focus you are choosing for your research. Your focus will be based on what your question is about the literature. The research then becomes the answer to your question.

I am fully aware that you may change your project as you work on your research. As you learn more, you may find a new focus that interests you more than the one you describe in your proposal. If this happens, it's fine. In fact, it's part of the discovery process in doing a research paper. So don't get too bent out of shape thinking you have to come up with the perfect focus in your research paper proposal. Still, as always, being specific is more useful than being vague.

EWRT1B-16: midterm

The midterm is 100 points total and consists of two parts.

• Part 1- Short answer. Four questions about the readings in the class (short stories and plays). Five points each.
• Part 2- In-class essay. There will be a series of prompts for you to choose from. The prompts will ask you to connect one of the plays with one of the short stories. The prompts deal with common themes and characterization. 80 points.
  

You may use your book and a dictionary, but no notes. Please bring paper, but an examination book is not necessary.

To study, look over the reading responses. Check out the prompts listed here on the blog. Also, look over any notes you have. The essay prompts are taken from concepts we discussed in class. I'd suggest starting with the plays since there are only two of them and making a list of similarities between them and the short stories. Again, look for similarities of theme and character.

Arthur Miller interview

Here's an interview with Arthur Miller in which he talks specifically about Death of a Salesman and its structure. Brian Dennehy, who played Willy Loman for the 50th anniversary performance of the play, appears also and talks about his take on Willy's character.

EWRT1B-16: reading response 5

Reading Response 5- choose one:

• What is Willy Loman’s main conflict? What causes this conflict?
• Does Linda protect Willy or enable him? What is her role in the play?
• Based on evidence in the play, what is Biff’s future? What is Happy’s?
• Choose your own focus of analysis.

EWRT1B-16: essay 2

Here's a pdf of the handout for essay 2.