Senior Research Project:
Life, Works, and Literary Time Period of a Writer

Topic: You are to write about the connections you can make between the life, the works, and the literary time period in which your approved writer lived. Obviously, you must read biographical material about the writer and some of what the writer has written (ten poems, five essays, five short stories, one novel, or one play). Examine your literature textbook to place the writer in a particular time period and read the introductory essay for that period. As you read the historical background, try to imagine what life was like for your writer during that period. What events would have had greatest impact? Note fads and fashions, scientific advances, everyday life. Note: You must have your writer and the specific resources you are reading by that writer approved in advance.

General Guidelines: The quality of your reference sources is much more important than the quantity. Because you are collecting information that other people have already published, you have to give credit to these people for the information you use that is theirs. In other words, no plagiarism. To protect you from temptation, I expect photocopies or printouts of your resources. You may make notes on these papers and/or use highlighters to help you plan your writing -- but I will keep everything at the end.

Required Resources: All online resources must be evaluated using the Content Evaluation Guide and the Web Design Evaluation Guide provided in class. Keep in mind that you must write an annotation for every resource. You should include the following in your bibliography.

• three print resources
• three internet resources
• one critical resource (print or internet)
• one contemporary publication resource

Citing Sources: We will follow MLA style. Follow directions as given on my Bibliography page. Excellent resources that break the complicated process down into greater detail include Citation Machine and Easy Bib.

Research Links: You be shown how to access library databases.

Cover: Select a meaningful quote from the works of your approved author and illustrate that quote so that it will fit on the front of your file folder. You may use original artwork, computer graphics, calligraphy, graphic fonts, cut-and-paste illustrations from magazines -- whatever will help you make the most of the words themselves. Although you have the freedom to use varied art materials and papers, remember that the final quote design must be no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches if it is to fit. I have provided several examples on my Quote Design page.

Personal Alphabet: Browse through a dictionary, looking for adjectives to describe your writer. Know the meaning of the words you select and be able to explain how each word you've chosen fits you. Choose at least one adjective for each letter of the alphabet. Be sure you choose the adjective form of words. For example, "excite" is a verb and "excitable" is an adjective. "Exciting" is a participle so it can be used as an adjective BUT "excitable" and "exciting" mean very different things.

Personal Metaphors: Make a list of metaphorical comparisons. Think, "If my writer were an animal, what kind of animal would my writer be?" For each item, write the general label and then your specific comparison. Be realistic, be somewhat honest, and explain your choices. Don't say your writer is a rose, if the writer is really a daisy.

Résumé: Following the format we explored first quarter, put all that information you have gleaned about your writer's life into résumé form. Assume the persona of the writer. Concentrate on accuracy -- rather than the “selective” truth real résumés often provide.

Letterhead and Business Card: Design a logo that is appropriate and relevant for your writer. Use it for both letterhead and business card. Be as accurate as possible.

Critical Essay: Develop and support a thesis sentence that makes a connection between the life, the works, and the literary time period in which your approved writer lived. For example:

William Shakespeare was the ideal Renaissance man because of his interests in exploration, politics, and humanism.

Familiar with all medieval social classes, Geoffrey Chaucer revealed his cynicism and a hidden faith in The Canterbury Tales.

You will cite your sources parenthetically within the content of the essay. Focus your essay on what you can prove from your reading and research. Narrowing your topic will help. Your essay should be approximately 5-7 pages, double-spaced. Include at least three quotes for each body paragraph. Use the guidelines given in Quoting from Literature.

Annotated Bibliography: Cite all your sources in an alphabetized list that follows MLA format. Include brief annotations for every reference.

Manila Envelope: Put the photocopies and printouts of all your resources in here. Also include all notes, clusters, outlines, and drafts. Put a correct heading on the front of the envelope.