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.
Parts of the Project
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.
1.
Animal
2. Plant
3. Article of Clothing
4. Day of the Week
5. Food |
6. Color
7. Geometric Shape
8. Fragrance
9. Type of Building
10. Word |
11. Musical
Instrument
12. Season of the Year
13. Appliance / Machinery
14. Natural Phenomenon
15. Literary Character |
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.
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