Final Paper

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on September 1, 2015 at 10:48:15 pm

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Requirements:

Due: 30 November 2015
Points: 300 (30% of total grade)
Length: 8-12 pages. MLA format.
Purpose: Use outside research to expand upon a close reading of an American text from before 1865 that we did not for this course.
SEE RUBRIC BELOW FOR MORE SPECIFICS.
Post final papers on your personal roster page AND on TURNITIN

Turnitin ID and password:

10517267 / ENG2033

Scaffolded Steps (Journals)

The Nineteenth Century in Print and Making of America Project: finding an artifact from before 1865(10pts)

Find and identify an artifact from online databases above.
Find and identify three possible primary texts for your final paper (American literature written before 1865 that is not being studied in class)

American Encounters: Redefining America (10pts)

Think about the course theme of American encounters. In 3-5 paragraphs, define this theme (or some other theme from the course). What are the criteria for an encounter? When and where do American encounters occur?

Doing a Close Reading (10pts)

Select one passage from the text and do a close reading (3-5 paragraphs). The close reading should tie into the theme for the paper.

Making Connections: texts and artifacts (10pts)

Think about the course theme of American encounters. In 3-5 paragraphs, discuss how you see this theme (or some other theme from the course) developing in both your artifact and one of your primary texts

Secondary Sources (10 pts)

Create a list of possible sources (5 secondary, scholarly texts).

See "Primary vs Secondary Sources" if you have questions about what constitutes secondary texts.

Thesis and Outline (10pts)
Revising a Paper (10pts)
Reflection Letter and Participation (30pts)

Description

For the final research paper, you will choose a theme from the course to explore on your own both through secondary research and in a primary text and artifact (see the example above). The final paper should make an argument (have a clear thesis). Although you should support your claims with research, the argument should be your own. This is not a book report, this is a new exploration into American literature and culture.

This argument will be developed in Journals:

ü The Nineteenth Century in Print and Making of America Project: finding an artifact from before 1865(10pts)

ü American Encounters: Redefining America (10pts)

ü Doing a Close Reading (10pts)

ü Making Connections: texts and artifacts (10pts)

ü Secondary Sources (10 pts)

ü Thesis and Outline (10pts)

ü Revising a Paper (10pts)

ü Reflection Letter and Participation (30pts)

The research paper should follow standard MLA guidelines.

The online presentation should convey all the main points of the research paper in an interactive online format. It should include both visual and textual elements.