Definition: A literary research paper is a compilation and interpretation of factual materials and of critics’ opinions on a specific subject in a literary work. Since the selection of materials is filtered and processed by the writer, the paper reflects the author’s views also; hence, it is both objective and subjective in content. Because the paper expresses the writer’s opinions, s/he must find a topic of interest from a work that s/he has read and examined. Writing Process 1. Select a topic related to a poem, short story, play, or novel that you have read. Note: The work which is under study is called the primary source; the critical and historical references are called secondary sources. 2. Write a tentative thesis to establish your purpose for research. This is what you are trying to support. After some reading, you may need to refine your thesis statement. 3. Prepare a working bibliography—a list of available sources. • Consult books of literary criticism, the MLA International Bibliography, and other books and periodicals related to your subject and author. • If your topic is current, check the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature. In addition, remember that much information is available on computer. Microfiche catalogs have replaced the card catalog in most libraries. Microforms contain information on a screen. • Make copies of information that you think is pertinent. 4. Take notes. There are two methods of note-taking: index cards and highlighting your copies. Select the one that works better for you unless instructed otherwise. If you select to use highlighting, use a different color highlighter for each topic within your subject (comparable to main points on the outline). 5. Make an outline using the information assembled from the notes. 6. Write a rough draft inserting parenthetical citations within the text unless instructed otherwise. This method of acknowledging sources has replaced footnotes and end notes because it is immediately accessible to the reader. Use guidelines from The Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (MLA), or some other source as assigned, for citations and works cited. 7. Write a Works Cited (bibliography) following MLA guidelines or any other reference assigned. 8. Lay the paper aside; proofread later. 9. Write the final copy. 10. Proofread the final copy. Research Paper Guidelines Sample Outline Notice that no correct number of letters or numbers exists; the only determining factor is the number of points you need to make for the required length of your paper. I. Introduction A. Background information connecting the reader to the subject B. Thesis statement II. First Main Point A. First subpoint 1. Supporting example or detail—either your insight or a critic’s comment paraphrased or directly quoted Never start a sentence with a quote that you have not introduced. a) First comment on support b) Second comment on support 2. Supporting example or detail (your comment on supporting detail from a critic) a) First comment b) Second comment B. Second subpoint 1. Supporting example or detail 2. Supporting example or detail C. Third subpoint (same as A, B above) At this point continue with D, E... if needed III. Second Main Point A. First subpoint—Comment on subpoint (only one comment on this detail) As in the above example, use a dash after a point if it is followed by only one detail or comment. B. Second sub point 1. Supporting example—only one comment on this example: hence use the dash, not an a by itself 2. Supporting example a) Comment b) Comment Continue with the same sequence alternating numerals and letters until you have completed outlining all of your material. IV. Critical Thinking Section A. Incorporate reactions to the source materials B. Include insights about the research topic C. Synthesize critical thinking threads V. Conclusion Affirm that the thesis has been proven General Guidelines • • • • • • • • Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper. Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from another. The font size should be 12 pt. Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor). Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides. Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times. Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.) Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis. If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted). Formatting the First Page of Your Paper • • • • • • Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested. In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text. Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters. Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking" Double space between the title and the first line of the text. Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines.)
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