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Instructions and Grading Requirements for Research Paper
A research paper is an attempt to put together information that answers a question or solves a
problem. It is NOT a presentation of information meant to merely inform the reader. A
researcher always begins with a question and then proceeds to use information to prove his/her
answer or solution is reasonable. A research paper is original in nature, it is based on the ideas
and conclusions of the researcher; it is not a compilation of sources pasted and spliced together.
It is an ARGUMENT based on EVIDENCE that proves a THESIS.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students shall be able to demonstrate thinking skills by analyzing, synthesizing, and
evaluating historical information from multiple sources.
2. Students will develop the ability to distinguish between fact and fiction while
understanding that there is no one historical truth.
3. Students will produce well researched written work that engages with both primary
sources and the secondary literature.
4. Students will develop an informed familiarity with multiple cultures.
5. Students will employ a full range of techniques and methods used to gain historical
knowledge.
6. Students will develop an ability to convey verbally their historical knowledge.
7. Students will demonstrate their understanding of cause and effect along with their
knowledge of the general chronology of human experience.
Paper Requirements:
1. Presentation Requirements: The paper must be typed, double-spaced, use 12 pt. typeface,
black ink, 1-inch margins, page numbers, and be on white paper. You must include a
cover page and your bibliography/works cited page (NOTE: this is just a list of the
sources and should not be annotated, but must have sources separated by type and in
alphabetical order). Attach your rough draft and your comments from the Writing Center
and Librarians to the back of the final draft. I would prefer the entire package be stapled,
but if it is too bulky you may use a folder (as long as it is not a plastic one!!!).
2. Length: The paper must be a minimum of ten (10) pages long, and should not exceed
twelve (12), but if you need to exceed 12 pages by a little that’s fine. The cover page and
bibliography are not included in the page count. Papers that are substantially too long or
too short will have points deducted.
3. Format: You must use the 16th Edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (available online
through the UTEP Library). You must use footnotes or endnotes (not the Author-Date
Reference style), but notes are also not included in the required length of the actual text.
4. Content: The final paper must have a clearly stated research question or problem, a clear
thesis that provides an answer to the question, adequate and relevant sources cited
throughout the text of the paper, a thorough discussion of the sources/evidence, a logical
progression to the argument that includes transitions from one point to the next, and a
clear conclusion.
5. Criteria for grading:
a. All assignments are handed in on time.
b. The degree to which you have incorporated comments from the instructor,
Librarians, and the Writing Center.
c. Quality and quantity of sources.
d. Correct in-text citations and properly formatted bibliography/works cited page.
e. Quality of writing. Papers must be clearly written and must not contain typos,
spelling errors, grammar errors, poor or confusing sentence structure, etc.
f. Originality. All papers must be the sole work of the student. Copying from any
source or another student means the paper will be turned in to the Dean of
Students for further review and possible disciplinary action. Trust your own
abilities. Be creative and imaginative, if you have immersed yourself in the
information and explored your ideas completely your paper will be interesting and
valuable.
g. A convincing argument. If you have created a clear thesis, a consistent argument,
provided sufficient evidence, and provided a logical conclusion you will have
successfully convinced the audience that you are an expert and have proven your
thesis.
Format for Cover Page
Your Name
Title of Paper
Research Question
Brief Description of Topic
Thesis Statement
Alejandra Ponce
HIST/WS 3309
TR 12-1:20
Annotated Bibliography
Cole, Thomas B. "Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz." JAMA 305, no.5 (2011): 442-442
Secondary source - Journal. This journal focuses on the life and acts of Sor Juana in
society. It identifies all the poems and plays that were written by the main actors. It also
identifies the specific themes, which Sor Juana was advocating for in the society. The
article also provides a small background on the life of Sor Juana Ines de La Cruz. It
identifies that Juana came from a small family and had a poor background. The paper
also identifies that Sor and the rest of her siblings had been born as illegitimate members
of a family. The article states that Sor Juana developed a high sense for the books at a
very small age in her life. Often, Sor Juana developed a quick understanding for books
learning the behavior from the grandparents. At one point in life Juana is noted to have
privately disguised them as a university student just to get to school and continue reading.
Ultimately, Sor Juana became one of the individuals of the colonial viceroy court. Sor
was able to astonish all the members of the court as she stood out as one of the brightest
and promising individuals in the midst of people who had been learning all of their life.
Juana showed the true power of studying and excellence in school, she is considered a
role model for all women who achieve greater things despite all odds.
Glantz, Margo. "The construction of a figure of genius: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz."
Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies 4, no.2 (1995): 175-189.
Secondary source -Journal. Margo looks at all the published works of Sor Juana in the
society. Margo concludes that most of the works that were published by Sor Juana were
genius and intelligent. More importantly specific emphasis has been placed on the role of
a critic in a society that only listened to one voice. Most of her works have been greatly
appreciated by men in the society. Two main reasons are identified as the main reason as
to why most men accepted this work. The first reason being, that it came from a woman
and the second one, coming from a nun showing criticism to the same church that they
are allegedly supposed to protect. The rebellious and philosophical understanding of the
paper is also brought out quite distinctively. Most of the authors have been asked to take
up some of the religious and philosophical components and apply them directly in the
society. Magor provides great exception for the works of Sor Juan since she managed to
print out all works in a society that had more bureaucratic processes as well as the worse
understanding on the role of women in the society. Magor notes religious barriers and
obstacles that were mostly placed on the works of Sor Juana. Additionally, Magor notes
the publication of all works despite the censorship obstacles.
Schons, Dorothy. "Some obscure points in the life of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz." Modern
Philology 24, no. 2 (1926): 141-162.
Secondary source - Journal. Schons notes the obscure situations continuously happened
in the life of Sor Juana. More importantly, the author does not focus on the life or
autobiography of Sor Juana, which has not yet been written. The author agrees that most
of the works of Juana would not be published because she was a nun in a contemporary
society, which advocated for the rights of the Catholic Church. Most of the documents
would not be published from the initial time because of these obstacles that had been
mounted by the society. Most of the works of Sor Juana, which had not been published,
were moved to Mexico and other areas. The period involving this movement ensured that
the works of Sor Juana would become destroyed. As a result, some of the works of Sor
Juana were never published although they had already been written and provided to the
publication press. Additionally, the author asks numerous questions as to why Sor Juana
went to the seminary in the first case. Another question that is majorly asked involves the
real intention for Sor Juana as she had already been appointed as the lady waiting for the
marchioness of Mancera.
Weagel, Deborah. "Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz in Seventeenth-Century New Spain and
Finding a Room of One's Own." CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 7, no.
1 (2005): 5.
Secondary source – Journal. Deborah examines the relationship of two works of Sor
Juana de la Cruz. This works were, “Finding a Room of One’s Own” and “Sor Juana Inés
de la Cruz in Seventeenth-Century New Spain.” In the first book, Weagel identifies the
need for women to have financial freedom and private space in their life. This is
compared to the life of Sor Juana who lived in the seventeenth century struggling to find
both a private space and financial freedom. Sor Juana was contended with the life that she
lived, specially, the society that was more a dominant patriarchal culture. The society
domestic life, and religion, has been dominated by the events of the patriarchal society.
Sor Juana struggled with Spanish inquisition during a time that dissenters and aggressors
were severely punished in the society, especially when they were against the catholic
church. Nevertheless, this never stopped Sor Juana from continuing writing papers,
composing poems and obtaining knowledge in the society. In other words, Sor Juana
stood out as an individual who opposed the same church whom which she believed the
principles. Sor Juana managed to create a room for her in society. Sor Juana managed to
become a major voice for those who were oppressed in the society. The creation of this
form of space tool was more than it was initially anticipated.
Cruz, Sor Juana Inés de la. "Respuesta a sor Filotea de la Cruz." Fontamara, México
(1998).
Secondary source - Monograph. The monograph highlights the important works of Sor
Juana. The most important conflict highlighted in this monograph is between Sor Juana
and one of the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. The bishop holds firm believes
that women should never be accepted to learn any philosophical aspects. This had been
the nature of the society that this people had been living for all of these years. Sor Juana
comes out gun blazing going against the normal standards set for nuns in the Catholic
Church. Her response to the bishop and the Catholic Church is one which received
worldwide attention concerning the role of women in the society. Sor Juana draws the
role of women from women who were leaders in the society. One perfect example that
Sor Juana writes in her response to the bishop is the role Hypatia of Alexandria, who was
killed by the Neoplatonic philosopher in the year 415. Sor Juana uses such an example to
show the important role that women play in the society. Son Juana paints an image of an
intellect in the society. It pains an image of an individual who is ready to fight for what
she believes in. Sor Juana possesses an image of a progressive leader in society.
De la Cruz, Sister Juana Inés. Poems, Protest, and a Dream: Selected Writings. Penguin
1997.
Secondary source - Monograph. The monograph represents a translation of one of the
works that were originally written by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Important elements
present in this monograph include the response of Sor Juana to one of the bishops of the
Catholic Church who intended to diminish the role of women in the society. The bishop
also intended to let her know the place of the nuns in the society. However, instead of the
nun giving in to the demands of the Catholic Church and the bishops, Sor Juana decides
to passionately advocate for the rights of the women in the society. The monograph is
composed of a serious of poems all aimed at identifying the important role of women in
society. Some of the important elements fought for by Juana include the rights of women
to study, to write and to teach. These rights were exclusively reserved for some members
of the community and more specifically the male child and other high class members of
the society. Anybody who came from the minority communities or low social class was
never welcomed in any classroom. To worsen the condition, most members of the
Catholic Church never advocated for the rights of these people in the society.
de la Cruz, Sister Juana Inés, Margaret Sayers Peden, and Gabriel Seymour. A woman of
genius: the intellectual autobiography of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Lime Rock Pr,
1982.
Secondary source - Monograph. The book was originally written by Sor Juana and
translated by the other authors. The book focuses on the life of Sor Juana. It outlines the
important role that Sor Juana played in making a case for women in the society. The
autobiography starts by describing the childhood of Sor Juana and the family. An
important factor noted is that Juana and all siblings were born in an illegitimate family.
However, despite all the difficulties faced by Juana, she emerges stronger from all
circumstances and refuses to become a victim of circumstances. The autobiography notes
the numerous times that Juana makes an effort to educate herself despite the numerous
obstacles placed in her path. The autobiography notes that Juana leaves one of the most
prestigious chances to become a member of the royal court. Juana makes the decision to
become a nun to advocate for the rights of women within the confines of the church. She
did this because she believed that the church was not playing its role in the society. The
church had become one of the organs that did not fight for the rights of women in the
society. It became too much involved in secular issues rather than religious issues.
de la Cruz, Sister Juana Inés, and Alan S. Trueblood. A Sor Juana Anthology. Harvard
University Press, 1988.
Secondary source- Monograph. The above monograph was written many years ago and
were later discovered and translated in the twentieth century by different authors. The
monograph is composed of poems written by Sor Juana highlighting the unfortunate
situations of women in society. The works reveal an advocate for the rights of all women
in the society done by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Juana is seen telling other women to see
themselves both intellectually and artistically. Most of the poems that have been written
by Sor Juana talk about the discrimination that most women in the society have been put
through by men. Sor Juana blames the male members of the society for attempting to
bring down all issues that would see same rights for all women and men in the society.
The poem lyrics moved the society and more so because she became a nun to advocate
for all issues related to women, although most of her works were criticized by the male
members of the society. Sor Juana paints an image of a woman who does not give up
fighting for the rights of women in the society. The book recognizes Sor Juana de la Cruz
as a woman rights advocate in a male dominated society.
Couch, Beatriz Melano. "Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz: The first woman theologian in the
Americas." The Church and Women in the Third World (2015).
Primary source. The article focuses on the role of women in the church. More specifically
it looks at the role of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz in the church. Sor Juana entered the
church as a young nun with no interest in any area of interest. It was during this period
that the nun started advocating for the rights of the women. In this book she wrote a paper
criticizing the earlier works of a priest’s sermon. In one of her letters, Son Juana focused
on telling the priests to be more concerned with religious issues rather than placing a lot
of emphasis on religious leaders. Although Sor Juana was criticized for the actions, Sor
Juana remained steadfast and did not fall in the pressure asking the withdrawal of all
papers. Additionally, when still in prison Sor Juana wrote a letter, which showed, she was
fighting for the oppressed women in the society. Most of the works conducted by Sor
Juana were done in the church. Juana later died in the church while attempting to treat
patients who had been affected by the plague. Sor Juana played an essential role in being
one of the critiques of the church and more specifically when it came to religious issues.
De la Cruz, Sister Juana Inés, Margaret Sayers Peden, and Gabriel Seymour. A woman of
genius: the intellectual autobiography of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Lime Rock Pr,
1982.
Primary source. This is one of the primary works of De la Cruz. It talks of a major
declaration of all women. The book was published after the death of the nun in 1701 and
translated into English in the subsequent years. The autobiography talks of the life of Sor
Juana. It starts by introducing her childhood and all activities that she was involved in. It
also establishes the importance of early education and how Juana developed a sense of
reading from an early age despite of all the pressure that girls like her faced in the society
at that period. It goes on to narrate all activities that Sor Juana was engaged in while
being a nun. More specifically, Sor Juana questions the high authority in focusing all
energies on the negative activities that most of the priest and nuns were engaging in. This
never augurs well among all the religious leaders in the institution who attempt to
threaten Sor Juana with sanctions. Juana does not give in into pressure, a major trait that
makes her stand out in the community and in the whole society. At the end Sor Juana is
considered as one of the individuals who started reforms in the church. Sor Juana uses the
position in the church to advocate for the rights of women in the society.
"Sor Juana Inés De La Cruz | Academy Of American Poets". 2016. Poets.Org.
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/sor-juana-in%C3%A9s-de-la-cruz.
Primary source. The above piece outlines all the life events in the life of Sor Juana. It
outlines the events that take place from the time Sor Juana was born to her death during
the plague witnessed in 1655. The biography emphasizes that Sor Juana was born in an
illegitimate family. Despite all the difficulties involved in her childhood, Sor Juana goes
against all odds in a male dominated society to establish herself as one of the greatest
advocates for women during her life. Sor Juana is much interested in bringing out all the
negative ills of the men in the society. Sor Juana’s reading prowess becomes
unquestionable in a society that had denied women such rights. Her beauty makes her a
source of great admiration making her to easily clinch the royal seat in the palace.
However, Sor Juana goes against all of these odds to bring out the injustices that were
being committed in the Catholic Church. She does this knowing quite frankly that there
are many stumbling blocks that await them in that current society. Lastly, Sor Juana
manages to bring out all the ills that the Catholic Church was advocating for in the
society. Sor Juana criticism does have an effect in the way the Catholic Church manages
some of their events in the seventeenth century.
"You Men Poem by Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz - Poem Hunter". 2014. Poemhunter.Com.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/you-men/.
Primary source. You men is a poem written by Sor Juana. It outlines all the practices that
men have engaged in diminishing the status of women in the society. It goes forth and
clearly states how men have become a major obstacle for women’s success. Sor Juana
notes that men see everything that has been done by a woman as wrong in the society.
Additionally, Sor Juana notes that men fault even the women thinking abilities. The poem
goes further to indicate that man will go after a woman who have already won a plea
against the numerous allegations in the society. Sor Juana outlines to men that they
cannot survive the world without women. Furthermore, Juana states that the world would
have no meaning if the women would not be given a chance in the society to become
better members and appreciate all the events in the society. Sor Juana points out those
men will remain being the same. They would ensure that women do not have a voice in
the society because it ensures that they maintain the status quo in the society. Lastly, Sor
Juana notes that the society has become more of a worse place than before because men
have refused to provide an opportunity to women in the society.