Proposal Format (5%)

• Briefly summarize the short story, poem or play you have chosen.
• Respond by discussing what you believe is the most interesting or significant idea presented by this piece.
• Explain the critical perspective you have chosen and why. This may well include a brief overview of the critical approach as well as any of the knowledge you may have about the proponents of this particualr methodology.
• Explain how you think this perspective will help you understand the piece.

The Research (5%)
Research your topic thoroughly and compile an annotated bibliography. This work should help you with your in-class presentation. Some of your findings may include other interpretations or critiques of the literature. Some of your research may involve gaining a better understanding of the particular framework you want to use, including a sample of a particular critique using that framework. You do not have to be limited to a critique that uses the same text as you do.

The paper: (10%)

Focus: Using no more than 2-3 of the best web resources, answer your research question. The answer is your thesis.

Use your acquired knowledge to write a 4-5 page paper that interprets the short story, poem or play with your chosen framework. For instance, if you chose a Formalist approach to Dickinson's poetry, you may have discovered a reason for her use of dashes. What did that lead you to understand about her poems that you didn't see before? Your paper should be a fairly thorough analysis of the text using a specific framework.

A large part of the paper should include a reflection upon the particular framework you chose, the literary text you analyzed as well as your actual learning experience. Therefore, do pay close attention to how your interpretation of the work may or may not have changed.

Bottom line:
Your 4-5 page paper should include an exploration of your topic using a specific critical framework. Your class presentation material could be the starting point of your discussion. Your discussion should help a reader more clearly understand the material.

Manuscript considerations:
Cite outside sources carefully in the body of your paper using clear signal phrases and any necessary background information and / or context for each source. As you write your paper, be sure to be clear where your information is coming from. Clear signal phrases are necessary so the reader understands the difference between your language and ideas and the language and ideas from your sources. Paraphrase most of the information, and use direct quotes for the finer details. Document all your sources on the Works Cited page and the annotated bibliography of online resources.

Works Cited and Annotated Bibliography
At the close of this paper, you will provide a Works Cited page, documenting the sources you used in your paper. Following your Works Cited page, include your final annotated bibliography. Complete a self evaluation as the last step in the process.

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