Module 5: Topic Discussion, Annotated Bibliography, and Literary Research Paper
Overview
Congratulations! You have reached the final module of English Composition II, where we will discuss topics for writing, you will research your ideas for your chosen paper topic and you will compose your final paper. All the assignments in Module 5 are designed to guide you through the process of writing the literary research paper.
Your literary research paper is worth a total of 25 points which will comprise 25% of your final grade (see syllabus). Each category (mechanics, MLA, organization, development and clarity) will be worth a total of 5 points each for an overall total of 25 points. Remember that a good thesis statement is essential for good guidance in organizing your paper. Also, development will be judged by the relevance and effectiveness of the quotes that you include and discuss in your essay. The only difference in the research paper is that you will have a minimum of four (4) secondary sources and a minimum of one (1) primary source from which to draw your quotes and commentary. The literary research paper should be 4-5 pages (double spaced) in length and it should be presented in the same MLA format we have been working with all semester.
Discussion Questions and Replies (DQs and DQ replies)
1. Topic and Annotated Bibliography
Choose Orwell’s novel 1984 as the primary subject matter of your research paper. Decide on some aspect of the novel that you wish to write about for your final research paper. Some examples of possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following: CHOOSE ONE OF BELOW TOPICS: Write paper on one of below topics from novel
??Compare Orwell’s 1984 with the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. How does the protagonist of 1984, Winston Smith, compare with the boy in the tale? Why is the society in the novel 1984 considered a dystopia? What are the ideals of this society compared with the traditional ideals of 20th Century Europe and America? (historical, literary)
??Discuss Orwell’s political biography and explore the possibilities for “warnings” contained in the novel. What is Orwell attempting to warn the citizens of the future against? (historical, sociological)
??Research some current aspect of law, technology or social theory that has the potential to limit or restrict personal freedoms to the degree of personal constraint in 1984. Discuss ways that the freedoms we as Americans enjoyed 100 years ago have been altered in the name of “progress.” Is the so called progress worth the loss of these freedoms? Be sure to be specific and factual about the law/technology you are discussing. (technology, current events)
??Analyze the ways that “The Party” uses language to control the thoughts and lives of the citizens of Oceania. How is this effective? Compare and contrast the limitations on speech in Oceania with the protections for speech enshrined in our own U.S. Constitution. Why are these differences significant?
Annotated Bibliography: Requirements
• An annotated bibliography is a Works Cited page in the MLA format with a brief 3-4 sentence commentary inserted after each citation to summarize the main idea of the article being cited. This annotated bibliography is useful for stating why a source is valuable and how it relates to the topic of your research. See the link at
• The annotated bibliography must contain a minimum of 4 secondary sources from either online or print sources. At least 2 of these sources must be from the online literary databases. All sources must be academically appropriate and must be related to the thesis of your research essay.
• Be sure to save this document, because you will submit the Works Cited page again, without the commentary, as the Works Cited page for your final paper. Essay Assignment
Send your paper as an attachment to an email in the rich text format (rtf) with the subject line “literary research paper” by the date designated on the calendar tool. Be sure that your document has been grammar and spell checked and that there is a Works Cited page with at least 1 primary (literature) source and 4 secondary (critical article) sources. Please underline the thesis statement of your essay, which should appear in your introduction. I will judge your organization and development against how well your paragraphs support and develop your thesis statement. Your heading, title, running headers and in-text citations and spacing should follow the MLA format we have used throughout the course. Your essay should be approximately 4-5 pages long (minimum of 4 full pages, not 3 ½ pages) and should quote from each of your secondary sources at least once, as well as quoting from your primary source.
