Research Project Assignment

Students have a choice of two options for their research projects.

·        Option 1 is a traditional 7-10 page analytic / research essay relevant to the course.

·        Option 2 is a 10-15 page journal of research and reflections concerning a variety of materials relevant to the course.

Weight: approximately 30% of final grade

Due dates:

·        proposal due 18 March

·        project due 22 April

Lengths:

·        option 1 (analytic / research essay): 7-10 pages + "Works Cited"

·        option 2 (journal) 10-15 pages.

Description of Research Options:

Option 1 (analytic / research essay) requirements

·        This option involves a more or less "standard College English paper" in which the student analyzes a literary text or texts.

·        The topic is open to any type of literary analysis, but it must have some relevance to the course. That is, a member of the class reading your essay would be able to recognize the relevance of the text or its major themes.

·        Possible topics: tracing in one text, or comparing and contrasting in more than one text the development of a theme, image, symbol, usage of language, character type, plot pattern, or conflict.

·        In terms of primary texts, you may choose a text from beyond this course, but if you use more than one primary text, at least one should be from the course readings.

·        In terms of research, you must incorporate references to at least three secondary and background sources--that is, your research sources must include both secondary and background types of research; the distinction will be explained.

·        Follow MLA style for documentation and mechanics.

·        Length: 7-10 pages + Works Cited

·        Research Requirements: One or two primary sources; at least 3 secondary and background sources (distinction explained below). At least one source should be "print"--i. e., not from the internet.

Option 2 (journal) requirements

If you choose the journal option, you are not choosing an option that involves less work than the traditional research paper option. You are expected to do just as much work and your writing will be judged by similar standards. However, the writing may be less centrally or consistently focused on one subject. Thus you may pursue several subjects, which may not perfectly cohere.  All the same, I expect to see good absorption and expression of research and well-polished if exploratory writing. (In brief, the journal I read should not be your first drafts.) 

Required and optional journal elements, with suggested page limits:

(The optional elements may be added to and varied as your research develops.)

·        Introduction (required): 1-2 pages summarizing purpose and organization of journal.

·        Review of at least three secondary sources having to do with immigrant literature, however broadly or specifically focused.  These articles might pertain to our class readings or to your research on an ethnic group or an immigrant author. (At least one page each.  Head report with bibliographic citation, followed by a review of the scholar’s argument, evidence, and usefulness.) (At least 3 pages; these sources should be from printed materials, not the Web.)

·        Brief history of immigration and immigrant literature by a particular ethnic group (e. g., Italian-American, Chinese-American, Caribbean-American, Mexican-American), including a bibliography.  (The bibliography may be embedded in the text of this review.) (3 pages)

·        Review of one or more websites relevant to your subject. Review contents, accuracy, usefulness. (1-2 pages each)

·        The following elements are more optional: reflection on your own family’s immigration history (2-4 pages; interviews with family members?); interviews with recent immigrants regarding immigrant experience plus their reading habits (3-5 pages; regarding reading habits, what literature do they find relevant to their experience?)

·        Other possible items may be mentioned as the semester progresses. Also consider combining categories—for instance, your “immigrant author” could be from the “ethnic group” you also investigate. The journal is necessarily a "loose" form, so let your findings dictate your organization.

·        Conclusion (required): 1-2 pages summarizing what you have learned, what you would do next if you continued your research, how it might be applied.

Explanation of Research Terms

Primary texts. In research writing for literature, primary texts are usually works of fiction, poetry, or drama, though other genres may be similarly analyzed.  Background and secondary research.  You are required to refer directly to at least three background and secondary sources, though your mix of these three may vary, and of course you may refer to more than three.

Background sources refer to handbooks, encyclopedias, and companions to literature that provide basic generic, biographical, or historical information.  For purposes of Literature, these books are generally shelved in the PR and PS sections of the Reference section of the library.

Secondary sources refer to critical articles about particular authors or texts.  (When you write your analytic / research paper, you are creating a secondary source.)  These may take the form of articles or books.  Articles may be found in journals or in bound collections of essays.  Secondary books may be found on the regular shelves of the library.  To find secondary sources, perform a database search on the MLA directory in the Reference section of the library--the reference librarians will help you.

Documentation style: MLA style (parenthetical documentation + Works Cited page, as described in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 4^th or 5^th edition.

Other mechanical issues: A cover sheet is not necessary.

Email copy of paper to instructor at whitec@uhcl.edu. You are welcome to give me a hard copy on or around the due date, but before the semester is over you are required to provide an electronic copy.