English 102 Library Module

Researching & Documenting a Literary Analysis Paper

Introduction: Things to Know about this Seven-Part Tutorial

This tutorial will guide you through a research process for writing and completing your literary analysis paper. The tutorial is divided into seven parts. You are expected to work sequentially through all parts, and within each part, to complete one or more exercises and/or assignments. You must complete and submit the ASSIGNMENTS to your instructor, who, at her or his discretion, might ask you to submit or discuss the EXERCISES.

PLEASE NOTE:  Throughout this process, you are encouraged to seek help from the  Academic Support Center, either in person or online. Statistics demonstrate that students who use the Center's services  four or more times develop their writing skills and increase their assignment grades.

You can enter each tutorial part by clicking part titles below or in the menus at the top and bottom of each tutorial.

Part 1:  From Topic to Thesis Statement:

First, you have to choose a work, or works, for analysis. Consider starting with a favorite author, a novel, a play, short stories or poems that you would like to read and analyze. This work should be either classic literature or by a modern author who is considered "literary." Authors such as John Grisham and Stephen King, while acceptable, are harder to research, requiring considerably more time and effort. Furthermore, you will need to focus on a particular topic present in the work, or works, you choose, for example:  the role of women, racism, religion, use of color, symbolism, etc. Informed by preliminary research, you will transition your chosen topic to a supportable thesis statement.

Consult syllabus for due date.

Part 2:  Locating Sources:

You will need sources to support your thesis statement. In Part 2, you will be directed to the Library's online catalog (CHESCAT) and literary databases. Using NoodleBib, you will compile a Working Bibliography to be submitted to your instructor or cut and pasted into your class's discussion board in WebCT.

Consult syllabus for due date.

Part 3:  Evaluation of Sources:

In English 101, you had to evaluate the quality and credibility of your sources. In this class, you must do so to an even greater degree. You will have to determine whether a source is an analysis or a review. For this assignment, you are required to use critical analyses, NOT reviews, such as book reviews. You will have to determine whether a source is appropriate for a literary research paper, and you will have to determine whether a source provides insight into the topic of your paper and support for your thesis statement.

Consult syllabus for due date.

Part 4:  Putting  One of Your Sources to the Test

You will "grade" one of your sources for its research-appropriateness and its value to you in this assignment.

Consult syllabus for due date.

Part 5: Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

 You will review how to avoid plagiarism by properly documenting all sources that you have used in your paper.

You will need to correctly CITE all sources that you have quoted, summarized or paraphrased in your paper. This crucial citing is done with parenthetical references embedded within the text of your paper. Proper citing with parenthetical references ensures that you avoid plagiarism and are using others' ideas legally.

Consult syllabus for due date.

Part 6:  The Works Cited Page

You will learn about the important relationship that exists between your parenthetical references and your Works Cite page. You will do an exercise in creating a correctly formatted Works Cited page.

Consult syllabus for due date.

Part 7: The Finish Line

While working on your rough draft you will visit the Academic Support Center for assistance and review.

Consult syllabus for due date.

ICONS

Throughout this tutorial, you will see recurring activity or information icons.
Here's what they mean:

ICON KEY		The "amateur weightlifter" icon indicates an exercise for you to complete. These are designed to reinforce learning by having you apply concepts presented in each part of this module. You must do each exercise. At the discretion of your instructor, you might be asked to submit and/or discuss your results.
		The "online task" icon indicates a required assignment that must be submitted to your instructor. An assignment will appear within a gray box, like this:   ASSIGNMENT
		The "Help" icon indicates a helpful explanation or the availability of a tutorial. In most cases, these tutorials are provided as refreshers for the review of database searching concepts first presented in English 101.
		If you want to explore beyond the minimum requirements of this tutorial, look for this icon -- and go the extra mile to learn even more about doing literary research. Going "The Extra Mile" is optional.
		The "green exclamation point" marks a point worth EMPHASIZING! Pay close attention to information marked by this icon.

 
Continue to Part 1.  From Topic to Thesis Statement