ENG 115 Research Essay-Literary Analysis

Literary Analysis

You will be writing a RESEARCH-BASED argumentative/persuasive critical literary analysis that includes support from credible scholarly sources. 

• You should first select one text from this working period.

• Decide on a thesis for your analysis. Questions to help you analyze can be found in Chs. 1 & 2 of your textbook. You may also want to review the Annotated Student Research Paper (beginning on p. 63 in your textbook) so that you can better understand how this essay should be set up. This essay is, at its heart, a research paper. Additionally, consult the links entitled “Writing a Thesis for a Literary Analysis” and “Useful Terms for Writing a Literary Analysis.”

• Besides the literary work itself, you should include at least 4 credible scholarly sources that support your thesis. You may wish to contact a campus reference librarian for help (this is a good idea!). Your textbook does not count. Cite these sources in your text using either paraphrases or quotations in MLA format and on a Works Cited page.

• Proofread and edit for correct grammar and mechanics.

• Your essay should be original in its argument and reveal a fresh perspective on your text.

• Length: 5-6 pages (not including the works cited page), following the MLA formatting guidelines below:

Formatting:

• Your essay must be double-spaced
• Typed in Times New Roman
• 12 point font
• 1 inch margins
•  It must adhere to all MLA format standards (including these).
• You only need a heading on the essay, not a title page.
• Your essay is expected to be grammatically correct.
• The essay should have an MLA Works Cited page.

Grading on this assignment will focus equally on grammar and content.