Research Essay
Attached Files: j Approved Novels for the Documented Essay (7).docx (14.362 KB)
Get a head start on the final exam essay, Documented Essay 4 on the novel You will be writing a thesis based, argumentative research essay. Your objective will be to select a theme present in The Handmaid’s Tale or one of the alternate novels you have chosen. Your argument/thesis will be based on that theme. Make sure you have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
You must use at least two credible outside sources, sources that I have not provided to you One must be a scholarly journal, the other may be a newspaper article, book, magazine article review, film, etc). Use at least two direct quotes in the paper. Wikipedia is not considered a legitimate outside source. Content aids such as Spark Notes, Monarch Notes Cliff Notes, etc. are also unacceptable. When obtaining outside sources it is a good idea to use journals, scholarly articles, and literary criticism. BMCC’s library is available online.
• Make sure to follow MLA guidelines for citation and Works Cited page.
• All papers must include: title page, works cited page, page numbers; margins should be set at 1″, and the font size should not exceed 12pt. Papers should be double-spaced. The works cited page is not considered in the page count.
• You must submit your final drafts through Blackboard’s SafeAssign. Late papers will not be accepted.
Here are a few examples of themes:
1. We find the theme of happiness in romantic relationships in the short stories “Story of an Hour” by Chopin and/or “Happy Endings” by Atwood. HINT: What argument can you make about happiness and/or romantic relationships? What are the arguments the authors are making about romantic relationships? What do the stories say about the times in which they were written? Are these stories helpful today? Research happiness in romantic relationships. What makes them successful?
2. Write a paper using the theme of equality to formulate a thesis using the novel by Atwood: HINT: Research Utopia/Equality. Can/Does it exist? Can total equality ever be achieved, and if so, do we really want that?
Give clear examples of how and why.
3. Write a paper using the theme of execution, capital punishment, imperialism, conscience, reality, truth, death, etc. to formulate a thesis using the novel by Atwood. Come up with an argument regarding this theme. Remember, an argument must have two sides in order to be arguable. A thesis cannot be a fact; it must be arguable.
4. The Handmaid’s Tale is not written like the common novel. Use any combination of source material based on literary criticism and evidence from the novel to create an argument about style. Research literary criticism as well as the form of the novel.
5. If you just want to get out of Gilead, you should have started the alternative novel already. Check the list.