Texts:
Lawn, Beverly, Forty Short Stories. 2nd ed. Boston and New York:
Bedford/St.
Martin's, 2004.
Raimes, Ann. Keys
for Writers: A Brief Handbook. 5th
ed. Boston: Houghton,
2007.
Argument and other supplementary materials to be provided.
NB All formal assignments, both in class and out, are to be prepared on a computer and printed (double-spaced) with one-inch margins and a 12-pt. font. All work must be saved in Word (.doc). Electronic copies of all compositions must be available (accessible, readable, subject to revision) during class; send copies to yourself via email. No exceptions.
26 Aug. Introduction.
28 The research topic: Keys 102-126. Basic searches.
2 Sept. Documentation, format, reporting on sources: Keys 134-37, 158-65. Sample research essay to be provided.
Due: Proposed topic for research project, with at least one alternative.
4 The working (or preliminary) bibliography; Keys 166-204.
Collaborative exercises in class on bibliography forms: Books and websites.
Due: Paraphrase of a passage to be assigned.
9 Library instruction. Library exercises.
11 Library instruction, continued. Library exercises.
16 Using sources: Keys 126-49. Exercises in class.
Due: Paraphrase of a passage to be assigned.
Collaborative exercises in class on bibliography forms: Articles (periodicals paged anew in each issue; periodicals paged continuously throughout the volume).
18 Forty S.: Maupassant, "The Necklace" 55-62; Walker, "Everyday Use" 427-35.
Due: A full, specific, well-constructed
paragraph in which you explain at least one significant similarity between Mathilde Loisel and Dee Johnson. Practice
using brief key quotations and (in this case) authors' last names and page
numbers in parentheses.
23 Forty S.: Chopin, "The Story of an Hour" 63-65; Steinbeck, "The Chrysanthemums" 258-68. Remember to be prepared for quizzes.
25 In-class writing: A full, specific, well-constructed paragraph on one of the following topics: (1) By the end of the story, how has Mrs. Mallard come to view her marriage? Or how is the ending of the story ironic? (2) What is Elisa Allen's view of her place as a woman in the early twentieth century? Or what is the thematic significance of her "gift with things," her "planter's hands"? Prepare in advance so that you will be able to practice using brief quoted support (words and phrases) and in-text documentation. Bring notes on relevant passages with you to class. And be sure to have your disk with you. Or be prepared to use your dedicated space on the college server.
30
Due: Annotated bibliography of at least five sources, including
one example of the following: book, periodical article, reliable website. Include
photocopies or printouts of pages containing relevant bibliographical
information: author(s), title(s), publication data, date(s), URLs, etc.
2 Oct. Due: One-page proposal for the research project, indicating the prospective narrow focus (point of view, “conclusion”) of the essay and the probable main points (Roman numeral headings) to be covered. Include direct references to 3 sources (with in-text documentation) and a works cited page.
Peer review of proposals in class.
Due: Paraphrase of a significant paragraph in one of your major sources. Include a photocopy or printout of the original paragraph.
7 Oct. Forty S.: Welty, “A Worn Path” 269-76; Tan, "Two Kinds" 468-78.
Thesis, outlining: Exercises in class.
9 In-class writing: A full, specific, well-constructed paragraph on one of the following topics: (1) What is most admirable about Old Phoenix? Or what particular social obstacles does she face in her life? (2) Why does the mother of Tan's narrator want her to be a "prodigy"? Or what does the narrator mean by saying that she did not believe she could be anything she wanted to be in America? Prepare in advance so that you will be able to practice using brief quoted support (words and phrases) and in-text documentation. Bring notes on relevant passages with you to class. And be sure to have your disk with you. Or be prepared to use your dedicated space on the college server.
14 Examination 1 (literature and four basic bibliography forms).
16 Argument (materials to be provided).
Fall
Break: 20-21 Oct.
23 Individual conferences.
28 Conferences on thesis and outline for primary source paper. Be prepared to work on your paper while fellow students are having conferences.
30 Due: First full draft of the primary source paper, with thesis and outline page and work cited page, all double-spaced, with brief quoted support (words and phrases) an in-text documentation, fastened with a paper clip. Include a preliminary draft. All due at the beginning of the class period.
Review: Guidelines for preparing the research essay.
4 Nov.
Conferences on the primary source paper.
Be prepared to work quietly in class.
Due: Updated composite annotated bibliography
of at least 3 more substantive sources (at least one book, one periodical
article, one reliable website). Include photocopies or printouts of pages
containing relevant bibliographical information as indicated above.
6 Conferences on preparation for research essay: Thesis (with essay map), outline.
Due: Final draft of the primary source paper. Include the first draft.
11
13
Due: First (not “rough”) draft
of at least the first third of the research essay through one main section (at
least the first Roman numeral heading), in a large envelope: Including thesis
(with essay map) and outline, body (with in-text documentation, at least 3
sources cited), composite annotated bibliography of at least 9 sources
(at least one book, one periodical article, one reliable website), photocopies or printouts
of most relevant material used in the essay (authors or titles and page numbers
clearly indicated), with at least the first 5 passages used in the essay (at least one
quoted and one paraphrased) coded in that order in the margins. Include
a preliminary draft.
18 Examination 2: the research process.
20 Further conferences on research essay. Be prepared to work on revision while fellow students are in conference. Due: First complete draft of the research essay (as if it were the final draft), including thesis (with attached essay map) and outline page, list of works cited only (at least 5, including a book, a periodical article, and a reliable website), photocopies or printouts of all the material used in the paper (authors or titles and page numbers clearly indicated), with at least the first 10 passages used in the paper (at least one quoted and one paraphrased) numbered in that order in the margins—all in a large envelope (the paper itself fastened with a paper clip, not a staple or plastic or paper binder). Include a preliminary draft.
25 Continued conferences on research essay. Be prepared to work on revision while fellow students are in conference.
Thanksgiving: 26-28 Nov.
2 Dec. Conferences on research essay. Be prepared to work on revision while fellow students have conferences.
4 Due: Final draft of research essay, in a large envelope: Thesis (with essay map) and outline, body (with in-text documentation, at least 7 sources cited), works cited page (no annotations this time); include the first draft and all supplementary materials, as well as photocopies or printouts for any new material used in the revised paper, with at least the first 10 passages used in the essay (at least one quoted and one paraphrased) coded in that order in the margins.
9 Conferences and review.
16
Tuesday, 16 December, 2:30 PM. Oral reports on research projects.
Student evaluation of oral reports. No exceptions; everyone must be present:
Do not plan to leave campus early.
Return to English 112 home page.