American Literature Seminar

FourthQuarter Paper

Flannery O’Connor (A Good Man is Hard to Find), Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove) and Arthur Miller (The Crucible) are three authors who changed America. Each author had a specific reason to write the works we read (or will read) or watched in class. Choose O’Connor, McMurtry, or Miller and research the time period surrounding the writing of the novel. Seek out the reason each wrote the work and compose a 3-4 page paper detailing the information. The paper must be more than three and a half pages, but it may not exceed four pages. Papers that do not meet the requirements or are short and papers that exceed the requirements or are long will be penalized.

The use of Cliff Notes, Spark Notes or any similar source may be used only with the permission of the instructor.

This paper is due on March 25th, 2013. Late papers will be severely penalized. Papers submitted on Thursday, March 21st, 2013 will receive a five point bonus. This paper will be averaged with the Third quarter paper to make up the semester exam grade.

All papers must be submitted to Turnitin.com. Hard copies of the paper will not be accepted, but a receipt of your submission must be available in order to receive credit for your paper.

In order to succeed in this project, the following steps should be taken:

1. Research the author’s works.

2. Take notes or highlight and organize your thoughts.

3. Research the novel and time period for historical aspects.

4. Prepare a basic outline of the paper--use a topic outline to begin, add details and prepare a final sentence outline.

THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL PAPER IS ORGANIZATION

  1. Write and revise a draft of the paper. Be sure to proofread the draft carefully. The best way to proofread is to read the paper aloud.
  1. Type the final draft and proofread again.
  1. Check the paper for proper documentation. A plagiarized paper, even in the slightest will receive an F. The Marian High School English Department subscribes to TURNITIN.com. Keep in mind that the paper is part of your final exam grade worth 20% of the semester grade.
  1. Be sure to see me for an appointment if you are having any major difficulties.

GOOD LUCK

Remember, this paper must be submitted to Turnitin.com byMarch 25th, 2013at the beginning of the class period. Late papers will be penalized.