· You will explore one or two characters or stories/essays read over the semester helps answer one of the following questions

Research Essay
The below guidelines must be followed to make a passing grade,
but does not determine an A:
· You will explore one or two characters or stories/essays read over the semester helps answer one of the following questions:
o How is love/marriage/sex used to comment on American life?
o How is race/class used to comment on American life?
o How is age/growth used to comment on American life?
o How is gender/sexuality used to comment on American life?
o How is tradition/history used to comment on American life?
· It must include a clear thesis statement with forecast.
o This thesis should reflect an argument or an analysis of one or two stories we read over the semester. Do not choose stories not read for class.
o Pick one or two stories, pick an above theme, create a thesis that analyzes the story or stories with the theme in mind.
o This is a literature paper. So, your essay and the points you are making in your essay need to be about these stories/essays or the characters from the story.
· It must be in MLA format.
o There are MLA resources provided in Blackboard to use as needed.
· It must include a Works Cited Page with your primary sources as well as 2 academic secondary sources.
o You are free to use more sources, but you are required to use at least two academic ones.
· It must be 2½ full pages but no more than 5.
· It must use textual evidence with in-text citations from all required sources.
· It must have a title.
o Title of the story does not work
o Research Essay or Story Analysis also will not work
o Be creative!
· It must not be in first person.
· It must adhere to basic essay structure.
o Be sure to pay attention to intros, body paragraphs, conclusion, transitions, grammar, mechanics and sentence structure
· Paper one is due on April 27.
· This paper is worth 25% of your overall class grade.