Engl. MO1B T.

Coleman

Research Assignment

For this final research assignment, students will write an 8-10 page essay that analyzes a character from
the play Fences or the novel Song of the Hummingbird (25% of your final grade in the course). Your essay
should analyze the way in which the setting affects the character. How does the time period and socio-
political climate play a role in the character’s actions, choices and the overall outcome of the story/play?
Through this analysis, your essay should show how your character reflects an overall theme the author is
trying to convey. This will be your thesis. What larger theme is the author trying to convey through the
character?

Themes: Race, Men and Masculinity, Death, Betrayal, Duty and Responsibility, Loss, Dreams and
Hopes, and Family.

Your essay should utilize 5 outside sources. Two of these sources should be primary sources. The other
three should be secondary sources, specifically literary criticism. The primary sources should help you
understand the context (history, setting: social political climate, geographic locale, time period, etc.).
The secondary sources will help you place your discussion in a broader academic discussion about the
text itself, the author and his or her body of work.

All of your sources should be used in the body of your paper to support your ideas and back up your
claims. Proper MLA formatting of your in-text citations and the works cited page is expected.

At least one theoretical perspective must be used in your analysis.

Critical approaches to literature:

Historical approach
Psycho-analytic approach
Feminist approach
Marxist approach (can consider class and race)
-See your textbook pages 1971-1995

Generic Outline

I. Introduction-
A. Introduce your topic and the text you are analyzing. Provide a brief summary of the text
itself and state your thesis.
II. Context-
B. Provide appropriate historical information or background to place the play or novel into
a specific context. This is where you will utilize your primary sources.
C. Make a connection between the context or setting of the texts and the character you
are analyzing.
D. Bring in the critical approach or theoretical perspective you are using to help analyze
your character.
III. Support your thesis with a statement about your character.
A. Provide specific evidence form the text.
B. Provide an analysis of the quotation or example.
 C. Include support from the secondary sources.
IV. Support your thesis with a statement about your character.
A. Provide specific evidence form the text.
B. Provide an analysis of the quotation or example.
D. Tie in historical information to support your point.
E. Include support from the secondary sources.
A. Support your thesis with a statement about your character.
F. Provide specific evidence form the text.
G. Provide an analysis of the quotation or example.
H. Tie in historical information to support your point.
I. Include support from the secondary sources.
B. Conclusion- re-visit your thesis. Bring your reader back to the historical context of the work and
show why the reader should consider the relationship between the character and his or her
environment. How does this fictional character connect to the larger world or some larger point
to be made?

Grading Rubric: (250 points total or 25% of your final Grade)

Outline: 25pts.
Rough draft 25pts.
Final draft (200pts.)
Works Cited 20pts.
In-text Citations 20pts.
Formatting (headers, page numbering, spacing, use of MLA formatting)
20pts.
5 required sources 20pts.
Clear focus (thesis) 50pts.
Organization 50pts.
Use of standard Eng. 20pts.

Timeline:

Monday 11/6 Outline due

Monday 11/13 Draft of Introduction and context (opening section)

Monday 11/27 Writing Workshop- Bring hardcopy

Wednesday 11/29 Final draft due!