6/8/22, 4:33 PM Introduction to the Research Paper and Topic Selection - Introduction to the Research Paper and Topic

search Paper and Topic Selection

Section 1 of 1

Introduction to Introduction to the Research Paper and Topic

Selection
the Research
Paper and Topic
Selection

0% COMPLETE

Introduction to the Research

Objectives
Paper and Topic Selection
The student will understand the benefits and purposes of research papers.

The student will review the details of this research paper assignment.

The student will use questions to select a research paper topic.

Why Write a Literary Analysis Research Paper?

If you pay close attention when you read, you probably notice that some characters are similar to each other, while
others are opposites. Some works cover similar themes or events, even though the authors have different opinions
and messages to share about them.

You will be writing a literary analysis research paper. An analysis essay is one that takes a deep look at a theme or
character of a work and uses the text to support your ideas and opinions. On this paper, instead of relying on your
own grasp of the text, you will back up your ideas with research from scholars and other credible sources.

Research papers are focused, zoning in on a specific aspect of a topic. They collect only relevant information,
provide commentary on that information, and order it in a way that is thorough and helpful.

By writing a research paper, you will have the opportunity to research what experts have to say about a work of
literature, as well as Scripture, which will inform your own opinions and thoughts. Then, you get to put your
educated thoughts into writing. Your voice joins the voices of the many writers who have come before.

You will learn how to choose credible sources,

cite those sources, and incorporate them into

your paper. 

Don't worry! We will go step-by-step through

the research process. Even if you think you

know how to write a research paper, do not get

into the habit of cutting corners. Read these

directions carefully, and follow them. 

Ultimately, you are responsible for understanding,

implementing, and managing each step of this Image from Rise Articulate Library

research paper.

 Note: Some days, you will have to put in time beyond the daily lessons to complete this
research paper.

Research Paper Details

This research paper combines literary analysis (examination

of a work's literary devices and themes) with informational

research.

You will pick two works we have read this year. Each work

was written intentionally by an author to communicate ideas

and use language well. You will pick a topic from the list below

and do extended research about this topic and the

corresponding works so that you can address the following

items in your research paper:

Image from Rise Articulate Library

1. You will compare or contrast two literary works.

2. The comparison/contrast should be focused through the lens of the chosen topic.

3. The discussion about the two works should be supported by scholarly research.

4. The discussion about the two works should include a comparison of the topic to Scripture.

Research Examples
Throughout these lessons, you will see examples provided to help you complete your paper. The lessons include

example research questions, works cited pages, articles and websites, an annotated bibliography and an outline.

These were created for an example paper that compares and contrasts themes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and
Dante's Inferno.

Julius Caesar is the story of the murder of Julius Caesar, the famous Roman solider and politician, and the aftermath
of this killing. Two of the main characters are Brutus, an honorable Roman who wants to put Rome's best interest
first, and Cassius, a manipulative politician who wants to use Brutus' noble reputation to gain power for himself.

Inferno follows the character Dante on a journey through Hell. He is led by the famous poet, Virgil, who guides him
through many dangers and perils on Dante's journey to know God. 

Use the chart below to review your options for research topics as well as some example research questions. You do
not have to use one of these questions, although you may; they are intended to help you get brainstorming. The
topics you may choose from are in the left column and include themes that can be seen in the works you have read,
as well as literary devices.

Example Example Example Example

Topic Research Research Biblical Biblical
Question Question Application Application

How do these
Which of the
Which character two texts show What does the
characters is
Blindness vs. is the one who the difference Bible say about
blind according
Sight truly "sees" between seeing being blind to
to the Bible's
truth? the truth and the truth?
definition?
being blind?

Who in the Bible

Which two Which story What does the displays
Xenia

characters depicted the Bible say is the hospitality and

(hospitality)

displayed truest example purpose of how does it

hospitality?  of hospitality? hospitality? compare to the

character?

How does the

What answers
Are characters character from
How do these does the Bible
controlled by the story deal
two texts give about our
Fate fate or do they with fate in
similarly use the fate and how
control their comparison with
theme of fate? does it compare
own lives? a person from
to this text?
the Bible?

Which person in
How does the
Do these two Which of these the Bible
Bible define
texts offer a two characters displays a
Justice justice in
similar idea of has the best idea similar
comparison with
justice? of justice?
understanding of
these texts?
justice?

Do these two According to the What other

works have Which of these Bible, which of virtues are found
Honor
different ideas of two characters is these characters in an honorable
what makes an honorable? would be man, according
honorable man? honorable? to the Bible?

How do these How does the

How does the
two works How do these Bible compare to
Bible answer the
answer the characters find these texts
Identity questions "Who
questions "Who their identity regarding
am I? What am I
am I? What am I and value? identity and
here for?"
here for?" value?

How do these Do the allusions

Which text Do these texts
two texts use used in this text
positively uses use biblical
Allusions
allusions to point to a
biblical allusions
communicate biblically sound
allusions? correctly?
their ideas?
idea?

How does the

How do these What does the use of irony in
two texts use use of irony these texts
How does the
Irony
irony to reveal about reveal the
Bible use irony?
communicate these two characters'
their ideas? characters? beliefs about
God?

Here is an example or a topic, text, research idea and research questions: 

Topic/Theme: Friendship

Texts Studied: Julius Caesar and Inferno

Research Idea: Compare and contrast the friendships of Brutus/Cassius and Dante/Virgil

Research Questions: How do the two relationships have similarities? How are they different? Which one is a better
example of friendship?

Biblical perspective: What does the Bible say about friendship? How would these two relationships compare to the
biblical idea of friendship?

Below are the final details for your research paper:

Your research paper must be four to six pages in length. That means four full pages, not three pages with a few
lines on the fourth page. This does not include the outline or the Works Cited page.

 You must have a minimum of five cited sources. Two of those sources must be the texts from class.

Take a look at the boxes below for more information on each theme. You may not have read each work mentioned,
but all of these examples will help give you a good picture of how each theme is used. For your paper, focus on
works you have already read. 

Blindness vs Sight
+
This theme has to do with characters who are blind to reality or truth.

In Oedipus Rex, a blind prophet speaks the truth and proclaims that the king (Oedipus) is the one who is
truly blind, since he refuses to see what is true.

In "God Sees the Truth, But Waits," Aksionov knows the truth, that he is innocent, so he does not feel
blinded by rage or injustice. Instead, he is able to forgive since he can fully see the truth.

Xenia
+
Xenia is the divine art of hospitality. Seen heavily in The Odyssey, Xenia has several rules:
-When you meet a guest, invite him or her in to house
-Offer your guest a bath, fresh clothes, and food
-Ask your guest to tell his or her story
-Do not force your guest to stay, but let him or her leave when the time is right
-Offer a parting gift to help your guest's journey

While not all stories will focus as much on these particular rules, you can compare and contrast the idea of
hospitality on many stories.

In Inferno, Virgil shows hospitality to Dante by caring for him and guiding him. In "Metamorphosis,"
Gregor's family shows hospitality by taking care of Gregor, but also a lack of it when they neglect and
ignore him.

Fate
+
Fate is the idea that each person's life has a predetermined plan. This could refer to class status (if someone
is fated to be a peasant, they can never change and become wealthy)  or a person's overall life trajectory (a
man's fate it to be king, therefore he must be king. Or a woman's fate is to marry someone she doesn't
love). Some characters embrace or accept their fate while others try to fight it.

In Julius Caesar, Cassius encourages Brutus that they can be in control of their fate, and rather than waiting
for good things to come, they should go out seize what they want.

Don Quixote thought his fate was to be a grand knight, rescuing those in distress. The Unknown from
"Drama in the Air" also thought he had a grand fate, when he did not.

Justice
+
Justice is the idea that the scales are balanced, all wrongs have been righted. 
Oedipus proclaims he will enact justice when he finds out who is responsible for the city's plague. Inferno
examines God's Divine Justice, as Dante sees people being punished for their sins on earth. The Genie, from
"The Genie and the Merchant" demands justice when the merchants accidentally kills his son. The Genie
wants a life for a life and is convinced to show mercy. 

Honor
+
Honor is holding oneself to a high standard and ensuring that the standard/rule is not broken. An honorable
person is thought of as honest and will work to see that the standard is upheld.

Brutus (from Julius Caesar) is known for his honor because he strives after the good of Rome, even at the
expense of his own life. Don Quixote is obsessed with doing what he considers honorable, to the
determinant of others. The Banker from "The Bet" must consider honor when he faces losing the bet. 

Identity
+
Every story deals in some way with questions of identity. The characters each have an identity, and
watching them take action causes a reader to ask questions about their own self. 

In "Don Quixote," the main character deals with questions of what makes him valuable and important - he
thinks he is important because he is a gallant knight. Gregor, in "Metamorphosis" has to struggle with what
makes him a valuable person, even though he is no longer a human.

Allusions
+
Allusions are references from one work of literature to another. Inferno, for example, makes heavy
references to mythology and the Bible. "Metamorphosis" also includes Biblical allusions (Gregor as the man
who must be sacrificed for his family). "The Bet" includes allusions to many famous works. 

It is important to remember that an allusion is not a metaphor. Gregor alluding to Jesus as the sacrifice does
not mean that everything Gregor does is Christ-like. An allusion is a point of common reference that should
help the reader make connections in the text. 

Irony
+
Irony is when the expectations do not match the outcomes. There are three major types of irony:

Situational: A champion cake-baker loses the local competition when she accidentally puts white
pepper instead of sugar into her cake. You expected the cake to be wonderful, but the outcome did not
match your expectations. 

Verbal: Someone yelling "Oh, great job. You're the best baker, alright!" Although the words are
expected to be nice, their meaning is not.

Dramatic: The little girl who accidentally switched the sugar and pepper, cringing as the judges take a
bite. This is when the audience knows more than the characters, and it creates tension.

Antony from Julius Cesar uses irony when he speaks at Caesar's funeral and calls Brutus "honorable" over
and over, even though he clearly does not think Brutus is honorable. "A Very Old Man with Enormous
Wings" uses irony when what appears to be an angel appears, yet is caked with mud and hurt. 

Are you ready to get started?!

This study source was downloaded by 100000828255372 from CourseHero.com on 06-12-2022 21:50:59 GMT -05:00 CONTINUE

https://luoa-content.s3.amazonaws.com/LUOA/LAN1000/DY21/Module+8/Introduction+to+the+Research+Paper+and+Topic+Selection/index.html#/lessons/SVXp… 1/1
https://www.coursehero.com/file/153143981/827T-Introduction-to-Research-Paper-and-Topic-Selectionpdf/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)