Novel Research Paper Assignment

 

Some potential topics for your paper might include:

  • Theme of your novel (meaning and evidence throughout the story)
  • Symbolism in the novel (instances and meanings)
  • Character analysis (motives of character, appearance, etc. and how they are all tied together and to the story)
  • Comparison/contrast between two character (protagonist/antagonist relationship)
  • Setting of your novel (how the author uses the setting to reach the reader and impact the plot)
  • Conflict in your novel (what is it, who is involved, what makes it important)
  • The history of your novel (why it is important to the story and how the author uses it)

Novel Research Paper Requirements

Although you aren’t going to begin writing right now, you will need to carefully review the requirements before you start. 

Requirements for the paper:

  • Between 800 – 1100 words (2-3 pages)
  • Times New Roman or Arial font, 12 point, double spaced
  • MLA format (include correct page headings on all pages)
  • Must contain in-text citations, correctly formatted
  • Must contain at least five quotes/paraphrases: two from your novel and three from outside sources
  • Works Cited Page, correctly formatted
  • A minimum of five sources for your paper, including the novel. So you can count your novel as one source, and then find four more outside sources. You may have no more than three websites for your sources. Use books, journal articles, etc.

Helpful hints for writing your paper:

  1. Take notes as you read your novel.
  2. Write down important or interesting quotes with page numbers.
  3. Write down interesting facts in your novel (setting, character actions, plot points, etc.).
  4. Develop a potential thesis and look for information to support that as you read.
  5. Look for outside sources as you read you novel. Keep a list of these (title, author, location, date, etc.).

Tips and Reminders:

Check sources for accuracy, authority, bias, timeliness, resources, and content

Remember, 1 inch margins all around, double space throughout, 12 point font.

You must cite your sources for direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. Use the general (author page) style, unless information is missing.

Use an alphabetical list of sources by author’s last name. If there is no author, alphabetize by the title of the work

The first page of your paper needs the left aligned header: Name, Instructor, Course, Date (double spaced). All pages need the upper right hand corner heading with your last name and page number.

The first page of your paper needs the left aligned header: Name, Instructor, Course, Date (double spaced). All pages need the upper right hand corner heading with your last name and page number.

Review plot, characters, setting, tone, symbols, theme, etc. Check out literary terms websites for more help.

While your thesis statement presents your own viewpoint, it should not sound like a personal narrative.

This is the guiding focus of your writing and is the center of your paper’s meaning. Make it strong and to the point.

 

From: Georgia Virtual Learning http://cms.gavirtualschool.org/Shared/Language%20Arts/10thLitComp/01_NovelResearch/index.html