About+the+Paper

=American Novel Research Paper=

Overview
The eleventh grade novel research paper is a paper in which you discuss a particular theme of your novel and some literary elements that your author uses to develop that theme. Your discussion will include specific examples from your novel and support from literary criticism on your novel and/or author's style of writing.

Thesis Statement - *thesis statement handout*
You have finished reading and analyzing your novel, and now you must choose **ONE theme** and **TWO literary elements** to be discussed throughout your entire paper. You will formulate a **thesis statement** using the author's name, the title of your novel, the literary elements, and the theme.

Novel Note Cards - *novel note card handout*
Once you have identified a theme and literary elements, you then need to find valid, reputable critics who believe what you believe to support your ideas in the paper. Using //Novels For Students// and other sources of criticism, take notes pertaining to your theme and literary elements. You will make criticism note cards in a similar way that you made your novel note cards. You must have at least **TWELVE to FIFTEEN** novel notecards.

Literary Criticism - *criticism note card handout*
Once you have identified a theme and literary elements, you then need to find valid, reputable critics who believe what you believe to support your ideas in the paper. Using //Novels For Students// and other sources of criticism, take notes pertaining to your theme and literary elements. You will make criticism note cards in a similar way that you made your novel note cards. You should find approximately **EIGHT to TEN pieces** of criticism from **FOUR different sources**.

In other words, in your library resources (//Bloom's, Novels for Students//, etc.) you must find eight articles/essays of criticism to read through so you can then find evidence/proof that you will write down on note cards. You must make approximately **TWENTY to TWENTY-FIVE** criticism note cards. These critic ideas/comments will support your novel examples, hence, your thesis.

Bibliographic Information - *bibliography card handout and works cited page handout*
You are required to make bibliography cards for all your sources including the novel. Be sure to do these cards immediately upon using a source or else you will have to go back later and find the information. You need this bibliographic information for your works cited page. You will have at least **EIGHT** bibliography cards for articles of criticism plus another one for your novel, totaling **NINE**.

Research to Writing - *outline handout*
You will transfer your novel note cards and criticism note cards into an outline that will enable you to write your rough draft and then your final research paper. Your final research paper will be **THREE to FIVE** pages of your analysis supported by textual evidence from your novel and by ideas from critics. The discussion throughout the entire paper will support the theme and literary elements mentioned in your thesis statement. The paper must be typed double spaced in 12 point font and Times New Roman style. The paper must have one inch margins on all sides, a heading, and a header.