ENGL 102 Research Paper Instructions You must complete the required textbook readings in preparation for the Research Paper. This will equip you to objectively respond to the readings by compiling information from a variety of sources in order to compose a persuasive analysis of a literary work. You will also learn to follow standard usage in English grammar and sentence structure; proceed independently through the various stages of research and integrate sources accurately and effectively; identify the theme and structure of each literary selection as well as the significant characteristics or elements of each genre studied; and evaluate the literary merit of a work (Syllabus MLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and Module/Week 8 LOs: 1, 2). In Module/Week 7, you will write a 1,500-word (approximately 5 pages) paper that addresses 1 of the plays from the Drama Unit. At least 6 citations, including the primary source and at least 5 secondary, scholarly sources, are required for this assignment. Before you begin writing the paper, carefully read the below guidelines for developing your paper topic. Review the Research Paper Grading Rubric to see how your submission will be graded. Gather all of your information, plan the direction of your paper, organize your ideas by developing a 1-page thesis statement and outline, draft your paper, and compile sources used. Format the thesis/outline, draft, and works cited/references/bibliography using current MLA, APA, or Turabian style, (whichever corresponds to your degree program); check your Harbrace Essentials Handbook pp. 106–158 (MLA); pp. 159–192 (APA); pp. 193–220 (Turabian), and/or the link contained in the Assignment Instructions Folder, to ensure the correct citation format is used. The final paper must include a title page, thesis statement, and outline, followed by the research paper, and your correctly documented sources page. You must submit your thesis, outline, rough draft, and works cited/references/bibliography by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 6 for instructor feedback. You must submit the Research Paper by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 7. Guidelines for Developing Your Paper Topic The “Writing about Literature” section of your Perrine’s Literature textbook (pp. 1–54) and the “Writing” section of Harbrace Essentials (pp. 1–12, 15–16, 18–21, 22–28) provide helpful pointers for writing your literary essay and for academic writing in general. Be sure that you have read this section before doing any further work for this assignment. Take particular notice of the examples of drama essays on pp. 48–54 of your Perrine’s Literature textbook. Choose 1 of the prompts below to address in your paper: 1. Write an essay explaining how Sophocles’ Oedipus exemplifies or refutes Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. Review pp. 1,250–1,254 and 1,257–1,258 in your Perrine’s Literature textbook for the background and overview of Aristotle’s concept of tragedy/the tragic hero and drama. T.

1. ENGL 102
Research Paper Instructions
You must complete the required textbook readings in
preparation for the Research Paper. This will equip you to
objectively respond to the readings by compiling information
from a variety of sources in order to compose a persuasive
analysis of a literary work. You will also learn to follow
standard usage in English grammar and sentence structure;
proceed independently through the various stages of research
and integrate sources accurately and effectively; identify the
theme and structure of each literary selection as well as the
significant characteristics or elements of each genre studied;
and evaluate the literary merit of a work (Syllabus MLOs: A, B,
C, D, E, F, G and Module/Week 8 LOs: 1, 2).
In Module/Week 7, you will write a 1,500-word (approximately
5 pages) paper that addresses 1 of the plays from the Drama
Unit. At least 6 citations, including the primary source and at
least 5 secondary, scholarly sources, are required for this
assignment. Before you begin writing the paper, carefully read
the below guidelines for developing your paper topic. Review
the Research Paper Grading Rubric to see how your submission
will be graded. Gather all of your information, plan the
direction of your paper, organize your ideas by developing a 1-
page thesis statement and outline, draft your paper, and compile
sources used. Format the thesis/outline, draft, and works
cited/references/bibliography using current MLA, APA, or
Turabian style, (whichever corresponds to your degree
program); check your Harbrace Essentials Handbook pp. 106–
158 (MLA); pp. 159–192 (APA); pp. 193–220 (Turabian),
and/or the link contained in the Assignment Instructions Folder,
to ensure the correct citation format is used.
The final paper must include a title page, thesis statement, and
outline, followed by the research paper, and your correctly

2. documented sources page.
You must submit your thesis, outline, rough draft, and works
cited/references/bibliography by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of
Module/Week 6 for instructor feedback.
You must submit the Research Paper by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on
Monday of Module/Week 7.
Guidelines for Developing Your Paper Topic
The “Writing about Literature” section of your Perrine’s
Literature textbook (pp. 1–54) and the “Writing” section of
Harbrace Essentials (pp. 1–12, 15–16, 18–21, 22–28) provide
helpful pointers for writing your literary essay and for academic
writing in general. Be sure that you have read this section
before doing any further work for this assignment. Take
particular notice of the examples of drama essays on pp. 48–54
of your Perrine’s Literature textbook.
Choose 1 of the prompts below to address in your paper:
1. Write an essay explaining how Sophocles’ Oedipus
exemplifies or refutes Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero.
Review pp. 1,250–1,254 and 1,257–1,258 in your Perrine’s
Literature textbook for the background and overview of
Aristotle’s concept of tragedy/the tragic hero and drama. Then,
re-read Sophocles’ play, Oedipus; you mayreview additional
audio-visual resources on the play as well.
2.
Discuss William Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice as
a tragedy. As defined by Aristotle, is it correct to label Othello
a “tragic hero” and to classify the play as an Aristotelian
tragedy? Review pp. 1,250–1,254 and 1,257–1,258 in the
Perrine’s Literature textbook for the background and overview
of Aristotle’s concept of tragedy/the tragic hero and drama.
Then, re-read Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice; you
mayreview additional audio-visual resources on the play as

3. well.
3. Discuss the author’s perception of death and the treatment of
death in Everyman. Be sure to re-read the play in Module/Week
7 before you begin your essay. You mayreview additional
audio-visual resources on the play as well.
Finding Scholarly Sources
For your papers, you are only permitted to use academic
sources. Resources such as 123Essays, Spark Notes, Cliff Notes,
and Masterplots (or similar resources) are not scholarly and will
not be permitted in your papers. To find appropriate sources,
access the Jerry Falwell Library through the Services/Support
link on the course menu on Blackboard. From there, you can use
the Library Research Portal to find peer-reviewed, scholarly
journals. The Literature Resource Center is an excellent
resource for these types of papers.
If you need additional help finding the right sources, you can
contact a librarian from the Jerry Falwell Library by emailing
your questions to [email protected]. You are also free to visit
your local library or do some research on the Internet; however,
you must make sure that you have credible sources. If you are
uncertain, email the source to you instructor in advance.
Page 2 of 2
ENGL 102
Research Paper Grading Rubric
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Points Earned
Excellent/Good
Fair/Competent
Deficient
Development
(CCLO #2)

4. 65 to 75 points
· Major points are stated clearly and are well-supported.
· Content is persuasive and comprehensive.
· Content and purpose of the writing are clear.
· Thesis has a strong claim.
· Audience is clear and appropriate for the topic.
· Supportive information (if required) is strong and addresses
writing focus.
51 to 64 points
· Major points are addressed, but clarity or support is limited.
· Content is somewhat persuasive or comprehensive.
· Content is inconsistent (lack of clear purpose and/or clarity).
· Thesis could be stronger.
· Supportive information (if required) needs strengthening or
does not address writing focus.
0 to 50 points
· Major points are unclear and/or insufficiently supported.
· Content is missing essentials.
· Content has unsatisfactory purpose, focus, and clarity.
· Supportive information (if required) is missing.
Organization and Structure
(CCLO #1)
65 to 75 points
· Writing is well-structured, clear, and easy-to-follow.
· Introduction is compelling and forecasts the topic and thesis.
· Each paragraph is unified and has a clear central idea.
· Transitional wording is present throughout the writing.
· Conclusion is a logical end to the writing.
· Word count is at least 1,500 words.
51 to 64 points
· Paper is adequately organized, but some areas are difficult to
follow.
· Introduction needs to provide a stronger gateway into the
writing.
· Some paragraphs lack unity and coherence.

5. · Better transitions are needed to provide fluency of ideas.
· Conclusion is trite or barely serves its purpose.
· Word count almost meets requirement.
0 to 50 points
· Organization and structure detract from the writer’s message.
· Introduction and/or conclusion is/are incomplete or missing.
· Paragraphs are not unified (e.g. more than 1 topic is included,
missing or inadequate controlling and concluding sentences).
· Transitions are missing.
· Conclusion, if present, fails to serve its purpose.
· Word count does not meet requirement.
Grammar and Diction
(CCLO #1, #3)
65 to 75 points
· The writing reflects correct grammar, punctuation, and
spelling standards.
· Language is accurate, appropriate, and effective.
· The writing’s tone is appropriate and highly effective.
· 51 to 64 points
· The writing contains some grammar, punctuation, and/or
spelling errors.
· Language is unclear, awkward, or inappropriate in parts.
· The writing’s tone is generally appropriate and moderately
effective.
0 to 50 points
· The writing contains many grammar, punctuation, and/or
spelling errors.
· Language use is largely inaccurate or inappropriate.
· The writing’s tone is ineffective and/or inappropriate.
Format: Current MLA/APA/ Turabian Paper Requirements
(CCLO #6)
18 to 25 points
· Writing correctly follows formatting guidelines.
· Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are used

6. correctly and appropriately.
10 to 17 points
· Writing follows most formatting guidelines, but some flaws
are detected.
· Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are
incorrectly formatted or used.
0 to 9 points
· Writing lacks many elements of correct formatting.
· Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations and/or
references are not provided.
Total
/250
Instructor’s Comments:
Page 1 of 2
ENGL 102
Use the following template as a cover page for each written
essay:
Title of Assignment
COURSE # and
TITLE_________________________________________
(e.g., ENGL 102: Literature and
Composition)
SEMESTER OF ENROLLMENT_______________________
(e.g., Fall D 2017)
NAME_________________________________________ID
#____________
WRITING STYLE
USED________________________________________________

7. _____
(e.g., MLA)
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