AP Senior Research
Literary Analysis of a Major Work
Topic: You are to write about a specific work
of AP level literature, focusing and narrowing your topic to
one that can be handled in a 5 - 7 page double-spaced typed paper.
This should probably be a novel or full-length play, but I will
consider significant poetic works. I would not advise attempting
such a paper on a single poem (though it could be done). Note: You must have your specific text approved
General Guidelines: The quality of your reference
sources is much more important than the quantity. Because you
are collecting information that other people have already published,
you have to give credit to these people for the information you
use that is theirs. In other words, no plagiarism. To protect
you from temptation, I expect photocopies or printouts of your
resources. You may make notes on these papers and/or use highlighters
to help you plan your writing -- but I will keep everything at
All online resources must be evaluated using the Content
Evaluation Guide and the Web Design Evaluation Guide provided in class. Keep in mind that you
must write an annotation for every resource. You should include
at least five critical resources in your bibliography.
Citing Sources: We will follow MLA style.
Follow directions as given on my Bibliography
page. Excellent resources that break the complicated
process down into greater detail include Citation
Machine and Easy Bib.
Research Links: You will get specific instructions for how to
use library databases and be shown how to access some specialized
Cover: Select a meaningful quote
from the works of your approved author and illustrate that quote
so that it will fit on the front of your file folder. You may
use original artwork, computer graphics, calligraphy, graphic
fonts, cut-and-paste illustrations from magazines -- whatever
will help you make the most of the words themselves. Although
you have the freedom to use varied art materials and papers,
remember that the final quote design must be no larger than 8
1/2 by 11 inches if it is to fit.I have provided several examples
on my Quote
Projects for Reports: From
the handout provided in class, select a project to complete on
your selected book. You will also find the projects
Critical Essay: Develop
and support a thesis sentence. For example:
The central conflict in Willa Cather's
“The Sculptor’s Funeral” is one of values -- the materialistic,
crass values of the townspeople in opposition to the aesthetic
values of the sculptor.
“Leda and the Swan” by William
Butler Yeats concerns itself primarily with the sudden descent
of the bird/god, Leda’s terror, the consummation, and speculations
about what Leda's thoughts might have been.
You will cite your sources parenthetically within the content
of the essay. Focus your essay on what you can prove from your
reading and research. Narrowing your topic will help. Your essay
should be approximately 5-7 pages, double-spaced. Use the guidelines
given in Quoting from Literature.
Cite all your sources in an alphabetized list that follows MLA
format. Include brief annotations for every reference.
Manila Envelope: Put the photocopies and printouts
of all your resources in here. Also include all notes, clusters,
outlines, and drafts. Put a correct heading on the front of the