Writing for ENGL 205: The Major Authors Assignment
- 2. The paper is NOT: • An Annotated Bibliography • A summary of each individual source • A book review
- 3. The paper IS: First and foremost, a synthesis of multiple resources guided by the fundamental question: What do we know or not know about this particular issue/ topic/ subject? How well you answer this question depends upon: the thoroughness and effectiveness of your search for information the quality and reliability of the sources you choose your ability to synthesize the material, relating research studies to one another and to your own thesis or purpose
- 4. Identify the author that you will research: Select an author fromAppalachia. Familiarize yourself with the author and the subjects that the author explores. It is important to know the topic well The latest research and works Any arguments or debates regarding the author and subjects How the author and subject influenced the socio/cultural environment of the region Read, read, read!
- 5. Take notes as you read Decide on a note-taking format and be consistent in how you record notes. Note key ideas, statistics, etc., that you may want to use in the introduction to your review. Select useful quotes that you may want to include in your review.
- 6. Note Strengths & weaknesses Your role as a researcher is to evaluate what you read, so that your work is not a mere description of different articles, but rather a critical analysis that makes sense of the collection of articles that you have found. Note the strengths and weaknesses of the authors’ work.
- 7. The introduction to the research essay should include the following: Identification and explanation of the author and the topic he or she writes about most often. Why the author and topic are important Any necessary background information A description of the time frame, location, etc.
- 8. The body of the essay should include: Multiple sources, including academic articles, works of fiction, nonfiction, or creative nonfiction written by at the author Obviously, the name of the author, the author’s connection to Appalachia, a biography of the author, and a picture of the author The relevancy of the author and any works discussed. Which, if any, of the works are considered classic? Controversial?