I think of Robert Frost as a terrifying poet. Call him, if it makes things any easier,

RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES

 

 

“I think of Robert Frost as a terrifying poet. Call him, if it makes things any easier, a tragic poet, but it might be useful every now and then to come out from under the shelter of that literary word. The universe that he conceives is a terrifying universe.” Lionel Trilling

 

This statement was made by the Literary Critic Lionel Trilling at a dinner in honor of Robert Frost’s 85th birthday.  It raised quite a controversy because until then this New England poet was considered more of a nature poet.

 

In order to write this paper, first read the essay TRILLING AND THE FROST BIRTHDAY FRACAS by GEORGE MONTEIRO (Posted in Canvas).  Do some research on the college databases to pursue the question of your agreement or disagreement with Trilling.  Also check out some of Frost’s poems as evidence to support your claim. 

 

Using at least 4 sources (which can include the Monteiro article) to write a 3-4 page paper defending Trilling’s assertion or arguing against it. Make sure to include at least one paragraph on the opposite side of your argument.

 

Use the MLA Handbook or Purdue Online OWL for guidelines for paper format, page numbering, references, and works cited. Use MLA heading on first page of the paper.  Documents will be posted in Canvas to help with this effort.

 

You must have at least 4 parenthetical references  (outside of quoting poems directly) and 4 sources besides the texts of the poems. All of the sources in the Works Cited must be referenced in the paper. The four sources should be from the academic databases.

 

REMEMBER TO write the paper in the THIRD PERSON and in the PRESENT TENSE.

Also be sure you have a thesis that states the topic and your stance on it.

 

YOU WILL RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC 0 on your paper, and it will not even be marked if:

You have no Works Cited and/or no References

YOU WILL RECEIVE NO HIGHER THAN 100 PTS (F) IF:

You have not submitted the Complete Rough Draft.

YOU WILL RECEIVE NO HIGHER THAN A 120 PTS (D) IF:

Your paper is not the required length of 3-4 full pages

            You do not have at least 4 references and 4 sources (not including quotes from the poems.)

• You do not have at least 4 sources in the Works Cited The textbook could be a fifth source for the quoting of poems.

 

 

Late Research Paper - loses 20 points Due date: Nov 16 (paper not accepted after Nov. 23.)

 

 

 

 

YOU WILL RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC 0 ON YOUR PAPER,

AND IT WILL NOT EVEN BE MARKED IF:

You have NO WORKS CITED and/or NO REFERENCES

YOU WILL RECEIVE NO HIGHER THAN 100 PTS (F) IF:

• You not submitted a Rough Draft
• You have not submitted copies of your sources

YOU WILL RECEIVE NO HIGHER THAN 120 PTS (D) IF:

• Your paper is not the required length of 3-4 pages
• You do not have at least 4 references that do not directly quote parts of poems.

YOU WILL LOSE 20 POINTS PER CLASS IF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER IS LATE.

NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER ONE WEEK PAST THE DUE DATE. THIS PROJECT IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PASSING THE COURSE!

 

Additional Guidelines for the Research Paper – (not just suggestions!!)

 

Research means that you read several different critics on your subject. Then you decide what you think. Devise a working thesis, take notes, and write an outline. You don’t write a paper and then try to fit some quotes into it. You also don’t retell the story. Your readers should already be familiar with the work.

 

Sources for a literary research paper in college generally do not come from the internet. Also articles from The Explicator are usually too short. Your sources should be books, collections of essays, and articles from literary periodicals, which can be found in the academic databases. DO NOT USE Chiff notes, Spark notes, “whatever” notes OR ANY CANNED SOURCES   , for example, “answers.com”, “studyhelp.com”, “enotes.com”, bookrags.com”, etc. They are not considered good academic sources because they are third or fourth hand information! Most of your research should be peer reviewed critical articles, that is, articles that have appeared in literary magazines.

 

You need to have 3-4 SOLID sources plus the text. You may have more sources if you want; however, all Works Cited entries must be referenced within your paper. You must have at least 7 references besides quotes from the text of the play. These should be woven into your paper for the support of your thesis.

 

Avoid using informal language in the paper. Use an academic tone and similar diction. Also use third person for an objective approach. Make sure you write about the text in present tense.

 

Your paper must be at least 4 full pages long plus the Works Cited page. Do not forget to include copies of your sources (the pages you referenced) with your final copy.