About+the+Paper

=Novel Research Paper=

Overview
The tenth 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
Once you have finished reading your novel and have taken notes, 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.
 * thesis statement handout*

Literary Criticism
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 **THREE different sources**.
 * criticism note card handout*

Bibliographic Information
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.
 * bibliography card handout and works cited page handout*

Research to Writing
You will transfer your novel note cards and criticism note cards into a map, outline, or graphic organizer that will enable you to write your rough draft and then your final research paper. Your final research paper will be __ 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.
 * map, outline, or graphic organizer handouts*