English 4 AP

Research Project

Assignment• Your task is to pick a literary author and then research how

that author’s life affected their works. It is recommended that you pick an author whose work you are already familiar with.

• The authors are first come first serve and you may not pick the same author as another person in your class.

• Sign ups will begin today after school

Example Research Questions• Your research question should be specific. It should not be, “I will

research how Jane Austen’s life affected her work.”

• You will need to know enough about your chosen writer’s life to be able to pick a focus.

• Example questions:

• What connection did Jane Austen have with the grandmother of modern feminism, Mary Wollstonecraft, and how did she depict feminist values of the time in her literary works?

• How does Shakespeare reveal public opinion concerning the female monarchy of Queen Elizabeth in his plays?

• To what extent did Mary Shelley’s relationship with her husband influence her writing of Frankenstein?

Assignment

• Your project will consist of the following tasks:

• Research Proposal

• Annotated Bibliography

• Works Cited (at least 6 credible sources)

• PowerPoint Presentation

• includes an oral summary in front of the class

Due Dates will be given over time.

Task 1 – Research Proposal

• You are required to write a proposal for your research project.

• This proposal must be typed in MLA format.

• You will have four paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 – Research Question:

• Write out your research question. Be specific and clear.

• Paragraph one example:“In my project, I will research whether Jane

Austen depicted feminist values of the time in her literary works. As part of my investigation, I will examine whether Jane Austen had any connection with the grandmother of modern feminism, Mary Wollstonecraft whose ideals were read and discussed during that period.”

Paragraph 2 – Purpose:

• What is your purpose for writing this paper? Write out your working thesis statement. What will you examine? Why did you pick this topic? What do you expect to find in your research? What do you hope to gain? What is your background with this topic?

Paragraph 2 Example“During my reading of Pride and Prejudice this year, I

noticed the recurring commentary Jane Austen made about women’s roles and expectations of the time. I am personally interested in women’s rights and feminist trends throughout history. I know from my personal reading that Mary Wollstonecraft was a feminist author read during the time. I expect to discover that Jane Austen was familiar with her work and that her novels reflect and champion similar ideas through characterization, satire, and narrative events. I hope to gain further insights into Austen’s perspectives and the progress of feminist thought.”

Paragraph 3 - Research:

• Explain what your research paper will cover and mention any sources that you might use. What questions do you need to answer? What is your research strategy? What types of sources do you need to look at?

Paragraph 3 Example

“To investigate my topic I will reference Pride and Prejudice and research sections of Sense and Sensibility and works by Mary Wollstonecraft. I will investigate to see if researchers have already explored any links between the two writers in articles or publications.”

Paragraph 4 - Hypothesis:

• Describe your hypothesis for your expected research results.

• Example of paragraph 4:“My hypothesis is that Jane Austen and Mary

Wollstonecraft both believed that women should have the right to choose whom they loved and married. I also anticipate that they advocated the evolution of the image of an accomplished woman from its Regency model of a well-dressed, musical, and mannered woman to one who is also educated. I expect to find examples of these opinions throughout Austen’s work.”

First Due Date

• Final research proposal is due March 29th

• Typed in MLA format:

• 12 pt. Times New Roman

• 1” Margins

• Double Spaced

• Header and Heading