ASSIGNMENT FOR FINAL PROJECT

ASSIGNMENT: For your final project, you will use a 4 to 5-page academic paper to investigate the classical influence on a modern work of literature. Preferably, this is a favorite work, one with which you are intimately familiar, and passionately eager to discuss with your peers. As this is a formal academic paper, it is critical that your paper focus on explicating the influence of the Classical Tradition rather than on plot summary or personal reactions to the work.

FORMAT: Your final project will consist of five graded sections:
1) A brief description of the project (5%) Due 9AM, Monday, July 28th
2) A first draft of your project (15%) Due 9AM, Friday, August 1st
3) An evaluation of a peer’s project (20%) Due 9AM, Monday August 4th
4) A class presentation on your project (10%) Presented in-class, Friday, August 8th
5) A final version (50%) Due 9AM, Friday, August 8th

The standards by which I grade papers are available on-line.

PROCESS:
1) Select a modern work that you find both personally and/or intellectually compelling and in which you notice the influence of the Classical Tradition (emulation, allusion, rivalry, and/or expansion).
2) Inform me of your selection via a ~ 100 word description by 9AM, Monday, July 28th. I will provide feedback or guidance as appropriate.
3) Write your first draft. A first draft should not be “rough.” It should contain the same level of argumentation and polish as a final version. The first draft should conform to the “formalities” listed below and following the guidelines in the Checklist for Papers.
4) Submit 2 copies of your first draft on Friday, August 1st. Include an accurate Checklist for Papersfor each. I will evaluate one copy; a peer will evaluate the other.
5) Evaluate a peer’s project using the “Peer Review Form"; this review is due at 9AM, Monday August 4th.
6) Consider my suggestions and those of your peer reviewer. Consider how to incorporate these suggestions into your final draft.
7) Revise. Revise. Revise. And then revise again. Never revise your writing on the computer. Always print out drafts for editing and consideration. It is simply too easy to miss errors of argumentation and style when reading an essay on a computer. Pay special attention to the matters on the Checklist for Papers.
8) Prepare presentation for Friday, August 8th. Your presentation should provide a brief introduction to the author and work, your reasons for selection the work as the topic of your project, and an analysis of the influence of the Classical Tradition on the work. Since you will have no more than 15 minutes to present your project to your classmates, carefully consider how best to present your project.
9) Submit all materials (description, both drafts, peer review form, and final draft) in class at 9AM, Friday, August 8th.

DUE DATE: Multiple – see above, “FORMAT”

FORMALITIES: 4 to 5 pages; see Checklist for Papers for other details

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.