Sophomore Poet
Research Project
Topic: You are to write about the
connections you can make between the life, the works, and the
time period in which your approved writer lived. Obviously, you
must read biographical material about the writer and some of
what the writer has written (ten poems). Try to imagine what
life was like for your writer. Which writers influenced your
writer? What events would have had greatest impact? Note fads
and fashions, scientific advances, everyday life In order to
have your person approved, you must locate at least one of three
reputable biographical resources: an actual book about your person,
a significant biographical entry in EbscoHost, or an entry in Gale research
resources (online or in paper at the public library). Note: You must have your writer and the specific
resources you are reading by that writer approved in advance.
General Guidelines: The
quality of your reference sources is much more important than
the quantity. Because you are collecting information that other
people have already published, you have to give credit to these
people for the information you use that is theirs. In other words,
no plagiarism. To protect you from temptation, I expect photocopies
or printouts of your resources. You may make notes on these papers
and/or use a yellow highlighter to help you plan your writing
-- but I will keep everything at the end.
Required Resources:
You should include the following in your bibliography.
- three print resources
- three internet resources
- one critical resource (print or internet)
- ten annotated poems
Citing Sources: We will follow MLA style.
Follow directions as given on my Bibliography
page. The following are excellent resources that break the complicated
process down into greater detail: You
may use Citation
Machine or Easy Bib -- both online
bibliography composition sites. Please note that Ebsco Host should
be entered as an encyclopedia or other reference work. I have
agreed to let you count entries listed in EbscHost as either
print or internet, whichever is needed to meet your biblliography
requirements --- though EbscoHost entries are usually originally
print resources from print references. If this makes no sense,
come talk to me.
Research Links: Please note that my Assignment
page has general online references for each literary period.
You will get specific instructions for how to use the Bishop
McGuinness library and be shown how to access some specialized
resources purchased by our school. Make certain that you explore
GaleNet
(through the public library connection) and the online encyclopedias.
Other important references are discussed below.
The Internet
Public Library A+ Research and Writing is our main source
for how to research in general and how to write a research paper.
it's a great starting place, offering tutorials and directions
on research in the physical library and guidelines for internet
research as well. Another excellent set of directions comes from
GaleNet's How
to Write a Term Paper.
Parts of the Project
Cover: Select a meaningful quote
from the works of your approved poet and illustrate that quote
so that it will fit on the front of your file folder. You may
use original artwork, computer graphics, calligraphy, graphic
fonts, cut-and-paste illustrations from magazines -- whatever
will help you make the most of the words themselves. Although
you have the freedom to use varied art materials and papers,
remember that the final quote design must be no larger than 8
1/2 by 11 inches if it is to fit. I have provided several examples
on my Quote Design page.
Letterhead and Business
Card: Design
a logo that is appropriate and relevant for your writer. Use
it for both letterhead and business card. Be as accurate as possible.
Résumé: Following
the format we explored first quarter, put all that information
you have gleaned about your writer's life into résumé
form. Assume the persona of the writer. Concentrate on accuracy
-- rather than the "selective" truth real résumés
often provide.
Personal Alphabet: Browse
through a dictionary, looking for adjectives to describe your
writer. Know the meaning of the words you select and be able
to explain how each word you've chosen fits you. Choose at least
one adjective for each letter of the alphabet. Be sure you choose
the adjective form of words. For example, "excite"
is a verb and "excitable" is an adjective. "Exciting"
is a participle so it can be used as an adjective BUT "excitable"
and "exciting" mean very different things.
Personal Metaphors: Make
a list of metaphorical comparisons. Think, "If my writer
were an animal, what kind of animal would my writer be?"
For each item, write the general label and then your specific
comparison. Be realistic, be somewhat honest, and explain your
choices. Don't say your writer is a rose, if the writer is really
a daisy.
1.
Animal
2. Plant
3. Article of Clothing
4. Day of the Week
5. Food |
6. Color
7. Geometric Shape
8. Fragrance
9. Type of Building
10. Word |
11. Musical
Instrument
12. Season of the Year
13. Appliance / Machinery
14. Natural Phenomenon
15. Literary Character |
Critical Essay: Develop
and support a thesis sentence that makes a connection between
the life, the works, and the literary time period in which your
approved writer lived. For example:
William Shakespeare was the ideal Renaissance
man because of his interests in exploration, politics, and humanism.
Familiar with all medieval social classes,
Geoffrey Chaucer revealed his cynicism and a hidden faith in
The Canterbury Tales.
Peter Meinke's poems use everyday imagery
and modern verse style to demonsteate the contrast between idealism
and reality.
You will cite your sources parenthetically within the content
of the essay. Focus your essay on what you can prove from your
reading and research. Narrowing your topic will help. Your essay
should be approximately 5-7 pages, double-spaced. Include at
least three quotes for each body paragraph. Use the guidelines
given in Quoting from a Poem.
Annotated Poems:
Using directions given in class, you will need copies of the
ten poems (minimum) you will use in your paper. Those poems must
be annotated using Word's Review function, or note-taking helpers.
Bibliography:
Cite all your sources in an alphabetized list that follows MLA
format.
Final Presentation:
Yes, you knew it was coming -- an informative PowerPoint or Keynote
presentation on one of your poet's poems. You will need to follow
the example I will share in class, but your presentation will
present "talking points" on one specific poem -- and
you will be the expert who teaches that poem. Copies of the poem
will need to be provided for all your classmates.
Final Order for the Report: Put everything in your notebook
inside brads (not in pockets or a loose folderi or a three-ring
binder) in the following order --
- Cover -- Illustrated poem or quote
- Title page - poet, your name, hour,
and date.
- Lertterhead and Business Card
- Résumé
- Personal Alphabet
- Personal Metaphors
- Essay
- Bibliography -- six entries in MLA
style
- Annotated Poems
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