English 150

Final Paper Guidelines

Eng. 150: Irish Literature, Culture, Politics

Prof. Enda Duffy

For this paper of eight pages, you choose the topic: one that interests you. This is your chance to write on an issue or topic which you have always wanted to investigate. We are interested in originality, creativity, serious thinking, and some research.

Choose three perspectives or discourses on the same subject, judge them, and then use them as evidence to argue your own viewpoint on the issue in question.

Your paper will incorporate the following elements:

1. Literature : Work from the Course: The centerpiece of the paper should be a close reading of a passage from any of the works we have read. If possible, this should be the moment you found most moving or interesting in all of the readings from the course. It should be short, and in your paper you should read it closely.

2. Culture: An image/Video/Audio File//film clip, etc.: a video, photo, painting, or a piece of music that also represents the topic you discuss. Be sure to offer a reading of it in your paper.

3. Politics: An ‘Historical Document’ (loosely defined as any text which is not a piece of literature) Find a non-literary or pop-cultural representation of the topic; e.g. a newspaper article, a manifesto, a letter, an advertisement, a poster, a blog.

Plus: Have a Bibliography: List a minimum of two books that you have consulted.

Note:

It is a research paper: Find out about your topic once you have decided what it is. Be sure to narrow the topic as much as you can. That will make for finer work. Include a bibliography (of books, essays, websites, works found on the web, all read by you) to show what research on the topic that you have done.

Remember that these rules are made to be broken. If you have one more piece of evidence, that’s fine. However, have Numbers 1 and 2 above at the heart of your paper.

Be interesting. Remember: have a great title, a great opening sentence, a strong thesis statement, and a rousing, thought-provoking conclusion. You are encouraged to use as your second text outrageous, striking, fascinating and strange materials.

Include copies of the three exhibits you use. Be brilliant!

NB Give your TA a paragraph, in an attached doc., summing up your paper plans. We can then provide feedback and suggestions. Your TA will give you a deadline for this paragraph.

The paper is due at midnight on the Mon. after the last class, Mon. June 7.