Shakespeare's Hamlet
KhalifPapers
ResearchPaperGuidelines151Fall2018.docxResearch Paper Guidelines
This paper will be a research paper, which is different from the first one you wrote for class. Here, you will argue a point, and use experts in the field (hence, your research) to help prove it. The format should be formal, with no use of ‘I’ and be conversational in tone. By that, I mean it should sound like you are having a professional discussion with your reader, but not using ‘you’.
Here are the requirements:
5 full pages double spaced (avoid lengthy headings) 12 pt Times New Roman Font 2 valid outside sources (journal articles, not websites like CliffNotes, SparkNotes, etc) 2 references from the original text (quotes, no more than two lines each)
Topics:
Oedipus: Predestination vs. free will The power/effects of prophecy (man’s ability to see the gods’ intentions) The Tragic Hero (I will explain in class)
Hamlet: Does Hamlet love Ophelia? Is Hamlet acting crazy, or is he just plain nuts? Does Hamlet truly avenge his father’s death? The Oedipus Complex and Hamlet (does he suffer from it?) The old (action) vs. new (acting/pretending) words in Hamlet
Death of a Salesman: The effects of a father lying Biff as a tragic hero The plight of the ‘common’ man Linda Loman’s dedication to her husband (obligation or true love?)
Video Games Write a paper comparing the narrative of an approved video game to one of the plays. Take one of the concepts above and apply it to a video game and a play. See me for more details.
There are more, and you can come up with your own if you want. Just make sure you ask me before writing so you don’t waste time.
Advice:
The Structure of a good paper: A solid research paper is one that covers a specific topic and ventures to answer a particular question. Once you’ve honed your topic and completed your research, along with typing out what I call a Free Draft, it’s time to get to business. In many ways the paper you will write for this class is similar to the ones you wrote in 101. As far as structure goes, the same rules apply. Every time you go to a different idea, you start a new paragraph. The paper should have an introduction and conclusion. There are however, some major differences. For starters, you will be quoting several different sources. This will change your paragraph structure. Your paragraphs should still contain roughly 6 sentences of your own words, with the quotations from the text and your outside sources making the paragraphs a little larger.
Paragraph format: Start out with some observations. Make a valid point. Say you are writing about Hamlet and the Oedipus Complex. You could write something like, ‘At the beginning of the play, Hamlet mourns. However, it is clear his suffering comes not from his father’s death, but instead his mother’s remarriage. He has a concrete attachment to his mother.’ Then, find an outside source to agree with your opinion. For the above example, you would probably want to quote Freud, who came up with the Oedipus Complex, and wrote specifically about Hamlet. Then, you close a paragraph like this with something to help prove your point. “Freud himself argued that Hamlet was too attached to his mother, to aware of her romantic life, which clearly shows that he struggled with the Oedipus Complex.” Of course, don’t copy what I just wrote. It purposely does not make complete sense.
PROOFREAD!!!! Be sure to look over your paper a few times. Here are some common things to look out for, and I have provided a checklist to make things easier:
Spell Check Grammar check Citation Common word mistakes (they’re, their, etc)
Indentation New idea = New Paragraph Staying on topic (be careful not to stray)
Capitalization Punctuation (periods, commas) My name spelled wrong (instant failure)
