PRELIMINARY THESIS STATEMENT & NOTECARD CHECK FEEDBACK

What to do MOVING

FORWARD…

NOTECARD CHECKOverall, very successful execution

of the notecard strategy.Two major issues

Lack of variety – there should be a strong variety in your notecards and a natural progression of focus for each of your sources

Mistakes in formatting – lack of color-coding and lack of RESEARCH-BASED slug terms

PRELIMINARY THESIS STATEMENTS All statements exhibited strong

foundational ideas…good start. Three major issues

Lack of specificity in your language—vague diction, how are you going to be defining these terms?

Focuses that were purely observational (facts of the novel)—how will you make these statements arguable? One of the simplest ways to do this is to consider an idea’s effectiveness.

We’re playing it TOO SAFE…take a risk in your thinking!

FOR EXAMPLE… In the book I noticed that Victor

Frankenstein’s ambitions caused much suffering and death around all that his creation encountered. Based on my opinions and research so far, I think I could write a paper on how ambitions bring misfortunes if not controlled.Excellent idea! Consider how, specifically

and stylistically, the author develops and proves this point in the text…this will help you to focus both your research and your argument.

FOR EXAMPLE… In my book I noticed that both Vonnegut and

Billy Pilgrim have difficulty in identifying what reality is and how it governs them and their world. Based on my opinions and research so far, I think I could write a paper about how Vonnegut’s struggle to write his book about the fire-bombing of Dresden is paralleled in Billy Pilgrim's experiences “tripping through time.”Very strong foundational idea—as you work

through your research, I would consider why this struggle existed and what the larger/more universal lesson or purpose might be for the novel as a whole…

FOR EXAMPLE… In my book I noticed that resurrection and

light are two big symbols shown throughout the book. Based on my opinions and my research so far, I think I could write a paper on how even though death and dark times happen, there is always hope and a chance of rebirth.Very strong universal purpose! As you

continue to work through your research, consider how Dickens develops and proves this lesson in the text…

FOR EXAMPLE… In my book I noticed women are portrayed

the same now and in the past. Based on my opinion and research so far, I think I could write a paper on the similarities between modern day women in literature and classic literary women of the past.Very strong focus—but how are they

portrayed? What criteria will you use to develop this comparison and contrast? Work on developing this specificity moving forward…

FOR EXAMPLE… Pride and Prejudice starts out with one of

the most famous lines in English literature “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). This is the exemplification of marriage at that time, marriage was what everyone strived for, and in 2012 that just is not the case.Is this good or bad? Interesting premise—

but you will need to qualify these ideas a bit in order to help build the argumentative focus of your piece.

FOR EXAMPLE… Pride and Prejudice starts out with one of

the most famous lines in English literature “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (Austen 1). This is the exemplification of marriage at that time, marriage was what everyone strived for, and in 2012 that just is not the case.Is this good or bad? Interesting premise—

but you will need to qualify these ideas a bit in order to help build the argumentative focus of your piece.

FOR EXAMPLE… In my book I noticed Gloria Naylor show how

women have many struggles. Based on my opinions and my research so far, I think I could write a paper on how women are stronger than men and how women face various problems daily.Very strong focus—How will you support

these ideas? With only the novel? Or will you work on finding some additional examples outside of the novel/in current events?

FOR EXAMPLE… In my book I noticed that it is relatively

descriptive and accurate about World War I. Based on my opinions and my research thus far, I think I could write a paper on how All Quiet on the Western Front is a period piece/historical document not just a fictional novel.Very interesting—how will you define

this/set this up— “document” vs. “novel?” This will need some greater specificity in your argument…

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Literary Research Paper

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of the annotated

bibliography is to sort through and catalogue your most promising sources for your argument and your literary research paper.

This assignment requires you to examine your sources with a critical eye and a sense of your future writing purpose…preliminary thesis statement.

“A CRITICAL EYE”Summarize: Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?

“A CRITICAL EYE”Assess: After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?

“A CRITICAL EYE”Reflect: Once you've summarized

and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?

WHAT IS IT? An MLA-formatted citation for a source

followed by a paragraph that includes a summary of the source’s main ideas and an explanation of how this source could be used in your paper.

Your paper will need to have a minimum of 5 secondary sources that are actually used in the paper. The annotated bibliography should consist of 5 of your most promising sources that will likely be used in your paper.

WHAT IS IT? Ultimately, this is a document that will

force you to learn more (and in more depth) about your topic. This will make you think about your sources and how they will work for you in your writing…this will push you past merely gathering information. It makes you make that information relevant to your original, creative, argumentative ideas…OR DECIDE IT IS NOT RELEVANT!!!

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Examination of Annotated Bibliography Sample

NEED MORE INFO??

?http://

owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/

UPCOMING DUE DATES Due Friday 11/30 (end of period):

Annotated Bibliography Due Monday 12/03 (beginning of

period): Revised Thesis Statement – Thesis statement conferences W-Th of this week

Due Monday 12/03 (beginning of period): Revised Thesis Statement

Due Wednesday 12/05 (end of period): Notecard check #2 45 NEW NOTECARDS