Engl 385: The Brontës

Collaboration Essay and Oral Presentation

For the course collaborative group project, each group will write a 8-10--page essay (not counting the works cited page) and give a 10-minute presentation (during our finals week exam period) that explores a topic using one Brontë novel or possibly comparing and contrasting two novels.  Since this is a research essay, you will use a few secondary sources (see below) to support your thesis. 

All group members will receive the same grade for the collaborative essay.

The research paper will require a minimum of three secondary sources + one or two primary sources.  (The novels are primary sources.)  Of the three secondary sources, only one can be a credible website, although you do not have to use websites.  You should use journal articles and essays from an (thematic) essay collection that focus specifically on the novel(s) you are writing about. Although you can use the critical introductions from our novel editions, dictionary (the OED) and literary handbook definitions, these do not count towards the minimum three sources.  Sources that provide historical, social, and cultural background can count towards one of the three minimum sources.  If you use more than three sources, they can be any type of credible source.

Each group will turn in a proposal that explains their topic and focus for their essay.  See the proposal page and syllabus for due date.  After completing the proposal, you will begin working on your essay.

Each group will turn in one copy of the essay and outline.  All partners turn in their planning charts (handout).

Research Essay

The research paper will be a literary analysis of one or perhaps two Brontë novels. Based on your topic, you will develop a specific thesis that articulates your main claim about the novel you are writing about. In essence, your paper is an argument intended to convince readers that your thesis is a valid one, that your interpretation of the novel(s) is a valid and engaging way of reading them.

You will support your thesis with:

  1. your reasoning and analysis
  2. quotations from the novel(s) and
  3. secondary sources.

You will use the MLA citation style (humanities) for parenthetical (in-text) citations and for your works cited page. A copy of the MLA Handbook (9th ed.) is in the library.

Outline (10pts)
 
  1. You should write an informal, scratch outline of your entire essay before you begin drafting your essay.  The outline will be due with the final essay. This outline will help you clarify the content and structure of your essay before you start drafting.  It will also help you determine specific quotations from the novels you will use and where in the essay they will go.  And it will help you determine specific quotations or paraphrased ideas from secondary sources you will use and where they will go.
  2. Use the handout as an example of the type of outline you will construct.  Do not just make up your own type of outline.  Indicate primary source quotations (novels) in the following manner: PSQ: author name, page number(s) + brief description of the quotation.  Indicate secondary source summary/paraphrase/direct quotations (e.g. journal articles) in the following manner: SSQ: author last name + page number(s) + brief description of the quotation.  You do not have to write out the full quotations. 

Project Planning Chart (5pts)

Each member of the group should complete and revise/update a Gnatt planning chart throughout the duration of the project.  We will discuss this in class.

**The group's planning charts should mirror each other--each group member has the "same" chart
**Planning charts should include tasks to be completed, who completes tasks (e.g., individual/collectively), due dates for completing tasks, meeting dates, in-person and virtual
**Start with main phases and then fill in detals
**Revise and update charts as needed


Introduction

Remember the function of an introduction--introduce your subject, raise key questions, situate your topic within the existing scholarship, and/or define your parameters (choice of text). Your intro. does not necessarily have to include all of these. Finally, your introduction should include your thesis statement.

Thesis Statement

As you know, your thesis is the main point or idea of your essay. If you think of a literary analysis as an argument, then your thesis is the main point your are trying to prove. This "point" comes from your reading, thinking, and writing about the novel or novels you have chosen. Consider this introductory paragraph comparing Dickens's OT and Roman Polanski's adaptation of the movie.  The thesis is in italics:

As seen in both the novel and Polanski's movie adaptation, Oliver Twist is portrayed with innocence as a major personal trait; however, this picture of innocence varies throughout these two sources, therefore altering the audience's image of Oliver as a whole.  These sources show Oliver remaining pure in a corrupt place, but these images go about different ways to create his character.  In Dickens's novel, Oliver is described as being unaware of his surroundings, therefore giving the reader the image of Oliver as a small, meek child, but Polanski ultimately reinterprets the character of Oliver.  The movie adaptation works as a translation of Dickens's novel by changing the way in which the audience views his character.  While the novel merely portrays Oliver as a meek child who is unaware of his surroundings, the movie's actual visual sources show Oliver as innocent, yet independent at the same time, giving the audience two different understandings of the character of Oliver as whole. 

**There is a specific point here, but the writer's thesis might further specifiy what these two different understandings are.  What is the significance of showing Oliver as independent?  Why reinterpret the novel this way?**

Audience

Assume readers, who are students taking a 200- or 300-level English literature course, have experience reading literature and literary criticism as well as basic knowledge of the novel's plot, although the plots in the Brontë novels can be complicated. What would this audience expect to learn from your essay? What would be their reason for reading it? What writing style would they expect? Keep these questions in mind as your draft and revise.

Organization/Development & Support

Also, be sure paragraphs are not too long (overloaded) or too short (underdeveloped).  The outline is an effective way to visualize the entire structure of your essay.

Choose your supporting ideas carefully. Do not focus on plot summary. You should only use plot summary briefly to contextualize points/ideas. Be sure to defend supporting ideas clearly and specifically using concrete examples. You may, for example, define key terms/words, interpret dialogue and actions, assess characters, and explain the meaning/significance of key ideas/concepts.

For a comparison/contrast essay, you might block your discussion (discuss one novel then the other) or use an alternating structure based on common points/ideas of comparison, moving back and forth between novels.  There are pros and cons to each method.  If you use an alternating structure; organize your essay by developing and linking supporting points/ideas. Move logically and clearly from supporting idea to supporting idea, each, in turn, supporting the thesis.

Use clear topic sentences that focus each paragraph as well as clear paragraph transitions.

Using/Integrating Quotations

Quotations emphasize and highlight important ideas/points that would be lost or muted with paraphrase or summary. They also allow readers to experience the language of the text. Remember, however, that quotations are not a substitute for your thinking, so they must be interpreted and explained. Don't overuse quotations and be careful about using long (block) quotations. Choose quotations judiciously. Check the MLA Handbook (9th ed.) for advice about integrating and punctuating quotations and citing page numbers.

You will include a works cited page that gives the primary and secondary sources you cite in your essay.  Again, check the MLA Handbook (9th ed.). 

Grammar and Mechanics

Each group will turn in one copy of the essay and outline. All partners turn in their planning charts.

The essay length is 8-10 pages, double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt, Times New Roman.  Since you are indenting paragraphs, you do not also need extra spaces between paragraphs.  Please use page numbers.  Include a title.  Use a paper clip rather than stapling.

Grammar and Mechanics: Considerations (Consult a current grammar handbook for help and see me.)

Oral Presentation

Oral presentations will occur during our final exam period.  They will be 10 minutes each.  (You must keep to this time limit.)

All group members will receive the same grade for the presentation.

1.  The oral presentation should highlight the essay and complement its argument: the topic/issue and thesis along with main supporting points and a few examples/quotations. Remember, your audience (our class) has not read your essay. But the presentation can also present ideas not developed in the essay or those that the essay only briefly touches on.   You might also mention relevant, interesting historical and/or biographical connections you didn't incorporate into your essay.  Finally, you can offer final thoughts on the Brontë sisters/their novels and even leave us with questions to consider on our own about the Brontës.
2.  You can use (not required) PPt slides (or Prezi, etc) to aid your presentation.  Keep the principles of slide design in mind as you plan your presentation.  For this brief presentation, you won't need many.  You could also use a handout if you wish.  (I can make copies for you.)  If you use PowerPt slides, please send me a copy before our presentations so you can access them through my account from the room computer.  You might also show images and/or share bibliographic information.
3.  All group members should speak as part of the presentation.  Keep volume, positioning during the presentation in mind.  Also, since this is a final presentation, keep dress in mind: buisness casual?
It may be helpful to run through your presentation once or twice.

Feel free to see me if you have any questions. I'll also be glad to look at drafts as you write them. Throughout the semester I will guide you through the writing process and add information to this page.