Essay 1
ENGL 1102—Kwist
Fall 2017
For this assignment, I would like you to write a proposal for your research paper (in essay form). The first step in this process is to select a theme from the envelope I will pass around in class. The introductory paragraph of your essay should simply be a reflection on your first impressions of the theme: what images and ideas come to mind, why do you think this theme is so popular in poetry, what do you expect to find as you begin the research process?
Once you select a theme to explore for this assignment, the next step is to decide on the three primary sources for what will eventually be your research paper. Since we are currently working on poetry in class, you should select three poems that fit with your selected theme as your primary source material. At least two of the three poems must be from our textbook; if your third primary source (poem) is not in our textbook, please make a copy and include it with this assignment. You will be penalized if the non-textbook poem is not included. For this section of the essay, give me some insight into your thought process and selection process. You should already know that a “short” poem is not necessarily an “easy” poem, so avoid simply listing length as a factor in your selection process. Instead, focus on the features of the poem that stand out to you—an interesting title, striking imagery, unusual form, an atypical approach to the theme. Let me know how you came up with your list of three.
The last section of the essay should be a review of a scholarly article (accessed through GALILEO), or secondary source, that discusses at least one of the three primary sources you’ve chosen for the assignment. You will need to give a 4-5 sentence summary of the article, and, in a separate paragraph, you also need to discuss at least one insight or interpretation from the article that you find especially useful and/or interesting. You should quote from the article in this section of your essay. Make sure your quotes are adequately introduced, explained, and documented. A librarian will be meeting with us to assist with this process, but going to the library on your own time will be a big help to you for this assignment.
Approximately three pages, double-spaced
MLA 8 format and documentation (in-text citations AND Works Cited page)
Scholarly (peer-reviewed) sources only (no websites or periodicals)
Hard copy due in class