Research

Using any of the previously assigned essay structures—personal narrative, close reading or comparison/contrast—compose a well-researched, argumentative essay about some aspect of New York City. This essay should revolve around a central question: anything from “How are marriage and a woman’s identity linked in Edith Wharton’s 1904 short story “The Other Two?” to “How does the immigrant experience of today’s New York compare to the one Audre Lorde presents in her “biomythography” Zami?” The question you ask will determine the best sources to consult. For instance, you might look at primary or secondary historical documents and critical analyses of the literary texts you consider for either of the above examples. Your essay should make use of at least eight sources, in addition to whatever texts from the syllabus you are examining (if any).

Nuts and Bolts:

• The assigned length for this essay is 2450 to 2800 words (approximately seven to eight pages long), not including your bibliography page.
• Your essay must include a bibliography with at least eight sources.
• Here is the rubric by which you will be graded.

• The research proposal (200 to 300 words) is due on Wednesday, April 23^rd. It will include a research and a research plan (i.e. what types of sources you need to answer your question, where you might find them, what you’re going to have to consider in answering your question, how you might structure your essay).

• The Draft Workshops will take place on Friday, May 9^th and Wednesday, May 14^th. 
• The final draft is due on Friday, May 23^rd by midnight.

 

• As with all papers for this class, your paper should be written using MLA formatting. (MLA Mini-guide)
• Here is a handout on the basics of integrating quotations into your essay.
• Be sure to consult the Purdue OWL if you have any questions about making use of your sources or anything else having to do with MLA formatting.