Final Project

Theater History

Spring 2016

Final Project Guidelines

In lieu of a final exam, you will develop a final project on a topic of your choice relating to theater history. Your topic must be related to a specific play or production (i.e. it cannot be overly general).

Your final project must include the following:

  1. A written component, consisting of a 5-7 page academic paper that advances an argument about your topic. You must demonstrate that you have adequately research your chose topic by including a bibliography of sources consulted (minimum of 6 sources). At least two of your sources must be print sources (i.e. something that you can find in print, and not only on the internet). At least one of your sources must be archival. Archival sources are primary sources that can be found in an archive. You may find your source via an online archive or in person.
  1. A creative component that engages with your subject in a creative way, in a format of your choice, subject to instructor approval. You may:
  • Stage a scene or monologue from a play in front of the class
  • Make a short film
  • Develop a detailed costume, set, lighting, or sound design for a production
  • Make a comic about your topic (using a program like ComicLife or by hand)
  • Build a website
  • Write a poem, short story, screenplay overview, or television pilot
  • Another creative option of your choice

Students will present their creative projects to the group during the last week of classes. You may recruit other students to help you in bringing your project to fruition, but the conception and overall execution of the project must be your own.

TOPIC

You may choose any topic relating to theater history, broadly defined. Your topic can build upon a play or tradition we’ve covered, or can explore an area that hasn’t been covered in detail.

Choose a topic that interests you, first and foremost. This is a chance for you to explore an aspect of theater history that particularly intrigues you.

RESEARCH

Once you’ve chosen your topic, the next step is to narrow down your focus to a manageable scope and number of resources (I will assist you in this process). In addition to any class readings, you should consult at least 6 external sources for this paper. These sources can be in any format (book, script, article, website, film, etc.), though you should make sure to include at least two print sources and one archival source. All sources should be listed in your bibliography.                

GRADING:

Your project will be assessed based on the following rubric:

Written Paper:                         15 points

Creative Component:               10 points

Total Possible:                       25 points

I will use the following criteria to evaluate the written component of your project:

  • Topic / Argument: Does the paper present a clear and logical claim? Is the topic well-chosen and of interest? Is the argument persuasive?
  • Use of evidence: How effectively does the paper support its argument with evidence and examples? How well are these examples analyzed?
  • Structure, grammar, style: Does the paper make sense? Is it well-written? Does the writing flow?
  • Creativity and originality: What creative or thought-provoking risks have you taken? What insights have you brought to the material?

Grading Rubric

A range – The paper has a thesis, original ideas, and a well-developed argument.  It shows an excellent command of the texts, extensive research, and careful planning. It has a bibliography, and it follows the paper guidelines. Excellent grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style.

B range – The paper has a thesis and well-developed argument.  It shows a good command of the analyzed texts, appropriate research, and careful planning. It has a bibliography, and it follows the paper guidelines.  Good grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.

C range – The paper has a thesis, but lacks an argument.  It shows appropriate command of the analyzed texts and average research.  It has a bibliography and follows the guidelines.  Minor grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

C- or lower – The paper has no thesis, and no argument.  Limited research. The paper is missing a bibliography or it does not follow the paper guidelines.  It has many grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Professor Caplan’s Tips for Writing Excellent Papers

Adapted from R. J. Jenkins

  1. Developing a Topic

 Writing a good paper about a bad topic is hard—in fact, it’s virtually impossible. Obvious, boring, pedestrian topics inspire essays with similar qualities; smart, probing, sophisticated, elegant topics do the same. Therefore, spending some time thinking seriously about your topic is an essential step in the process of writing a successful paper.

In order to identify what it is that interests you most, think about ideas that strike you as important, fascinating, confusing, or intriguing. In other words, your topic should be something that causes you to stop and ponder.

  1. From Topic to Claim: Observation vs. Argument

 Women in Sophocles’ plays is a topic but it is not an argument. Every good paper has a clearly-articulated argument—that is, there is a claim at the center of every strong paper. I do not want a mere statement of observation or opinion; rather, I want you to argue something about the topic in question, to make a critical assertion with which someone might agree or disagree. This argument need not necessarily be complex, but it must say something that is not obvious at first glance.

If you have trouble distinguishing between an observation and an argument, ask yourself the following question: “If I stated this in front of a room of educated, articulate people, is it likely that someone would disagree with me?” If the answer is no—if everyone would naturally agree with you—then you’ve made an observation. If, however, the answer is yes—if it is likely that someone would try to push back against or take issue with what you’ve said—then you’ve formulated an argument.

  1. Structuring Your Essay
  1. a) Introduction: Do not begin with a general claim about the topic. Instead, try beginning with a moment that dramatizes what will be the central concern of your paper.
  1. b) Structure: Evidence should be presented in the order required by your argument.
  1. c) Close Treatment of Text: If you quote a passage, treat it critically. Each time you use a specific reference to a play, article, or book, be sure to explain the significance of that evidence in your own words. The longer the quote, the more analysis you need to provide.
  1. d) Conclusion: Do not conclude your paper by repeating what you’ve already said. This is boring. Instead, conclude your essay by confronting a possible counter-argument to your thesis head on, or by presenting a moment in the text in which your argument plays out in a way that is unexpected or counterintuitive, or by accounting for a scene in which your argument fails to account for something and explaining why that matters, or by exploring what your argument about a little thing might mean in a larger context. Surprise me.
  1. Key Writing Tips

 Be specific. The shorter the paper, the more important this is. Make each sentence count. Avoid generalizations, and introduce your argument quickly. Then, back it up with specific evidence from your sources. Analyze the evidence to show how it supports your thesis.

Be concise.

“I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”  – Mark Twain

While it is fairly easy to babble on for countless pages, it is a challenge to write a tightly-structured paper that is concise and to the point. Take up the challenge and make each sentence of your essay count. Each sentence should advance your argument. The argument is the backbone of your paper – eliminate anything that is not directly relevant.

  1. Editing and Proofreading

The best writers revise and edit their work many times over. If you want your writing to be polished and clear, give yourself some time to edit your writing before turning it in. Editing is the part of the writing process where ideas evolve and are clarified. Don’t sell your writing short by neglecting to edit. Edit for clarity, consistency, and readability. The best way to test your essay for readability is to give it to a friend to read over. Tell them to mark on the pages anywhere where they are confused by your wording or where your argument becomes unclear.

I once had a student turn in an otherwise excellent essay comparing the religious philosophies of Maimonides and Thomas Aquinas in which his computer had auto-corrected Aquinas to “Aquaman.” While the prospect of Maimonides and a superhero named Aquaman duking it out in the annals of philosophy was certainly amusing, it was difficult to take this student’s argument seriously. This student was the victim of last-minute paper writing and didn’t have time to proofread his work. Spell check is no substitute for good proofreading. Don’t make the same mistake. 

Citations

Chicago citation is suggested for this course, but not required. You may feel free to substitute an alternate citation method if you prefer (i.e. MLA, Turabian, etc.), so long as all sources are fully and adequately cited. Please be sure to include a complete bibliography.

Stylistic Guidelines

  • Times New Roman font, 12 pt
  • Double-spaced
  • No more than 1” margins on all sides
  • Include page numbers
  • Don’t forget to include a title – and your name!