English 102 Essay 4: Research Professor Gary Enns 1

ESSAY 4: RESEARCHED LITERARY

ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW
For this final essay assignment, write a five to six page
researched essay (five-source minimum) on Kent Harufs
novel, Plainsong.
Good news! You have already practiced all the skills you
need in order to write this paper: synthesis, analysis,
research, and literary interpretation of a work of fiction.
You are free to write an essay which
raises an issue inherent in the text and develops a

claim about that issue (See Ann Schumwalts essay

Chapter 2)
uses a literary work to examine a social issue (See
Sara Michaels essay Chapter 6)
deals with existing interpretations of a literary
work (See Katie Johnsons essay, Chapter 6)
uses a topic lens from AaL page 82 in order to
analyze the literary work (See Michaela Fioruccis
essay Chapter 5)
uses a theoretical/analytical lens to examine the
work (See Jacob Grobowiczs essay Chapter 6 and
Amber Pyles sample essay class handout)
examines the work in its historical/cultural
context (See Brittany Thomas essay Chapter 6
examines the work using one of the critical
approaches to literature outlined in the AaL
appendix (See Molly Fryes essay appendix)

SYNTHESIZE
Use synthesis to fully integrate your sources. In other
words, use multiple sources to explore each facet of
your topic rather than one source per topic. Again, take
a look at T.B. Henning's "Literature Review: Synthesizing
Multiple Sources" (also linked on our homepage) for
synthesis techniques. Where do sources agree and
complement each other? Where does one source add
complexity to your topic? Note in particular Henning's
"review grid" suggestion. Creating a review grid
featuring the literary work in addition to your secondary

Assignment
Snapshot
1. Choose the type of essay you would like to
write: See the list of possibilities and
student examples to left.
2. Explain the analytical tool, concept, or
issue clearly: Your readers need to
understand the overarching theme of your
essay before you can lead them to the
literature itself.
3. Apply the analytical tool, concept, or issue
to the novel: State your claim. Connect the
tool or concept clearly with the literature.
4. Develop: Explain how the literature
supports your claim, how we see the
concept at work in the lives of characters.
Draw on specifics from the text in order to
show the connections clearly. Remember to
write idea-driven rather than summarydriven paragraphs.
5. Be comprehensive: Your interpretation
should focus on a comprehensive reading of
the text, helping readers to see an
important central theme or experience as
crucial to the literature.
6. Hook readers: Write a hook to start your
intro. This need not focus on the literature.
You may instead focus on the concept or
definition you are addressing. Follow your
hook with your issue and claim.
7. Integrate multiple sources: Add
complimentary quotes from other scholarly
sources appropriate to your topic.
8. Vocabulary: Use the vocabulary of literary
scholarship. Refer to the elements of fiction
in AaL Ch 5 (plot and structure, characters,
stage directions and setting, etc.)
9. Conclude: Write a conclusion which clarifies
the significance of your issue to your
readers. Why is this important? Give them
something to ponder for the rest of the day.
10. Format: Triple-check all aspects of MLA.

English 102 Essay 4: Research Professor Gary Enns 2

sources is a great way to insure synthesis.

ANALYZE
The power of analysis is its ability to reveal objects or events in ways we would not otherwise have
considered. You will doubtless be analyzing throughout your piece, drawing in one source here and one
source there, applying these perspectives to characters, situations, and images. Review the What is
Analysis? guide along with the sample literary analyses by Grobowicz and Pyle for a better idea of how
you can use analysis to deepen your study of the literature.
SOURCE REQUIREMENTS
Directly quote (and summarize/paraphrase when appropriate) the following five sources into your
paper:
1. Kent Harufs novel, Plainsong.
2. One full-length article from a Cerro Coso database: You are to use the EBSCO or Gale databases
(http://www.cerrocoso.edu/library > Databases) to find a quality source that somehow
illuminates your topic. This source won't be focused on the literature itself, most likely. Rather, it
will be focused on a subject that relates to the piece you have chosen. Use a search term
appropriate to your subject matter. For instance, if you are focusing on racism in the South in a
short story, then you might go to EBSCO Academic Search Premier and conduct a search using
racism as your search term. The source you find will most likely be an essay from a history,
philosophy, feminist, or psychology journal or something similar, a newspaper article, or any other
document that somehow illuminates your subject. It most likely won't even mention the literary
piece. This is an excellent way to find an analytic tool.
3. One literary or biographical study from the Literature Resource Center: This database
(http://www.cerrocoso.edu/library > "Databases" > Literature Resource Center) specializes in
biographic information and literary criticism. Find at least one source from this database. This is
where you will find sources focused primarily on your author and/or literary piece. When viewing
search results, notice the various menu tabs that categorize sources for you.
4. Two or more reliable sources of your choosing: Follow your interests to find another quality
academic source of your choice. You can find these from EBSCO or Gale databases, or you can strike
out on your own. Just be sure that any and all sources you use stand up to standards of accuracy,
authoritativeness, currency, objectivity, and coverage. Note: Dictionaries (unless the use is relevant
and interesting), Cliff's or Sparknotes, encyclopedias, and, of course, Wikipedia, do not count. Avoid
using these as resources in an academic research paper).
MLA FORMATTING AND DOCUMENTATION
Proper MLA style and documentation is essential to this course. I have provided several MLA tutorials
for you on my Writing and Formatting Tutorials page. Review and follow their instructions carefully.
Your handbook is also an excellent source for MLA information, so refer to it as you format your in-text
citations and Works Cited page.
NOTE: Any essay which does not conform to the MLA specifications of this course and which does not
include appropriate in-text citations and a Works Cited page will require revision. This revision will be

English 102 Essay 4: Research Professor Gary Enns 3

considered as a late assignment and can earn a grade no higher than a C. If you are unsure about your
formatting, I recommend taking the MLA tutorials and your essay file to the LAC on one of our campuses
and having a trained tutor look over your formatting.
SUGGESTED STEPS
Here's a handy checklist to help you keep on track. Of course, you may find yourself jumping around this
process a bit, but in general, if you stick to this plan, you should be fine!
1. Read Chapter 6: This wonderful chapter is full of valuable information about this assignment.
Honestly, if you haven't read this chapter, you are then at a distinct disadvantage. Pay close
attention to the student essay samples, as they are great models for your own essay.
2. Come to a deep understanding of the literature: Ask and then answer questions of your own to
figure out what really interests you about the work. Let these BIG questions challenge you to
interpret and do some researching. Consider what characters cherish or fear most. Look at the
piece through one of the literary lenses found on page 82. Look at the piece in light of one or
more of the literary issues outlined in Chapter 2. Look at the piece through one of the critical
approaches to literature outlined in the appendix of AaL. In short, use the skills you've learned
through the semester to come to a clear and deep understanding of the novel.
3. Formulate a tentative claim: Do this step before you conduct any research. This claim will act as
your guide through your research. After research, you'll most likely revisit and tweak this. Your
claim can by literary-based or issue-based.
4. Research: Visit databases such as Academic Search Complete and the Literature Resource Center
first. You may just find all the sources you need in these two locations. Then, if you need to find
additional sources, try out some other techniques as outlined in the Research Interactive Study
Guide provided by your instructor. Create your Working Bibliography as suggested by S and C
on pages 196-197, and take the four kinds of notes and your original ideas down as they suggest
on pages 200-201.
5. Review synthesis and analysis techniques, and create a literature review grid: Review T.B.
Henning's useful "Literature Review: Synthesizing Multiple Sources" handout and then create a
grid based on your issue and claim. Review the "What is Analysis?" guide, and search for an
analytic tool to apply to the literature.
6. Revise your tentative claim: Once you've completed your research and note-taking, revise your
tentative claim, if necessary, based on your new findings. A revised claim will most likely be
more specific than the tentative claim you used to guide your research.
7. Write your paper and integrate sources: Again, avoid the quilting together of the ideas of
others. Rather, in this essay, you take center stage, using your sources to help you make your
pointnot the other way around. Rely on your literature review grid to help you synthesize your
sources.
8. Format according to MLA: Provide parenthetical citations in the body of your essay whenever
you summarize, paraphrase, or quote another source, and provide a Works Cited page
formatted correctly. See your handbook and your professors MLA tutorials for specifics.
9. Revise and polish your work: Seek the feedback of peers in the workshop, take your essay to
the LAC for some advice from a trained tutor if possible, and then revise and proofread for
clarity of expression, persuasiveness, correct spelling, grammar, and syntax.

English 102 Essay 4: Research Professor Gary Enns 4

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Online Students
Follow the How to Submit Your Essay instructions found under Essential Course Documents
toward the top of our Moodle homepage. In general,
1.
2.
3.
4.

Submit your rough draft to the www.turnitin.com for PeerMark review.

Come back the next day to evaluate the peer essays assigned to you.
Review the comments of your peers and revise your essay.
Submit your final draft to turnitin.com once you have thoroughly revised and edited your work.

Onsite Students
1. Bring hard and digital copies to class on the workshop date to participate in workshop.
2. Use your peer and instructor comments to help you revise.
3. On the due date, review your MLA formatted essay with your professor during the first five
minutes of class. If accepted, you can upload the copy to www.turnitin.com. If revision is
required, you will be able to work on the essay for a reduced grade.
GRADING CRITERIA CHECKLIST
SPECIFIC TO ASSIGNMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

Essay is five to six pages (double spaced, 11 pt. Times New Roman, 1 margins).
The instructor's MLA tutorials are followed to the absolute letter.
The issue and claim are clarified in the introduction, and the claim is developed through topically
driven paragraphs.
Regardless of whether the paper is a literary interpretation or a social issue paper or a traditional
analysis, the literary piece is effectively used throughout the essay and not just in one small portion
of the essay.
All five required sources are directly represented and meaningfully used. The quotes used are
essential to the message of the essay. Quotes are kept relatively short and are fluidly integrated.
Synthesis technique is used, bringing together multiple sources in each section of the essay.
The essay shows an understanding of analysisapplying the idea/s of an outside source to the
literature under scrutiny.
Sources are correctly referenced with in-text parenthetical citations and an appropriately
formatted Works Cited page. (See your handbook's MLA section and your instructor's MLA tutorials
for specifics.)
The essay keeps the reader awake.

DISTINGUISH AMONG FACTS, INFERENCES, JUDGMENTS, AND IMPLICATIONS

1.
2.
3.

Inferences are soundly drawn from a texts internal patterns, themes, and structures.
Conclusions are decisive and derive from clearly established premises.
Facts presented as evidence are abundant and judiciously chosen.

English 102 Essay 4: Research Professor Gary Enns 5

ANALYZE AND CREATE WRITTEN ARGUMENTS USING SOUND REASONING AND RELEVANT SUPPORTING
DETAILS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.

Structure of the essay effectively matches its purpose, combining rhetorical modes as appropriate,
and contains clear and effective thesis and topic sentences.
Transitions and keywords are used, and usage is varied and entirely appropriate.
Essay employs effective introduction and conclusion strategies that clarify the significance of the
topic to the reader.
Paragraphs are strongly unified, coherent, and well developed.
Title is intriguing, appropriate, creative, and properly capped and centered.
Reasoning is forceful.
Evidence is judiciously chosen, presented in a highly readable blend of paraphrase and direct
quotation, and integrated smoothly into the flow of the paper. Basic source attributions (title of
piece; authors full name the first time mentioned and last name only on subsequent mentions; date
of first publication; title of publication) are included in an effective manner. Boundary markers such
as signal phrases (Solano suggests that argues, asserts, claims) are used effectively
and smoothly.
Grammar and usage show no major and very few minor errors.
MLA format and citation practices are correctly adhered to in all details (including layout, in-text
parenthetical citations, and the Works Cited page.)

IDENTIFY PREMISES, BOTH STATED AND UNSTATED

1.

In building its argument, the essay makes use of both the stated and unstated premises of its
source material.