Paper Two
Write a 5-8 page paper on one of the following topics. Your topic
must be approved by me.
You should probably look at the general directions given with the
first paper topic, for general pointers that apply to all topics: to
include a thesis, avoid lists, give evidence, etc.
Topics:
- 1. Compare three or more translations of a work we read in
class.
- Be sure you follow the ideas spelled out in Tips
for Writing a Comparison.
- Be sure your paper makes some overall point or position
about the translations. That is, be sure your paper has a
thesis and is not just a list. This was also required in Paper
1, Part 2, so writing that assignment should have helped
prepare you for this one.
- You obviously don't have to compare every single word of
two translations to do a good job: look at parts throughout the
work, though. Compare some key passages.
- Where appropriate, bring in discussions by the authors of
how they translated the work. However, you should form your own
opinion of the translations, not just echo the translators'
views, but you should be aware of what the translators were
trying to achieve and what they thought the main problems were
in a particular translation.
-
- 2. Read something new and compare it to something we read in
class, first or second half. (Or even reuse something you've read
for another class.) Your topic must be approved by me. Be sure you
follow the ideas spelled out in Tips for Writing
a Comparison.
Be sure your paper makes some overall point or position about
the things you are comparing. That is, be sure your paper has a
thesis and is not just a list, as before. Give evidence for
your views: this means referring to specific places in the
texts you are discussing.
Any plot summary that you do will not count as part of your paper,
so describe your source briefly as you discuss it, or include a
plot summary separately from the five pages of your paper.
-
- 3. Compare a work we read in class to a movie or a TV program. Be sure your comparison is careful and well
defended. Be sure your paper makes some overall point or position
about the things you are comparing. That is, be sure your paper
has a thesis and is not just a list, as before. Give evidence for
your views: this means referring to specific places in the text
and in the TV show or movie. Be sure you follow the ideas spelled
out in Tips for Writing a Comparison.
Any plot summary that you do will not count as part of your
paper, so describe your source briefly as you discuss it, or
include a plot summary separately from the five pages of your
paper.
Sample Paper, Topic 3
- 4. Locate a source and read it and write a brief report on it.
This topic is like the one for the midterm paper. In a briefer
format, I have adapted the directions you had last time below, but
you may want to refer back to them. The source should be a
secondary source about something we have read or will read in
class in the second half of the term.
- Help with Summary
Writing
Sample Paper, Part b
Criteria for a source:
- It should be 8-30 pages long.
- Except in special cases, it must be dated later than
1995.
- Show it to me for approval, before or after class. All
assignments must be done on sources approved by me.
- Xerox it and submit it with your paper.
What to pick as a topic:
Any aspect of any of the literary works we have read in the second half of the term. Watch out for and avoid articles that are primarily about the writer's other works.
How to write the report:
- Write a paper that is 5 pages long. The first part of it
should be a summary of the source. The second part should
analyze the source, comparing it to the topics we discussed
in class.
- Consult the directions and suggestions for Paper 1 for
more information on writing this paper.
Return to Top