R.

WalzKenwood Academy

English 3

2014-2015

English III: JUNIOR Research Project

What is literary research?
The difference between a research paper and a paper for which no research is done is both simple
(in that one uses research, while the other doesnt) and complex. A non-research paper is about a
text and youthe writerand your skills as a reader of a text. A research paper, on the other hand,
can be about that and something larger. Critic Kenneth Burke describes it as an engagement in a
conversation that may stretch back thousands of years and include any number of other scholarly
voices. You contribute to that conversation by making yourself an informed participant in it. You
become not just a careful reader of the text in question, but a historian of that texts life. You
know when it was born, who its friends and enemies were, what it accomplished (for better or for
worse), and how it has been remembered by those who came after it. In knowing those things and
contributing to the conversation about the text, you keep it alivenot just the text, but the
conversation, which is probably even more important. This conversation is never really just
about the text. Its also always about what we read, how we read, why we read, and what we
value.1
MACBETH literary research project overview
Throughout our reading of Macbeth, we have explored the interpretative power of two critical theories
psychoanalysis and gender studies / feminismand analyzed various motifs (e.g., images of blood, references to
sleep or the tension between what is natural, unnatural, or supernatural). For your junior research paper, you will
choose one of these topics to explore further.
Choose:
a. A psychoanalytic concept weve discussed (e.g., the Id, the Ego, and the Superego) or another
psychological topic that you have gotten approved by me
b. A gender/feminist topic weve discussed (e.g., essentialism, patriarchy, or objectification) or another
gender/feminist topic that you have gotten approved by me, OR
c. A motif we have traced (e.g., blood, sleep, reversals of nature, hallucinations, etc.)
Then, write a research question that explores the connection between your research topic and (choose one):
1. A characters desires, behavior, or relationships
2. The development and resolution of a specific conflict or set of conflicts within the play,
OR
3. A theme (an idea or question about humanity, life, or reality that is implied by the text)
Next, conduct academic research to discover what other scholars have said about your topic. Finally, develop an
essay that makes an argument about Macbeth and acknowledges other scholars ideas about the topic and/or
contributions to your argument.
Your final essay must include at least two secondary sources. You will, however, investigate five scholarly texts
throughout the course of your research.
1 http://www.csuchico.edu/egsc/documents/how_to_write_research_paper.pdf
1

R. WalzKenwood Academy

English 3

2014-2015

Research PROJECT DELIVERABLES & DEADLINES

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Research question
Annotated bibliography (minimum 5 sources)
Outline
1st Draft
Final (Revised) Draft
FEBRUARY

Monday
9

23

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

10

11

12

13
Research Question
Due

17

18

19

20

24

25

26

27
Annotated
Bibliography Due

MARCH
Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

6
Outline Due

10

11

12

13
First Draft Essay
Due

16

17

18

19

20

23

24

25

26

27
Revised (Final)
Draft Essay Due
2

R. WalzKenwood Academy

English 3

2014-2015