Honor’s English 10

Modern/Contemporary Author Research Project

I. Presentation Requirements

A. Choose a modern/contemporary American author and selection (not poetry) by that author to develop and present in class to a small group. Provide the website or make one copy of the story if it is not in our textbook so I can make copies available for the class. B. Critically read your story (more than once) and the background information from the text. Take notes over important information. Include information about plot, character, setting, theme, any other literary technique that your author uses as well as historical and literary information from the time period. C. Research information about your author. Use the Biography sections of the textbook and appropriate resources from the Internet and library such as American Writers, Current Biography, Contemporary Authors, Encyclopedia of World Biography, Critical Survey of Short Fiction, Who’s Who in America, Readers Guide to Biography and Criticism, Readers Encyclopedia of American Literature, Cambridge History of American Literature, Black Women Writers at Work, etc. Use a variety of reputable sources. Limit general encyclopedia references to one. Keep track of resource information. You will need to show evidence of research and include parenthetical citations in your work. You will also need a complete, correct annotated bibliography. D. Prepare a 40-minute presentation for a group of other students who will also have read your story. You may present the material any way you wish considering the limitations we have for class. Let me know if you have special requirements (computer, DVD, VCR, {how quaint} etc.) Include the following criteria: 1. a creative approach (we don’t want to be bored) 2. relationship between story and author’s background 3. similarities between story and author’s writing style 4. visual aid 5. vocabulary list and definitions 6. information about the plot but don’t simply summarize 7. in-depth analysis of the story that could include other literary techniques author uses such as: setting, characterization, point of view, theme, irony, dialogue, dialect, etc. 8. historical background for author and/or story 9. if necessary, a tie-in, lead-in to story 10. evidence of good research techniques E. Prepare a working draft and then a final annotated bibliography that includes all sources used for this project in correct citation form. Write an explanation of the content of each source and comments about its effectiveness as an academic research resource. F. Prepare a formal, typed, topic outline of the content and order of the information for your presentation; use parallel structure.* G. Prepare a quiz with a minimum of 10 appropriate questions and answers about the author and story. Include information that is varied, is significant, and has depth. You will give and grade the quiz. The quiz scores will count toward the total grade.* H. Develop and write an appropriate essay in which you develop the worthwhile, valid point of the thesis statement. It should make and develop a significant claim about the author’s style, themes, or other key concept. Avoid plot summary. It should not merely repeat information in the summary, précis, or outline. It should not have a there is/there are thesis. You must include the thesis and a working draft as a Canvas Assignment to be approved prior to final submission. You will then develop the paper with adequate information from the story and your other research. The essay must include accurate citations.* I. Include significant vocabulary and an opportunity for students to learn it. Submit a list of at least 10 essential words with their definitions. J. Read stories by the due date for other presentations in your group. K. Based on set criteria, evaluate the presentations of others. Be discriminating, fair, objective, L. If you are absent for a group member’s presentation, you are responsible to obtain the material, take the quiz, and have the presenter include the graded quiz in the folder.
II. Literary Criticism/Field Trip A. Find and copy at least one complete article of literary criticism (not merely a short review) that critiques your author, selection, or other works by your author. You will submit a notated copy of the article to me with the written activities. B. Read and notate the article for clear understanding. C. Include the correct bibliographic notation with your writing and in your final bibliography. D. Write a directed summary (abstract, precis) of the article. Also write your Response to the effectiveness of the article. Have no quotes from the article in the summary; have at least one quote from the article and a correct parenthetical citation in the response. Do not use “I think…” or other such personal phrasing.

Include parenthetical citations in the sections with a star (*).

We will continue other authors/work in addition to the project activities.
Modern Short Story Presentation Due Dates

Background Info. Read and comprehend Text pages:

820-837, 1086-1087, 1088-1105,

1262-1263, 1264-1303 March 4/5

Author & Selection March 10/11

Copy of Story (if necessary) March 20/21

Research:

IUPUI-signed permission slip March 10/11 Field Trip to University Library March 17-Per 6, 7 March 18-Per 5, 10

CG Library for print resources March 6/7

Class work days (partial) March 10-April 16

Objective Quiz and Answers March 20/21

Literary Criticism Article with citation, Precis, Response—print April 9/10

Presentations (2 per day) April 17/18, 21/22, 23/24

Outline Day after you present

Graded Quizzes from group members Day after you present

Essay--Thesis/WWD in Canvas Assignments April 15/16

Essay—Final Draft-e-mail PDF/e-mail April 29/30

Annotated Bibliography--Print May 1/2

Group Stories and Evaluations Day of others’ presentations
Label all documents with a header: your name, period, and assignment name.
Submit completed work in the appropriate format by the due date.