THEME: American Literature Sampler- Naturalism to Contemporary

This particular research expedition will result in a traditional thesis-based research paper. 

To prepare for this research expedition, you…

• read and responded to literary works from  each of the following American Literary Periods: Naturalism,  Modernism, Harlem Renaissance and Contemporary  
• reviewed the overall structure of the thesis-based research paper
• brainstormed about the research process and possible topic choices/focus areas within the literary period and author of your choice

What are you researching?

You are looking for valid, reliable and accurate sources which offer the following:

• biographical information about the author
• information about the historical and social contexts in which the author lived and wrote
• short literary works by the author (essays, short stories, poetry)
•  literary criticism of those literary works (see above bullet)

How will you know if what you find is a good resource?

First, the source must be valid, reliable and accurate. (Although a quick wiki search could lead you to a good source, it will not be acceptable as a resource.) You should always validate a resource by comparing information from one source with other sources available in a variety of formats.  

Day #1 & Day #2 

Choose your Focus & Begin to Determine Validity

You came to class today with an author in mind. Your goal today is to determine whether or not you will be able to access the resources necessary to complete your research; if you can’t, you will have to select a different author.

Over the next few days, you will need to locate a valid, reliable and accurate source for the following:

• 3 short literary works (i.e. poetry, short story, essay) by your chosen author
• 3 valid, reliable and accurate sources which offer: biographical information about the author, information about the historical and social contexts in which the author lived and wrote and   literary criticism of the literary works you read

Day #3 Locate Two Short Literary Works by Your Author

Locate two short literary works (i.e. poetry, short story or essay) by your chosen author. Then complete the following steps:

• print/photocopy/checkout each source
• read each source
• for each source, complete one reader's response of your choice (double entry, reading journal or triple entry).

Day #4 Locate a Third Literary Work by Your Author and One Source for Author/Time Period/ Literary Criticism

Locate a third short literary work (i.e. poetry, short story or essay) by your chosen author. Then complete the following steps:

• print/photocopy/checkout the source
• read the source
• complete one reader's response of your choice (double entry, reading journal or triple entry).  

Locate one source which offers information about the author or time period in which the author lived and wrote or literary criticism. Then complete the following steps:

• print/photocopy/checkout the source
• read the source
• complete one reader's response of your choice (double entry, reading journal or triple entry).

Day #5 Locate Two Sources for Author/Time Period/ Literary Criticism

Locate two additional sources which offer information about the author or time period in which the author lived and wrote or literary criticism. Then complete the following steps:

• print/photocopy/checkout each source
• read the source
• for each source, complete one reader's response of your choice (double entry, reading journal or triple entry).