Research PaperResearch Paper

Mrs. RosolinoMrs. Rosolino

Primary vs. Secondary sourcesPrimary vs. Secondary sources

PrimaryPrimary in this case refers to the in this case refers to the drama itself.drama itself.

SecondarySecondary refers to the critical refers to the critical essays written about the playessays written about the play

Taking NotesTaking Notes(or what to write down)(or what to write down) Using the criticism provided, Using the criticism provided,

read and record whatever read and record whatever piques your interest piques your interest

3 forms of notes: summary, 3 forms of notes: summary, paraphrase, and direct quotationparaphrase, and direct quotation

After reading what experts have After reading what experts have observed about the drama, observed about the drama, formulate your own idea, which formulate your own idea, which will evolve into a thesiswill evolve into a thesis

Thesis: arguable pointThesis: arguable point

ParaphraseParaphrase—yes, you still have to —yes, you still have to document the source even if it’s in document the source even if it’s in your own words; the idea was not your own words; the idea was not original, which is why original, which is why documentation is essential.documentation is essential.

Paraphrasing is your own Paraphrasing is your own rendition of essential information rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by and ideas expressed by someone elsesomeone else

Be sure to use quotation marks Be sure to use quotation marks to identify any unique term or to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed phraseology you have borrowed from the sourcefrom the source

Using Quotations in your paperUsing Quotations in your paper

Ideally, a research paper blends Ideally, a research paper blends your own ideas and information your own ideas and information from expert sources.from expert sources.

You need to retain the exact You need to retain the exact wording, spelling, and wording, spelling, and punctuation of the original punctuation of the original source, source, AND you must cite your AND you must cite your source by using parenthetical source by using parenthetical documentationdocumentation

Long QuotesLong Quotes If you decide to use a quotation If you decide to use a quotation

that is longer than four lines, it is that is longer than four lines, it is indented (hit the tab once), but indented (hit the tab once), but you do not use quotation marks.you do not use quotation marks.

Also, instead of placing the end Also, instead of placing the end punctuation after the punctuation after the parenthetical documentation, parenthetical documentation, you put the period BEFORE the you put the period BEFORE the documentation.documentation.

For example, For example, Blah, blah, blah—more than four Blah, blah, blah—more than four lines long. (Golding 186)lines long. (Golding 186)

Documenting Quotes from Documenting Quotes from ShakespeareShakespeare If you quote a line, always use If you quote a line, always use

Arabic numerals with periods Arabic numerals with periods separating the act, scene, and line. separating the act, scene, and line.

For example,For example,

(1.2.35)(1.2.35)

You can identify the speaker in the You can identify the speaker in the sentence preceding the quote as you sentence preceding the quote as you introduce the quote in your paper—introduce the quote in your paper—not as a part of the parenthetical not as a part of the parenthetical documentation.documentation.

RequirementsRequirements Use a minimum of three different criticisms Use a minimum of three different criticisms

in the paperin the paper Use active voiceUse active voice Try to write in present tenseTry to write in present tense Avoid using the to be verbs (am, is, are, Avoid using the to be verbs (am, is, are,

was, were, be, been, being)was, were, be, been, being) No first or second person narrationNo first or second person narration 12 pt. font12 pt. font Do not use THIS as a pronoun; do not use Do not use THIS as a pronoun; do not use

this quote means or the author meansthis quote means or the author means Avoid using the reader or any indefinite Avoid using the reader or any indefinite

pronoun (one, someone, somebody, etc.)pronoun (one, someone, somebody, etc.) Do not use contractionsDo not use contractions Follow MLA format (heading + Follow MLA format (heading +

documentation)documentation) Italicize the title of the playItalicize the title of the play

Possible Research Paper Topics related Possible Research Paper Topics related to to The Tragedy of Julius CaesarThe Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Hubris as the tragic flaw (for Brutus, Caesar, + Antony)Hubris as the tragic flaw (for Brutus, Caesar, + Antony) Tragic hero (Brutus or Caesar)—use Aristotle’s Tragic hero (Brutus or Caesar)—use Aristotle’s

definitiondefinition Caesar as a hypocritical/ paradoxical characterCaesar as a hypocritical/ paradoxical character Misinterpretation/ misunderstandingMisinterpretation/ misunderstanding Compare/ contrast Shakespeare’s version and Compare/ contrast Shakespeare’s version and

Plutarch’s—what might be the reason for the changes Plutarch’s—what might be the reason for the changes made?made?

Importance of ritual in the dramaImportance of ritual in the drama Antony as a dynamic characterAntony as a dynamic character Shakespeare’s use of superstitions and omens in the Shakespeare’s use of superstitions and omens in the

playplay Compare/ contrast the funeral speeches: logic vs. Compare/ contrast the funeral speeches: logic vs.

emotion (logos vs. pathos)emotion (logos vs. pathos) Is Brutus a true stoic?Is Brutus a true stoic? Is Cassius a true epicurean?Is Cassius a true epicurean? Abuses of powerAbuses of power