The final paper is a research essay (6-8 pp., Times New Roman 12, MLA citation style) on a topic of your choice concentrating on MYTHOLOGY, one (or more depending on your topic) of the assigned class readings and using at least 3 or more secondary sources that enter into dialogue and sustain your main research topic. Your paper should analyze a specific theme, problem, or important topic/detail found in one of the assigned reading primary texts. This could also include a comparison of the text with another literary work, work of art, or in the context of its historical
moment, or in the context of the author’s life and work, any possible political, sociological,
religious or philosophical overtones, etc. Feel free to consult with me if you would like help
finding a topic or deciding.
Some tips for your final paper:
1.Find a good, specific main topic. A main topic can make or break your paper, try
to find an original topic that stems from a particular theme, problem or important
narrative detail in your primary text. Your main topic can also compare one text to
another literary or political/religious/literary/philosophical text, or work of visual/
performing art. You can also analyze the text in relation to a contemporary or more
modern version of the work. Be as specific and detailed as possible in your choice
of a main topic.
2.Use your sources in a meaningful and resourceful way. Your sources should
either help or enter into conversation with your main topic, they should help you
prove your point and provide evidence and credibility to your paper. Don’t use a
source just to use a source, it needs to help your main topic, help you develop your
ideas, and provide proof and support to your topic.
3. Try to come to an original and instructive conclusion. What is the point of your
main topic? How will it change our way of reading your chosen text? How does it
add to our view of this work? How does it add to the critical discussion? A good
conclusion provides a summing up of your argument and shows why what you
found or discovered in your paper is important to our reading of the text in
question.
