English 510: Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Drama
Dr. DeRochi
Final Seminar Paper
Due Date: December 6th (reading day)

Context:          Through the course of this semester, we have spent a great deal of time discussing various contexts of Restoration and eighteenth-century drama from sociopolitical ramifications to evolutions of various dramatic genres.  In addition, you have written two brief passage papers that address the primary texts themselves.  Building upon our work so far, this assignment will give you experience in joining a scholarly debate, to examine and answer another scholar’s interpretation.   

Assignment:    Find and examine a scholarly article that addresses some aspect of any work we have read (or will read) this semester.  For this assignment, you are to write a well-supported argumentative essay that disagrees with some aspect of the specific article. 

***Undergraduates are expected to write a 8-10 page paper, with at least 4 additional sources (a total of 5 secondary).

***Graduate students are expected to write a 12-15 page paper, with at least 6 additional sources (a total of 7 secondary).    

                        As always, papers should be computer-generated, 12-pt, Times New Roman Font with 1-inch margins, and use proper MLA documentation.  There is no need for a title page. 

                        Of course, many of you may have thought of a larger project already.  If so, check with me to make sure it is appropriate )and more importantly doable).  You will naturally bring in other scholars that relate to the topic and won’t need the steps above.

Things to Consider:

Ø      Build the paper.  Don’t write it.

Ø      Do your research as early as possible; you never know when you may not be able to find a specific source.

Ø      Value your own opinion.  Every argument is fallible at some level; do not think that an article from Studies in English Literature is flawless.

Ø      Use specific quotes from the primary text to support your argument.

Ø      Avoid plot summary.  Your audience has read the text—these novels—so you should avoid discussing the novel chronologically; instead, choose sections of the text that will support your argument efficiently and concisely.

Ø      Answer the “so what?” question.  It is absolutely essential for you to conceive your paper as offering an important point to consider: what should your academic audience take from reading it? Your conclusion must answer this question.