Guidelines for Final Presentation: A Comparison/
Contrast of Current Byronic Hero or Heroine with Versions of the Nineteenth
Century Byronic Hero in the Literature Discussed in Class.
1. Introduce the character in the current movie, along with title and director, and main actors, or introduce the character in the novel or story and its author. Briefly summarize the movie or book; be sure to identify when the movie was made or the book was published.
2. Define how the current hero or heroine possesses Byronic hero traits. You may also include other characters who may also characterize the Byronic traits.
3. Compare and contrast the Byronic figure(s) in the movie or book to at least two figures from the nineteenth books we have read and discussed. You may also discuss other Byronic figures we have studied this semester if they are relevant to the figure you are analyzing. Is the definition of the Byronic hero in the current figure similar to the nineteenth century version, or how has the Byronic hero been transformed? Be sure to discuss the approach the movie or book takes concerning heroes and heroines, and how that impacts the hero definition. Be sure to draw conclusions from your comparison/contrast analysis. In other words, what is revealed about the nature of the current hero or heroine you are analyzing? Is the current hero or heroine a product of our 21st culture, and if so, how? Or are there closer ties to the nineteenth century Byronic hero upon closer inspection?
Don't forget to show clips of the movie as well to back up your argument.
Time length: 15-20 minutes. Time may seem long, but remember you will showing clips from the movie; you can intersperse clips throughout your presentation, or present them at the end of your discussion.
Guidelines for Final Paper:
Your paper will be an amplification or development of your ideas presented in your individual presentations. Remember, a comparison/contrast analysis needs to draw and support a conclusion that answers a "So What" question that you have identified (For example, look back at the questions in bold in the presentation section--they may guide you in your selecting a "So What" question that your analysis will address.) A comparison/ contrast exercise can produce a pointless essay if all you do is list the matching and non-matching traits. Please move beyond the listing stage to write an argument that supports the conclusion(s) you have made. Following is a breakdown of the different parts of this assignment:
The Paper: After formulating an opinionated thesis statement, based on your comparison/contrast analysis between a current Byronic hero or heroine and at least two manifestations of the nineteenth century Byronic heroes we studied in class, you will generate a 5-7 paged paper that uses the text(s) from our class readings and the text or movie that presents your choice of a current Byronic hero and at least 1 outside critical source to prove the thesis. The hard copy of your paper is due at your final exam on Tuesday, December 14. Please make an appointment with me if you would like to review a draft before submitting it to me.
The Outside Source: You will be employing at least 1 outside critical source in your paper. You can find sources in Dacus or online (try the English/core page for some good links: www.winthrop.edu/english/core.htm. In addition, JSTOR and Infotrac, both Databases on Dacus’ homepage, often bring up full-text articles.) Also, check out the MLA Database as well. Wherever you locate your source, you must make sure that your source is a work of criticism, not a mere summary of the plot.
Works Cited: You’ll need to cite any quotations, paraphrases, and summaries (from our books and from your critical source) using correct MLA parenthetical documentation (not footnotes). Make sure you are introducing all borrowed information according to the handout on “The Correct Use of Borrowed Information” (you’ll find a link on my homepage: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/martinme). You will also need a Works Cited page containing bibliographical information on any book or any other sources you cite or reference, even the movie. Your Works Cited page will be the last page of your paper. Please follow current MLA guidelines.
Turnitin.com: Before 12 AM on 12/14, each of you will need to submit your paper electronically to me using turnitin.com. To do this, go to www.turnitin.com, click on “create a user profile,” and follow the prompts to create your profile. Next, enroll in ENGL 200 by entering our class i.d. # 3638603 and our enrollment password: dangerous. This is case sensitive. Remember, I will be taking up a paper copy of your assignment in class on 12/14. And also remember--I cannot grade your paper until you submit it to turnitin!