English IV Research Paper Organization:

English IV Research Paper Organization:
Paragraph I: Introduction – Here you will provide a brief introduction to your author as well as the two major poems that
you will be discussing in this essay. You will also be providing a well-written thesis statement in which you discuss the
major themes that the writer explored. These must match the theme(s) you have chosen to discuss in the poetry. (NO
references used in this paragraph)
Paragraph II: About the Author – This section will explore important details from the author’s life that explains who
he/she is, and why this person wrote. In addition, be sure to focus on the specific events that impacted his/her writing.
(2 secondary references used)
Paragraph III: Literary Movement – Here you will discuss the times in which the author lived. What important ideology
and/or philosophy were impacting society? (2 secondary references used)
Paragraph IV: What did your author think of these ideas? How did the philosophy of the time impact what they believed,
and how did that translate into his/her poetry? (2 secondary references used)
Paragraph V: Poem 1 – First you will discuss the meaning of the poem. (1 primary & 1 secondary reference used)
Paragraph VI: Poem 1 – Next you will discuss how the style of the poem exhibits the theme that you have chosen. (Again
this should match the theme presented in the thesis statement.) (1 primary & 1 secondary reference used)
Paragraph VII: Poem 1 – what do the critics have to say about this poem? (1 primary & 1 secondary reference used)
Paragraph VIII: Poem 2 – First you will discuss the meaning of the poem. (1 primary & 1 secondary reference used)
Paragraph IX: Poem 2 – Next you will discuss how the style of the poem exhibits the theme that you have chosen. (Again
this should match the theme presented in the thesis statement.) (1 primary & 1 secondary reference used)
Paragraph X: Poem 2 – what do the critics have to say about this poem? (1 primary & 1 secondary reference used)
Paragraph XI: Conclusion – Finally, you get to share your thoughts on the author, the time period, the poems. (NO
references used in this paragraph)
Primary Source = direct quote from the poem(s)
Secondary Source = reference from all other books
Final Paper will have 18 – 20 references (direct quotes or paraphrases)