Mandl School, College of Allied Health: Assignment

ENG 101 E02

Instructor: Your ENG 101 Instructor

Term: Spring Semester

File: MLA Essay Instructions

Subject: ENG 101 – Term Paper & Week 10 Assignment

Hello all,
I hope you are staying safe during these challenging times. Please make sure to follow the instructions below for your assignments and the upcoming MLA Research Essay.

1. Engagement Check

To ensure that you are receiving these messages and staying engaged in the class, please confirm your participation.

2. MLA Research Essay:

Below are the guidelines for your final term paper. I will also send a copy of this attachment via email for your reference.

MLA Research Essay

Assignment Overview

Due: Week 10 Assignment: March 22
Assignment: Write a short paragraph outlining your research topic for the MLA Research Essay, including your thesis and point of view.

Reading Material

We have discussed the following works in class:

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”
Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”

Please read the texts and choose a research topic. Refer to the instructions below for guidance on topic selection.

3. Final Term Paper Guidelines

Final Term Paper Guidelines

Format

MLA format (please see the handout from the Learning Resource Center for detailed formatting instructions).

References

3 required sources:
2 print sources (the textbook may count as one)
1 electronic source
Additional reputable sources may be used.
Wikipedia will not be accepted as a source.

Students are encouraged to use both the New York Public Library (www.nypl.org) and the Mandl Library for research.

Citations

Both in-text citations and a Works Cited page are required.
Review Mandl’s plagiarism policies and use the Learning Resource Center for assistance with proper citation.

Length

3-4 pages, double-spaced
12pt Times New Roman font
In addition to the Works Cited page.

4. Research Topic Options

Please choose one of the following topics for your paper. Your topic must be approved by me before you begin writing. Be sure to incorporate your own critical analysis with your research findings.

TOPIC OPTIONS

1. Harrison Bergeron & Political Activism

In Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron, the protagonist is a rebel protesting an unjust government.
Compare and contrast Harrison with a past or present-day politician or political activist.
What do they believe in? What challenges do they face? What actions do they take to accomplish their goals?
Support your analysis with material from the text and your research sources.

2. Symbolism & Themes in Harrison Bergeron

Discuss the symbolism and themes in Harrison Bergeron, such as:

The Danger of Total Equality
The Extinction of Civil Rights
The Power of Television
Forced Equality vs. Individuality

3. Gender Differences in Trifles

Analyze the gender differences and perceptions of men and women in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles.
Support your analysis with specific examples from the play and research materials.
Optionally, compare and contrast society’s perception of gender roles in Trifles and The Yellow Wallpaper.

4. Repression and Feminist Discrimination in Trifles

Discuss the repression of women and feminist discrimination in Trifles by Susan Glaspell.
Support your response with analysis, specific examples from the play, and research.

5. Literary Analysis

Analyze a poem, essay, or short story from the assigned readings (with instructor approval).
Discuss the writer’s purpose, audience, tone, and characterization.
Analyze the use of symbolism and figurative language.
Include your analysis of sensory appeal, major themes, and supporting material from the text and research sources.