Japan Classical Age, the divide between men and women

For this paper, you will write a literary analysis on ONE of our readings from this term. Keep in mind that an analysis is NOT a summary or report. You need to have something specific to say about the work you’re analyzing, whether your stance is in opposition to your research or aligned with it.

Some suggestions on engaging with the writing process: pick the literary work that interests you most, develop a tentative thesis statement, complete your research, and write. They say (wisely) that revision is the most important stage in the process, so make sure you manage your time well. Procrastinating on a research project is a direct route to writing misery—if you procrastinate, you won’t have time to revise properly.

This is a 200 level course that BUILDS off of your work from ENG111 and ENG112 (or the equivalents). You should already have the basic tools needed to research, write, and document. If not, I strongly suggest you email with specific questions for help AND visiting the online writing center (ARC).

If can also schedule a research appointment (Links to an external site.) with a Tyler librarian.

Basic Requirements

Write a 5-7 page (not counting the works cited page) essay analyzing a certain aspect of the piece you’ve chosen.
This paper should deeply analyze the text, which means summary should be kept to a minimum.
You will be required to use at least THREE outside sources. One of these sources will be the primary source. These sources can be popular or scholarly, but they must ALL BE CREDIBLE. The JTCC library database of academic databases is a great resource.
One of these sources must be a piece of literary scholarship
Overall, this paper will be focused on interpretation of text through whatever lens or context you see fit. This, however, does not mean it has to be dry or boring. This is still your paper with your own assertions. You can draw your own conclusions, make your own connections and build your OWN PAPER out of credible research and direct reference to the primary source material.
Please refrain from making any wild claims if you can’t back them with clear and concrete evidence from the text or an expert source.

Specific Requirements

You must use specific facts, names, dates, and information collected from credible sources. Summery should be kept brief.
Avoid vague phrasing
Content must be complex, detailed, exploratory, and engaging in higher order thinking
You must use in-text MLA 9 style documentation.
You must incorporate signal phrases introducing source material as well in-text citations. A mix of both is best.
You must have a works cited page listing all of your sources correctly.
You must use at least six properly cited and incorporated quotes – no DROPPED QUOTES.
One of these quotes must be from a piece of literary scholarship.
You must have a title that is interesting and specific to your topic.
You must have a clear thesis.
Your paper must be formatted correctly according to MLA 9 guidelines.

Assignment Guidelines

Your topic proposal is due July 1 by the end of the day.
Your final draft is due July 25 by the end of the day.
Late papers will be accepted up to a week with a penalty of 10% off.
When you turn in this final draft, it is submitted through plagiarism software. Make sure you review your “originality report.” All instances of plagiarism (from websites or other papers) will result in a 0 for the paper.

Rubric
Rubric for Term Paper
Rubric for Term Paper
Criteria    Ratings
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis
Excellent
Essay engages in analysis and makes insightful and clear connections between texts and ideas studied in class and historical and/or contemporary culture/thought.
Competent
Essay engages somewhat in analysis and makes insightful and clear connections between texts and ideas studied in class and historical and/or contemporary culture/thought.
Needs Improvement
Essay engages insufficiently in analysis and does not make insightful and clear connections between texts and ideas studied in class and historical and/or contemporary culture/thought.
Missing
This piece of writing has little to no analysis at all. This piece of writing is almost all summary and/or unrelated first-person commentary.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFocus/Thesis
Excellent
Clear/strong thesis statement. This thesis is clear and easy to identify. In one or two sentences, it clearly and concisely covers what the body of the paper discusses.
Competent
There is a thesis and I was able to identity it. This thesis might have a few small errors, but overall it still correctly summarizes what the paper will cover.
Needs Improvement
Thesis statement is present but could be strengthened. This thesis is vague and unclear. It does not correctly summarize what the body of the paper will cover. It might also have a moderate amount of errors. It might be too long or too short.
Missing
This piece of writing has no thesis statement that could be identified.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
Note: Transitional phrases are word phrases like: However, Furthermore, In addition, Moreover, In summary, Even so, etc.
Excellent
The essay is focused and adheres to a logical organization pattern throughout. This paper is organized and easy to follow. Each paragraph sticks to a single topic, point, or observation before moving on. I can read smoothly through the paper and it feels like a cohesive whole. This paper has incorporated transitional phrases that are used correctly.
Competent
Essay is focused and adheres to logical organizational pattern throughout the majority of the essay. Paragraphs are clear. Transitional phrases are present.
Needs Improvement
The paper has some organization, but it needs improvement. There might be moments that are unclear or disorganized. There are clear paragraphs, but they might not stay on a single point. Transitional phrases are lacking or used incorrectly.
Missing
Essay is unfocused and lacks a clear organizational pattern. This piece of writing has little to no paragraphs and it is difficult to follow and understand. There are no transitional phrases.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeUse of textual evidence and Quoting
Excellent
Thesis statement is thoroughly supported by evidence from your textbook, academic articles and/or contemporary or popular sources relevant to your thesis. This paper has six quotes that are properly introduced and explained. These quotes are well-chosen and of high quality.
Competent
Thesis statement is supported by evidence from your textbook, academic articles and/or contemporary or popular sources relevant to your thesis. This paper has six quotes that are mostly properly introduced and explained.
Needs Improvement
Thesis statement is somewhat supported by evidence from your textbook, academic articles and/or contemporary or popular sources relevant to your thesis. This paper has some quotes, but less than six. Many are dropped quotes. They are not properly introduced and explained. It is unclear why these particular quotes were chosen.
Missing
This paper does not make use of textual evidence. There are no direct quotes.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA Documentation
Excellent
Sources are properly introduced, explained, and cited in all cases. This paper consistently cites all sources throughout the paper. The paper uses a mix of correct in-text citations as well as signal phrases that name the source’s author and their credentials. The paper has a full works cited page that correctly and completely lists all sources following MLA 8 guidelines.
Competent
Sources are properly introduced, explained, and cited in most cases .This paper has citations, but a few might be missing. The citations are mostly correct, but their might be a few small errors. The works cited page lists all sources, but there might be a few small errors.
Needs Improvement
Sources are properly introduced, explained, and cited in few cases. This paper has a few in-text citations, but it is missing a lot. The citations might be incorrect. This paper has a works cited page, but there are major errors. The in-text citations and the works cited page do not line up or list the same sources.
Missing
This paper has no works cited page and no correct in-text citations or signal phrases.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch/Outside Sources
Excellent
This paper uses three or more sources. All sources are credible and written by experts or journalists. Sources are from reputable books, journals, or websites.
Competent
This paper uses three sources . All sources are credible. Sources are from credible and reliable websites, books, or journals.
Needs Improvement
This paper sues only one or two sources. Or three sources could be used, but they are not credible. Some or all of these sources could be from unreliable books, journals, or websites. The authors of the sources are not experts.
Missing
This paper uses no outside sources other than the textbook.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar, Mechanics, and Style
Common errors include: Comma-splices, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, verb tense confused, etc.

Common errors for style include: Underdeveloped vocabulary, vague word choices, too many short and choppy sentences, weak modifiers (like very), etc.
Excellent
This essay adheres to standard American English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This means there are few to no errors throughout the paper and they do not get in the way of understanding and enjoying the text.
Competent
This essay mostly adheres to standard American English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This means there are some errors throughout the paper, but they do not get in the way of understanding and enjoying the text.
Needs Improvement
This essay does not adhere to standard American English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. There are many errors throughout the paper. These errors are substantial enough that they get in the way of understanding and enjoying the text.
Missing
This essay does not adhere to standard American English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. There errors are so consistent and major that it is difficult to read the paper.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA Format
Basic MLA formatting includes:

•Double-spaced
•size 12 font, Times New Roman
•Left-hand corner header on the first page only listing your name, my name, course name, date of assignment submission
• right-hand corner header with your last name and page number on every page.
•Paragraphs indented
Excellent
This paper fully adheres to MLA 9 guidelines with no errors.
Competent
This paper fully adheres to MLA 9 guidelines, but there are a few small errors.
Needs Improvement
This paper does not adhere to MLA 9 guidelines. There is some MLA formatting in place, but it is missing other guidelines.
Missing
This paper does not adhere to MLA 9 guidelines. There is no attempt at MLA formatting.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength
Excellent
Essay meets minimum length requirement of 5-7 full pages (not counting the works cited page).
Competent
Essay nearly meets minimum length requirement of 5-7 full pages (not counting the works cited page). It might be only a few paragraphs short.
Needs Improvement
Essay does not meet minimum length requirement of 5-7 full pages (not counting the works cited page). It is one or two pages too short.
Missing
Essay does not even come close to meeting the minimum length requirement of 5-7 full pages (not counting the works cited page). This piece of writing is so short that it can’t receive a passing grade.