Guidelines for the Final Papers ENG 5049: Studies in Critical Theory Prepared by: Dr. Caroline (Kay) Picart Associate Professor of English & Humanities Courtesy Associate Prof. Of Law Florida State University

 Things to Avoid!

Things to Avoid (1):  Extremely general statements: “Since the beginning of time...” or “All humans...”  Blatantly obvious statements: “Women are eye- candy in films” or “Philosophy deals with reason and the mind.”  Papers that are a loose collection of interesting facts, but do not make a coherent argument.  Plot summaries that do not further the argument significantly

Things to Avoid (2):  Not making a clear and compelling connection to the central themes that bind the course together:  the nature of mimesis or representation;  the reader's relation to the text;  whether ethics matter in relation to the creation and reception of literature;  what is the nature of aesthetic pleasure;  what roles expression and emotion play in the generation and interpretation of texts;  and whether literary texts, as art objects, are independent of external relations and depend upon a unique system of internal relations, among other questions. 

Things to Avoid (3):  Not documenting texts, films, actors, characters cited, using an official method of documentation (APA, MLA, Chicago)  Not having a well developed introduction and conclusion

Things to Avoid (4):  Structuring your paper as if it were a checklist for the various criteria outlined in the syllabus. The paper should flow and argue effectively for a definite position.  Not checking for spelling, grammar or overall coherence  Not using specific examples to illustrate key argumentative points.

Things to Avoid (5):  Not having a bibliography/filmography or works cited at the end.  Not having a cover page with the requirements specified in front.  Not providing proof or insufficient proof for claims (if you are making historical claims about certain periods, then document evidence that these claims are true; avoid large historical leaps)

 Things to do!

Things to do:  Have a clear and compelling thesis statement that connects to a few selected central themes of the course (your interpretative voice, and a clear methodological framework, are crucial to this)  Use required texts to provide proof for your claims  Document all sources properly using an official citation system (APA, MLA, Chicago)

Things to do (2):  INTEGRATE theory into the flow of your argument. Don’t just insert a quote, and think that that insertion is sufficient to integrate the theory with your argument.

Things to do (3):  Illustrate abstract points by citing specific examples. Cut down on broad generalizations concerning 10 or so movies or texts in favor of in-depth characterizations of say 2 or 3 movies or texts or a mix thereof, with specific scenes or passages or themes analyzed thematically and formally in keeping with the argument you wish to put forth.

Things to do (4):  Spend the majority of the paper analyzing, rather than describing.  Have a well developed conclusion that flows from the exposition.

FINAL GUIDE- LINES

Don’t Forget (1):  Have a cover page that specifies:  Which 5 texts (critical articles, films, scripts or press kits) are required/used in class  Which 5 are new  All these should be cited completely, using either the APA, MLA or Chicago systems (specify which you are using)

Don’t Forget (2):  That cover page should also specify an abstract (100 words at most) that summarizes the findings/argument of the paper.  That cover page should also summarize any major changes you have done, in response to my comments, or if you have chosen not to do any changes, a justification for why you have chosen not to. You may use as many pages as you need to cover this well.

Don’t Forget (3):  You are REQUIRED to hand in your original draft with the final paper. NO final papers will be accepted without the draft.

Don’t Forget (4):  Within the body of the final paper itself, BOLDFACE OR UNDERLINE: your thesis statement any changes (grammatical, theoretical, argumentative, etc.) done from the draft to the final paper

Don’t Forget (5):  You will need a final bibliography or works cited, with the entries alphabetized, and done in keeping with a standard format (APA, MLA, Chicago).  The TOTAL number of pages allowed are: 6 pages minimum, 8 pages maximum, all double spaced, 11 point font, 1 inch margins all around. This does not count the Bibliography or the front matter. Any deviation from these results in deductions.

 The best of luck!