The contemporary short story term paper process….

Step one: Select and print your short story  Using the library website, select databases.  Then select Infotrac – enter password pb12566  Choose Litfinder for schools.  Select 21 st century AD and highlight both short stories and short fiction. Uncheck everything except primary sources and literary works.  You should see 733 options!

Select and print a story.  Preview several before you make your final selection. Then print.  Read the story several times.  Highlight/define any vocabulary words you don’t know.  Make comments/ask questions in margins. (annotation)

Step two: Begin collecting information on your author, if available…  Don’t just randomly print information – scan it first, then cut, copy, and paste as necessary  Be sure to always copy the source of the material. For example: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press.

Look for biographical information such as:  Family Life  Education  Work History  Writing Career  Influences

 However, since your story is contemporary, there may NOT be information on your author. If that is the case, do NOT panic. Proceed to this alternative step…

Search for cultural or historical clues in the context of the story…  For example, if your story references a specific town, culture, historical event, television show, music, food, etc…then research that reference. Again, don’t just randomly print information – scan it first, then cut, copy, and paste as necessary  Be sure to always copy the source of the material.

Step 3: Be prepared to analyze your story using literary language  Choose a MINIMUM of three literary devices and be sure you can discuss how they are used in the story as well as identifying specific examples of each.  Foreshadowing, flashback, characterization, symbolism, irony, conflict….are just a few.

Step four: Review biographical information for similarities to story  Setting?  Characters?  Situation?  Lifestyle?  ie: “He almost always writes about India in some way, and usually puts cultural influences about Indian life in his works”

If biographical information is not available, review the cultural and historical references…  “Occasionally, they talked dreamily of starting a law firm that would specialize in the rights of indigents, but it was easier to send a check every few months to the Coalition for the Homeless.” Mark Braiztis “Before the Wedding” published in 2000.

Coalition for the Homeless is the nation's oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless men, women, and children. We are dedicated to the principle that affordable housing, sufficient food, and the chance to work for a living wage are fundamental rights in a civilized society. Since our inception in 1981, the Coalition has worked through litigation, public education, and direct services to ensure that these goals are realized

Step 6 – Write the rough draft  A rough draft should be as close to perfect as possible. You and your peers will be reviewing your MLA format. I will be reviewing your content. I will NOT correct your grammar mistakes in your paper. When you utilize the website “turnitin.com” correctly, it will give you much guidance in correcting grammar and structure errors.

Step 5 – complete rough works cited  Place the list of works cited at the end of the paper.  Remember: you need a minimum of three separate sources for this paper.