1. Planning Your Term Paper

2. Thesis Statement Answers the research question:
How is your novel a reflection of the time period in which it takes place?
Should do the following:
A. Provides the title, author and genre information for your novel.
B. Identifies the history/culture you will relate your novel to.
C. Specifies some aspect(s) of that history/culture that are reflected in your novel.
D. Identifies a specific effect the aspect(s) of the history/culture you choose have on the novel.

3. Sample Thesis for A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun, a play by Lorraine Hansberry is a reflection of 1950’s America by showing how racism and segregation put strains on a poor African-American family.

4. A Raisin in the Sun, a play by Lorraine Hansberry, is a reflection of
A (TAG)
1950’s America by showing how the racism and segregation of the time
B (time period) C (aspects of time period)
put strains on a poor African-American family.
D (effect of those aspects)

5. Paper Sections Introduction A. Intro a. thesis b. characters (2)
c. theme
B. Plot Summary
a. main characters b. conflicts
c. resolutions

6. Paper Sections History / Culture Section
A. Discuss historical/cultural background of novel
B. Focus only on aspects from thesis
C. Incorporate historical research

7. Paper Sections Character Section A. Character 1
-Discuss how s/he exhibits effect of history from thesis. (details/quotations/research)
B. Character 2
-Discuss how s/he exhibits
effect of history from thesis. (details/quotations/research)

8. Paper Sections
Theme
A. What lesson have your characters learned, or should they have learned as a result of their experiences in this history/culture?
B. How has the time period caused them to learn this lesson?
(details/quotations/research)

9. Paper Sections Conclusion A. Summarize your main points.
B. Provide your reader with some insight into how knowing the history is important to understanding your novel.