The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Research Paper
On-Level American Literature Class
The format for your The Great Gatsby research paper is a literary analysis. Based on your annotations of the novel, you will be writing a multi-paragraph essay which sets forth a claim (also known as a thesis) which is proved in your essay through primary and secondary research.
The novel is your primary source and you will include at least ONE secondary source from JSTOR. All sources must be included in your works cited page as the last page of your essay.
Your literary analysis research paper is focused on your ability to generate and support ideas, your ability to format a paper in MLA style, and your ability to incorporate secondary academic research. Although we will be spending several days in the writing lab and/or media center, students will be expected to use time at home to complete the assignment.
To obtain a passing grade, you must follow the rubric below. You must have the following:
□ An introduction which introduces the title of the book, its author, and provides very brief introduction context/background information. For example, “The story of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ is about three brother pigs who must learn the hard way the importance of proper home construction.
□ The last sentence of your introduction will contain the claim you are making about HOW the author communicates the THEME or MOTIF you were assigned. Use this prompt: In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses _______ and _______ to create the theme of __________.
- Options for theme: American Dream, Disillusionment of American Dream, Appearance vs. Reality, Disconnect Between Social Classes
- Options for elements (choose 2): Point of View, Setting, Imagery, Symbolism, Characterization, Historical Context, Social Context, Political Context
□ You will have at least THREE body paragraphs in order to pass the assignment. Each body paragraph must have:
o A transition word or transition phrase at the beginning of the paragraph.
o A topic sentence which identifies the topic of the body paragraph
o Evidence from the novel and secondary sources which supports the topic sentence. You must use a lead-in, you must use verbatim quotes, and you must use proper MLA format. Obviously, the more evidence you have; the stronger the claim.
□ The last paragraph of your paper will be your concluding paragraph. It must sum up all the evidence by restating (not repeating) the thesis. No new evidence is introduced in the conclusion.
□ The paper must be in proper MLA format and contains a works cited page also properly formatted..
