Literature-based Research Essay
The goal of this assignment is to engage students in the research process in a structured and streamlined way by investigating genuine wonderings about their reading. I have used this research essay as one component of work that is happening along with other things during a “book club” or “seminar set” unit when small groups of students are reading different works. It could easily be used with a whole-class novel or with independent reading.
Literature-based research essay assignment overview
This piece will be formatted in a similar way to a literature review in an academic journal, with a background section, a review of the literature/data, and conclusions/suggestions for further study.
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As you read, keep track of questions that you have that are related to your book.​​
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Once you are finished reading your book, select a research question that you are interested in exploring further.
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Using JStor, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, find at least two articles that address your research question.​
Write (2-3 pages, typed and double spaced):
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Background and research question: include a brief summary of your book and how you arrived at your research question
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Article 1
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Summary of the first article you read, using the academic summary frame
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Article 2
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Summary of the second article you read, using the academic summary frame
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Conclusion
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Part 1: How did these articles answer your research question? What did you learn? What was most interesting? What did you already know?
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Part 2: How does this information illuminate the novel you read, if at all? Explain.
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Part 3: What new questions were raised for you? If you were to continue your research, what direction would you take? What else do you want to know?
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Works Cited page