Humanities Homework Help

Directions: Write a 7-10 page research essay (Works Cited page(s) can be in addition to the 7-10 pages) connecting one theme through the graphic novel Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Your essay should reflect the interpretive and analytical skills you have cultivated over the course of the semester. Your goal is to make a convincing argument about the graphic novel and you should support that argument over the length of your essay.

Remember that literary analysis and argumentation is the focus, not summary.

Also remember: Theme is a central, underlying, and/or controlling idea or insight of a work of literature. A novel like Parable of the Sower typically contains multiple themes.

*How many in text-citations should my research essay have?

Your essay must include at least 14-20 in-text citations (average 2 per page) (quote directly (cite it), paraphrases (put 3 or more words of the quote in your own words, but still cite it) or summaries (in your own words you review the source/summarize the author’s idea in one sentence or less, but still cite it Summary Ex. Dystopia can dissolve the family unit (Rice).

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*How many sources should my Works Cited page have?

• Your Works Cited page should contain 8 sources (7 + the novel) total:

1. a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed articles (Google Scholar),

2. 4 other reputable sources (these can be interviews (primary source) with the author, podcasts, newspaper articles or reputable magazines (NY Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker), films/documentaries, TedTalks or YouTube videos from reputable from reputable organizations, reputable websites (.gov, .edu, .org–INCLUDING charts, graphs, stuff like that) and

3. (1) the graphic novel itself. 8 sources total. Here is the citation you should use for POS: Duffy, Damian, et al. Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation: A Graphic Novel Adaptation. Illustrated edition, Harry N. Abrams, 2020.

*Remember: A clear research question is the basis for a well-organized research essay. Show how the novel and secondary sources that you choose support your clearly articulated theme-related research question.

*Sample research questions & thesis statements:

• How does [the theme of] gender signify in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower? Thesis: Gender is a strong signifier in Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

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• How does Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler illustrate [the theme] loss of innocence?

Thesis: The theme of loss of innocence is evident in graphic novel Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

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• How does the graphic novel Parable of the Sower reflect the theme of coming of age? Thesis: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler illustrates the theme coming of age through its protagonist, Lauren Olamina.

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*Use these research questions & thesis statements as models for your own.

Steps on How to Approach the Assignment:

1.) Identify a theme related research question that will guide your analysis and research the theme using the graphic novel, the MEC Library, Google Scholar and other online sources.

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2.) Keep a thorough research log like this one: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FzW-nHrXR7NcUs0z-W2Dr3Zo_0OqVa8LYz9CscLxs1g/edit?usp=sharing. Your research log should also include:

a.) The names and titles of secondary sources (peer reviewed journal articles) you’ve READ and want to incorporate into your essay. You CAN use other sources for your paper also–TedTalks, reputable magazines like The Atlantic, The New Yorker, or newspapers, or even reputable websites .org, .edu (be careful that whatever source you are using is not written by a student!!), .gov (no .com’s!!)

b.) Summaries and critiques of ALL sources

c.) Reflection on how sources might be incorporated into your essay

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3.) Keep a thorough reading log that tracks:

a.) Discussion of the theme related to your research question

b.) Character profiles (protagonist or main characters and supporting characters)

c.) Questions that you would like to ponder by yourself and in class discussions

d.) Passages that you deem significant and relevant to your research project

e.) Mini-analyses that could be incorporated into your final paper

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4.) Test your theme by asking: Is the theme supported by evidence from the work (the novel/short story/poem/play) itself? • Are all or many of the author/poet/playwright’s choices of plot, character, conflict, and tone controlled by this theme?

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• Consider this method of “tracking examples of your theme” throughout Parable of the Sower–you can do this as you create your Annotated Bibliography:

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1. Write down a specific quotation or example from the graphic novel that reflects or illustrates the theme you choose. Note: you should choose multiple quotes from the graphic novel that support the theme.
2. Underneath each quote write the phrase this quote/example shows/illustrates the theme________.
3. Complete the sentence (#2) two times for each quotation that you find.