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Notes on Biography Assignment, Research, and Library Resources (ENGL 2110)

Module Overview and Key Dates

  • The module centers on preparing a biography research paper and using library resources effectively.
  • Immediate deadlines:
    • Affirmation form: read and complete in class, to be turned in within the next two days (by Monday).
    • Biography assignment: the main graded task for this module; comes with specific format, source, and organization requirements.
  • Overall emphasis:
    • Understand what constitutes scholarly sources, how to document sources, and how to present a factual biography in a chronological structure.
    • Use the library and its tools (SuperSearch, LibGuides, discipline-specific guides) to locate appropriate sources.
    • Follow the required formatting, organization, and submission procedures to maximize the grade.

Biography Assignment: Requirements and Rationale

  • Paper length and sources
    • A 5-page paper plus one works cited page; total length described as effectively six pages when considering the works cited and formatting.
    • A minimum of 5 scholarly sources is required.
    • Understand what counts as scholarly sources: undergraduate papers, master’s theses, PhD dissertations, and some book reviews are not considered scholarly for this assignment.
  • Scholarly sources and documentation
    • The instructor emphasizes knowing what scholarly means and recommends using the Writing Center to clarify this, with librarian help as an alternative.
    • Documentation style (MLA, CMS, APA) is crucial; demonstrate mastery of source documentation. It’s a career-skill, not a one-time requirement.
    • The phrase “scholarly sources, not scholarly writers” is highlighted to avoid misclassifying sources.
  • Paper purpose and content
    • The biography should be written in a factual, descriptive manner about the life of a writer, not an argumentative essay.
    • The paper should adhere to a specific organizational order, which is provided and must be followed closely (no willy-nilly organization).
  • Course-specific context and skill-building
    • Students should draw on their 11o1 and 11o2 skills (composition and research/writing) to meet the assignment's requirements.
    • Documentation is a persistent career skill; the course will not “undo” this learning after 11:02.

Paper Organization and Content (Chronological Order)

  • Required sections in order (not to be enumerated as a list in the paper; use standard paragraph structure):
    • Introduction
    • Early life
    • Education
    • Early career
    • Major works
    • Literary career
    • Later life and legacy
    • Conclusion
  • The organization is designed to reflect a biography guide and is intended to be easy to read and follow.
  • In-text citations and formatting examples will be provided; expect standard MLA-style basics and corresponding in-text citation practices.

Formatting and Submission Details

  • Paper presentation and header information
    • Your paper should include:
    • Your name
    • The instructor’s name with the title “Doctor” (not “Missus”)
    • Course number (example given: ENGL 2110; note that World Literature is the course context, but the course number is the English 2110 designation for this assignment)
    • Date formatted as Day Month Year with no punctuation (e.g., 16 ext{ November }2024 or simply "16 November 2024" without punctuation)
    • Title centered on its own line
  • Paper style and formatting
    • A basic MLA style with standard in-text citations; other documented styles (CMS, APA) are acceptable as long as they are used consistently.
    • Do not rely on stream-of-consciousness writing; proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation are expected.
  • Submission and acknowledgments
    • There is a submission folder for the assignment (e.g., a due date like November 16).
    • An optional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is due during the same period to acknowledge staying in the class and understanding the syllabus.
    • The MOU can be printed and handed in with the writer’s selection or uploaded to the submission folder; not submitting does not yield a zero; it simply means you do not receive that credit.
  • Example and templates
    • The instructor provides a sample of how the paper should look in Word and a basic MLA-style template with example formats for title page and in-text citations.

Research Process and Library Resources

  • Library access and search basics
    • Website: library.kennesaw.edu. The instructor offers guidance on how to search efficiently to avoid spinning wheels.
    • SuperSearch is a broad search tool that will retrieve a wide range of materials (scholarly, popular, books, journals, videos, etc.); use it to get an initial sense but refine with discipline-specific guides.
    • For targeted, efficient searching, use Research Guides (Guides for beginning researchers, then “Guides to your program and major,” e.g., English > Literature).
  • Specific databases and sources
    • Recommended: JSTOR, ProQuest, Biography in Context, Oxford Reference, and Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is acceptable to a point (Oxford Academic may be less suitable depending on policy).
    • Gale Literature Biography and Yale Literature are highlighted as especially useful for literary biography and criticism.
    • Poetry Foundation is suggested as a quick online source complementary to scholarly works.
    • Primary sources (e.g., Early English Books) are generally not required at this level.
  • How to search effectively (example walkthrough)
    • Access the library’s LibGuides and navigate to English > Literature.
    • Use the “Find sources” function to filter results by type (e.g., biographies) and source type (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest).
    • Example topic exploration: search for “William Blake” and filter to biographies to access life and writing style discussions and overview of works.
  • Important cautions
    • Do not select an author not listed in the module’s readings (e.g., Tennessee Williams) unless explicitly discussed and approved; the module’s reading list should anchor your topic.
    • For this assignment, you should focus on the life of a writer whose biography is tied to the module’s content (e.g., Ovid, Rumi, Shakespeare, etc.).
  • Suggested strategy for choosing a topic
    • If you want a Victorian author (e.g., Coleridge), you can align with major life events, career milestones, and their belief systems (e.g., spiritualism in Coleridge’s life).
    • For a postcolonial or cross-cultural angle, topics like Derek Walcott or Bob Marley can be explored in relation to postcolonialism and its literary expressions, as long as the approach ties to the module’s materials.
    • For a detective-like approach to sources, consider examining how a writer’s life intersected with public reception, archival correspondence, and evolution of their reception over time (e.g., Doyle and the Holmes canon, including archives such as the Strand Magazine).
  • Two online sources and additional tools
    • The module suggests having at least two online sources in addition to primary databases; Poetry Foundation can serve as a starting point.
    • If you choose a particular author, consult multiple sources (biographies, critical essays, and reference works) to triangulate facts and context.

Topic Selection Guidelines Based on the Module

  • Acceptable topics must originate from the module’s listed authors or figures (e.g., Ovid, Rumi, Shakespeare, Victorian writers, postcolonial figures, etc.).
  • Topics outside the module list (e.g., Tennessee Williams) are discouraged unless there is a clear, module-supported rationale and instructor approval.
  • The biography can focus on:
    • Early life and education
    • Career formation and major works
    • Evolution of thought, literary style, and critical reception
    • Later life and lasting impact/legacy
  • For Doyle ( Arthur Conan Doyle)
    • Suggested angle: the development of his Holmes canon, and how his views on science, medicine, and spirituality evolved over time; you could use the Arthakon Archive (Strand Magazine) as a primary-source-like resource to trace dating and letters.
    • Keep the scope tight to fit a five-page paper; select a few pivotal moments rather than attempting to cover every detail.
  • For other figures (e.g., Bob Marley), approach should be framed in relation to the module’s discussions of postcolonialism and Caribbean poetry/music, and how biography informs critical readings.

The Role of Administrative Details and Course Logistics

  • Course schedule and module access
    • The D2L course schedule lists weekly readings and topics; always cross-check the module’s current week for context and recommended biographies.
    • The instructor notes that the course schedule will include names and topics for each week (Euripides, Ovid, Rumi, Hafez, etc.), and that you may select a biography based on module readings.
  • Submitting and tracking work
    • Use the designated submission folders (e.g., for the writer’s selection and the MOU) to ensure your work is recorded.
  • Lectures and in-class support
    • The instructor offers to help with search strategy, library use, and understanding what constitutes scholarly sources, and invites students to visit in person if needed.

Practical Implications and Ethical Considerations

  • Scholarly integrity and documentation
    • Proper documentation is essential to avoid plagiarism and to demonstrate credible research practices.
    • Even when sources discuss biographies, you must distinguish between primary biographical data and secondary interpretation.
  • Project scope and time management
    • The five-page limit requires careful selection of biographical material; do not over-extend beyond key life stages and major works.
    • Begin early with library research to identify credible sources and create a working outline aligned with the required sections.

Quick Reference: Key Numbers and Terms (LaTeX-formatted)

  • Paper length: 5-page paper
  • Works cited: 1 page
  • Scholarly sources minimum: 5 sources
  • Course code reference: ENGL 2110
  • Draft/format timing cues: 11 ext{o}1 and 11 ext{o}2 (course-specific skill references)
  • Date formatting: Day Month Year with no punctuation (e.g., 16 November 2024)
  • Time reference from the session: 21:10 (session time)
  • Submission target: November 16 (example date)

Next Steps and Questions

  • Review the affirmation form and ensure you understand the instructions.
  • Pick a biography topic from the module list (Ovid, Rumi, Shakespeare, Victorian era figures, Doyle, Walcott, Marley, etc.) and draft a preliminary outline.
  • Visit the Writing Center to confirm what constitutes a scholarly source and to refine your source list.
  • Explore the library’s LibGuides, especially English > Literature, and familiarize yourself with Gale Literature Biography, JSTOR, ProQuest, Biography in Context, and Yale Literature resources.
  • Confirm formatting and submission requirements (MLA basics, in-text citations, Works Cited page, heading information).
  • If you have questions about topic scope or sources, ask early in the module so you can adjust before you begin drafting.