posted
You might remember me asking for critiques on my last Frankenstein essay a few weeks ago. It turned out very well (B+), and I expanded the topic for my final 15-page paper.
I just finished the 2nd draft (although I guess technically it's a 3rd draft, even though it changed significantly between drafts 1 and 2.. but anyway...) and I could really use a critique.
Euripides and Lem, if you both are around, my last essay got considerably better after your critiques, and would you be so willing as to look at another paper, if you have time?
And the rest of you, I am eager for critiques, so please volunteer if you're so inclined.
The paper is an analysis of Frankenstein and the Creature in regards to the Nature in the book. It's about 15 pages long. (Was longer, but I cut out huge sections--ouch!)
If you're interested, please post here and email me your address at katarain AT yahoo DOT com.
Once I'm done with revisions, I'll probably ask if anyone would like to look for errors.
I know that looking at papers is not the funnest thing in the world, so if you wish to volunteer, I will be eternally grateful. I will also be willing to return the favor, although I won't have much time until Thursday.
posted
Go ahead and send it to me, I'll check it out between classes tomorrow. My email is in my profile.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Send away. Can you also send your teacher's comments? I would like to know why you got only a B+ so we can avoid that and bring it to an A.
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Good call lem. That would be a good idea. Also Katarain, can you give us some more details on the requirements of the assignment?
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
Ah, I got a B+ because I missed a comma splice , and because I didn't have good transitions in several places. That was pretty much it.
I just woke up--later than I wanted--so I have to get ready for work. I got one critique already (Thanks, Euripides!), so if you all don't mind, I'll wait to send out more copies until I make those revisions first. After that, I'll have a few hours before I have to turn it in, and if those of you who volunteered still have time, that would be great.
The assignment follows. I don't know if it falls directly into line with what she writes here, but I hope it's close enough. I can't really change major things. And she did approve my topic--and in the colloquia, she actually suggested the Restorative/Destructive/Remote Nature split. (Although I'm the one who renamed the last one.)
Seminar Paper A seminar paper should be an extended research project that is born out of your readings, reflection, and/or class discussion. For this seminar, you might consider some of these when choosing a topic: * an extended, theoretically focused argument about one text we have studied * a thematic, formal, or cultural argument concerning multiple works of the same author * an argument about a work that we did not cover in class by an author we did cover * a comparative paper on one facet/theme/technique in two authors * a revision of the critical history of a specific text * an analysis of the critical discussion on a particular text with an argument for the value of a particular theory * a discussion of a text in context of another discipline, history, philosophy, art, etc. * contemporary "versions" of texts covered in class, e.g. film versions.
A good seminar paper will provide a clear sense of the critical methodologies of the secondary sources that are used and will acknowledge the critical approach that is guiding the paper. Do NOT announce your thesis as a Marxist, feminist, intertextual, cultural project, but indirectly and implicitly follow your chosen method. Although the introduction may be the last part that you write, it should contextualize your topic, offer a general framework of the critical history of the text, and clearly and confidently announce your contribution to the discussion. A graduate seminar paper differs from an undergraduate in that it is not a presentation of research you have collected but an argument that you make having consumed as much research on the topic as possible and which situates itself within the critical discussion.
posted
Okay, the 4th draft is done. Finally... I was interrupted by a test, studying for said test, and my job. I've sent the draft to all of you who volunteered, but I need to turn the paper in around 4 o'clock, if not sooner. So if you don't have time to look at it, thank you so much for offering, anyway!
Also, I could really use someone to look for punctuation and grammatical errors. Sometimes those are so easy to miss! I've already corrected half a dozen. I'm usually pretty good at not making those errors, but when revising the paper, it's easy to let them slip in.
posted
Sorry I couldn't get to it before your deadline Kat. Guess I was busier today than I thought I'd be. Feel free to email me whenever you have another paper that needs browsing, my email box is always open.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
It's okay. I think I did okay on it. *crosses fingers* I have to write another one by Thursday at noon, but I'm so tiiiiiiiiiiiired tonight. It'll have to be a tomorrow project.
posted
Thanks for forwarding the 4th draft Katarain. It's looking better.
My personal preference is for an introduction which reflects the structure of the essay just a tad more, but it's just that - a personal preference.
Re: the requirements of the seminar paper, you are doing the first bullet point right? ("extended, theoretically focused argument about one text we have studied")
And regarding transitions, sometimes it's just a matter of an extra phrase or sentence, usually at the beginning of paragraphs where you change topics (e.g. from Restorative to Destructive Nature). "On the other hand", "in contrast", "similarly with..." are great for that purpose.
Good luck on your next paper.
Posts: 1762 | Registered: Apr 2006
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, and because I didn't have good transitions in several places. That was pretty much it.
