Anglo-Saxon Traditions in Beowulf

Research Paper Instructions:

Directions:
Write at least 1,800 word final draft research paper on one of the topics below. Include in-text citation and a Works Cited page showing at least four or more online and alternate sources from credible scholars and authors. The paper must follow MLA 9 formatting.
PAPER FORMAT: MLA Formatting guidelines – please see https://owl(dot)english(dot)purdue(dot)edu/owl/resource/747/01/ OR https://style(dot)mla(dot)org
DO NOT USE THIS HANDOUT TO CREATE YOUR RESEARCH PAPER. Please create your research paper on a separate Word Document. Only .doc, .docx, .rtf or .odt files will be accepted for this assignment.
Name your file:
LastName_FirstInitial_SID_BWL_8.01_Research Paper Final Draft.doc
Example: Mouse_M_123456_BWL_8.01_Research Paper Final Draft.doc
Unit 5 Research Paper Topic Choices
(GOAL: to research and write on a provided topic)
1. Anglo-Saxon traditions in Beowulf. Sample research questions: How do Anglo-Saxon traditions affect the events of the poem? Are the traditions found in the poem accurate or false (invented and exaggerated for the purpose of the story)?
2. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales as a portrait of the rising middle class in the Middle Ages
3. The literary, cultural, and/or linguistic influence of Shakespeare
4. Is there any truth to the King Arthur Legend? How does the legend play a significant role in British society throughout history?
5. Re-visiting Romanticism: British Women’s Writers 1776-1837
6. How William Butler Yeats’s Irish identity shaped his poetry
7. British Imperialist Literature as a depiction of social change in a British colony
RESEARCH PAPER & Multimedia GUIDELINES
• The Research Paper Final Draft must be MLA formatted and submitted by the due date to be eligible for a rewrite (https://style(dot)mla(dot)org - Remember to double space and use 12-point, Times New Roman font).
The rubric for the research paper grading is below:
20 The purpose of taking a stance on a given literary topic and presenting information to support the stance is evident.
20 The research paper has an introduction, body, and conclusion and has been proofread for accuracy and clarity.
20 The thesis statement is included at the END of the introductory paragraph.
20 The body paragraphs contain facts, evidence, and quotations from research.
20 The research paper includes both in-text citations and a Works Cited page (not a bibliography) using MLA 9 formatting.
20 The citations include both internet & alternate sources (print, journal, interview etc.)
20 The language of the research paper is formal, appropriate, and clear. Standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling are demonstrated with a high-level of accuracy.
20 The tone is serious and consistent throughout the paper, avoiding 1st person point of view.
20 Wording, sentence structures and sentence beginnings vary.
20 The research paper is 1,800–2,700 words and MLA 9 formatted.
200 Points earned on this assignment (out of 200 points)
Tips for GREAT papers:
1. Check the word count of the assignment and use the required formatting. Make certain that paragraphs are at least 5+ sentences in length.
2. Do not use I, YOU, WE, ME, MY, US, OUR, YOUR etc. – In general, keep the paper in 3rd person point of view.
3. Be specific about the subject. Avoid using too many pronouns. Do not to use vague words such as ‘it’, ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘thing’, ‘there’, ‘here’, ‘stuff’, ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they.’
4. Do not use colloquialisms such as ‘whatever’ ‘ya know’, ‘sort of,’ etc. Be formal. Spell out contractions for clarity.
5. Try to use words that are vivid and concrete. When you find yourself writing a vague word such as ‘thing’, ‘it’,’ good’, ‘this’, ‘that’,’ there are/is’, ‘it’, or repeated words, take a moment to think of a more exact word that applies to the specific situation about which you are writing (use a synonym). For verbs, use more ‘active’ verbs - - stay away from the verb ‘to be’ (was, is, am, are, were) Use the thesaurus at dictionary.com to see the many other verbs to use in place of ‘is’ ‘was’ ‘were’.
6. Use formal transitions – do not use ‘so’. Instead try, ‘Hence’, ‘Thus’, ‘Therefore’, ‘Since’, ‘However’ etc.
7. Don’t start a sentence with a numeral. Make it “Fourscore and seven years ago,” not “4 score and 7 years ago.” That means you might have to rewrite some sentences: “Fans bought 400,000 copies the first day” instead of “400,000 copies were sold the first day.”
8. Give the paper ‘Variety’ by using different types of sentences. Look for places where you can combine two short sentences into one without creating a run-on sentence. However, also look for sentences that use more words than necessary to convey their ideas. Avoid repeating the same words or patterns at the beginning of sentences in the same area.
9. Proofread - Watch out for spelling errors! Remember to use the spell check when you work with a word-processing program. Avoid starting sentences with conjunctions (grammar).
10. ‘There are’, ‘there is’, ‘there was’, ‘there could be’, ‘this is’, ‘that is’ are all redundant statements similar to saying ‘something exists’. Instead, give the subject of the sentence an action by removing the ‘there’, ‘this’ or ‘that’ statement. Giving action to the subject will provide more information to the reader as well as add variety for a more interesting paper.
11. Check the verb in each sentence to make sure all the verbs are the same tense. i.e.
a. riding, walking, sleeping, playing
b. walked, ran, slept, played
c. was walking, was playing, was sleeping
This also applies to paragraphs – be careful to not shift the tense in a paragraph. Literature is traditionally discussed in the present tense.
12. After you introduce the full name of an author in your paper, each subsequent reference to the same author refers to him/her merely by the author’s last name, not first name.
13. Make sure the entries on the Works Cited page and the use of in-text citations ‘match’. Keep in mind that the primary purpose of an in-text citation is simply to point readers to the correct entry on the Works Cited page. All entries on the Work Cited page should refer back to an in-text citation.
14. Do not insert personal opinions, personal emotions into the text.
15. No pictures for this research paper unless the photos are pertinent to the ideas of the paper – pictures generally do not add to the content of the paper or further the understanding of the topic: a picture of Shakespeare’s signature might hold significance if you are discussing the variations of signatures; a picture of Shakespeare or another author is NOT necessary.
16.Stylistically, more detail and information is needed to create a research paper rather than ‘a lengthy essay’. Keep in mind that research papers are not only content and formatting, but length as well. A word count of less than 1500 words is stylistically a longer essay, not a research paper. Content less than 1500 words (an essay) will not count as fulfilling the minimum requirements of this research paper assignment and will be returned until the length of the paper is appropriate for the assignment.

Research Paper Sample Content Preview:

Student’s Name:
Professor’s Name:
Course:
Date:
Anglo-Saxon Traditions in Beowulf.
The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English during the Anglo-Saxon period, is a beloved and important work of literature that has survived for over a thousand years. It tells the story of the heroic warrior Beowulf and his battles against monsters and dragons and is considered one of the earliest examples of English literature. The poem is not only a tale of adventure and bravery, but it also provides valuable insight into the traditions and values of Anglo-Saxon society. This research paper will explore the various ways in which Beowulf reflects the cultural and societal norms of the Anglo-Saxons, including their heroic code, concepts of loyalty and honor, and their beliefs and practices regarding warfare and the monarchy. A close analysis of the text and its historical context provides a deeper understanding of the world of the Anglo-Saxons and the enduring legacy of Beowulf.
Beowulf emphasizes various values and human virtues that were desired in Anglo-Saxon society. For example, the heroic code depicted in Beowulf reflects the values and beliefs of Anglo-Saxon society in a number of ways. The Anglo-Saxons valued bravery, strength, and honor above all else, and these virtues are central to the heroic code as it is depicted in the poem. For instance, Beowulf asserts that "The days on earth for every one of us / are numbered; he who may should win renown / before his death; that is a warrior's / best memorial when he has departed from this world" (1385-1389) The statement demonstrates the Anglo-Saxon belief in the importance of achieving glory and honor before death. It reflects the heroic code of the time, which valued bravery, strength, and the pursuit of honor above all else. In particular, the phrase " he who may should win renown / before his death; …" suggests that it is the responsibility of every warrior to seek out opportunities to prove their worth and earn the respect of their peers (1387-1388). This concept of striving for greatness and honor in the face of death is a key aspect of the heroic code depicted in Beowulf. Consequently, the heroes of the poem are willing to risk their lives to defend their people and protect their honor. They also work hard and fight in battles bravery and heroically to prove their worth as warriors. The heroic code depicted in Beowulf reflects the values and beliefs of Anglo-Saxon society by emphasizing the importance of bravery, strength, honor, loyalty, and generosity in the lives of its heroes.
Furthermore, in the story of Beowulf, loyalty, courage, and honor play a central role. Loyalty is a key virtue in the poem, and Beowulf is depicted as being deeply loyal to his lord, Hrothgar. He is willing to risk his life to defend Hrothgar and his kingdom, and he remains loyal to him even in the face of great danger. The poem also reveals the reason that Beowulf is loyal to Hrothgar is that the latter came to the aid of the former’s father during a time of great danger. In this regard, Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, had killed a leader of another tribe, the Wylfings, and was being sought for revenge. However, Hrothgar settled the feud and saved Ecgtheow’s life. We ...

Updated on January 26, 2024

Get the Whole Paper!

Not exactly what you need?

Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

Order

Anglo-Saxon Traditions in Beowulf

You Might Also Like Other Topics Related to beowulf: