Write a literary paper in which you make a case for Hamlet’s sanity or insanity, based on his behavior. Use direct quotes from the text of the play to support your argument. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation. In addition, find two critical essays (external secondary sources) from the Essex databases.

The Western Literary Tradition – Formal Essay #3 – Instructions

CHOOSE ONE (1) of the following questions.
Documented research essay. The paper should be five-seven (5-7) full pages in length (with an additional Works Cited page) with an introduction and a conclusion.

1. Write a literary paper in which you make a case for Hamlet’s sanity or insanity, based on his behavior. Use direct quotes from the text of the play to support your argument. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation. In addition, find two critical essays (external secondary sources) from the Essex databases.
OR
2. What can be discerned about the psychological movement of Hamlet’s character as the play progresses? Re-read and choose at least TWO (2) of the soliloquies which are delivered by Hamlet. Write an essay in which you discuss Hamlet’s psychological progression. Use direct quotes from the play to support your argument. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation. In addition, find two critical essays (external secondary sources) from the Essex databases.

PAPER GUIDELINES
The assignment should be supported by the literature (quotations from the literature) AND independent research (quotes from at least TWO (2) critical sources, meaning journal articles, properly cited using MLA 8th Edition Works Cited style). Use the Essex County College databases to retrieve articles. The paper should be five to seven (5-7) pages in length with an introduction and a conclusion.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. ANY AND ALL SOURCES (which must come from critical journal articles–not from encyclopedias or summaries) MUST BE CITED, per MLA STYLE.
USE STANDARD MLA HEADING (see MLA Style Sheet under “Class Information”), CREATE YOUR OWN TITLE FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENT, AND DOUBLE-SPACE ALL WRITING.
Your writing must show that you have properly met the standards of what I consider acceptable for a 200-level literature course. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your papers are proof-read before you hand them in. Below is how I break down the points:
Clear thesis, well-organized supporting points and conclusion: 60%
Cited adequately and correctly from the texts (primary & secondary): 20%
Demonstrated writing strength (structure, spelling, grammar): 20%
Be sure to use quotes from the text to support your argument. You must use proper MLA-compliant heading and style, and you must create your own title for the paper. Do not call the assignment by the name of the text under discussion–for example, do not title your paper “Walt Whitman.” The paper should have a clear thesis supported by the literature. The paper should have an introduction–opening paragraphs with a thesis statement (including author and title of text), body paragraphs with properly cited quotes using standard MLA-style documentation, and a clear conclusion.
Do not wait until the last minute to submit your paper–that’s when computer issues, Internet problems, etc., arise–it is your responsibility to have your work in on time. You are being graded on the following:
Clear thesis statement, well-organized supporting points and conclusion
Cited adequately and correctly from the primary text and secondary sources (literary journal articles)
Demonstrated writing strength (sentence structure, spelling, grammar) appropriate to a 200-level literature course
Proper use of MLA formatting style (per PDF guides in “Class Information”)
Plagiarism results in an “F” on the paper. A second instance of plagiarism results in automatic failure of the course.

YOU MAY NOT USE the following as sources, as they are NOT considered scholarly works: SparkNotes, CliffsNotes, ClassicNotes, Enotes, GradeSaver, or other student guides; also, do not use encyclopedias, dictionaries, or sites which simply offer summaries. Further, do not use plagiarism sites such as 123HelpMe, Free Essays, or any other essays for sale type sites. Simply “re-wording” the works of any of these sites by substituting or changing adjectives or nouns constitutes plagiarism. All papers will be submitted using TurnItIn, which captures uncited sources and instances of plagiarism.

PLEASE NOTE: Simply re-wording summaries or analysis from another source constitutes plagiarismyour work must consist of YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND WRITINGplease dont fail this course because of plagiarism. Make sure that you use quotation marks and that you give proper credit to the source if you are paraphrasing.
When you have completed the assignment, save a copy for yourself in an easily accessible place and submit a copy to your instructor using Moodle.

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