Literary Specialist Project Overview

Introduction to the
Literary Specialist Project

This project is designed to allow you an opportunity to become a specialist on a single author from world literature--from the Middle Ages to contemporary times. We will be spending the next six to eight weeks on this research project; therefore, the grades you earn on this project will “set the tone” for your semester grade in this course. As a result, it is vital that you choose your author carefully, organize your time wisely, work diligently, and produce a finished product that showcases your strengths in all aspects of English (research, planning, reading, and writing).

Because of the intensive nature of this project, it will be important to divide up the project into several phases. I will be giving you deadlines throughout the project. For each deadline, an aspect or “chapter” of the project will be due. I will then be able to guide your work and give you immediate feedback on each “chapter.” This will ensure that your work is of the highest quality and that the end result is a literary specialist product that you can be proud of this year (and in years to come).

Phases of the Literary Specialist Project

I. Biographical Research -- During this phase, you find out as much as you can about the life and times of your selected writer. You will take voluminous notes on your author and will consult a variety of sources (e.g., a standard biography, encyclopedia articles, information from literary handbooks, periodicals (if applicable), websites, and the like). The goal of this phase is for you to become thoroughly acquainted with your writer. At the end of this phase, you will turn in a biographical report on your author. More on this report will be given at a later date.

II. Examining a Key Work by this Author -- During this phase, you will read at least
one key literary work by this author. You will read this in the light of the newly-
acquired information that you have gained on this writer. After you have read
a work, you will write a paper which investigates this work from a variety of
perspectives. The goal of this phase is to read a work and write an interpretive
analysis of the work.

III. Reflection Phase -- As the project enters its final phase, you will reflect on your author, his/her work, and all the information you have gained from your research. You will then write a reflection paper in which you discuss your findings. This is a free-style essay that allows you to consider your growth as a literary researcher. More on this phase will be given in class.


IV. Bibliography -- In this phase, you will create a bibliography of all the sources you consulted during this project. As a result, it is vital that from the very first day you keep track of all the sources consulted during the project. Keep track of all the references you consult by jotting down key points in your journal. This is an easy section to do--as long as you’ve been organized throughout the entirety of your research.

V. Oral Presentation -- During this stage, you will give a seven to ten-minute presentation to the class in which you discuss the key results of your literary research.


Because you will be doing the work in stages, and receiving feedback throughout the project, it is vital that you work diligently and steadfastly to create a project worthy of your fine English abilities. The grade that you receive on this project will greatly influence your semester grade. If you want a high grade at the semester, create a first-rate project.