Literature

Essay Paper Guidelines

 MLA Format
 At least (5) pages (1500 words) not including Citations Page (max 8)
 Not proper length – 0
 Word count must appear at end of paper
 Must have Citations Page (not included in page count total)
 Missing citations: 25% deduction each
 No citations page: 0
 Required Sources:
 Use Primary Source (literary texts): examples, citations and
quotations
 You are to have at least (2) secondary sources
o This would mean other books, journal articles, etc.
o Make sure your “secondary” source fits criteria
o MUST COME FROM CREDIBLE SOURCE:
 JSTOR, PROJECT MUSE, CREDIBLE
MAGAZINE, Academic OneFile, JOURNAL, ETC.
 Schmoop.com, monkeynotes, cliffnotes, or
dictionaries – NOT ACCEPTABLE AS
SECONDARY SOURCES
o Use Secondary Source: examples, ideas, and quotations
Literary Analysis/Argumentation
o Paper needs a thesis
o Choose a position, argue it, support it
o Can look at more than one work