Link to Assignment Sheet: Honors Global Literature - Frankenstein Essay Requirements
Honors Global Literature
Frankenstein Essay Requirements
Topic: Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"
Length: 4000 words; 12-point font; double spaced; 1” margins, Time New Romans
Format: MLA
Template: All work on this paper will be done on the literary analysis template that will be provided to you as a shared document.
Things to Know About Writing a Frankenstein Paper
Quotations from the novel are presented in one of two ways.
Short quotations (less than three lines) are incorporated into your text. Deletions, if any, are indicated with the use of an ellipsis ( . . . ). Changes of punctuation or letter case must be enclosed in [Brackets].
Longer quotations (more than three lines) are set apart from your text by indenting ten spaces from the left margin. The passage you wish to quote must be copied exactly as it is printed, with the same spacing, the same lines, and the same punctuation. Do not use quotation marks around the passage. If the quote begins within your words, put a colon preceding the quote. Typically, this is called block quoting. To achieve this, you tap the “Tabs” key twice at the beginning of the quote. This is only for quotes that are 3 lines or longer.
In his introspection, Victor Frankenstein reflects on the implications of his scientific pursuits:
No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. (Chapter 4)
The convention is that you do not identify quotations from "Frankenstein" in the parentheses using the author's name and page, but by chapter. If you are quoting from only one work, you don’t need the title (IV or 4).
To identify the quotations from secondary sources, use the author's name and the page (Smith 57).
Use a Works Cited page at the end of your paper to identify both the primary and the secondary sources.
Feel free to adapt these guidelines to your essay on "Frankenstein."
Frankenstein Literary Analysis
A literary analysis is an argument in which you make a case for something about the play, collecting evidence from both primary and secondary sources. You need to be analytical; you need to argue HOW something works in the play or WHY some aspect of the play is the way it is. You present your ideas, support them with evidence, and draw conclusions. Your "facts" will take the form of paraphrases and quotes from the primary source as well as commentary from secondary sources.
Task 1: Pick a BIG question that requires multiple subordinate questions to answer it.
Big Question: What drives Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of scientific creation and its consequences in "Frankenstein"?
To answer this question comprehensively, several subordinate questions can be explored:
What is Victor's initial motivation for delving into scientific experiments and the creation of life?
How does his upbringing and early influences shape his perception of the boundaries between life and death?
What role does Victor's thirst for knowledge and curiosity play in his scientific endeavors?
How does his relationship with his family, especially Elizabeth, impact his actions and decisions?
What significance does his association with natural philosophy and alchemy have on his aspirations?
How do societal expectations and the enlightenment era's focus on scientific progress contribute to his drive?
In what ways do Victor's interactions with mentors and fellow scientists shape his path and perspective?
How does his fascination with the unknown and his desire to conquer death influence his decisions?
What impact do his failures and initial successes have on his determination to continue his experiments?
What role does the creature's creation and its appearance play in Victor's reactions and subsequent actions?
How does his guilt, responsibility, and fear contribute to his isolation and further pursuit of knowledge?
Does Victor's pursuit stem from ambition, hubris, or the desire to transcend human limitations?
How does Victor's mental and emotional state evolve as he faces the consequences of his actions?
What role does his failure to take responsibility for the creature's well-being play in his ultimate downfall?
Does Victor's character development shift from scientific curiosity to a moral awakening?
In what ways does his creation mirror his own isolation and longing for acceptance?
How do external forces, like his interactions with Walton and the Arctic environment, affect his perspective?
By addressing these subordinate questions, a comprehensive understanding of the driving forces behind Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of scientific creation and its ramifications in "Frankenstein" can be gained.
Brainstorm your subordinate questions that need to be answered to fully explore the THESIS QUESTION, then go to the primary source to find answers that will become evidence in your paper. Duplicate what you see below for as many questions as you can create.
Task 2: Go back to the book and review all your annotations. Reread sections relevant to any of your questions.
Take notes on the whole book, keeping your subordinate questions in mind. Make note of anything that may be relevant to the argument you are trying to make.
Task 3: Read through all the notes that you have taken. Corollate these to the subordinate questions in Task #1 by color coding each question and then matching the notes relevant to that question the same color.
Note: some of your questions might require more than one paragraph to answer. If so, you can accommodate this in Task 4 below.
Task 4: Now that you have collected all the primary source data and organized your ideas, postulate an answer to your THESIS QUESTION.
Thesis Questions was: What drives Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of scientific creation and its consequences in "Frankenstein"?
Thesis Statement is:
Victor Frankenstein's relentless pursuit of scientific creation in "Frankenstein" is driven by a complex interplay of his insatiable curiosity, his desire to transcend human limitations, and the influence of societal expectations, ultimately leading to profound consequences that challenge the boundaries of moral responsibility and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Remember to check to see if you can argue the opposite of your thesis statement. Avoid FACTS. You MAY use ChatGPT ONLY to check if your thesis has an opposite perspective.
Try using the prompt: Provide me, if possible, with a counter argument to my thesis statement.
Counter Thesis using ChatGPT:
Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of scientific creation in "Frankenstein" is primarily motivated by his ambition to challenge the natural order and achieve a god-like status. His actions are less about genuine scientific curiosity and more about his ego-driven desire to prove his superiority over the forces of life and death. The consequences of his experiments, while significant, are secondary to his craving for recognition and power, highlighting the dangerous potential of unchecked ambition in the face of ethical considerations.
Now think about the best order for those subordinate questions to be answered in formulating a coherent argument.
Now look over your notes and determine how many paragraphs you think you can write to develop each of these questions for which you have topic sentences. It may be only one, but it also could be more than one.
Total up your predicted paragraphs. Make sure you have enough material to write 10-12 full body paragraphs.
Task 5: Create the body of the paper. Using the topic sentences you have written and all the notes answering your subordinate questions, write as many paragraphs as you will need to answer all the questions.
Copy and paste all the notes you have color coded under the similarly color coded topic sentence on the list above. CAUTION: don’t forget to include the (parenthetical citations) as you copy and paste, so you don’t lose track of where that idea comes from in the book!
Once you have color coded chunks or all your ideas and evidence, you are ready to write your first draft!
Task 6: Prepare the first draft.
Copy and paste these color coded chunks into a new document that will be the first draft of your paper.
As you create the paragraphs, re-examine your topic sentences.
Make sure you are making an assertion that connects somehow with your thesis.
Make sure that the topic sentence is comprehensive enough to organize all of the material in that paragraph.
Add a thesis paragraph at the beginning that sets enough context for your argument about the feature of the play you are exploring.
Then write a synthesis paragraph at the end in which you take what you have examined and place it back into some larger theme or feature found in the play as a whole.
Lastly, DO NOT FORGET to include a Works Cited at the end that lists the primary source.
Once you have submitted your first draft, you may begin the secondary sources.
Task 7: After reading and annotating the common secondary source, find 4-5 additional sources of scholarship on the book. Review each article carefully, selecting only those which you can use to support your argument. Read, highlight, and then annotate each of those articles. These annotations are your notes on the secondary sources. Remember that you need 4-5 sources. Once you have the secondary source material you need, revise your draft to include the source material where it best fits in each paragraph.
Copy & paste the outline structure from TASK #4; make sure you revise it so that it matches your actual argument in your first draft.
Add in notes from the secondary sources you have read, highlighted, and annotated underneath the topic sentences of the paragraph to which the new material refers. If you have developed a whole new paragraph based on secondary source material, add that in to where it belongs in the organizational plan of the argument.
When you get your first draft back, add in the ideas from secondary sources [Task #7] and then proceed to Task #8
Task 8: Review feedback from your first draft. Make appropriate edits and revisions. If there are holes in your argument, perhaps they can be plugged with ideas from the secondary sources?
Task 9: Using your secondary source notes, plug ideas from the scholarship into the relevant paragraphs. This will add additional support to your argument. You may also have found a good idea – or two – that one of the Frankenstein scholars thought of that you didn’t. These new ideas may necessitate an additional paragraph -- or two. Add these where they most fit in your argument.
Make sure you include the correct parenthetical citations for secondary sources. These are done the usual way: (author last name 48).
Include all sources, properly formatted, in your Works Cited.
Task 10: After you have edited thoroughly and made all necessary edits, share your final product with your teacher.
Essay Structural Reminders:
Introduction:
Hook: Begin with a captivating hook that grabs the reader's attention and introduces the topic. This can be a striking quote, a thought-provoking question, or a compelling anecdote related to the subject.
Context: Provide brief context about the text or topic you'll be analyzing. Mention the author, title, and any relevant background information.
Thesis Statement: Clearly state your thesis—the main argument or interpretation you'll be exploring in your essay. Make sure it's specific and debatable.
Blueprint: Briefly outline the main points you'll cover in the body paragraphs to support your thesis.
Body Paragraphs:
Topic Sentence: Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph.
Evidence: Provide textual evidence, quotes, or examples from the text that support your topic sentence and the overall thesis.
Explanation: Analyze the evidence and explain how it supports your argument. Dive deep into the text's language, structure, and themes.
Connect to Thesis: Explicitly connect each paragraph's analysis back to your thesis, showing how it contributes to your overall argument.
Transition: Use transitional phrases to smoothly guide the reader from one point to the next. This ensures your essay flows logically.
Conclusion:
Restate Thesis: Begin by restating your thesis, but rephrase it slightly to remind the reader of your main argument.
Summarize Main Points: Summarize the main points you discussed in the body paragraphs. Highlight the evidence and analysis that supports your thesis.
Broaden Perspective: Connect your analysis to broader themes, ideas, or implications. Show why your argument matters beyond the scope of the text.
Final Thought: End with a thought-provoking statement or a question that encourages the reader to continue thinking about the topic.
Proofreading and Editing:
Clarity and Coherence: Ensure your essay flows logically and each paragraph connects to the next. Check that your ideas are presented in a clear and coherent manner.
Grammar and Mechanics: Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Pay attention to sentence structure and variety.
Consistency: Maintain consistent verb tenses and writing style throughout the essay.
Tips for JSTOR:
When using JSTOR, ProQuest, etc, it’s important to use both broad and targeted searches to try and find resources.
These topics can lead you to peer-reviewed articles suitable for high school research, however, feel free to use a combination of your own words and phrases in your own research:
The Dangers of Ambition and Hubris in "Frankenstein"
Ethics and Morality in Scientific Exploration in "Frankenstein"
Nature vs. Nurture: The Creature's Identity and Humanity
The Role of Women in "Frankenstein": Analysis of Female Characters
The Creature's Quest for Acceptance and Belonging
Frankenstein as a Reflection of Societal Fears and Concerns
Victor Frankenstein's Responsibility for the Creature's Actions
The Gothic Elements in "Frankenstein": Analysis of Setting and Atmosphere
Symbolism in "Frankenstein": The Significance of the Creature's Appearance
Mary Shelley's Influences and Literary Context for "Frankenstein"