Because the purpose of British Literature I is to get you familiar

with the evolution of British literature throughout eight

centuries, your major writing assignment for the course asks you

to apply what you have learned as the course progresses. You are

expected to write an MLA documented paper including in-text

citations (approximately 7 - 10 pages) that shows some of what

you have learned in the class. No personal voice ("I") should be

used in the writing. Here are the specifics.

NOTE: This paper is worth 30% of your final course grade.

Students should continually be drafting sections of this paper

throughout the duration of course. Students are encouraged to

frequently ask for clarification of assignment or feedback on

drafts as needed.

1. The topic of your paper should be one of three "theme"

questions we have for the semester:

• How does literature reflect the relationship between the

individual and faith/belief/religion?

• How does literature reflect the relations between women

and men?

• How does literature reflect the evolution of the hero-like

character?

2. What I would like to see is your interpretation of how and

why writers' responses to these topic questions changed

in response to changes in history, culture, society, literary

fashion, literacy, etc. - i.e., your interpretation of the

sweep of literary history.