In the Time of the Butterflies/Sisson: Home

Write a research paper (3-4 pages) on a topic relating to Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies. The aim is to choose something that will help you, and the rest of the class, understand the novel more fully by expanding our awareness of the historical, political, social, and cultural context in which the story takes place. You are encouraged to create your own topic and research question so that your research experience is as authentic, meaningful, and rewarding as possible. Nevertheless, if you would like to see some examples of possible research questions to make sure that your ideas are on track, take a look at the “Questions” tab of our class LibGuide.

Your research paper is not just an expository report. During the research process, you will settle on a main research question. This question will serve as the foundation for your paper. Throughout your research and drafting processes, you will be searching for an answer. By the time your paper is in final draft form, the answer to your research question will serve as the thesis statement. Remember: writing is a way of thinking. It is very possible that you won’t know the exact answer to your research question until after you’ve written your first draft.

The final draft of your research paper will include:

• An introduction that
  • Explains the context of your topic in In the Time of the Butterflies (title and author of book must be stated).
  • Contains a thesis statement that is the answer to your research question (in your first draft, your research question OR a hypothetical thesis can be used as a placeholder for your final thesis statement).

• Body paragraphs (3-4) that support your claim with information (research concepts) gathered from at least 5 sources (see next page for requirements)
  • Each body paragraph should open with a topic sentence that clearly states your supporting point.
  • The following items will be presented after your topic sentence:
    • Research concept/material (paraphrased OR directly quoted; in-text citation required for both paraphrasing and quotes)
    • Explanation/interpretation
    • Connection/transition to next supporting point (in your last body paragraph, the final sentence will summarize the supporting point OR mark the conclusion of your argument)

• A conclusion that
  • Opens with a summary sentence that reinforces the answer to your research question (your thesis statement).
  • Answers the question, “So what?”
    • Your answer can tie back to the novel OR it can address how your findings deepen/expand our understanding of the topic in “the bigger picture."

• A Works Cited page in MLA format (more details about this requirement to come…)

Source Requirements: at least 5 total*

• 1 primary source (if possible)
• 4 secondary sources
  • 1 print source (if possible)
  • 3 non-print (electronic) sources – Wikipedia does NOT count. You can still reference this source, but it cannot be one of your five.

*Miss. Gerlock, the Upper School Librarian, will explain the difference between these types of sources and how to access them.

Important Dates

Friday, March 11

• First official visit to the library
• Miss Gerlock will walk us through the class LibGuide and explain how to access all of the resources the PDS library and eSubscriptions have to offer.

Week of March 14

• Conduct research in the library and work on annotated bibliography.

Friday, March 18

• Turn in annotated bibliography by the end of class (at least 5 sources)**

Spring Break (March 18 – April 3)

Week of April 4

• Draft and peer review research papers**

Friday, April 8

• Final draft of research paper (including Works Cited page) due**
• You will also turn in this research packet and your notes, which will count toward your paper grade.

**You can earn up to 2 extra credit points toward your final paper grade if you visit the Writing Center during any stage of the writing process for your annotated bibliography OR your research paper.

Calendar

This calendar is not set in stone, but I created it to give you a general idea of how long we will spend on each stage of this project.

• Wednesday, March 9: Intro to project (S2)
• Thursday, March 10: Intro to project (S1 & S3)
• Friday, March 11:  Visit US Library
• Monday, March 14:  Preliminary research in library
• Tuesday, March 15:  Preliminary research in library
• Wednesday, March 16:  Research in library
• Thursday, March 17:  Research in library
• Friday, March 18: Annotated Bibliography due

Spring Break (March 21-April 1)

• Monday, April 4:  Draft paper
• Tuesday, April 5:  Draft paper
• Wednesday, April 6:  Draft paper/peer review
• Thursday, April 7:  Draft paper/peer review
• Friday, April 8:  Final draft of research paper due

Mary Sisson