For the persuasive research paper, students will select a topic regarding the social, historical,
political or cultural aspect of a literary work covered in the class and use chapter five as a guide
in creating a documented, literary composition.
 The essay should consist of four to five pages, while citing from at least four sources
using MLA style as supplement or evidence to the main ideas.
Focused coverage:
1. Consider a problem concerning a literary work, one that genuinely interests you and set
out to solve the issue in your research and writing. For example, after reading M.
Butterfly, you may wonder if Gallimard is really ignorant of his lover’s biological sex for
twenty years.
2. Focus the problem into a question:
a. Is Gallimard genuinely deceived about Song’s biological sex, and if so, how and
why?
b. Or, at this point you may want to try to tie in the link to the assignment
direction: How are sexual and racial stereotypes active in Gallimard’s life story?
3. Create the thesis involving your solution: Gallimard’s complete commitment to the
illusion of the heterosexual romance with Song allows him to feel that he is finally a real
man in several ways.
4. The next step would involve researching for secondary sources to help you explain,
develop, and strengthen your ideas and opinions. For instance, you may incorporate
comments from critics to justify and validate your point of view.