Prof. Della Fera – EN 102

Research Essay Project

Description and Purpose: In this research paper, you will be exploring an idea and opinion you have on a topic choice given to you about the film Gran Torino. For this research essay you will be turning to outside reliable sources to find quotes and information that you can fold into your argument to help support your ideas. This opinion that you have formed about the topic is called your thesis. A good research paper – no matter how long or short – will offer a convincing argument about a certain topic and will be well supported with credible sources to bolster and strengthen your argument. In short, the more convincing you sound in your paper, the more likely I am going to believe that your view is correct.

Remember, you are trying to write like an authority on the subject so eliminate any “I think,” “I believe,” “According to me,” etc. These phrases only weaken your opinion. State your ideas with conviction!

Purpose: The ultimate academic purpose of the research essay is two-fold:

The research paper teaches a student how to be an informed individual with concrete and well-supported opinions.

This kind of project teaches a student how to sift through countless information and decipher what is reliable and what is not. You must learn to rely on both, common sense and some detective work. Sometimes you need to go out and verify a fact that you are not sure about or verify if a source is legitimate. Ultimately, as educated citizens in society, we need to learn that we cannot believe everything we read or hear.

Writing Prompt Choices:

Choose a main character and argue why or why not he or she is a sympathetic character. (one should feel empathy for that character)

Choose one major conflict in the story and analyze how it surfaces in the story.

Analyze and explain how the idea of manhood weaves its way throughout this story.

Choose either Walt, Thao, or Sue and explain how this character is “dynamic” who changes by the end of the film. (Dynamic characters change; static characters do not).

Write about all the possible symbolisms for the car the Gran Torino.

Write a convincing paper on why Gran Torino is or is not a good movie.

Process: 1. Select a topic offered to you.

2. Question the topic and brainstorm for ideas. Freewriting is very good for this step.

3. Formulate your own opinion or thesis about the topic.

4. Go to PCCC’s online library databases to search for relevant and credible articles on

the subject, print out the ones that fit well and take notes (focus on the

databases, Google and sites like www.IMDb.com. They will be especially helpful.)

Write a draft of your paper including and inserting all supporting quotes from the outside sources and reliable movie critics. Their quotes should support your ideas or have something to add to your points and the characters in order to make your argument stronger.

6. Include all in-text citations for your sources in correct MLA format (use your old handbook/s from earlier composition classes or refer to online writing labs like Purdue University’s OWL for this information)

7. Create a “works cited” page in correct MLA format

8. Proofread, edit, and revise your paper

9. Send your paper to a tutor in order to double check grammar, spelling, idea development, and MLA issues!!!! There is no revision for this paper unless it is not a passing paper.

Requirements: 1. The minimum amount of pages is 3 pages (NOT including your works cited page.)

2. You must include at least two outside secondary sources, including the movie, your primary source, which will be a total of at least three sources. More is allowed. All will be listed in alphabetical order (Double-spaced) on the last page of your paper in your “Works Cited” page. A source used for a hook quote does not count as a source. A viable source must be from a critical review article, a film interview from YouTube, or from an article that shares important information for an aspect or idea in your paper.

3. Everything, including your heading, long/block and short quotes, and heading, needs to be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman and 12pt font. One inch margins around your paper is standard MLA format as well.

4. Search online (Purdue University Owl is helpful) for information on organization, grammar, in-text citation, works cited, credible sources, and plagiarism, as well as the resources found on our Blackboard shell (under “Writing Resources”)

Work Cited for the Film

Gran Torino. Directed by Clint Eastwood, Performances by Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carely,

Ahney Her, Warner Brother, 2008.