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How to Write a Research Paper on Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" is perhaps the poem the writer is most known for. Writing a research paper on "The Raven" requires you to uncover links between him and this specific work of literature, which will take some digging into the poet's background. While there are several styles of essay writing, essays written in the humanities are typically guided by the Modern Language Association style, which demands strong research and citation.  

Instructions

    • 1

      Research the life of Edgar Allan Poe and the meaning behind "The Raven" using primary and secondary research. Primary research is studying a subject through firsthand observation, such as reading his literature and historical documents. Secondary research refers to studying other researchers' works on Edgar Allan Poe and "The Raven," such as literary critiques. 

    • 2

      Outline the paper according to your research. Title each paragraph with a main point and jot down several sub-points that emphasize your main ones. There is no set style for outlining, and your outline can be written or structured however you please. Here is an example of an outline: 

      I. Introduction

      A. General 

      B. Specific

      C. Thesis

      D. Transition

    • 3

      Devise a thesis for your essay. The thesis statement is your answer to the central question posed by your research. Creating your thesis will give you a productive focus for writing the essay uniformly. Because writing can be a precursory action to forming complete thoughts, your thesis may be revised as you go along. Here is an example of a thesis:

      Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" portrays a soul at unrest: possibly through the author's coping methods with death, his fruitless career as a writer and his debilitating and mysterious medical issues.

    • 4

      Cite in text either by incorporating the author's name within the text or using a parenthetical citation after a sentence that takes another's words, facts or ideas. Include the author's last name and the page number of the borrowed material within the parentheses. 

    • 5

      Create a bibliography on a blank page after the essay. Edgar Allan Poe's original publication of "The Raven" would be cited by the author's full name, title of work, publisher location, publisher, year of publication and the format: 

      Poe, Edgar Allan. The Raven. New York: Evening Mirror, 1845. Print.

      Cite books by the author's full name, full title, edition, volume, publication location, publisher, year of publication and format:

      Budden, Julian. The Operas of Verdi. Rev. ed. 3 vols. Oxford: Clarendon, 1992. Print.

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