2- Assignment Paper

General Requirements and Due Dates
Complete draft, including works cited due for peer review Week 15, exact day TBD.
Final paper due to CANVAS during Week 16, exact day TBD.Worth 50% of your final grade.
The paper shall be 6 pages within a half page (5 ½- 6 ½ pages) not counting the works cited page.All papers are due to CANVAS on/before the due date/time.NO late papers. Failure to submit the paper on time will result in a failing grade for the research paper
and for the course. There is no revision option for this paper.
Any plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the paper and for the class. If you have any questions
about the responsible use of sources, please see me and clear those up before submitting the paper.
The paper will fully comply with all MLA document and documentation guidelines. See A Writer’s Reference.
Sources
You must have five scholarly, secondary sources and the one primary source, Much Ado about Nothing.
You are most likely to find scholarly sources quickly through the library databases. If I determine any of
your sources are not scholarly, it may not count toward your required five. There is a document in the
Canvas Essays Module called “Is It a Scholarly Source” to help you evaluate your sources. For the
primary source use the same version as we did for class.
Topic
Choose one of the two following topics.
 Trace an area of work or life that the play alludes to. Research what Shakespeare might have
known about that area and how he might have come to know it. How do those references add
to the play’s theme or message? Be explicit about what Shakespeare’s message is. Medicine,
religion, military service, clothing, animals, food, and marriage are some of the possible
subjects.
 The play considers differences between men and women, people with rank or status and those
without, the differences between those who are single and those who are married, people who
use words well and those who don’t, among other possibilities. Research the historical realities
of those differences during Shakespeare’s life (1564-1616) and see if he reflects that reality or
something more imaginary. What does Shakespeare say about the differences through the way
it is employed in the play? Be explicit about the message.
Notice that neither topic asks you to research literary criticism of Shakespeare or Much Ado about Nothing. The interpretation of the work is up to you.