Research Paper (including Outline)

1) Select a traditional art form (visual, verbal, musical, or choreographic) from any country in the Caribbean. Decide on one aspect of the art form to research, such as a particular formal characteristic, historical development/event, or artist. It is critical that your paper have a very narrow focus. Do not select a topic related to the Trinidad Carnival (including masquerade, calypso, or steelband) or related to Jamaican reggae or Rastafarianism. In addition, do not select a topic that simply repeats material covered in the assigned readings or lectures. 2) Research your art form at Wells Library. Your research should be based on primary sources and/or scholarly books or journal articles. 3) Prepare a Research Paper Outline. Your Outline should include a one-paragraph statement of your main topic, a sequential list of sub-topics (one-sentence bullets), and a preliminary list of

4 bibliographic sources. A typed and stapled hard copy of your Outline is due at the beginning of class on Mon., 02/27. 4) Continue your research at Wells Library. 5) Write your paper. Your paper must include a clear thesis and a logical and persuasive argument. A thesis is an assertion of a truth to be defended. State your thesis in the first paragraph of your paper. An argument is a logical development of a thesis, supported by evidence. Make sure that your argument is supported by concrete evidence and that you fully reference all sources. The text of your paper must be 5-6 pages in length, with double spacing, 1-inch margins, and 12-point Times New Roman font. Include endnotes and full references on an additional page. When referencing a journal article accessed online, cite the journal, not the online database. Your paper must be well written in terms of structure, grammar, and spelling. For assistance with your writing, visit Writing Tutorial Services in the Learning Commons at Wells Library. See http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/index.php for details.