Senior Creative Writing

Spring 2018
Final Paper with Annotated Bibliography

PROMPT
“A tragedy is that moment where the hero comes face to face
with his true identity”.
-Aristotle
Provide a 4-6-page critical justification for one character of your choosing (from a play,
video game, show, etc.) as a tragic hero. Include all the following sections:
• Character Overview
• Heroic Qualities (i.e. powers, morals, accomplishments)
• Flaws
• Tragic Hero Justification
• Significance/Impact (on pop culture, personal, etc.)
This paper must be written in APA format and include a cover page with a picture of your
character (any size), running head/page numbers, the content listed above separated with
appropriate headings/subheadings, and an annotated bibliography page; everything must
be double-spaced and written in highly readable, 12-point font (Times New Roman
preferred, but Cambria is an acceptable alternative) within 1”-inch margins all around, as
well. No more than 3 smaller images with captions may be included throughout the paper
For your annotated bibliography page, you must have at least one peer-reviewed source,
one physical source (e.g. books, magazine catalogs), one electronic source (e.g. web
publications, videos, video games), and one database source. Identify the peer-reviewed
source(s) with an asterisk (*).

DEADLINES (Upload to Google Classroom by 11:59PM)

Thursday, March 1: Proposal (10 Points)

Assignment: Write a single paragraph (5-7 sentences) that identifies the subject of your
paper, includes your proposed thesis statement (see “What is a thesis?” below) on why the
individual you chose should be considered a tragic hero, and indicates how you plan to
prove your argument.
Grading: The proposal will be graded according to the following rubric.
Element Points Received Points Possible
Content and _ 6
Organization
-identifies one subject
(_/1)
-presents a clear Notes:
argument/thesis (_/2)
-briefly describes the
writer plans on proving
his/her argument (_/2)
-5-7 sentences written
(_/1)

Grammar/Syntax, - 3
Mechanics, and
Voice/Style
-implements a variety of
sentence structures and Notes:
uses grammar correctly
(_/1)
-no spelling,
capitalization, or
punctuation errors (_/1)
-writing is age
appropriate and reflects
 writer’s voice (sounds
like the writer) (_/1)
Formatting - 1
-uses APA format
correctly for page setup
(_/1)
Notes:

Samples: Posted in Google Classroom under “Creative Writing Project” tab.

Tuesday, March 8: Annotated Bibliography (Informal) (15

Points)
Assignment: Annotate all sources you plan to use for your final project. Each annotation
should start with a full citation of the source in APA format followed by a single short
paragraph (2-4 sentences) that summarizes the source’s purpose, argument, method,
and/or significance (broadly speaking, not necessarily its significance to your topic).
Grading: The annotated bibliography will be graded according to the following rubric.
Element Points Received Points Possible
Bibliography - 4
-includes at least four
sources, with at least
one of each required
type (i.e. peer-reviewed, Notes:
physical, electronic, and
database) (_/4)

Annotations - 4
-an annotation (2-4
sentences) is included
for each source and
summarizes the source’s Notes:
purpose, argument,
method, and/or
significance (broadly
speaking, not necessarily
its significance to the
writer’s topic) (_/4)

Formatting - 4
-citations are in proper
 APA format (6th ed.)
(_/2)
-uses APA format Notes:
correctly for page setup
(_/2)
Grammar/Syntax, - 3
Mechanics, and
Voice/Style
-implements a variety of
sentence structures and Notes:
uses grammar correctly
(_/1)
-no spelling,
capitalization, or
punctuation errors (_/1)
-writing is age
appropriate and reflects
writer’s voice (sounds
like the writer) (_/1)

Tip: A well-chosen adjective or phrase can go a long way in clarifying or explaining

something. If you read a chapter, cite that chapter, not the whole book (in MLA format).
Samples: Posted in Google Classroom under “Creative Writing Project” tab.

Thursday, April 26: Paper (75 Points)

Assignment: Write a 4-6-page paper in response to the prompt. Remember, like the
previous project portions, the paper should be formatted according to APA format.*

***If you would like to format your final paper more creatively (e.g. use a particular
template, employ decorative fonts and borders), you must get my approval prior to
submitting the project (at least one week before the due date).***

Grading: The paper will be graded according to the following rubric.

Element Points Received Points Possible
Content and - 40
Organization |
Development of Topic
and Details
-includes all required Notes:
sections (i.e. Character
Overview, Heroic
Qualities (i.e. powers,
morals,
accomplishments),
Flaws, Tragic Hero
Justification, and
Significance/Impact (on
pop culture, personal,
etc.)) and addresses
them in a clear, logical,
tasteful manner (_/20)
-content is organized
and written in a way
that is detailed, easy to
understand, and
professional; it gives the
reader a strong
understanding of the
concept and importance
of the writer’s subject
(_/15)
-4-6 pages (_/5)
Grammar/Syntax, - 15
Mechanics, and
Voice/Style
-implements a variety of
sentence structures and Notes:
uses grammar correctly
(_/5)
-no spelling,
capitalization, or
punctuation errors (_/5)
-writing is age
appropriate and reflects
writer’s voice (sounds
like the writer) (_/5)
 Annotated - 10
Bibliography
-includes at least four
sources, with at least
one of each required Notes:
type (i.e. peer-reviewed,
physical, electronic, and
database) (_/5)
-an annotation (2-4
sentences) is included
for each source and
summarizes the source’s
purpose, argument,
method, and/or
significance (broadly
speaking, not necessarily
its significance to the
writer’s topic) (_/5)

Formatting - 10
-uses APA format
correctly for page setup*
(_/5)
*Students permitted to Notes:
do creative designs will
not get penalized for this
portion.
-citations are in proper
APA format (_/5)

HELPFUL HINTS

What is a thesis?
A thesis is an argument, a claim, not a summary or description. It is something that is not
immediately obvious; therefore, it requires evidence to prove it. It should be concrete
rather than vague. “Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII is a tragic hero” is not an argument.
“Sephiroth of Final Fantasy VII is a compelling kind of tragic hero” is not specific enough.
“Sephiroth of Final Fantasy VII represents a new kind of tragic hero, one whose scientific
origins, alien appearance and abilities, and earth-shattering pride culminate into more than
just a fallen angel and general“ provides a descriptive justification for this character as a
tragic hero. He will of course share characteristics with other tragic heroes, but consider:
Why would someone looking at the table of contents of a tragic hero-centered book flip to
his entry? What does he bring to the table? What makes him relevant? The answer is likely
to lie in his uniqueness, originality, and/or influence (about which, BE SPECIFIC).

What does peer-reviewed mean? Peer-reviewed is used interchangeably with

refereed. Peer-reviewed sources are written by scholars, primarily for scholars, and have
been vetted by experts—not just an editor but an expert in the academic field to which it
speaks.

They do not include:

• Summaries written strictly for students
• Book reviews
• Master’s theses or doctoral dissertations
• All books (some books, yes, on which keep reading)

Peer-reviewed sources do include:

• Publications from a university press (Princeton or Ohio State, for example)
• Publications from another academic press, such as Palgrave or Bedford-St. Martin’s
• Introductions to an edition of a novel published by an academic press (like Broadview) or
to a scholarly edition of a novel (by Penguin, for example)
• Academic journals, either print or online
One way to find peer-reviewed sources (in addition to other database sources, in general)
is through the school’s EBSCO database. To access it: go to the Phoenix Union High School
District website (http://www.phxhs.k12.az.us/), hover over the “Students” tab, click on
“Research Databases,” select EBSCO, and then enter your search terms. From there, you can
select the option to “limit to peer reviewed.” Other databases generally have a similar
option.
When in doubt about a peer-reviewed source, you can—and should—ask me by emailing
me the entire citation (not just a link).

What is APA format? APA format is the official style of the American Psychological
Association (APA) and is commonly used to cite sources in psychology, education, and the
social sciences. One good source for information about how to use APA format is the
“Purdue Owl: APA Formatting and Style Guide”
(https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/).

Reminders
• Follow all directions
• Produce a clearly stated, interesting argument
• Support your claims with textual evidence
• Look at the essay writing tips provided in Google Classroom under “Creative Writing
Project,” principles of which will help you with this paper
• Late assignments will not be accepted, and plagiarized assignments will earn a zero
• If you are not sure about something, please ask