The authors you will study in ENGL 3465 have been highly influential for poets, novelists, playwrights, and other creators. This assignment asks you to locate a writer who was inspired by one of the class poets and to discuss the influence of the class writer on the "inspired writer's" work. You will do this by locating a primary source written by the inspired writer and connecting it to the work of the writer from class.
For this presentation, most researchers will conduct two kinds of searches:
1. Locate secondary sources that connect a class poet or theme with an "inspired" American writer (optional)
Many of us would begin this project by conducting research using the internet or secondary sources to locate authors who have been inspired by a writer from the course syllabus. By conducting research on the inspired writer's influences and development, you may find a connection to a class writer or themes discussed in class. More easily, you might look at the writer from class and conduct research on their influence or impact and find an inspired author through that method. This is an optional part of the research process, as you may already be familiar with an author who was inspired by one of those from your class.
2. Locate texts written by the inspired American writer for analysis and comparison. (required)
For your presentation, you will need to find a primary source or a text written by the inspired writer that exhibits the influences of the class writer. You will want to select an authoritative and credible source for the primary text that conforms to ethical standards related to copyright. That means, just because it's available online does not necessarily mean it should be there and that you would cite it as part of an academic project.
Seven to ten days before your presentation, you will meet with the librarian for English Benjamin Harris via Zoom to touch base on your research progress. If you have already located the primary texts and helpful secondary texts, this will be a short meeting reviewing your process. If you are having any challenges in finding primary sources, in particular, this meeting will be a good opportunity to move forward in your work.
One tip: as you are making your selections and conducting research, remember that if the connection between the course and inspired writers is surprising and interesting to you, it will be more interesting to your audience.
I encourage you to use the print collection as you browse for primary texts. Remember that once used or returned, books are currently held for a 7-day quarantine before returning to the shelves.