Order Description
This paper is a traditional research paper using a primary source (the play The Piano Lesson) and secondary sources (specifically, the definitions/descriptions of Folklore from the Resource websites from the American Folklore Society on our Bb site in Course Information).WHAT TO INCLUDE: Your introductory paragraph should briefly state the definition(s)/description(s) of Folklore which you will focus on from the American Folklore Society website. Throughout the paper, you should have a balance between direct quotes and your own words (paraphrase) with appropriate documentation. The bulk of the research paper should discuss all the specific ways/instances/examples of how the play The Piano Lesson illustrates and exemplifies Folklore, according to your focus. Above all, this paper is NOT biographical. In other words, there should not be anything about August Wilson’s background, nor his personal life, etc. The paper deals solely with the play The Piano Lesson and the ELEMENT of folklore. Overall, be sure to have a fairly even balance between the following:
*examples from the play (brief quotes and paraphrases-documented)
*secondary source material (such as those definitions/descriptions, etc.)—4 or 5 of these (documented)
*your own assessments and conclusions about the play as related to Folklore
If there are places in your paper where you can effectively use any of the ELEMENTS we have studied this semester, such as aspects of characterization, irony, etc., then you should include them. Do not “force” the use of these ELEMENTS, but weave them into the discussion.
