Shakespeare Conspiracy Paper

The Shakespeare conspiracy theory is just that a theory. You will have to determine whom you believe more. Is there an arguable case that Christopher Marlowe could have, in fact, written the plays accredited to Shakespeare? In watching the PBS documentary Much Ado About Something, Michael Rubbo, the documentarian, sets up the parameters that it is plausible that Marlowe may have, in fact, been the writer of the bard's most famous plays.

Your task is to write a paper with a two point thesis. You must choose a side...are you a Marlovian (supports Christopher Marlowe) or a Shakespearean? After choosing a side, think about two points that really prove why your side is correct. Think about the other sides argument--how would you prove them wrong? Find literary academic articles that help support your claim (use infotrac/galenet here's the link: Infotrac link) Remember, the password is down21475. Once there scroll to the bottom and you will find "Literature Resource Center" or LRC tab. Play with the different keywords--REMEMBER--your first set of keywords might not give the results you were looking for. Keep playing with the different combinations or phrases of words until you find the combination that works for you.

Some useful links...Shakespeare-Marlowe International Society has quite a few articles such as: The Problems with the Stratford Case, and What Shakespeare's Scholars say about Marlowe.  Perhaps you're are more aligned to that of Marlowe-- you may want to read the article Marlovians Bite Back or Humanizing Marlowe use the blog The Marlowe-Shakespeare Connection in order to help you navigate through muddied waters. Or, are you perhaps on the side of the bard? You believe that he is the author of the amazing plays, like Hamlet (which we're getting ready to read), but you want to review some information that shows he is the guy...look at the site The Simple Case for Shakespeare. Use these resources on The Authorship Debate page to help you  decide what the real story is.

I understand that this is a question that has floated around for quite a few hundred years and most likely your paper will not provide that a ha moment, but the point of this paper is to determine:

1. Can you form an opinion/ thesis on an academic subject? {with little to no help}
2. Are you able to locate reliable academic research on the subject?
3. When presenting your points can you provide evidence that supports what you are asking your  
     audience to believe?
4. Is your paper formatted to MLA guidelines correctly? {MLA Quick Guide}


So-- what's due and when's it due? Will most likely be your next questions.  On Friday, March 15th I will collect ONE rhetorical precis--you will complete a rhetorical precis for one of the two articles you found either on Infotrac or from one of the above mentioned socities. I will not accept Wikipedia, yahoo answerser or go ask, or the ilk as 'academic evidence'.


Monday, March 18th you will be responsible for submitting your final and only draft to me in class-- during your class period. I will not accept late papers.



Friday: Rhetorical Precis
Monday: Final draft of the paper, typed, MLA format