Author Research

Worksheet Description

This Sustained Research worksheet is a structured guide for students to conduct in-depth research on an author of their choice. The students are tasked to read three books by a selected author, write a concise summary for each, research the author’s life, and investigate the social and political context of their work. They are also asked to trace the evolution of the author’s reputation over time and analyze how and why it has changed. The final step requires students to synthesize their findings in a paper that discusses the significance of the author’s work and why it should be read.

The worksheet is designed to teach students comprehensive research skills by having them engage with multiple aspects of literary study. It promotes critical reading by requiring summaries of the author’s books and contextual understanding through research on the author’s life and societal influences on their work. This exercise also fosters historical literacy by having students examine the changing perception of the author’s contributions over time. Ultimately, it cultivates analytical writing skills, guiding students to form and articulate a coherent argument about the author’s importance in literature.