Research Guides: RELG 398: Senior Thesis Seminar (HC) Fall 2022: Home

Semyon Khokhlov

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Contact:

Magill Library

610-896-2976

Subjects: Comparative Literature, English Literature, French & Francophone Studies, Spanish, Writing Program

A Place to Begin

Your thesis experience will be very fruitful and important for your college career. Some of you might be sure about your topic, and others might not yet know what you want to focus on, but very soon all of you will be in the same boat: researching in-depth on the topic of your choice.

Everyone needs to consider the MAIN QUESTION you are trying to answer. Forming the question is a big part of the process. How can we write a research question? See this link. The questions that you raise will lead you to develop your argument. It is important to think this through very thoroughly. Feel free to make an appointment with Anna to discuss this process.

Getting Started

Senior Thesis Archive
Religion thesis from previous years are located here in digital form. Check the bottom right for "Prize Winning Thesis". Or click on Browse Digital Thesis Archive and choose Religion.
Quaker and Special Collections (Haverford)
Due to COVID-19, Special Collections is appointment only but reach out to them if you need special attention.

Borrow Beyond the Trico
Can't get ahold of something for your thesis? Use Article Request or Interlibrary Loan by filling out the forms here.

Browsing for books

Let's say you find a book on Tripod and you really think it is relevant to your interests or research project. One way to physically browse books on Haverford's campus is to head to Level 0 and find the book on the shelves. Academic libraries place all books with the same subject matter in the same area, so chances are high that you will find something relevant near the book you are looking for.

But if you want to digitally browse, you can do that too. The Tripod record of the book in question includes a "Virtual Browse" section. This will provide you with a massive list of the books at all three schools and you can browse the shelves digitally.

Helpful books on Writing and Editing

A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian; Wayne C. Booth (Revised by); Gregory G. Colomb (Revised by); University of Chicago Press Staff (Revised by); Joseph M. Williams (Revised by)
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ISBN: 9780226816371
Publication Date: 2013-04-03
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations has been fully revised to meet the needs of today's writers and researchers. The Manual has a three-part structure, beginning with an overview of the steps in the research and writing process, including formulating questions, reading critically, building arguments, and revising drafts. Part II provides an overview of citation practices with detailed information on the two main scholarly citation styles (notes-bibliography and author-date), an array of source types with contemporary examples, and detailed guidance on citing online resources. The final section treats all matters of editorial style, with advice on punctuation, capitalization, spelling, abbreviations, table formatting, and the use of quotations. Style and citation recommendations have been revised throughout to reflect the sixteenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. With an appendix on paper format and submission that has been vetted by dissertation officials from across the country and a bibliography with the most up-to-date listing of critical resources available, A Manual for Writers remains the essential resource for students and their teachers.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk; E. B. White
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ISBN: 0205313426
Publication Date: 1999-08-24
You know the authors' names. You recognize the title. You've probably used this book yourself. This is The Elements of Style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. A new Foreword by Roger Angell reminds readers that the advice of Strunk & White is as valuable today as when it was first offered.This book's unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of English style to millions of readers. Use the fourth edition of "the little book" to make a big impact with writing.