Here is the prompt for your first paper. Check the course information page for the length requirement and due date, and consult the Paper Guidelines page above for other pertinent information such as formatting.

Several of our readings define the gothic. Carefully read the articles by Eagleton, Armstrong, and Aiken and Nick Groom’s introduction in order to discuss the ways that The Castle of Otranto assembles (what will become) gothic conventions to produce a fictive atmosphere. What formal elements (character, action, imagery, etc.) does Walpole use to create the novel’s tone? What themes and motifs does he employ? What is Walpole’s version of gothic and how does it work?

This is a huge topic. Your paper is, at the absolute minimum, 3 FULL pages (see Paper Guidelines page).

You do not need to use any sources beyond those mentioned in the prompt, though you are welcome to use SECONDARY sources. (Wikipedia is not a secondary source. If you have doubts about sources consult http://www.lib.umd.edu/tl/guides/primary-sources ).

Should you want to undertake academic research use the resources available through the library. You could even talk to a reference librarian. Random googling will likely not be adequate.

If you have any questions, send them to the comments field of this post, please.