RSSS 315: Werewolves and Vampires: Slavic Folklore in Our Culture
Paper 1 Guidelines – Spring 2023
Due date: upload to D2L Dropbox no later than 11:59PM on Wednesday, February 1st.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze, synthesize, and discuss the perspectives, viewpoints, and ideas discussed during
Modules 1 and 2. In this way, we will engage in historical / cultural analysis, make cross-cultural comparisons and
connections, and further develop your writing skills.
Response #1 Topics (Choose ONE; be sure to identify which topic (1 or 2) you chose in the upper left-hand corner of
your paper)
Topic 1: Write an essay interpreting any one (and no more than two) of the folktales from Module 1 or Module 2. Your
essay should be argument-driven and explain what the monster in this tale represents (i.e. what does the monster
symbolize). Your essay should answer the following questions: What social, health, or cultural threat do the monster(s)
(Baba Yaga, Koshchey the deathless, vampire, or werewolf) represent in the folktale? How are these threats resolved? Be
sure to cite specific scenes or events from the chosen tales to support your interpretation.
Topic 2: Compare and contrast the depiction of the werewolf and the vampire in TWO (and only two) folktales from
Module 1 and Module 2. Choose ONE folktale about a vampire (“The Peasant and the Corpse,” “The Sorceress,” “The
Vampire,” “The Young Man and His Vampire Brother”) and ONE folktale about a werewolf (“The She-Wolf,” “The
Werewolf’s Daughter,” “Little Red Riding Hood”). Given that the term for both creatures was the same in old Slavic, what
commonalities do you see in terms of depiction, characteristics, and theme(s)? How do they differ? What do these tales
tell us about the idea of the werewolf and vampire in past centuries? Be sure to cite specific scenes or events from the
chosen tales to support your answer. Note: it is not enough to state that these figures differ, your thesis must be specific.
Paper Guidelines
The minimum word-count for this assignment is 300-words; the maximum word-count is 500 words.
Ideally, you will structure your paper as follows.
1. An introductory paragraph, which contains a clear thesis statement outlining your argument.
2. A body paragraph, which makes connec�ons between the topic and the course material
3. A brief summa�on and a final statement that represents the key take-away / idea from your paper.
You may deviate from this structure, but the majority of the paper should draw connections between the course
materials. You do not have a lot of space, so be sure to get straight to the point and not worry about making a lengthy
introduction or conclusion.
You may ONLY use the readings from Module 1 and 2 in your essay.
You should NOT summarize the texts or worry about re-telling ideas or a plot (if discussing a narrative); assume
the reader is familiar with the texts referenced. No more than 50 words may be devoted to plot synopsis. You need to
react and respond to the materials, making connections which will lead to analysis. Any personal opinions included in the
essay should be based on thoughtful analysis of the topic and materials themselves.
Criteria for Formatting & Submission
Your analysis should:
Be typed, double-spaced, with no changes to the margins
Be in Calibri 11 or Times New Roman 12 font
Be spell- and grammar-checked
Adhere to academic register (use formal language, refrain from cliches)
Include your name, but do not put your student ID number on the paper.
Include the following informa�on in the upper-le� of your paper:
Name
Date
Course
Paper Topic #
Include a �tle that connects in a meaningful way with your essay
Remember that �tles of folktales should be put in quota�on marks (“Baba Yaga,” “Maria Morevna,” etc.)
Be at least 300 words long. There is an automa�c -25 penalty for not mee�ng the word count.
Include a word count at the end of the paper. There is an automa�c -5 (out of 100) penalty for not including a
word count.
You do not need to include addi�onal outside references beyond the course materials in your essay; if you do
include them, you should cite them in MLA or APA format (your choice, just be consistent) in a bibliography, which
does not count towards the word requirement.
If you quote from a text, you should include the page number (if there is one) in the reference. For example:
In the folktale “Baba Yaga” the dogs want to eat the young girl, but she “threw them some bread and they
let her pass” (364).
Quotes should be kept to a minimum so you can focus on analyzing and connec�ng ideas.
You DO NOT NEED to include a Works Cited page unless you quote works from outside the course readings.
Papers should be uploaded in , x, or formats
Papers submi�ed as faulty / error files like as .odt or .pages papers will NOT be accepted for credit.
Your paper should be uploaded to the D2L dropbox “Paper I” by the due date
Grading
All papers will be reviewed using Turnitin.com (via D2L) and assessed according to the rubric below.
Violations of UA Code of Academic Conduct
All papers are checked via Turnitin.com for plagiarism. A reminder that students are expected to adhere to the UA Code of
Academic Integrity as described in the UA General Catalog. See http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/academic-
integrity/students/academic-integrity.
Submission of plagiarized work will result in an automatic zero on the assignment. If you are suspected of
plagiarism, you will be asked to meet with course instructor, per UA guidelines. Your instructor will follow UA
guidelines as outlined: https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/student-rights-responsibilities/reporting-violation
This assignment is worth 10% of the overall course grade. Review the rubric below for things your instructors will be
looking for while grading the paper. You will have the opportunity to revise this paper (and only this paper) to improve
your grade based on feedback.
RSSS 315: Response Paper Rubric
Content (40 pts)
Fully
10 points
Mostly
8 points
Somewhat
5 points
Not at all
0 points
Fulfills forma�ng & submission requirements, including word
count (automa�c -5 if no wordcount included)
The paper contains clear thesis; supports general statements
with concrete details from the text in order to support the thesis
of the paper
The paper provides sufficient evidence from the text to support
the thesis of the paper
The paper discusses main points without repe��on or plot-
summary
Structure (30 pts)
Fully
3 points
Mostly
2 points
Somewhat
1 point
Not at all
0 points
The introduc�on is present
The introduc�on contains a clearly stated thesis
http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/academic-integrity/students/academic-integrity
https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/student-rights-responsibilities/reporting-violation
The introduc�on indicates in some manner how the paper is
organized
The paper is logically organized; thought follows naturally on
thought
Each paragraph includes a topic sentence
Each paragraph develops one main idea
Each paragraph transi�ons well to the next paragraph
The conclusion is present
The conclusion synthesizes the thesis statement and the essay’s
main points
The conclusion presents a final take-away from the essay of the
writer’s posi�on
Stylis�cs (30 pts)
Fully
3 points
Mostly
2 points
Somewhat
1 point
Not at all
0 points
The paper is clear and concise and avoids using vague pronouns
or phrases like “this is…” or “it shows…”
The paper avoids excessive wordiness, run-on sentences, and
inappropriate language
The paper keeps a scholarly distance (limits usage of “I”
statements and first-person)
The paper avoids relying on passive voice (“is”, “was”, etc.) as
much as possible
The paper varies sentence structure, phrasing, and word choice
The paper is free of spelling errors, gramma�cal mistakes, and
uses correct punctua�on
The paper is free of incomplete sentences
The paper is free of slang, clichés, and contrac�ons (“don’t”,
“couldn’t”, etc.)
The paper introduces any quotes from texts in a clear manner
Proper cita�on of source texts (puts stories and tales in
quota�on marks, films and novels in italics)
Overall Score Excellent
90-100 points
Good
80-89
points
Fair
70-79
points
Poor
60-69 points
Below 60
0-59 points
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Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
