Things to consider- GP paper

1. Is your thesis arguable? Are you identifying or are you analyzing your identification..
    Here is the difference.
Chaucer describes the Prioress and Monk with a tone of sarcasm.  (You are identifying what Chaucer does)
Chaucer describes the Prioress and Monk with a sarcastic tone in order to do (THIS), which contributes to Chaucer's ( real purpose of the GP). - This thesis identifies yet analyzes the identification and ties it to the larger purpose of the GP.

Notice... the two parentheses are where your argument for the paper will be... 

2. Once your thesis is CLEAR and ARGUABLE... make sure that every supporting point is able to connect back to that thesis. Remember.. claim.. evidence... warrant. Every sentence must set up.. explain.. tie back to thesis. 

3. Remember your audience... What is the purpose of the paper? What does your reader want to learn about your knowledge of the General Prologue? What is common knowledge for your reader? Do not summarize.. this paper is not asking for summary.  I want you to show that you can do a close reading of the text and then intelligently argue a claim about your analysis. This is what I am looking for... no secret..  now perform. 

4. Of all things, if I were you to make sure that the aforementioned is achieved, is to do a clear OUTLINE that is developed from your CLEARLY ARGUABLE thesis...  This is what will lead you to the type of paper that you need to write.. period. the end.  Don't skip this step... or you will find that you will not be thrilled with my assessment of your performance.. 

5. As you start researching... remember how to evaluate your sources and be very judicious about what you chose to put in your paper, and why...  research is SUPPORT, not filling. Adding in information that you must know in order to intelligently speak about a topic IS not SCHOLARLY SUPPORT... So, if you need to research jobs, history, Chaucer, etc. to write your paper... fine.. it needs to be cited.. but you will still need to find a minimum of TWO scholars to support your argument..