Research Paper

Important notes: 

# If you are NOT able to diliver an A paper ON TIME, please do NOT ask to do this.

# This paper for Humanities class, not English class. 
# I have done step 1 already (Short Description of Topic). see attachment. 
# I will need a picture of the hero that best describe why we chose him or why is he a hero on our eyes. 

Research Topic: Contemplating a Hero for the Age(s)

As our course materials make clear, ideas/images of heroes or heroic figures are pervasive and seem to have both universal and unique (cultural, temporal, geographic, etc.) characteristics and meanings. For your research paper, I would like you to focus on one specific character or individual who has been, or arguably could be, proclaimed a heroic (or at least celebrated) figure. The “hero” you choose may be most frequently encountered in oral tradition (myth, folktale, legend, personal experience narratives, etc.), print (classical mythology, novels, children’s literature, written history, comic books, etc.) or visual/multi-media formats (art works, film, television, Internet, etc.). In all likelihood, crucial understandings (current or past) of any particular hero/celebrity will be found in multiple forms of communication and representation. For example, how many different ways can one come to “know” Hercules, George Washington, or Luke Skywalker?

Questions to Ask/Issues to Address (not exhaustive by any means):

Who is the figure in question? In what contexts (cultural, social, historical, etc.) is s/he or it situated and made meaningful? Whose hero/celebrity is s/he or it?

What types of communication/media are central to understandings of the figure? How are the background, actions, and implications of the hero/celebrity disseminated?

What exactly are his/her/its heroic/celebrated characteristics? How are these similar to and different from various hero patterns covered in class? What might account for continuities and dissimilarities?

Why is this hero/celebrity important? What are the critical issues, circumstances or dilemmas that make his/her/its actions crucial? What difference does this figure supposedly make in the world? And why?

What forces seem to control the fate and actions of the hero (divine, natural, scientific, emotional, etc.)? How does this predicament tie into the worldview of those who create/narrate the hero?

What does the nature of this hero/celebrity seem to say about the inner life of the groups/individuals who admire him/her/it and are enthralled by tales of his/her/its exploits? In other words, what are the broader psychological/emotional implications of the hero/celebrity in question?

Ultimately, why do heroes/celebrities matter?

 Project Development Step #1: Short Description of Topic

The first step in the development of your research is the drafting of a project/paper description (1-2 pages) in which you clearly and concisely describe your topic. What hero figure, heroic ideal, or celebrity will you specifically focus on? What data/modes of communication will you deal with? Why, based on your preliminary research, is this important to study?

Project Development Step #2: Annotated Bibliography

Recognizing that 1) all good research builds upon existing work and 2) a good researcher should be aware of what work has already been done on her/his topic, you should create an annotated bibliography (at least 10 to 15 sources) of academic/popular works that directly relate to your subject matter. Annotations need not be long – no more than several sentences – but should clearly highlight the relevance of the item.

Paper Format: In general, I am much more interested in the content of your paper than the specific format. It should be approximately 12-15 pages, typed, double-spaced (preferably in New Times Roman 12pt font). However, it is essential that your work be presented in a clear and readily accessible way, with proper spelling, grammar, and so on.

Given the often-visual nature of our topic, please make an effort to support your research with reference to relevant images and, wherever possible, append these to your text.