Essay final paper

Paper #3- Research Paper- A Thematic Analysis ENC1102

Write a research paper in which you analyze a theme that occurs in at least one story or poem read during this course.

In doing so, you may explore numerous concepts or issues related to this theme.

Use at least one story or poem as the text through which you investigate and discuss this theme. You may

choose to compare and/or contrast two works in regards to their treatment of the same or related themes. (Do not use

more than 3 primary texts). Ultimately, your goal is to create a set of insights about this theme/issue. You are using

the literary texts to help illustrate/build these insights.

Below are some possible themes to explore, categorized in terms of the authors of the literary texts we’ll be reading

that most relate to these themes:

Clearly, this assignment is intended to encourage each student to find an original path of research in which one can

suit her/his interests and through which one can demonstrate unique analysis & insights. As part of this, you will use

at least one primary literary text that we have read in this class. You also must use at least 3 secondary sources that

meet the standards of “legitimate academic texts.” This will require you to do library research (and/or use the

academic databases) as this requirement will negate much of what you might find on the general internet. It is

expected that you will incorporate quotes and ideas from these sources fluidly within the context of your own

analysis.

-This paper must be typed, double spaced, font= times new roman 12 or arial 10. Do not add spaces between paragraphs.

-Use 1 inch margins.

-This paper will be at least 5 complete pages in length. Do not exceed 8 pages. (This count does NOT include the Works Cited or

Cover Page).

-This paper should be in proper MLA format and should include a Works Cited Page. If this is not written as a properly formatted

MLA paper, you cannot receive a passing grade in this course.

Kitty Tsui, Essex Hemphill, Sherwood Anderson, Maxine Hong Kingston, Raymond Carver, Kate Chopin, & John Updike:

• How does society’s views on gender influence individual identity? What are the psychological effects of

this influence?

• In what ways do people’s perceptions of/experience of sex influence their sense of identity?

• In what ways do people’s perceptions of sex influence their views of/approaches to relationships (and

vice versa)?

• How does one’s understanding of/experience of love influence the way one views oneself? How does

love impact one’s self-image?

James Baldwin, Brent Staples, Maxine Hong Kingston, Kitty Tsui, & Sylvia Plath

• How do family relationships shape one’s sense of self?

• How do family relationships shape one’s approach to other relationships?

• How is love learned? How do people define love’s function in life?

• How do the relationships among siblings influence a person’s adult personality, approaches to love,

and/or perceptions of family?

• What are the psychological effects of the parent/child relationship on one’s adult identity or one’s adult

approach to family?

James Baldwin, Countee Cullen, Toni Cade Bambara, Kitty Tsui, & Essex Hemphill

• How does society’s views of race, ethnicity, economic class, religion, or sexuality influence individual

identity and social stratification?

• How do the roles of the “outsider” or “minority” groups impact the way the “insider” or “majority

groups see themselves?

• How do labels/stereotypes about “outsider” or “minority” groups impact the way people within those

groups see themselves?

• How can one move beyond the psychological limits imposed by social stereotyping?

Tim O’Brien, Kate Chopin

• What are the psychological effects of war and how do the impact a person beyond their time in war?

What impact do these effects have on those around the effected and on the broader society?

• What are the psychological effects of confronting death and/or the recognition of mortality?

John Updike, Tim O’Brien, Brent Staples, Sylvia Plath, James Baldwin

• Coming of Age: What makes a person an adult? How do key adolescent/young adult experience

shape one’s identity as an adult?