English Research Paper
Max Math Tutor
research_paper_instructions.docxSIGNS OF LIFE IN THE USA:
Final Research Paper: (6 full pages minimum—1500 words)
The final paper provides student with an opportunity to apply the class content to an issue or problem of interest. Drawing from one of the readings you will select an issue or problem related to one of the assigned readings and options listed below. Regardless of which issue you pursue, you must include references to at least 6 additional readings/outside sources.
· In addition to the principle reading from our textbook, at least three of the six sources must be text-based and accessed through the library databases (you may also obtain all your sources from the library databases, if you like).
· The remaining two or more outside sources may be blogs and other websites, videos, or other visual and textual mediums.
· Of course you are free to use more than six outside sources.
The following Powerpoint details how to access the LASC Library databases and cites access codes for retrieving articles on line when off campus: Finding Sources
The following is a English Department video that reviews accessing the databases in a more detailed manner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocrr93OmQ4I&feature=youtu.be
If you have access to other college library databases you may use those or the ones accessible in the public library system.
PLEASE NOTE:
· The outside research must be engaged/discussed in sustained ways—that is you need to discuss the ideas in the readings to the extent that you demonstrate an understanding of the arguments presented as opposed to merely dropping a quote in here and there.
· Wikipedia and other online dictionaries and encyclopedias do not count as outside sources;
· The research paper should not simply be a “report” or “summary” on the topic where all you do is organize and present a lot of non-controversial information. Instead, this paper should contain a thesis and support that expresses some opinion/analysis you have regarding the topic. Basically you are following a standard essay format just as you have done all semester: Introduction with thesis, focused body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
· The outside sources should be documented using the MLA format for in-text citations and accompanied by a works cited page. Page 66 in our textbook demonstrates in-text citation format and beginning on page 67 sample works cited entries are listed. Your paper will be down-graded if your paper does not make accurate use of the MLA format which includes a works cited page (again, done accurately). A sample works cited page can viewed on page 55. Our Library also has links to helpful resources for MLA formatting (Links to an external site.).
· Plagiarizing will result in an “F’ for the course.
IMPORTANT DUE DATES:
Wednesday, May 18 Research Paper Rough Draft is due. Don't forget to include a works cited page
Wednesday, June 1 Research Paper Final Draft is due
THE RESEARCH PAPER OPTIONS ARE LISTED BELOW:
OPTION I:
This option works with Andrews’s “The Butler vs. The Help: Gender Matters” (352). In her essay she also refers to an ongoing “debate about whether or not black actors and actresses (along with screenwriters, directors and producers) should ever play the roles of maid or butler” (para. 12). In an argumentative essay, present your own position on this debate, being sure to ground your claims in analysis of specific characters and films. To develop your ideas, read Michael Omi’s “In Living Color: Race and American Culture” (538) and Matt Zoller Seitz’s “The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won’t Die” (356). Remember you need three additional articles from the library databases.
OPTION II:
Write an essay that supports, refutes, or complicates Christian’s assumption in “The End of Post-Identity Television” (556) that mass media outlets have entered a “post-identity” phase in which they are less inclined to rely on conventional categories(stereotypes) of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other demographics. And/or write an essay that supports, refutes or complicates Michael Omi’s claim in his essay “In Living Color: Race and American Culture” (538) that in “television and film, there is a tendency to present and equate racial minorities groups and individuals with specific social problems” (para 30). Keep in mind that Omi’s essay is from 1989 and Christian’s essay is from 2012. Basically you are assessing the degree to which CURRENT television and film depictions of racial or other minority groups have changed in 2016 (cite specifics from TV series and films as examples). And, if you see changes in these depictions are the changes more positive or negative? Again, you need six sources total—at least three must be from the library databases.
ALTERNATE OPTION II:
Watch an episode or two of Sanjay and Craig. Then write an essay in which you defend, refute, or modify Jones’s assumption in “Sanjay and Craig: Nickelodeon’s Hilarious New Mixed-Race Heroes” (554) that the program eschews typical ethnic stereotypes and “features people of color that are three dimensional characters and not just racist caricatures” (para. 8). Again, you need six sources total—at least three must be from the library databases.
OPTION III:
Working with Robert Ray’s “The Thematic Paradigm” (450), write an essay in which you apply Ray’s thematic paradigm to an analysis of Russell Crowe’s character Ben Wade in 3:10 to Yuma (2007) or Katniss in The Hunger Games film series. What sort of hero is Ben Wade or Katniss? Again, support your assertion with an analysis of several key scenes including the film’s final scene. Your essay should apply the concepts from Ray’s reading to an anlaysis of the central character’s action in specific scenes. Additional outside sources should explore the hero, anti-hero, or villain characters and myths in American film and culture. You should not simply rehash film reviews—in fact, I recommend not reading film reviews.
ALTERNATE OPTION III:
Watch The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). Focusing your analysis on the protagonist Jordan Belfort in several key scenes, write an analysis of his character. Is he the sort of rich villain Noah Gittell describes in “The Lone Ranger Seals It” (477)? Or might he be better described as a hero or antihero in line with Robert Ray’s “The Thematic Paradigm” (450)? You should discuss both essays as you interpret the character’s actions in specific scenes. Again, outside sources should further explore the hero and/or anti hero and/or villain in American film and culture. You should not simply rehash film reviews—in fact, I recommend not reading film reviews.
OPTION IV:
Watch an episode of two of The Simpsons and citing specific evidence/scenes from the episode, argue the extent to which you agree or disagree with Carl Matheson’s assertion in “The Simpsons, Hyper-Irony, and the Meaning of Life” (287) that rather than promoting a moral stance, the show “does not promote anything” (para 9). In essence, he argues that the show promotes a cruel form of humor and offers no social commentary . Don’t forget, you need six sources total—at least three must be from the library databases.
OPTION V:
Visit ONE local store (chain store, dept store, supermarket, Mom and Pop store, etc.), and study the spatial design. How many of the design strategies that Malcolm Gladwell discusses in “The Science of Shopping” (93) do you observe, and how do they affect the customers’ behavior (positively or negatively)? For this option you must actually observe and note customer behavior first hand. Be specific and detailed. Your thesis and paper is assessing the effectiveness of the stores spatial design/layout based on terms from Gladwell’s essay. Anne Norton's "The Signs of Shopping" (87) may also give insight to this option. Again, you need six sources total—at least three must be from the library databases
