Searching for the truth
in a work of fiction
Stories are a powerful way to attract more attention to a topic, place or time period. Oftentimes those who construct narratives will make assumptions or take liberties about certain things in order to create drama.
For this project, you will be selecting a fictional narrative and examine it through research and analysis of the composer’s construction of the narrative. Then develop a research question about something in the narrative which inspires further study. You will search using the FSU databases and reference only Peer-Reviewed Sources to compose a 2,000-word assessment.
You will be using this research to complete Project #3. Select a question you will want to work with for the remainder of the semester.
In order to begin forming a research question, start with a few of these approaches:
1. Pick a work of FICTION that you love. Ask yourself if something about this work of fiction doesn't make sense to you.
2. Review the questions on the right as a starting point. Your research question should not be literally trying to prove the accuracy of something in a work of fiction. However, questioning the accuracy could lead you to a deeper question.
3. Pick something researchable. You cannot research whether something is "good" or "bad", whether certain fantasy elements are real, or speculate whether a work of fiction can solve a problem
4. Pick something you like. The work of fiction and the research question will also be the basis for Project #2 and Project #3. Be sure you like what you are researching.
5. Develop a list of keywords and terms which will help the research process.
6. Google your topic to see if others also have the same question. Warning, don't go looking for a research question others are already asking. You are looking to write an original paper based on your original research.
The Research Questions
You are expected to develop an original research question about a work of fiction. The question will need to be specific and researchable.
Previous research questions included:
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By examining the video game Undertale, to what extent does violence in video games affect the behavior of youth and their mentality?
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“Does Black Mirror's, “The Entire History of You” suggest that advances in technology have allowed for more honesty and transparency in relationships, or does the idea of technological transparency lead to an increase in mistrust and need for control in partners?”?
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Were the creators of Flatliners able to accurately depict medical scenarios?
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How does the film 22 Jump Street depict the coming-of-age of first-year and first-generation college students and what are the effects that extracurricular activities have socially, mentally, and academically on those students?
You may start by considering these questions:
Is it accurate?
Analyze a work of fiction which addresses a controversial issue. What choices does the composer make to address this issue? How do the characters discuss the issue? Is the information about the issue they are dramatizing accurate? Does the composer take liberties with the seriousness of the issue?
Is it stereotypical?
Review a character in a work of fiction and analyze how that character is portrayed. Ask yourself if the character in question has been generalized, or stereotyped?
Does it work?
Select a piece of fiction which highlights a certain technology. Using peer-reviewed research on the technology, analyze its appearance in a specific narrative and determine if the technology is being used accurately.
Is it economical?
Look at a work of fiction which depicts a certain career. Determine whether this is a feasible career? Can a human being live off of it? Are the hours reasonable? Would the benefits be worth it?
Is it anachronistic?
Select a work of fiction which depicts a certain period of time. Using peer-reviewed Sources, analyze the accuracy of the period piece. Would characters actually wear that clothing? What would be the cost of living? What would be the major concerns or issues? What would be the toll of walking or horse transport for the characters?
Do you have another research question in mind? Set up a Brainstorming appointment via Google Hangout.
Project #1: The Research Paper
composing an academic genre
Word count: Minimum of 2,000 words
The paper will be completed through multiple steps. Each of these assignments is designed to give you the steps necessary to complete the project.
Short Assignment #1: Research Proposal (500 words)
Compose a 500-word proposal designed to organize your ideas and intentions. This proposal will be based on the work of fiction you selected, the research question you selected, topic exploration, and initial tertiary research. Reflect on what may have inspired your desire for further inquiry, including how you came up with the topic, why it might be important, and how they plan to explore the topic in your research.
Short Assignment #2: Annotated Bibliography (1,500 words)
You will annotate ten potential sources, which must be academic, scholarly, and/or peer-reviewed sources, examining credibility, relevance, potential incorporation, and potential connections to your research question.
You will write the MLA citations for each source and each annotation should be at least 150 words.
Each annotation should:
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Briefly summarize the source and its main ideas.
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Tell how the source relates to the research topic.
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Tell how the source relates/does not relate to the other sources.
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Tell what new/different information this source provides; explain the weaknesses/strengths of the source; tell what about the source the student finds especially interesting
Outline
Just like Project #1, you are expected to provide me with a roadmap to understanding your final paper. However, this is a research paper and requires a different structure than a genre analysis paper. Please see the outline posted in the lectures and complete before the deadline posted on the class calendar
Project #1 Reflection
Throughout the drafting process, you will come to some realizations. Make note of these realizations because when the project is complete you will be required to write 500 words reflecting on what you learned. What did you learn from the process of writing the draft, the act of receiving feedback, and what are your plans for revision?
The P1 paper will be graded on the following parameters:
Research - Did you use the research as evidence to back up the claims you made in your paper? Are you using the research in the proper context of the assignment? Are you using the research to build your argument or are you applying it like ointment? Are you clarifying your ideas or pointing at the research? Did you utilize critical thinking skills?
Organization - Can the reader follow your thought process? Do the transition lead the reader from paragraph to paragraph clearly? Are you taking the structure beyond the basic 5-paragraph essay? Did you utilize the outline provided?
Clarity - Do your thoughts and ideas made sense to the reader? Are you using proper punctuation and sentence structure? Are you using words in the proper context and connotation?
Prompt - Are you following the guidelines of the prompt? Do you have and use 10 peer-reviewed sources? Are you incorporating examples from the fiction as well as the research?