I'm getting excited about the range of ideas the class is working on for the research essay. There is very little overlap in the various fandoms being explored, so I'll learn something new with each essay! I suspect that I might even be convinced to venture into some of the primary materials I've neglected so far. (I will admit to checking the kindle prices on George R.R. Martin's books and adding Glee to my Netflix queue.)
Our discussions, as everyone gives their presentations, are generating so many lines of inquiry and potential arguments. I feel like everyone really has embraced the challenge of exploring as they are getting their research underway.
The hard part--pulling all of the research together and creating a coherent argument is just ahead. I though this would be a good time to talk about some of the strategies for doing this.
One of the most common pitfalls in doing a research essay is failing to make an argument; the research overwhelms and by the time you've sorted through it all it can be hard to see what you can contribute. A working thesis helps--and sometimes a working thesis can have only the smallest gesture toward evaluation--this seems strange, this is good, this is a problem. But some kind of evaluation is necessary to move toward developing that more complex, arguable thesis.
The first stage of drafting is also a good place to think about MOTIVE. Why is this issue important? What larger problems does it touch upon?
Finally, given this particular topic of fandom, it seems important to keep thinking about why some authors, shows, books, books series, or even entire cultures, hold such lasting appeal. Can you capture and explain that in some way? Can you open this world up to your readers and make them want to enter it?
