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ENGWR 300 (Perkins)

ENGWR 300 (Perkins)

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Research Paper

Annotated Bibliography and Research Paper: both expand and revise a Response Paper written earlier in the semester that agreed or disagreed with an article from our text this semester, by Susan Orlean.  Based on the position of the student in agreement or disagreement with the article they chose from a collection in the book The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup, students will now continue to improve that initial Response Paper as well as add sources outside the previous work.  The Annotated Bibliography leads to the Research Paper, but also stands as a project on its own, so will be scored accordingly.  The Annotated Bibliography explains and analyzes research with at least FIVE annotated sources.  One source, a film, will be viewed together in class and required as part of the Research Paper.  Due Sunday, May 18 before midnight.  The Research Paper represents the sum of work for this course.  Six to eight pages fits the parameters for the paper, with at least four cited sources, submitted before the date and time due.  The Research Paper fulfills the learning objectives of the course.  Due to course requirements and policies, the course can only be passed by submitting both projects.

Research Topic Ideas

Use this guide to help brainstorm and refine research topics based on essays in The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup. Each piece tells the story of a unique individual, but also points to bigger themes worth exploring. This resource is designed to help you move from personal narrative to academic research.

Essay-Specific Topics & Keywords

"The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup"

  • Women in male-dominated professions
  • Gender and cultural expectations in sports
  • Female bullfighters / women in combat sports
  • Spanish bullfighting traditions
  • Machismo and femininity

"The American Man, Age Ten"

  • Childhood and American masculinity
  • Consumerism and marketing to children
  • Tween culture in the 1990s
  • Coming of age / rites of passage
  • Gender roles in childhood

"Maui Surfer Girls" / "Show Dog"

  • Subcultures (surfing, dog shows)
  • Girl empowerment / body image and sports
  • Human-animal relationships
  • Competitive sports and identity
  • Tourism and local culture (Hawaii)

"Queen of the Road"

  • Life on the road / truck driving culture
  • Women in blue-collar professions
  • Freedom and solitude
  • Trucking industry in America

"Orchid Fever"

  • Plant smuggling / illegal trade
  • Obsession and passion
  • Conservation and endangered species
  • Ethics of environmental crime
  • Collector culture

"The Homesick Restaurant"

  • Immigrant experiences
  • Cultural preservation through food
  • Restaurants as cultural spaces
  • Korean-American identity

Broad Research Themes: 

  • Gender & identity
  • Work & labor (especially unconventional jobs)
  • American values / culture / consumerism
  • Subcultures & niche communities
  • Obsession and passion (collecting, performing, competing)
  • Fame and celebrity
  • Regional identity (Hawaii, the South, NYC, etc.)
  • Media portrayal of unusual people or lifestyles
  • Class and opportunity
  • Stereotypes and societal norms