Irvine Valley College 

Literature 47 -- Fable and Folktale // Online Literature Class

Research Paper Help Page

1. Overview of the Process

2. Guidelines for Selecting a Topic 

3. Research Tips

4. Shaping a Thesis

5. Writing Workshop

6. Standard Online Assistance in Formatting a Research Paper (including Works Cited and Bibliography)

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Overview of the Process

A research paper can be exciting and enjoyable instead of just the usual chore!  The difference between awful and awesome is in thinking ahead about what you are going to do!

First, you want to choose a subject area that interests you.  This takes a little exploring around.  No matter when you start, it's important to review the topics we are covering in this class so that you have a good idea of the range of possibilities open to you.  [See Lecture Notes]

Your choice of a general subject area can come from several sources.  First, you might want to look further into the "family myth" that you shared with the class in the first posts.  Or, it may be that your "family myth" is limited in its application to our Folktale areas of study (you can write to me about this).  A second possibility is that you may already have a favorite tale - perhaps one that your remember from childhood - that you would like to know more about.  Third, you might have a specific tale type or motif that interests you.  Finally, you might want to just begin with one of the general topics that we are covering in the class [such as Astronomy in Folklore or Urban Legends] and begin to narrow your research focus from there. [See Guidelines for Selecting a Topic]

After you have found a subject area that interests you, you will want to find a SPECIFIC TALE OR STORY that will be the basis of your research.  This step is really important, and we will be talking about it on the Discussion Boards during the early weeks of class.  

Once you have a Focus Tale, you can begin to do some background investigation about your story.  What class of folk material is it?  What clues can you find about its origination?  Are there versions of the same tale from other countries or time periods?  Most of this kind of work can be done without buying or borrowing any books, as there is very extensive folk material (although all of it is not equally accurate) on the WWW.  [See Research Tips]

When you have a good idea of the standard material that defines a piece of folklore - its origin, the ways it might have spread, its time period, its tale type and main motifs, you are ready to narrow your topic into a working Thesis Statement. [See Shaping a Thesis]

Those students who are comfortable with writing research papers may not need help with writing structure and organization.  However, for those who have not written a paper in a while, the next step is to review the features that make a workable, sturdy frame to hold your information.  [See Writing Workshop]

Finally, while the actual formatting of your paper is the last step, it's always a good idea to review the basic elements of documentation so that you copy the right information from your sources!  [See Standard Online Assistance]

Planning ahead will make your Research Project fun and interesting - and these pages should help with the rough parts!

The Mechanics:

Subject:  Each of the Lectures in our course relates to a topic area in the study of folklore and legendstock.  Your Final Research Paper will focus on ONE issue that interests you or ONE story that illustrates one or more central questions about Folk material.  Your thesis should be focused - and approved - as you go forward with your planning and research.

Mechanical Requirements:  This paper will be 10-14 Text pages and have both a footnoting system (as Works Cited) and a Bibliography.  The paper may be submitted in hard copy (paper) form or over the Internet.  If you submit an electronic version, it should be in Microsoft Word document form and mailed to my school e-mail address:  mluesebrink@ivc.edu.  

Marjorie C. Luesebrink, MFA

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