Advice on essay? <3

[Pine]

Alright guys, it's about high time I called my lifeline on this essay.

​

So here's the deal.


For my final's paper in English, I'm expected to write a twelve to fifteen page essay citing ten different academic sources and using SOME form of media (and at least two forms of literary criticism that we learned this semester) to support an argument about anything.


The problem is coming up with something that I could POSSIBLY write THAT much about while also fitting the rest of that criteria.


At first I desperately scrapped together all the books of classical literature that I had to read in high school and at least SORT of liked, but the last time our class met I came to the realization that my professor is more or less expecting this essay to be on par with a professional essay with my own unique argument.


So, trash Lord of the Flies and Fahrenheit 451 because I've only ever done a pretty straight forward reading of them.


After people were sharing their ideas of using Agent Carter for a feminist argument and other political things, I managed to come up with a vague idea which saved me from looking like a total idiot in front of the class.


I could maybe use Bates Motel as a means of criticizing everyone's attitude of heteronormativity/the complete sexualization of society, because if there's one thing I dedicate a lot of time to thinking about, it's sexualities (and religion and sometimes gender... but that's beside the point).


The problem is that I'm not even entirely sure if I could use that show to better my argument, because it would be more of me holding up a form of media and bashing on it for all of its sexual themes (though I really do love the show...) which might not be the right angle to look at this from?


Below I'll be listing off a few ideas of what I MIGHT be able to use, but I'm putting it in a spoiler tag for... well... obvious reasons.

Spoiler

1. From the very beginning, Norman found that book that had pictures of the system those people had for the sex trade and almost immediately became obsessed with it. So essentially a BDSM porno for that sort of modern-not-modern feel the show has.


2. Norma was raped at presumably a young age by her own brother, which is... well... mentally scarring. Yet more than anyone in the show, Norma sleeps around with other people, which kind of highlights this mentality that people NEED sex in their lives, which is very harmful to asexuals when people say there's something wrong with them.


3. Norman has some hard core Oedipus complex going on (kind of the whole premise of the story), and this isn't so much an argument as it parallels with one of the literary criticism methods we have, psychoanalysis. I'm not really a big fan some of the things Freud stood for, so... I don't know if that would be an argument or what.


I've never seen or read Psycho, and I was hoping that I could finish watching this show before I get into that, but maybe some of you know some things about it that could help me with an argument?


I'm not sure if I could use two different sources, but considering my last essay in there was a criticism of Wide Sargasso Sea and I made a few references to Jane Eyre (which I haven't read either)...


Or heck, maybe you guys know some amazing book that gives the perspective of an asexual(/aromantic?) and the pressures of society on them.


I don't know if such a book exists, but if it does, that sounds like something I might be able to use.


After all, why would you guys want to... I don't know... watch Netflix, do some role playing, work on your own essays... LITERALLY anything else when you could be helping me with writing this es... ess... essperagus... *cringes at the word* essay.


Also side notes.


I may or may not be expected to come to class tomorrow with a thesis.


And to the mods, I apologize profusely if this is the wrong area to dump this/the correct prefixes.


sorry sorry ~ ;w;

 

[White Masquerade]

Pine, I really wish I saw this earlier. Not sure if it's too late, but here. Go with political issues. Liberal vs Conservative is broad and always good. Using cases on specific divides between those two sides will eat up your page count quick.


If you're going into media, look to widespread shows. Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, these are media that scholars have reviewed because they're so popular. Reading their work will tell you what to focus your paper around.


You can even go into anime. There thought provoking works like Evangelion and Ghost in the Shell that have been reviewed and critiqued by others.


I personally would suggest to focus on Lawyers and the Justice system, using a show called How To Get Away With Murder, as the media, but if you're pressed for time, don't.


I wish you luck, Pine!

 

[Pine]

Thanks so much for the response and luck!


I meant to update this but kind of figured no one was going to respond anyway. xD


So for the second day of meeting in that class, I had finally come up with a thesis (because apparently I didn't REALLY know what a thesis was before hand), and my professor was impressed enough by my notes (I guess) that he blessed me by writing a thesis out for me and advising me on how to write it.


Now I'm going to be focusing on Oedipus complex and sort of make a criticism out, and needless to say, I'm feeling a lot better about this.


(Even watched Psycho last night, but I wish I could have waited two more weeks for when Bates Motel will probably end.)


BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU POSTING THANK YOU KIN


I'll try to keep that in mind for the next time I find myself in a similar situation.

 

[Shining Lotus Sage]

ZEBRAFORCE


POWERWOLF