Folklore Paper Proposal-Assignment 1 Solution

Folklore Paper Proposal

To be submitted in separate Paper Proposal space.

2 pts

*****

Final Paper Description

Due: 12pm (Central US time), May 2, 2021

Total Points: 73 pts

As a final project you will be writing a research paper on a topic of your choice relating to folk tales. Papers for this assignment should be 1,750-2,500 words long (double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman or equivalent font, which works out to be roughly 7-10 pages). Papers should include at least 2 secondary sources, and at least one primary source, such as an interview or a tale transcription or collection (in all, at least 3 sources). If you include an interview, you must submit a signed release form for that material.

It is acceptable to draw on materials in the course reading list, but at least one of these sources should be of your own finding. The databases JSTOR and MLA are excellent places to begin searching for appropriate secondary source materials for folklore and folk tales. Your topic should refer to at least one appropriate folklore concept or issue/theme addressed in class.

The purpose of this assignment is to showcase your understanding of basic concepts appropriate to the study of folk tales and oral tradition in the format of a research paper.

Research Paper Approach

There are two major styles or approaches you might take to this research paper: the argumentative approach or the analytical approach.

Argumentative

In an argumentative research paper, a student both states the topic they will be exploring and immediately establishes the position they will argue regarding that topic in a thesis statement. This type of paper hopes to persuade its reader to adopt the view presented, referencing both primary and secondary sources in support of that view.

Example: a paper that argues the merits of early exposure to reading for children would be an argumentative essay.

Analytical

An analytical research paper states the topic that the writer will be exploring, usually in the form of a question, initially taking a neutral stance. The body of the paper will present multifaceted information and, ultimately, the writer will state their conclusion, based on the information that has unfolded throughout the course of the essay. This type of paper hopes to offer a well-supported critical analysis without necessarily persuading the reader to any particular way of thinking.

Example: a paper that explores the use of metaphor in one of Shakespeare’s sonnets would be an example of an analytical essay.

Adapted from the Piedmont College Library resources: https://library.piedmont.edu/c.php?g=521348&p=3564632 (Links to an external site.).

For another helpful description of Argumentative vs. Analytical research papers, see: https://writingcenterunderground.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/research-papers-argument-or-analysis/ (Links to an external site.).

Research Paper Topic/Thesis Statement

In Week 7 lecture I shared some topics to serve as examples of beginning ideas for this research paper:

• I’m interested in the ways folk tales change as they travel from one culture to another.
• I want to learn more about the ways published versions of fairy tales differ from other oral versions.
• I love coyote tales and I want to know more about how this character appears in different Native American oral traditions.

If I were to develop the first general topic listed above (how folk tales change from culture to culture), I might narrow this down by looking at one tale in particular and trace versions of it from different collections representing different parts of the world.

For example, I might choose a fairy tale from the Inari Sámi Folklore book (from our readings in Week 3) such as “The Great Lord’s Son-in-Law” and examine how it compares to other transcriptions or collections of the tale (versions could be traced using the tale’s ATU number, which is 555). Then I might decide to compare this version to one of the Grimm translations, for example, to examine how the tale differs between the (Indigenous Nordic) Inari Sámi community version and the German version.

In order to craft a thesis from this topic, which I’ve managed to narrow down, I’ll have to look at the tale versions themselves and identify the features or evidence that I’d like to examine. Perhaps I notice important cultural markers that identify one of these tales as distinct from the other(s), which could then serve as the basis for my thesis statement.

If you are struggling to identify an argument and thesis statement relating to your topic or are having trouble organizing your paper, you will find a couple of resources below that can help guide you through those processes by prompting questions, visualizing paper structures, and modeling strong vs. weak thesis statements.

Note: you are welcome to develop your tale collection interview into a larger research paper if you so choose, though a follow-up interview may be necessary depending on your research topic and thesis. If you choose to draw on one or more interviews for this paper you must include signed release forms from your interviewee(s).

For help on how to develop a thesis statement, please visit the Writing Center for their excellent suggestions and guides: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/process/thesis/Links to an external site.

As you begin the writing process, think about the structure of your paper to build a cohesive, strong, and organized argument. This is a very helpful tutorial on how to visualize the writing process that may help to keep you on track and focused on your writing goals and will help understand the structure of a paper such as this: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/process/argumentarchitecture/Links to an external site.

Formatting Bibliography

You should include a bibliography of your sources and use Chicago style to format your bibliography. A style guide can be found here: https://www-chicagomanualofstyle-org.ezproxy.library.wisc.edu/book/ed17/frontmatter/toc.htmlLinks to an external site.

Expectations

In this final assignment for the course I will be looking for:

• An introduction that clearly lays out the topic and focus of your paper
• A conclusion that summarizes the major points of the research paper and explains why the folk tale tradition discussed in your paper is important
• Folklore concepts and/or course themes underlie and connect your topic to the course (for a list of major concepts/terms from the course click here download.)
• Ample evidence. Detailed, specific information about how this topic demonstrates concepts in folklore, using specific examples to support your claims and making connections to secondary sources to help interpret the significance of your topic
• You meet the minimum requirements listed for the research paper ( i.e. appropriate sources, bibliography, formatting, length, release form[s] if applicable).