Research Papers

I have actually started two research papers a week before they are due. This is probably a good thing as they are both due on the same day and Wednesday would be a long night. It's interesting how neither of these papers are things I ever expected to write an essay on.

First, for my Writing Literary Criticism class we are studying 'Twilight' for the entire semester. I still find that strange. Seven page paper on the topic of my choice regarding 'Twilight.' As of today, all of my research has been directed towards a paper on how 'Twilight' portrays unrealistic views of love and gives teenagers impossible expectations. I never thought I'd say this but there really are so many interesting things I could talk about in 'Twilight' from the angle of critiquing it. We have talked about the Mormonism side of the book, the teen girl brain as well as the masculine side of things, the teenage depression, societies ideas of love and relationships, Byronic heroes, vampires in general, and abusive relationships. I have read the series several times and never considered these things. So many people read books and don't take them for more than a story. Honestly, it frustrates me, looking into all the deeper meanings of books I just want to enjoy but at this point, I need to for class and I figure 'Twilight' at least if fairly well ruined for me. Though, researching and trying to find quotes for my paper, I got caught up in the book and read for at least a half hour. Maybe it's not as bad as I expected...

Second, I have a paper for my British Literary History Class. It is only three pages, which really means you have to be that much more careful and make every word count. Picking the easier of the two topics, I will be writing a paper on a symbol in 'A Christmas Carol' and analyzing how it suggests a solution to a social problem. We are studying writing from the Victorian Age and apparently writers did such things often. I have decided to use fire as my symbol. But, seeing as I am a procrastinator and surprised I am even starting a paper a week early, I have no idea where that paper is going. The scary thing is, this teacher doesn't seem to take B.S. For my last essay as well as my test, bs-ing didn't seem to cut it.

I am interested to see where these will go but also excited that they are officially started. (researching is a form of starting in my mind-it is an entirely different item on my To Do List)