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WRIT 1003 (Kidder): Topic Selection

Topics to Select From

  • Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper" Describe the way that the narrator's transformation into the woman in the wallpaper represents the oppression she suffers. In this essay, you should discuss how the "rest cure" contributes to that oppression. You can also talk about how her husband is the enforcer of that cure as well as how the house and the room are part of that cure. NB: Do not try to talk about all of these story elements. Instead, pick a few that are related to each other.
  • Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Describe what the novella has to say about duality and divided identity. In this essay, you must talk about Jekyll's own dual identity. You can discuss how it interacts with the social repression that Jekyll struggles with. You can also talk about symbolic representations of duality, such as Jekyll's two-faced house, or the queer reading, or the addiction reading. NB: Do not try to talk about all of these story elements. Instead, pick a few that are related to each other.
  • David A. Robertson and Scott B. Henderson, 7 Generations Describe how the books multiple storylines/time periods interact with each other and what narrative meaning they create between them. In this essay, you must talk about all three storylines. You can also discuss the concept of seven generations as it is used in Indigenous cultures. You can also talk about how trauma is passed down through generations as well as how awareness of generations that came before is a source of strength and healing. NB: Do not try to talk about all of these story elements. Instead, pick a few that are related to each other.
  • Mina Shum, Double Happiness Describe the way the movie uses Jade's fantasies, personas, and use of accents to comment on how she is oppressed/repressed. You can and should talk about Jade is treated by white people in the movie as well as her own family. You can discuss the way the film industry treat Asian women, specifically Chinese women as well as the expectations of daughters in Chinese families or traditional families in general. If you are not, yourself, of Chinese/Asian descent, be very wary of reproducing stereotypes. If you are of Chinese/Asian descent, be wary of projecting your own experiences onto a whole group of cultures. NB: Do not try to talk about all of these story elements. Instead, pick a few that are related to each other.
  • Custom Topic Define your own topic and write an essay that responds to it. It is best to start with a question that you want to answer or a problem you want to solve. You must discuss your custom topic with the instructor for your Topic meeting, and this will be the focus of your Annotated Bibliography, as well. If you do not clear a custom topic with the instructor, your essay will receive no marks.

Define Your Topic

The first step in the research process is to develop your topic.

  • Review the instructions for your assignment and consult your class notes.
  • Consider: What interests you? How does this relate to your assignment? What questions do you have about your topic? What would you like to learn more about?

Tip: If you are having trouble finding a topic, consider a brainstorming activity. Use a tool like a MindMup that creates mind maps or grab a pen and paper and write down everything you already know about your topic. These activities can help you connect the dots and find a topic!