Research question and plan:

Foundations for the Research Paper

• For this course, I will write a research paper alongside you this month.

• My research paper is on another novel, Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca (R).

My process will be the same as yours; I am really writing this paper from scratch.

The Research Question

• The research question is the prompt—the inspiration—for the thesis.

• It is also the beginning of the research plan that will help you find the support you need for your thesis.

• Make the research question your first priority.

My Research Question

• Again, for this course, I will write a research paper alongside you.

• My research paper is on another novel, Rebecca (R).

• I am interested in the Jungian archetypes in the novel.

• Research Question: In R, how do Du Maurier’s character demonstrate Jungian archetypes that trace to today’s popular culture?

Answer the research question; the answer is the working thesis.

Research Question(s): Research Question: In R, how do Du Maurier’s character demonstrate Jungian archetypes? Why should anyone care?

Working Thesis: Du Maurier’s female characters exemplify Jungian archetypes ranging from the companion to the crone. As the archetypes shift and change, we see the narrator understand the power she has as a woman.

Research

When you have a thesis, you are ready to research!

The first level of research is support for your thesis from the primary source, the novel—The Great Gatsby for students in this class.

Primary support is anything from the novel—exposition and dialogue.

Those works that present information as well as the opinions and ideas of other scholars are called secondary sources.

Thesis Revisited

The working thesis is not the final thesis.

Instead, the working thesis gives your research direction.

As you continue to research, you may discover ideas that inspire you to rework your thesis several times until it is your complete argument.

Research Plan

For the research plan, begin with the working thesis at beginning of a Word document.

Next, list some ideas about what you need from the primary source to support your thesis.

Finally, decide on the types of secondary sources you may need.

Note: You may conduct all your research in the online resources the VHCC Library databases offer.

Research Plan Sample

Patty Tymon

Dr. Fred Rogers

English 112-02

Day Month Year

Research Plan for Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca

Working Thesis: Du Maurier’s female characters exemplify Jungian archetypes ranging from the companion to the crone. As the

archetypes shift and change, we see the narrator understand the power she has as a woman.

Primary Source Needs:

Passages that demonstrate strong female archetypes

Dialogue that demonstrates archetypes, too

Archetypal imagery in the novel

Secondary Source Needs:

Critics who support the connections between the characters and archetypal characteristics

Articles that include references to female characters in the novel

Move directly to research

After you have completed your plan, do not stop there.

Begin to identify passages from the novel that support your thesis.

Get a head start on the next step by beginning Library research to get the support you need.

Use Library databases for this research.

How to begin with Library research . . .

Go to the Library website: http://www.vhcc.edu/index.aspx?page=376

Click on “Find articles.” Choose “Subject List of Research Databases.” Use a variety of databases fields--history,

literature and language, general research, psychology, etc. to find resources.

These are basically search engines for articles.

You need to find full-text articles.

Helpful Resources!

Ask the Library for help with databases.

Library Circulation Desk: (276) 739-2LIB (2542)Library Fax: (276) 739-2593Testing Center Manager: (276)739-2475Testing Center Assistant: (276)739-2476Toll-Free: (877) 207-6115 - from Bristol, Blountville, Bluff City, Lebanon, Dickensonville, Scott County, and Smyth County

How can I help?

As always, let me know how I can help as soon as you need my help. Begin this process right away.

You can do this! I believe in you!