With the looming Research Paper that is due in only a few short weeks, I am really starting to feel the pressure. I have an idea of what I want to discuss in the paper, I just don’t really know where to begin. I am still tripping over the thesis statement for crying out loud! Realistically though, as soon as I can get that one statement done, the rest should go pretty smoothly from here on out. I realize that the main idea behind a research paper is to uncover new ground, perhaps about a topic that you may already be familiar with, and this one should do just that.
Now, without a working thesis, I am in a way stuck with nothing to write, but I am slowly working out that kink. I know I am going to discuss the relationship between the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and the song “Let Me Put My Love into You,” by the rock group AC/DC from the Back in Black album. The PMRC built a strong case against the song in the nature of the lyrics, and how the lyrics are taken as offensive and explicitly sexual. But at the same time, there is another point of view that can be taken with the song, one of sharing a passion with another person. It seems like I spend a majority of time on the computer, so with the research that is needed for the topic, I can finally put my time to good use instead of mindlessly scanning face book and you tube.
I have written a few research papers in the past, so the research is not intimidating to me, nor is the actual writing of the essay. I have always had a difficult time focusing my thoughts on paper though; I have a tendency to wander of in an unintended direction. The hardest part of the academic writing is going to be staying on point. This may be caused by the fact that I never really liked to write an outline for any work. It seems as though with the weeks ahead, we will be compiling all the research, citing sources, crafting outlines, and building up slowly to the full paper, so that will help. Maybe that could help me with staying on topic as well. If I have a layout of where I need to go with my argument, and a set structure for the paper, then there will be fewer chances me to drift off into oblivion, losing my readers in the process.
In the past I have had to rely on friends and family when it came to daunting English assignments, and I may have to do that again this semester with this paper. I am always very careful with how I word things (that may come from customer interactions at work) to get the point across without being offensive. In past argumentative papers, I have been told that my point is not pressed hard enough, although the points that I state are strong and easily accepted as valid, there is not a strong enough push to have the reader side with me on the topic. I hope to get past that weakness with this essay, I want everyone to agree with me, because frankly, I am right.
This research paper is not fun for me either. Maybe you should start writing the paper and work on the thesis last. This way you can work on your thesis to match your paper. I am also writing about the PMRC and the part I am getting stuck on is finding a lot of good information on the organization. I get the main idea but at the same time I'm struggling on how to make this paper appealing to the reader and interesting and making sure I meet the deadline with enough pages. It's hard to follow a deadline and meet each requirement at the same time. That is good that doing the research is not a problem for you. For me, it's just the putting it all together that I will struggle with. There are so many different points to be made and I hope that I can put it all together so that it makes sense and flows well. It is good also that you are confident that you are correct. It is very important to believe in what you are writing about.Another reason that this is important is because the reader can almost always tell if you are being real and they can tell that you cared and believed in what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteI feel pretty much EXACTLY like you do. I am so stressed not only because this assignment is hanging over my head but because so many other assignments are also hanging over my head. I feel like I just can’t deal sometimes but then I remind myself that there’s only a couple of weeks left and do my best to convince myself that everything is going to be okay. Summer is so close, and I can’t wait for it to be here already!! I’m also writing my research paper on the PMRC but I am writing on a broader topic than just one song like you are doing. I like that you’ve taken a different approach to it though. I also think that outlining what you’re going to write is a brilliant idea and I think I’m going to try that! I’ve done a couple of research papers too, but I feel like they were easier. English is already my most dreaded subject. Good luck with your paper and finals! I am sure you’ll do great, just take it one day at a time and remember to breathe! Everything will be fine :)
ReplyDeleteI completely understand you are going through right now. I having the same problem, for some reason for the life of me cannot come up with a strong thesis statement. It’s weird I know exactly what I want to say and how I am going to organize my papers but for the life of me I just cannot conjure up a thesis statement to support what it is I am going to say. I know for me I have to sit and think for hours at a time about what I want my thesis to say and then keep rearranging the sentence until it is perfect. It might take some time but you will get it to be just right. I am also having issues finding sources to back up my main point which is only adding to the stress that I already have. It’s good that you are taking your time and trying to be as authentic as possible. That will surely show up in your paper and make it that much better to read and understand your point. I know that you will do well, just keep focused, stay on track, and pace yourself and in no time you will have it done. Good luck with your paper and on your finals.
ReplyDeleteStarting the first paragraph is always the toughest. Especially getting the thesis out of the way. I guess we stress the thesis so much because it is the most important part of the paper. The best advice for you getting your thesis done would be to think about what you are going to argue and say it in a couple words. I have trouble keeping everything on the right track and I sometimes start changing the points to drastically. Once you get your outlines going and have a better feel of what you are wanting to say, than everything will really fall into place. Starting something is when we always need the biggest push. It is true, depending on how things get worded it can make a major difference. Some people could get offended, but then again facts are facts and if what you are saying is true then sometimes the truth can hurt. I think that just language is something that has to be more watched then anything else. Well I really wish you the best of luck on your research paper and I think you will do a great job because you have had previous experience and just make sure you stay focused.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I understand how it’s like. The biggest trouble I ever come across in anything is getting started, very much like you. Although I was able to get a head start on this assignment with the help of mandatory source list, I still needed a lot of time to get things sorted out. In my blog, I mentioned that I made a short outline that covers the main ideas of my research paper that I wanted to go over; making this took a tremendous effort because of my usual nature- as a procrastinator that is. Luckily, when we had to choose the topic we liked, I had gotten a pretty clear thesis on what I was going to write about.
ReplyDeleteStaying on topic is a good idea, though. This is where the outline may come in handy. Often times, when I write, I find that I go off topic onto some random tangent and lose my readers’ interests. This is a dangerous thing that should be avoided whenever possible and it is good that you’re able to acknowledge this from the start. Good luck on your research paper though, just know you’re not the only one struggling through this, we all are!
I definitely can relate to you. At least you have a topic. I have been so indecisive about this because I am scared to death to get stuck in the middle of the paper with no where to turn and expand that I have yet to even pick a topic. I know I better get going on that. Without a topic, I'm at square one. As far as the way you word things, don't worry about what other people think. Even if you're "always right" as am I, some people are mentally not capable to understand and they don't agree anyways because they are simply wrong. lol. In other words, speak your mind and if others don't agree, that is okay. The beauty of the world is we are all different. Someone has to be wrong so that we can always be right, right? haha Good luck with the paper. If you start to feel intimidated just remember, you are further along than I am! :0)
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