Research Process Step 4: The final step in the research into the fairy tale.

A research essay is an original essay where the student poses a research question, gathers materials (designing interview questions, observing and taking notes, designing questionnaires, critical analysis of readings and sources) focuses the research, shapes the argument, and frames the materials in relation to the larger themes developed in the course. Recommended Length: 8-10 pages, double-spaced in 12pt font. APA Format.

Research Process Step Number Four

By now you have researched the origins of the fairy tale story of your choosing. In Step Number One you synthesized a scholarly perspective and the story. In Step Number Two you made an argument about the efficacy of the story’s moral themes. In Step Number Three you added to the sources you’ve already used, and perhaps you’ve learned some new perspectives on the story you chose. For this final Step Number Four, you put all of the writing together in a research format that usually follows the outline of the questions that I’ve highlighted below. It’s quite likely you have probably answered most if not all these questions. So, in many cases you will simply need to “mash” the two papers you’ve already written together into a whole form.

That means revision-which literally means to “see again.” So, with a mind to the final shape of your essay, revise, edit and proofread a final version of your paper. The final version will probably be about 8-10 pages in length.

These are the instructions from the earlier steps included as a reminder of what the final shape of the essay might be (you might consider the shape to be the form of your answer to the research question you are asking-see the instructions below). Select a fairy tale that you remember from childhood or one with which you are familiar. Research the origins of the tale from the original versions that might be included in the Grimm Brothers collections or edited by Charles Perrault. Compare and contrast the changes in the story over time, in terms of both story elements and the effects of translating the story from text to film. What happens to the genre of the fairy tale over time? How does the purpose of the story change? Why? Why does this particular story continue to be retold? What moral/lesson is so important that it is repeated from generation to generation? Why tell this lesson/moral in the form of story? Are there criticisms of the moral/lessons of the story? Are there criticisms of the form of the story-for example the movie is not as good as the book-or liberties are taken from changing forms from the book to the movie that lessen or change the lesson/moral of the story? Do you agree with the criticisms or not? Why?

These are the individual steps that comprise the Four Steps of the Research Project so far.

1-Identify a story.

2-Research the origins of the story.

3-Describe the different versions and note key differences in versions.

4-Research criticisms or commentaries on the versions of the stories.

5-Consider sources that comment or criticize the genre of fairy tale in general rather than only specifically related to the story you’ve chosen.

6-Begin to formulate the research question that you would focus your research on, such as “How” does this story influence our culture? “Why” do we continue to read/view/learn from re-telling of this story? Now you’ll be able to read/focus on specific sources that argue or comment on the answers to this question. For example, why do we continue to be fascinated by the Cinderella story?

7-Your thesis is the answer to your question. For example, if you answer the above question with a statement like: The Cinderella story continues to be told in various versions and forms because the role of women in society continues to change.

8-Once you have gone through these steps above, you will begin to notice that your interest in the topic of Cinderella reflects your interest in women’s rights. Then you will find that sources in popular culture criticism may reflect these concerns. Or if you have chosen a gruesome version of one of the Grimm stories-even Cinderella where the sisters have had their eyes pecked out-you may see that your interest is in why stories have changed to remove violence in modern versions. Then your research sources may focus on sociological or ethical issues about the impact of violence on young children. Or you may have noticed that the role of magic is essential for the happy ending, you may want to look closely at the arguments that revolve around fantasy stories on children’s development from psychological and sociological sources.

Possible Outline

I-Introduction (may or may not include thesis)

II-Origins of the story

III-Versions of the story

IV-Themes of the story

V-Arguments about the origins/versions/themes

VI-Conclusions-why or how is the story and your essay significant to your reader?

Note-Write a first draft using your annotated bibliography to cut/paste summaries. Don’t worry about transitions. Then revise and proofread to add transitions when you can see what parts support the different sections of your paper.

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