http://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_Wong.htm
This website will be very helpful in allowing me or anyone to successfully write a research proposal. Basically, it states that a research proposal is the key to success when it comes down to it. Without a well written proposal, the paper could fail miserably and not even be allowed to be written. In this site, the writer provides many key actions to perform in order to obtain success. First off, you must state what your research will be on, why you chose it, and how you are going to achieve these goals. Without these three explanations, you can kiss your research goodbye. In this website, it tells you that there are 7 must does to include in your research paper. The list includes: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Liturature Review, Methods, Results and Disscusion. Throughout the website it gives a description of each and what to include or not include. This site was very informative and and definilty helpful.
How to write a research outline.
http://www.essaytown.com/writing/write-research-paper-outline
This website seems to be very helpful. First off, it states that it is basically laying out the structure of your draft and eventually your paper. It says that it should be taken seriously. One of the most helpful things included on this website is a format for how to create the outline. It has an entire example that would include all parts of your paper and it is easy to follow. I like this because it actually gives you a visual on what needs to be done. It also says that the outline serves these following purposes, Getting your ideas organized, Putting the material in a logical format, Drawing connections between the ideas and finding relationships, Defining the boundaries of different groups or categories within the paper ,and Aiding in the writing process. These are very important things to consider and i like how this site showed these. It gives you more of an understanding of why you are writing the outline and how you will benefit from this.
My Proposal & Outline
The Study of Myths & Legends through time and how they are percieved today: The Vampire
Abstract
Why is the myth/legend of the vampire still around today and how has it changed? This is often a question that doesn’t come to mind. The vampire is a figure that has been with cultures for thousands of years. It is a huge theme in American popular culture and has been for some time now and it often doesn’t get a second thought. It goes unnoticed. Why is it here? How is it here? What is it seen it as? These are just a few questions that will be addressed within this research paper. The main focus will be on Vlad III (a very influential figure regarding this myth), and his history, which will include who he was and why he is percieved in this way. Another focus is on American popular culture and how it includes the vampre through books, television, movies, etc. and what Americans, especially western Pennsylvanians, think about it. This is a very important subject because it studies why myths/legends follow cultures through time. It is something that is a part of everyday life, even if it is unnoticed and it should be addressed. How has it managed to survive through the years when there is no direct evidence of their existence?
Intro
A myth is a story that stays with a culture. It is retold to tell a story of moral behavior and the rewards or consequences that result from it. Paul Veyne explains in his book, Did the Greeks Believe Their Myths, “Myth is truthful, but figuratively so. It is not historical truth mixed with lies; it is a high philosophical teaching that is entirely true, on the condition that, instead of taking it literally, one sees in it an allegory.” (1) Throughout the centuries, vampires have been blamed for many misfurtones, and were thought of as real, but in today’s American society the figure is not. In saying this, why has the vampire myth survived for thousands of years? And why is it still a popular myth within the American culture, when these moral values are not as relevant? A popular myth within the American culture is of Vlad III. Also known as Vlad Tepes, Vlad the Impaler, Vlad Dracula or just Dracula. Vlad II (Vlad III’s father) took an oath for the Order of the Dragon which swore to protect the Holy Roman Empire. After his death, Vlad III carryed on his fathers legacy and defended the Holy Roman Empire from the Ottoman Turks. Why is he considered as evil? Wasn’t he defending the land in name of Catholicism? Vlad III was a very gruesome warrior. He is known as Vlad the Impaler because he would impale his victims dooming them to a slow, agonizing, and often bloody death. Maybe this is why he is known as a Vampire? Vlad is an important figure in American popular culture. He is seen as this romanticized figure and the appeal has definitly changed. Today, the vampire is a key figure in books, movies, television, etc. It even involves romantic relationships that the vampire is the sexy, mysterious hero. Why has it changed from Braum Stokers original figure, which is based on Vlad III, as the grotesque, scary vampire? Why do we see it like this today?
(1)Veyne,Paul. Did the Greeks Believe in Their Myths? . 1988.
Methods
Although much of this information has been researched, i plan on branching out a little bit and getting peoples opinions about who they think these figures are and what influence they have had today. I will be addressing some students at IUP, which is a regional research strategy. Meaning that i will be addressing people of Western Pennsylvania. I believe that this topic is of importance. It proves that myths or legends have spread through a wide range of time and place. I will be obtaining my research through qualitative research methods. I will interview students and get their opinion, then compile it together to reach my conclusion, also i will be observing the popular culture interpretation of vampires in todays american culture.
Disscussion
I think that others will conclude that my findings are interesting and maybe it will spark a curiousity of this subject. Or even get them intersted in influence of myths, legends, figures, religious icons, etc. on the world and the effect that it may produce. It is a vital part of culture. Culture, a lot of the time, is influenced so much by myths and legends. A lot of important ideals and morals are based on them. This is something that should be recognized.
Outline
I. Introduction
a. general backround on subject.
b. Thesis
II. Paragraph 1
a. What is a myth and how has it circulated through time?
b. How is the survival of myths relevant?
c. Why do myths survive?
III. Paragraph 2
a. Who was Vlad III?
b. What is his historical backround?
c. Why is he regarded as a vampire?
III. Paragraph 3
a. American popular culture and its influence on society.
b. Why is the vampire such an important figure in pop culture?
c. How is the vampire percieved in todays American culture?
d. Research methods and results included
IV. Conclusion
a. Review material
b. Restate thesis
c. Compile information to draw conclusions
