huntinsonovagun Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 This college stuff is killing me. I have been trying to get this paper done all week and have nothing to show for it (well, I have part of a paragraph). Here's the deal....we read a novel (not sure if it's even classified as a novel it's so short!!) and we have to write an essay over it. I think, "easy...book report." NOT!!! It has to be analytical, and you can't balony-stretch your way through this guy's class. He is for real. I am trying to come up with a topic that analyses spy novels. Something they all have in common. Also would like to have an opposing viewpoint. Here's what I have come up with on my layout: Thesis: Disguises are a vital part of all spy novels. (or I could put the title of the book instead of "novels")(The title of the book BTW is The 39 Steps by John Buchan) Haven't come up with 1st body paragraph. (opposing viewpoint) 2nd paragraph: Disguises are important because they cause suspense from the reader's standpoint. I really have nothing. The topic doesn't seem to flow, the sentences don't sound like "college material" and I am really struggling. I emailed my prof. and to make things worse, my email does not work, so I don't know what he has said to me to help me!!!! Maybe I am just venting, but I do need help bad....just dunno where to look........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... You could do an opposing viewpoint about are the disguises necessary to the novel and list why they aren't. Hope this helps some. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... haha....that's my problem....name one reason they AREN'T necessary. I can't think of any....maybe I am thinking too hard? (or spending too much time at realtree. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntingInMaine Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... Change your thesis statement! If the one you chose isn't working then the whole paper is going to be nothing but torture for you. Since it only needs to be an analytical paper your options are many. You could do an analysis of the main character's personality and how it relates to all spys, or you could analyze the character traits common to the "bad guys" in the novel. You could use your disguise idea and tweak it a little so you are talking about how the character disguises his true personality during his spy mission (or whatever you want to call them...) Or analyze anything else you find interesting about the story. Don't be afraid to change your original ideas if they aren't working! If you still want to use your disguises thesis I would suggest you start and end your paper supporting your thesis statement. That's the whole idea in having one, you make a statement and then write a paper to back it up. Starting with an opposing view would make the reader wonder where you were going with the topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... I have changed ideas already. I can't seem to find anything to fit. HIM- I think you may be on to something here. I will see about how it relates to all spies and see what I come up with. Thanks...Oh...you're right about the torture part. 18 and grew a few gray hairs this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntingInMaine Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... [ QUOTE ] haha....that's my problem....name one reason they AREN'T necessary. I can't think of any....maybe I am thinking too hard? (or spending too much time at realtree. ) [/ QUOTE ] That's why I suggest you change your thesis statement. I can't think of any reason why a disguise isn't necessary either. Is it required that you provide an opposing view to your thesis statement? If it isn't required you might want to concentrate on only supporting your idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... Suspense and the ever changing twists in the plot are what really intrigues me in spy novels, not the disguises Every new character that is introduced to the story, every new threat, every new .................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... One suggestion, never lead off teh body with the opposing viewpoint! It should be the second last topic in the body, and be followed by one of your stronger arguments for the topic. This will really help emphasize your point, yet still show you looked at all angles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... well, looks like i'm off the hook for this one. i don't think i've ever read a spy, suspense, mystery type novel. sorry i'll proof read the final copy for you though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Re: Help with college paper (again!!) Sorry... Ok, I am almost done with a children's literature course where we read alot of kids books, write small paragraphs about them and then choose 2 books to write about 1 page essays on. Professors are different but you can try talking about the plot of the book, what appeals/doesn't appeal to you about the book, what other people might like about the book, what elements of the book make it good. I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for but when I get home I'll see if I can find some more stuff that may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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