Patty Tymon's beginning for the research-paper process.

1. Research question and
plan:
Foundations for the Research Paper

2. • 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.


3. • 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.
The Research Question

4. • 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?
My Research Question

5.  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.
Answer the research question; the
answer is the working thesis.

6.  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.
Research

7.  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.
Thesis Revisited

8.  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

9. 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
Research Plan Sample

10.  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.
Move directly to research

11.  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.
How to begin with Library
research . . .

12.  Ask the Library for help with databases.
 Library Circulation Desk: (276) 739-2LIB
(2542)
Library Fax: (276) 739-2593
Testing Center Manager: (276)739-2475
Testing Center Assistant: (276)739-2476
Toll-Free: (877) 207-6115 - from Bristol,
Blountville, Bluff City, Lebanon,
Dickensonville, Scott County, and Smyth
County
Helpful Resources!

13.  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! 
How can I help? 