Here Is What I Wrote Down Late at Night When I Should Have Been Sleeping

English 12 Literature Circle: Themed Research Paper

This will be the last paper of the year. Remember that in order to pass English 12, you HAVE to turn in at least 2 essays. Therefore, many of you need to do this in order to graduate. DON’T SLACK!  We will spend a week on research and a week on typing, making the essay due on ______.

The Particulars

 Your essay needs to be 3-4 pages in length  Use 12-pt. font and double-space it.  Make sure to include a works cited page (need a minimum of five sources) (MLA format)  Make sure to include in-text citations (MLA format)  Include the book as one of your sources  Attach a rough draft or extended outline with evidence of editing when turning in your final draft.

Prompts

You will need to choose the prompt that is connected with the novel you are reading. Remember to reference the book in your essay. It needs to be one of your sources.

All Quiet on the Western Front It seems that war never goes away. Nor does the mental anguish soldiers suffer during and after their time on the battlefield. Research and discuss what post traumatic stress disorder is, how it is acquired, and what support is available for its sufferers and their families.

Ordinary People Unfortunately, the taking of one’s own life tends to be the final “out” some people feel they have when life tears them down. Research and discuss suicide, its leading causes, and what support is available for those who are contemplating it and for the families who must live with the aftermath.

The Awakening Throughout the novel, Edna Pontellier shows signs of depression. Unfortunately, no one is sure how to handle this onset of depression. Also unfortunate, is how realistic this is in our world today. Research and discuss typical causes of depression (all ages), and what can occur if left untreated. Make sure to also discuss what support (medical and otherwise) is available for those who are depressed and their families.

As I Lay Dying When a family member dies, those within the family deal with the death in different ways. Research and discuss the different effects of losing a family member and the common coping mechanisms that people use to deal with the loss and how those coping mechanisms differ from person to person.

Winterkill As people age, they often want to reconnect with or discover their cultural heritage. Research and discuss reasons why people may want to reconnect and specific options (such as organizations) they have for locating information. Also discuss the steps one can take to embrace this new found cultural awareness.

Midwives Historically midwives have not had to be doctors. Research and discuss a brief history of midwives and why some women decide to deliver using a midwife instead of a doctor. What are the pros and cons of the profession in the 21st Century?

The Joy Luck Club Growing up, the children of immigrants are influenced both by the culture of their parents and by American culture. Second-generation children are pressured to represent the culture of their parents at home while assimilating into American culture at school. Research and discuss the various issues that second-generation children face in forming their own identity.