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Sison-2025

Writing Prompt

Formal Essay 3 (Research Assignment)

Primary Source: Choose at least one (1) reading from the list below.

  • G. Willow Wilson – Ms. Marvel vol.
  • Viet Thanh Nguyen – “The Other Man”
  • Kali Fajardo-Anstine – “Sisters”
  • Amy Tan – “Rules of the Game”
  • Madeleine Thien – “Simple Recipes”

Secondary Sources: you must reference at least two (2) secondary sources throughout your essay:

  • Viet Thanh Nguyen – “On Being a Refugee, an American – and a Human Being”
  • A book, published journal, or newspaper
  • A peer-reviewed source from the Rutgers University Library Database

Prompt (5 pages minimum):

The purpose of this research paper is to gain a deeper understanding of your chosen primary source(s). You will do this by referring to outside secondary sources, learning to incorporate your analysis with those of experts, and implementing MLA guidelines for citation and documentation. Remember, you are writing an argumentative, not an informative, research paper. Similar to your other essays, your research paper requires you to set forth an arguable thesis statement that can be defended.

Your first step is to decide on a topic. The key is to choose a topic that is specific, relevant to the story, and of interest to you. I’ve listed some potential topics and/or ideas to help you get started. Once again, these are topics and ideas to consider as you think about your research proposal.

Potential Topics (Once again, feel free to develop your own topic)!

What is your chosen [primary source] suggesting about identity, family dynamics, etc.? Most of you wrote about identity or family for Amy Tan’s “Rules of the Game” and/or Madeleine Thien’s “Simple Recipes” in Formal Essay #2. Perhaps you can propose a research topic from your formal essay #2 argument!

Viet Thanh Nguyen’s short story, “The Other Man,” follows Liem, a refugee, who arrives in San Diego to meet his sponsor, Parrish Coyne. How does Viet Thanh Nguyen portray the war and refugee experience through Liem’s point of view?

Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s “Sisters,” G. Willow Wilson’s Ms. Marvel vol. 1, Amy Tan’s “Rules of the Game,” and Madeleine Thien’s “Simple Recipes” explore challenges and moments of defiance that many women of color endure and/or confront. Choose at least one of the stories listed and explain how the protagonist(s) were portrayed and represented in the story. How is their gender, race, and/or ethnicity challenged to a point where they must reclaim autonomy?

Develop your own focused topic to research using any of the primary sources and present it to me in your proposal. Be sure the topic you propose is very focused, and that you have a specific question in mind that you want the answer to.

  • For example, a student from a previous semester wrote a research paper on the portrayal of people of color in comic books. Specifically, they referenced Ms. Marvel, other Marvel comics, DC comics, and lesser-known/indie comics as the primary sources.