Subject MA Thesis

[sunny_c]

Hi All,

I'm a MA-student English currently trying to write my thesis. Keyword trying. The main problem I'm having is with my thesis statement; I cannot think of one. My thesis propasal was on Superheroes, particularly why we have such an attraction to them when they are flawed. My supervisor didn't like it much and told me to change it and limit the area I wanted to discuss. So now I'm focusing on the 2 categories of (super)heroes; one is based on Joseph Campbell's monomyth (the Journey of the classic hero such as Hercules) and the other one on the American monomyth (Journey of heroes such as Superman/Spiderman). And then I want to see whether a modern (super)hero like Harry Potter fits in either categories or if today's (super)hero doesn't fall in categories anymore but is universal. Only I really don't know what I am trying to prove and thus don't know how to formulate my statement. I don't even know if this is a good subject to write bout. My thesis supervisor is of no help right now, he wants to see something written first but how can I write when I don't know what to write about.

I thought about picking a different topic however, that would mean starting all over and getting a new supervisor; things I don't have time for.

I'm hoping that someone can give me some pointers and (though I know I'm suppose to do this myself but I'm desperate) some help on my subject/statement/idea. Hopefully there are some Superheroes/Harry Potter lovers here.

Thanks a bunch.

Edited April 5, 2012 by sunny_c

[robot_hamster]

I'm not an English student. If I'm understanding you correctly, you're wanting to look at how these superhero stories sort of reflect the social atmosphere from which they originated. Or am I reading into this too much?

[Gauche]

I don't know much about popular culture, but one of the things that my professors tell me when I'm stuck in the process of constructing a thesis statement is to do as much research as I can in whatever area I'm planning to write about. In your case, you will be writing about superheroes and their connection to modern superheroes like Harry Potter. I don't know how much research on your topic is out there, but try to find as much as you can. Read up on what scholars have said about that topic and something should eventually arrest your attention whether someone says something that you don't agree with or none of the research touches on certain ideas that you think are important. Basically, let others do the work for you. You're not there to create the wheel, you're just there to add on to it.

Hope that helps.

[sunny_c]

Thanks for the reply.

@Mocha, I was thinking of doing that for my thesis but my supervisor thought is would be too broad. So now I'n basically looking at what kind of superhero Harry Potter is.

@Decaf. Your reply is of great help. I was actually doing just that; reading a lot in hopes of something catching my attention. However, when I was discussing my thesis with a friend he told that was the wrong way to go. He said you first have to ask the question you want answered beforeyou do the research.

I think my problem is that I am trying to create the wheel eventhough I know that is not possible. I just don't have much motivation which results in a lot of unsecurity. I just want to write something someone would like to read you know.

[robot_hamster]

Your adviser thought that was too broad? Huh. I guess I wouldn't think it was too broad. I'm not really into superhero stuff all that much, but I think the idea is interesting.

Okay, don't take this next part the wrong way. I'm just thinking maybe your adviser might not have understood fully what you wanted to do. I have that problem. I will completely understand something in my head, but then I have difficulty explaining it like it should be to other people. At first, my thesis was a "bad idea" because I don't think I was explaining it right in the beginning. It took a few attempts before my thesis suddenly sounded like a "good idea".

Just a thought.

[Gauche]

I wouldn't discard your friend's advice especially since you already seem to have a solid topic in mind, but also you seem unsure about how you should approach your topic seeing as your adviser told you to be more focused. I don't know what kind of scholarship is offered in your area, so I can't be the judge of how focused or broad your topic is, but if your adviser wants to see some writing from you first, the best way to get that writing done is by finding some recent scholarship and responding to it. Sometimes you can't generate questions on a topic until you see what other people have said about it. Then you can fill in the gap.

In response to your comment about your lack of motivation, it might be a good idea to change your topic if you don't have any real interest in it anymore. I know you're running out of time, but it might be an option and it's possible that you can get a lot more done if you're really passionate about the new topic you decide to take on. On the other hand, if you're really that short on time, take the topic you're already working on and find some way to rekindle your interest in it so you're not stuck in trying to force yourself to write crap just so you can be done and turn it in.

[sunny_c]

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I didn't explain it right like you suggested Mocha. I have the same problem; everything is clear in my head but I just can't explain it. This time the problem is also that it isn't clear in my head. I think I'm just a bit intimidated/overwhelemed by my supervisor; he is an expert on superheroes so there is added presure of doing it right.

The lack of motivation is not because I have no interest in the subject anymore but because I have too much free time. I am finished with all of my classes, I dont have a job right now so for the first time in years I'm "free" so getting in the groove of doing research and writing is difficult. Add to that my insecuriy and no real thesis statement...

Also, even if I changed my subject I would have the same problem; I don't know what to write about. I just can't think of a single argument I would like to research/proof or disproof. It's like my mind is on shutdown.

[sunny_c]

P.S sorry robot_hamster and Gauche for getting your names wrong.