The purpose of this research paper is to gain a deeper understanding of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. You will do this by referring to outside sources, learning to incorporate your voice/analysis with those of experts and employing MLA guidelines for citation and documentation. Keep in mind that you are writing an argumentative, not an informative, research paper. That is to say, just like your other essays, this research paper requires a thesis statement that you will be proving.
Sources
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is the primary source for this essay, which means that all analysis must be connected to the story. You must also use at least two secondary sources (a book, published journal, newspaper, a reputable internet site, another work of literature, music, etc)
Topics
Your first step is to decide upon a topic. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is full of possible research topics. The key is to choose a topic that is relevant to the story and of interest to you. You may, with permission, choose your own topic, or you may choose from the following:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Again, this is not an informational essay where you simply answer one of the below questions, or simply provide research on your topic in relation to the story. Rather, you will be arguing/ proving a thesis.)