Academic Research Essay
Sample Research Questions
What have other literary critics observed about Edgar Allan Poe’s style? Do you see evidence of this in “The Cask of Amontillado?”
Does “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” reflect any realities of the Civil War, or Ambrose Bierce’s own experiences serving in that war?
What is the critical assessment of the role of music or Harlem in James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues”? Do you agree/disagree with any of these perspectives, or do they help you expand on your own interpretation of the story?
How does Nikki Giovanni’s poetry exhibit the mission of the Black Arts movement?
What does Leslie Marmon Silko’s “Yellow Woman” reveal about Laguna Pueblo culture and belief?
Why is Sandra Cisneros’ “Loose Woman” called a feminist poem? How does her feminist work draw from her Chicana culture and identity?
Does Sherman Alexie’s “Every Little Hurricane” reveal realities of indigenous experience in America, specifically modern life on reservations?