Research Abstract: Synthesizing the BS

[april_lirit]

This is a research abstract. It's basically the cliff-notes of my project. I sent it in as part of my application for a conference at the University of Michigan. I'm afraid that is sounds like I have it out for heterosexuality. Which I don't. Mostly. Also, I had to make it sound like I've already written the paper, but all I have is the abstract.

Comments

[april_lirit]

Well, the conference is for 3rd year students, so they know that we haven't written our theses yet. However, in an abstract, you have to outline 1. the problem 2. your methodology for examining the problem 3. your conclusions, so I had to write as if I'd already finished the project, even though they know I haven't

[meta04]

I like your use of the word "ghettoization."

It doesn't sound like you have anything against heterosexuality. Not really, anyway. I think you have a good point. People have gotten so used to seeing the heterosexual relationship that being in one is almost just going through the motions--in life or literature.

I'm wondering, though, what is it that you're classifying as 'exclusively gay' literature?

[april_lirit]

Yeah, one of my advisors questioned my use of ghettoization because of the colloquial, racially-loaded uses of ghetto. But I like it. It sounds all social-justicey.

I probably should drop the modifier on "exclusively gay", because what I mean is that literature foregrounding homosexual couples is considered to be gay literature and only for "them queer people", but I couldn't be sure that just calling it "gay literature" would hammer home the point of that meaning that it's only for gay people and no one else touches it.

[io_the_mad_cow]

My fiancée is going to overthrow the world of academia! Yay!

[april_lirit]

Join me? After all, a revolution without lesbian overlords isn't worth having.

[vetusnox]

I'd just like to add that this is/will be made of awesome.

[lefaym]

Sounds like it'll be a great paper. :) You've probably already encountered these, but just in case you haven't:

Pugh, Tison and David L. Wallace. "Heteronormative Heroism and Queering the School Story in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series". Children's Literature Association Quarterly. 31.3 (2006) 260-281.

Hellekson, Karen and Kristina Busse. Fan Fiction and Fan Communities in the Age of the Internet. McFarland. Jefferson. 2006

[april_lirit]

I've read the first, and I'll definitely check out the second two. I've been having trouble building my bibliography as few of the big journals (JSTOR, Project Muse) have many fanfiction papers up.

You know, I've been vascillating on whether or not to discuss unfinished fic, especially because Shoebox is undoubtedly the most popular fic in the ship and thus I would be justified in using it for my textual analysis. My problem is that I'm going to be writing this thesis until June '09, and the danger of writing on a WIP fic is that one of the updates is going to negate my analysis, and I'll have to start the process all over again. However, I'm always open to being persuaded that this obstacle isn't insurmountable.

Yes, please offer me con-crit on the abstract. My advisors know little-to-nothing about fanfiction, so I'm somewhat on my own with regard to the subject matter. Not to mention, in general I'm always pretty grateful for con-crit.

Thanks much.

[lefaym]

Just to be clear-- the Ika Willis paper is actually a chapter in Fan Fiction and Fan Communities, so you only need to hunt down the one book. :) The introduction to that book has a pretty comprehensive history of scholarship to date on fan fiction and slash, so that might help you. There is, however, a relatively small amount of literature on the topic, which is, of course, a perfect excuse for a thesis like yours

[april_lirit]

You know, it's funny because I had just checked out that book yesterday and it was sitting on my desk when I read your comment