Laurie W
- Research Program Mentor
MA at Brigham Young University
Expertise
reading for comprehension, writing for clarity, research and college-level compositions,
Bio
I knew I wanted to teach as soon as I reached secondary school. I had some amazing English teachers and some very bad teachers. As a student I learned what I did and didn't respect about teachers. From my first teaching assignment in grad school to my current weekly tutoring sessions, I have loved interacting with students. Learning to write is a tough skill to master, so my students didn't alway match my enthusiasm. But I loved that challenge, and felt so rewarded when students saw success. I love to read. I have the attention span to read for hours on end. I read fiction and non-fiction. I am the go to person for all my friends who want to know what to read next. I recently took up painting and am taking a class in acrylics. I just got a new dog--a mini schnauzer named Ken.Project ideas
Representation or Erasure of the Poor in Contemporary American Literature
American Literature in the past has often romanticized, dehumanized, or ignored the poor. Your potential research question: Has the literature in the current century continued this literary tradition? You'll start by researching, reading and writing synopses of credible and current non-fiction texts (ie. "Poverty, By America" by Matthew Desmond) that address the history and the current state of poverty and the systemic ways US policy contributes to poverty and keeps poor people poor. Next you'll explore current fiction (ie. "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez or "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver). You'll use primary and secondary sources in your investigation, using the novel as the historical artifact to prove your thesis. From your research, you will analyze, in an essay, how contemporary fiction (either a particular novel or short story or a comparison of two) portrays poverty and question the author's characterization of the poor and evaluate the impact or efficacy of such a portrayal. You'll incorporate your research, while maintaining your own informed voice. The process will include outlining, drafting, revising, editing and polishing. After completion you may pursue publishing or expanding the project to compare works of fiction and their focus on social justice.