Critical Research Topic Proposal

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The topic I chose to go with for this research paper is how culture and race is used within adolescent literature. I think that this is such an important topic to talk about because many ethnic groups have come so far and have such an important story to tell. 

Essential Question: How do certain beliefs or values influence the way an author tells a story through writing?

Focus Questions:

1. How does our culture shape who we are as humans?
2. How can certain beliefs or views effect our society?
3. How can certain protests or movements impact society?
4. Are certain organizations and movements making progress towards what they are trying to achieve?
5. How do we first develop our values and beliefs?


This topic of culture and how it reflects within our lives and writing is something that I chose to write about because it is a necessity in our world today. I think that is an important topic for adolescents to read and discuss on because it may help them navigate through their own paths in life. Two books that really stood out to me and helped me want to write on this is The Hate U Give and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. These books both display the side of two different ethnic groups and the many triumphs and challenges they receive on a daily basis. In both of these books we see the themes of poverty, alcoholism, lack of education, family, grief, and violence. The author shows the Native American culture by writing on how they have family pow wows and we see how he is isolated while at school because he is different from everyone else. In The Hate U Give Angie Thomas writes on the issue of police brutality and Starr's push towards justice. In these books we see that Starr and Junior live two different lives while at home and at school. When researching I think the hardest thing is probably just going to be finding tons of information. I think that I will be able to find helpful facts and information but just not a ton of it. I am still excited to see what I learn in the process of this topic proposal.

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