some thoughts

Tired of thinking about metaphors!? Sandra, I fear you speak for many in class when you ask this leading question...and yet you all need metaphors to help you communicate and comprehend. To use language is to use metaphor.

But, the practical reality is that you must get your papers written. On that note, I would suggest some of the following approaches (a few of which came up in our discussion on Thursday):

--think small: a word, a concept, a phrase. Kevin talked about writing a paper on the concept of an "American"; Jeff talked about writing on home/house; Sandra wrote a largely successful paper on "retirement." These are all good ideas that give you something concrete and contained to work with rather than focusing on general impressions that are hard to analyze.

--pay attention to the function of each paragraph in your paper: topic sentences should help guide and direct each paragraph and should be formulated around an analytical point. As we talked about in class, description is necessary but only to the extent that it is offered within the context of your analysis. In other words, make clear to your reader WHY you are describing Cincinnati's history, or your friends' love of Queer as Folk, or your pet's baby-like qualities. What's the point of describing these things? How is doing so going to add up to a larger point that you want to make?

--come talk with me about your paper: we'll brainstorm and test ideas.

--think about using a discrete text for the basis of your analysis: if you're interested in talking about metaphors of romantic love, for instance, use your favorite romance novel as part of the basis for your analysis; if you're interested in metaphors of loss in country music songs, use the lyrics as a guide for you analysis, etc. And, then, get to that next step: what do metaphors of loss in country songs tell us about perspective, hope, or belief in love in that culture? What counts as a legitimate or meaningful relationship to loss?

All for now....best to bring specific questions about your topic to class on Tuesday...we can spend time thinking together.

Laura