Pre-Research Paper

       As I start the pre-write of my research paper I feel full of anxiety. There is something about the before of a major project that I think is the worst part about the whole assignment. Once I have started my research paper and start hacking away at it, and getting into a writing groove I know I will feel so much better with less anxiety, (of course there is still anxiety in waiting for the final grade). I also feel optimistic in my pre-write, mostly because I have not come to any halts or bumps in the road. Now that I have self evaluated how I feel about this research paper of mine I guess its time I start the thing!

Most Important Source

    Throughout the course of my research for my paper I have had no problem finding sources that are of no use to me. I was struggling quite a bit and finally went to the reference desk at the school library and the librarian there found the most dynamite book for me to use. The book is an anthology titled Political Issues in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. It has been really helpful to support my ideas on my research paper, and guide me to other authors. The book has also helped me with further research on sources to help me with using better search terms when looking for new sources.

Current Thesis to Date

    My latest working thesis is still basically the same. Harry Potter 5 is a political thriller not a fantasy because of the themes seen in the film, such as fascist leadership, propaganda, intervening government, and uprising of the people against the government. I have been doing research on all of these terms to help find/ decide what my own definition of a political thriller is. The themes I think are seen in a political thriller are the themes I listed above. These themes are also what appear in Harry Potter 5. As far as my thesis is concerned I’m sure it will continue to evolve as the research paper continues but as far as the structure of it, it has remained the same.

My Golden Source

   While continuously researching and looking for sources I found myself stumped and recruited the help of the reference desk at the school library. The woman who helped me had trouble herself and had me leave my name and email so she could do further research. She ended up finding the most perfect book ever through an inter library loan. The book is titled Political Issues in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series. This book is an anthology of articles and excerpts from scholars all around the world. This book has been a dynamite source to help back up my thesis. It is also a really interesting book separate from my research paper.

"Fellowship in a Ring"

   One of my sources I am using for my research paper, is a book on fantasy, and making fantasy groups, its called Fellowship in a Ring: A Guide for Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Groups. This source is a great counter argument source for me. There are millions of subgenres of fantasy explained in the book such as one subgenre called political fantasy. This subgenre has a lot of the same elements in Harry Potter 5. Despite having a few direct correlations I am still sticking with my thesis that Harry Potter is not a fantasy film. I am glad I found this book though because it has helped me to look harder for sources and give great examples to prove why my film is not a fantasy film.

My Working Thesis

   My current working thesis for my research paper honestly has been changing throughout the semester. Even though it has been changing the basic idea has still remained unchanged which is, Harry Potter 5 is a political thriller not a fantasy genre. As I start working on research paper my current working thesis is that propaganda, fascism, and intervening government are all things that make a political thriller. All of the ideas that I listed are all seen throughout the entire film. My thesis still needs a bit of tweaking and cleaning up but my basic idea has still remained through the entire research process.

My Research From Here On Out

    My research schedule throughout the semester is to search online databases a couple of times a week, I try different search terms and new things are always being added. I have used the school library only twice, the reference help couldn’t find much but she found this amazing book for my through a library loan. My local library has been the most useful, I have been there a couple of times already and found a couple of books. I plan on continuing my research by going to the library at least once every week till my research paper is due if not twice a week.