Research Paper on 1988’s “Die Hard”

Source Text: Die Hard
Length: At least 6 pages (not counting Works Cited)
Format: Typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, MLA format–a Works Cited page.

What the assignment is:
Having studied various conceptions of masculinity this semester, you should have an idea of how fragile such assumptions can be. With this in mind, I’d like you to take on a fairly contemporary iteration of masculinity, 1988’s Die Hard, and demonstrate how it speaks to either the evolution of conceptions of masculinity, how it meets or addresses the specific needs of the society that bore it, or some combination of the two. In short, howdoes this film define masculinity, and what does this say about the culture it represents? You will, of course, want to concentrate on formulating a proper argument, using all of the rhetorical and research skills you’ve cultivated up to now. This should not simply be other people’s ideas. You’ll need to distill information from multiple sources and use this information to arrive at your own stance on the topic.

Source Requirements:
For this paper, you’ll be using 5-7 sources. 4 of these must be scholarly–academic journals or books from the library. You are allowed to use periodicals as a means of establishing context for your position or providing cursory, anecdotal information, but these will not count toward the 5-7 sources.

Suggested Thesis:
Although your research topics should be complex and will, most likely, involve many disparate viewpoints, your thesis should assert a clear, argumentative position. A statement such as “A lumberjack is the best representation of contemporary masculinity” is an interesting place to start; however, this is much too broad to lead a research paper. A statement that articulates your position about a specific lumberjack and, most importantly, why they represent contemporary masculinity will lead to a much stronger argument.

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