English 1000: Monsters: Getting Started

BEAM method of research

• Background: using a source to provide general information to explain the topic.
• Exhibit: using a source as evidence or examples to analyze.
• Argument: using a source to engage its argument.
• Method: using a source’s way of analyzing an issue to apply to your own issue.

For more information about how to use BEAM, check out HCL's resource.

Monsters in Context: Do monsters belong to certain cultures and periods of history?

1. For the purpose of your individual essay, how are you choosing to define “monster”?
2. How did you find, and decide to write about, this particular monster?
3. What are the attributes, behaviors, appearances, etc. that quality this thing to be a “monster”?
4. What is the cultural/historical context of the monster? What time period does it exist in? What was happening historically to the area it comes from?
5. What are the historical depictions and narratives that you’re able to find (at least 2 but hopefully more)?
   1. Summarize these depictions/narratives
   2. State the sources (i.e. tell me what the names of books are and who authored/edited them)
6. With all this in mind, what questions do you formulate about the monster? These questions may be ones you can answer for yourself as you write the essay; that’s fine: include them and answer them. There should be some questions, however, that you can’t answer. This in part because you’re not doing comprehensive research. The other part is that I want you all to consider how when writing, there is always some exploration that is difficult to completely flesh out. Both you and your reader (me) should have some lingering enquiries.

Contact your subject specialist
Grace Atkins: user engagement librarian and subject specialist for Comm 1200, film studies, digital storytelling
email: atkinsge@missouri.edu

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