PRESENTATION:
Description of Topic:
My topic surrounds the idea of dissociation and imagination as a common trauma response seen in young kids. I attempt to tie this into memoir writing by writing my thesis and saying, “A child’s dependency on dissociation and imagination during traumatic experiences directly impacts memoir writing and allows authors to mix fantasy with fact in a way that considers the non-linear essence of memory and psychological survival.” I then go on to prove that both the author of “Sink” and the author of “Solito” are reliable narrators despite their often imagery filled and creative writing.
Research Methods:
As stated above, I used “Sink” and “Solito” to back up my findings in psychology research. I used a number of academic articles found from different sources to help with the psychological side of my research. I also used online articles and interviews to learn more about each individual author.
Tools Used:
I used Google Scholar primarily when searching for academic articles. I also used the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, which helped me gain background on the topic. I tried to use the library databases new AI feature, and that helped me narrow my research question down by associating my original question with other, more popular research questions.
Strengths & Weaknesses:
One strength I found while writing the paper was the amount of research that had already been done on dissociative trauma responses. It made it simpler for me to provide evidence for my own unique thesis. I also think the actual setup of my essay is pretty clear; if someone from outside of our class were to read it, I think they could follow along fairly well without much background knowledge. As for weaknesses, I am not a psychology major or minor, so it took a lot of extensive research for me to even understand some aspects of what I was learning. I also found that because there was so much research, it was hard to concise into a 10 to 12 page paper. If I had more time I would definitely consider adding a creative aspect to this project. I would want to pose as both Zamora and Thomas and draw their imaginary lands that they describe.
Purpose of Project:
I know a lot of people mentioned on the last day of class that “Solito” and “Sink” were not their favorite readings that we did this semester. I wanted to prove that these narratives are as significant as some of the other ones we read because they address issues like trauma in a more indirect way. I also think it is significant to look at how a narrator can still be viewed as reliable, despite the fact that they may exaggerate things in a given story.
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