Biography+in+Context

=**Your Task**=

You will write a research essay that evaluates the impact of one person or group of people using the //Biography in Context// database.


 * 1.** You will choose two contemporary figures from each of the following categories: musicians, movie stars, celebrity icons (Paris Hilton), politicians, news worthy personalities (Scott Peterson, Jack Kevorkian), authors, and religious leaders. Your choices should reflect your own interests and personalities.


 * 2.** Access the //Biography in Context// database and search for your chosen figures. Read at least one narrative biography and two magazine articles (tabbed at the top of search results) for each figure.


 * 3.** Focus your data collection on how these figures impact your generation's values, issues, traditions and norms. You should focus on slang terms, social commentary, leisure/entertainment/fun, and politics.


 * 4.** Begin drafting your research essay. You are responding to the prompt: Write a comprehensive research essay tracing one or more people who helped shape the values, issues, traditions, and norms of your generation.

=**The Research Process**=

Before starting your research, formulate questions to investigate the life of your subject. Think about how culture has influenced the life of your subject and the decisions he or she made. Try to use both primary and secondary sources in your research. Carefully note all sources you use during your research. This will make it easy to cite your sources later on.

=**The Essay Format**=

The introduction should serve as an overview of your subject. This paragraph should include your thesis statement, which should describe why your subject(s) is/are a significant figure.
 * Paragraph 1**

The second paragraph should provide a brief overview of the person's life and history.
 * Paragraph 2**

Each paragraph will detail one contribution your subject has made to society or an important event in that person's life. Within these paragraphs, you should show readers why your subject is an important figure.
 * Paragraphs 3–5**

Your thesis statement should be restated in your closing paragraph. Think of this paragraph as a way to tie everything together. Explain why this figure will be remembered for his or her contributions to society for many years to come.
 * Paragraph 6**