Discussion Board 2: Research Question

The construction of an academic argument requires a specific claim to be articulated and backed up with relevant data and analysis. It includes the important elements of an argument, which are a well-defined research question, a thesis statement and supporting arguments. There is a need to approach an academic argument from a critical thinking perspective which includes synthesis and presenting information from multiple sources: Discussion Board 2: Research Question.

The claim is a single sentence that gives an overview of the argument and usually appears at the beginning. This paradigm not only helps in organizing the research but, most importantly, also helps the writer understand the topic at hand much better (James et al., 2017).

Suggested Research Questions

1. How and in what ways do contemporary novels address the mental health of their characters, and what is the corresponding effect of such exposure on the audience?

• Criteria Check: As the question is well defined and set, it narrows towards the examination of particular books and their effects on society. It raises literature study together with current sociological phenomena.
• Academic Discipline: Literature and Psychology.

2. How does poetry express the notion of having a mental illness, and how does this influence the prevailing connotations attached to mental health problems?

• Criteria Check: This is a more emotional and personal question concerning poetry and its relation to mental illness. It elaborates on both the aspects of artistic creativity and societal problems in a manner that is intricate yet informative.
• Academic Discipline: Literature and Sociology.

3. In what ways does a historical context inform the consideration of mental illness in classical literature, and how does it affect modern-day perspectives on taking care of one’s mental health?

• Criteria Check: This question picks out the change in a literary depiction across the years, thus giving a perspective within which the understanding of caring for mental health issues can be examined. This makes it easier to study a range of literary works and their impact on society.
• Academic Discipline: Literature and History.

Overview of Academic Arguments

When discussing the representation of mental health in literature, it is important to keep in mind that literary pieces are a reflection of real-life situations, complexities included, even of mental health issues. Authors convey the suffering of people dealing with these circumstances through the construction of characters, the telling of the story and the themes involved. For example, “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath and “A Long Way Down” by Nick Hornby explore the lives of characters struggling with depression and suicidal ideation (Williams, 2024). These portrayals do not only create sympathy but also bring controversy to the many misconceptions surrounding mental health problems.

The impact of such literary representation is not only limited to the text. They undertake a crucial responsibility in forming social norms as well as views relating to mental health. Humanity is more likely to empathize with and understand readers’ experiences when literature depicts multi-faceted, complex characters that have mental health challenges.

On the other hand, literature can reinforce negative stereotypes about people with mental challenges by portraying them as dangerous, psychotic, or helpless. In this way, literature reinforces stigma and misunderstanding in the society.

The combination of literature and mental health has, arguably, received attention from the different domains of psychology, sociology, and even cultural studies. Experts analyze how a given story told in literature may serve to positively or negatively stigmatize a mental illness. For instance, some studies argue that literature has the power to evoke empathy in people, thus enabling them to step into someone else’s shoes. This method, in reverse, may be more beneficial to mental health problems than biases and may assist in the construction of a constructive society.

Moreover, the metaphor and language of the literature conveying mental health issues can equally demonstrate the impact of literature on stigma. The manner and language used to label a mental illness can influence the perception and, indeed, the attitude of the people at large. For instance, kind words in which mental illness is dealt with in literature can help nurture an accepting culture. On the other hand, derogatory and dismissive frames of mental health language create silent and shameful cultures.

This question will be helpful in understanding how literature integrates with the depiction of mental health and the surrounding stigma. It gives us a chance to broaden our perception of the literary world while at the same time seeking to change the response and attitude toward mental illnesses in society. With greater focus on the issues, we can better address the gaps in awareness surrounding mental health, the representation of mentally ill people in art, and the need for empathy in stigma elimination. When mental health issues are looked at in the context of literature, the power of the narratives to address and incite empathy in mental health issues can be revealed.

References

James, M., Merickel, A., McHenry, J. (2020). Reading literature and writing argument. Pearson.

Williams, E. M. (2024). Transcending the Taboo: Using Literature To Explore Depictions of Suicide with Adolescents in Secondary Classrooms. Georgia Southern University, M.A. thesis.

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Discussion Board 2

NO AI AT ALL: Research Question

In what ways does literature view and represent mental health, and how does this affect the stigma society has toward mental illnesses? In this discussion forum, you will provide an overview of academic arguments, including the first stage that you will be turning in this week, the research question.

Discussion Board 2: Research Question

This week’s discussion forum contains a few different components. First, in a brief paragraph (no less than 50 words), explain what it means to make an academic argument, including developing the research question and thesis statement. Then brainstorm 3 research questions that you are interested in pursuing, checking each one against the criteria on page 82 in our textbook, and identifying each one’s corresponding academic discipline.