Special Topics Paper Summary:
For my special topics paper, I decided to focus on the horror genre. I wanted to highlight what was important about the genre as well as what makes horror its own genre separate from others. In the first part of my paper, I talk about the appeal and the characteristics of horror like the setting (classic settings like haunted houses or dark woods) the pacing (usually quick with abrupt turns), the characters (loners, evil people, normal people in crazy situations), the style (how authors will use different fonts and book setups to further immerse readers), and story lines (horror usually follows the evil on the surface but also the deeper questions about human nature tackled within horror).
The second part of my paper focuses on the history of horror from the early tracings of the genre (early legends and classic works like Beowulf) to the modern day zombie and post-apocalyptical aspects. I talk about classic authors like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe and also discuss more contemporary authors like Stephen King and Grady Hendrix. I also touch on other formats for horror such as magazines and stories.
In the last part of my paper, I discuss Readers' Advisory tools specific to the horror genre in both print and online, I then wrap up my paper with the conclusion that through our understanding of the characteristics and history of horror we can come to better understand its readers, but that doesn't make it any less scary.
For my special topics paper, I decided to focus on the horror genre. I wanted to highlight what was important about the genre as well as what makes horror its own genre separate from others. In the first part of my paper, I talk about the appeal and the characteristics of horror like the setting (classic settings like haunted houses or dark woods) the pacing (usually quick with abrupt turns), the characters (loners, evil people, normal people in crazy situations), the style (how authors will use different fonts and book setups to further immerse readers), and story lines (horror usually follows the evil on the surface but also the deeper questions about human nature tackled within horror).
The second part of my paper focuses on the history of horror from the early tracings of the genre (early legends and classic works like Beowulf) to the modern day zombie and post-apocalyptical aspects. I talk about classic authors like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe and also discuss more contemporary authors like Stephen King and Grady Hendrix. I also touch on other formats for horror such as magazines and stories.
In the last part of my paper, I discuss Readers' Advisory tools specific to the horror genre in both print and online, I then wrap up my paper with the conclusion that through our understanding of the characteristics and history of horror we can come to better understand its readers, but that doesn't make it any less scary.
I had never thought of Beowulf as a horror story before! That's so interesting. You could probably put some of the Greek classics on that list too- the Odyssey has got some really horrific stuff in it. I'd always perceived classic books as their own genre, so now I want to go back and re-think about what genres they *actually* belong in. This sounds like such a fascinating exploration of the genre. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYes, old horror is something I have totally enjoyed, while newer titles I have strayed away from. Maybe I need to get out there and try it instead of assuming. I hadn't considered much the evolution and enjoying the old should indicate that I might transition to the new.
ReplyDeletecomments noted - the paper's grade can be found on canvas
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