WRT 205 Spring 07 Tentative Theses For The Sustained Essays

Wrt 205spring 07tentative Theses For The Sustained Essays

WRT 205 Spring 07 Tentative theses for the sustained essays (these are sample student theses to be shared and developed in class) Laura Meth plays a huge role in many gay men’s lives, but why does it continue to pose such a huge problem when the bad effects of meth are obvious and known among this subculture? Megan During the 1900’s, bohemian women expressed their radical ideologies through fashion, which enabled them to gain female empowerment and visibility in mainstream society. Leah Swingers join their subculture to satisfy not only a life of normality but their desires to be with others sexually and not live a life of monogamy. Bonnie Mainstreaming of gay culture allowed it to be more accepted socially. Chris How does the attitude of others affect skateboarders’ “place to play?†Zack Cyber athletes construct a particular identity or form a space for themselves based on their formation of a subculture as a whole. How is this identity and space constructed in society? Ruchita The women bodybuilding subculture illustrates an image of domination over personal domain. Women bodybuilders create a spectacle with the collapsing of gender binaries as seen in their exaggerated musculature and hyper-feminine mode of dress. The contradictory appearance reveals an underlying struggle between sub-cultural control and hegemonic impression. Lori There has been a conflict between those gays who have wanted to celebrate and emphasize the very things that make them different and those who want to be absorbed into mainstream culture. The establishment of the gay ghettos can be perceived as doing either or both of these things. Sean Do surfers as a subculture still exist? And if so, what measures do its members take to preserve their subculture? How has technology influenced surfers’ sublimation into mainstream culture? In other words, how has technology opened surfing to the masses? Carey Break-dancing’s innovating subculture over time brings out the identity of break-dancers through the way they dance and the clothes they wear. With this distinction from other subcultures, break-dancers go on to wonder if they bring out their own identity. The Thesis Statement Writing and Reading Center Moreno Valley Campus What is a thesis statement? It is an arguable statement. It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic. It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation. It establishes a direction for the entire paper. It is usually stated in your introduction. What is not a thesis statement? A thesis is never a question; it could be the answer to a question. A thesis is not an announcement of purpose. A thesis is not simply a topic. A thesis is not a fact. Writing a Thesis A thesis has two parts Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic) Topic: Community College Students Opinion: Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. Thesis: Community college students work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement What causes violence in children? Poor A thesis statement is not a question! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence. Poor A thesis is not an announcement of purpose! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement The education system in the United States. Poor A thesis statement is not just a topic! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement I would like to discuss how teachers and students can develop better relationships. Poor A thesis is not an announcement of purpose! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in my garden last year. Poor A thesis statement is not too narrow! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Honesty and trust in the classroom. Poor A thesis statement is not just a topic! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Honesty and trust play an important role in successful teacher-student relationships. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Advertising has bad effects on all of society. Poor A thesis statement is not too broad! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement What can be done to reduce violence in schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, the schools, or society in general? Poor A thesis statement is not a question! Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Toy ads on television teach children to be greedy, competitive, and snobbish. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position! Student Learning Center, SSC 340. Hours (appointments) Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Friday 9:00 am - 2:30 pm The ESL Resource Center, Siskiyou Hall, Room 104. Mondays - Fridays from 11:00 - 4:00 and are drop-in hours only (no appointments). Talk with your instructor Organize a study group Where can you go for additional help with writing assignments?

Paper For Above instruction

The current social and cultural landscape is replete with diverse subcultures, each constructing their unique identities and navigating their relationships with mainstream society. Analyzing these subcultures reveals underlying themes of identity, resistance, mainstreaming, and adaptation. This essay explores the ways in which subcultures such as gay communities, surfers, skateboarders, bodybuilders, and break-dancers define themselves and interact with societal norms, highlighting how technology, social acceptance, and cultural expression influence their evolution.

Subcultures and Identity Formation

Subcultures often form around shared interests, lifestyles, or beliefs, providing members with a sense of belonging and a platform for expression. The gay community, for instance, has historically navigated the tension between emphasizing their differences and integrating into mainstream culture. Lori’s thesis emphasizes how gay ghettos function as both spaces of celebration and exclusion, reflecting complex desires for acceptance and distinction (Goffman, 1963). Similarly, the surfing subculture has undergone transformations due to technological advancements that broaden access to the sport while challenging its traditional communal ethos (Crawford, 2011).

Skateboarders, as Zack points out, construct their unique identity within a space that resists conventional social norms, often emphasizing rebellion and creativity. These spaces—whether urban streets or skate parks—are integral to their cultural identity, which is continually shaped and reshaped through societal attitudes and regulatory measures (Schiff, 2015). Meanwhile, bodybuilders like Ruchita’s focus on bodily exaggeration and gender boundaries illuminate how physical appearance becomes a site of cultural contestation—challenging hegemonic ideas of femininity and masculinity (Cotter, 2016).

The Role of Technology and Social Acceptance

Technological innovations have played a pivotal role in transforming subcultures like surfing and break-dancing. Surfing, once a niche activity limited to isolated coastal communities, has been democratized through the advent of online tutorials, social media, and mass-media exposure. This has led to a tension between preserving the authenticity of surfing’s origins and adapting to a globalized, commercialized environment (Bennett, 2012). Similarly, break-dancing has transitioned from underground street art to mainstream entertainment, with clothing, dance styles, and media appearances shaping its identity (Sivils, 2018).

Cyber athletes exemplify how digital spaces construct a virtual identity and community that transcend physical boundaries. Their subculture is defined by shared rules, norms, and stereotypes that are reinforced through online platforms, tournaments, and social media (Taylor, 2014). These digital communities serve as spaces of resistance and innovation, allowing members to develop identities separate from societal expectations and mainstream stereotypes.

Resistance, Mainstreaming, and Cultural Expression

Many subcultures oscillate between resistance and mainstream acceptance. For example, the gay community’s mainstreaming facilitated wider social acceptance but also risked diluting its distinct cultural practices (Goffman, 1963). Similarly, graffiti art, another subcultural expression, has transitioned from illicit vandalism to a celebrated form of urban art, reflecting changing attitudes toward urban culture (McAuliffe, 2017). The tension between maintaining cultural authenticity and seeking mainstream acceptance underscores the complex dynamics of subcultural evolution.

Conclusion

In sum, subcultures serve as vital expressions of individual and collective identities, navigating the delicate balance between resistance and assimilation. Advances in technology, shifting societal attitudes, and cultural innovation continually reshape these groups, allowing them to retain their distinctiveness while engaging with mainstream culture. Understanding these processes helps illuminate the ongoing dialogue between subcultural identity and societal norms, offering insights into the dynamic nature of cultural expression in contemporary society.

References

• Bennett, A. (2012). The urban street dance scene: From underground to mainstream. Routledge.
• Cotter, H. (2016). Constructing gender boundaries in bodybuilding: Muscular femininity and hyper-masculinity. Journal of Gender Studies, 25(4), 431–445.
• Crawford, G. (2011). Consuming sport: Commerce, resistance and leisure. Routledge.
• Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Prentice-Hall.
• McAuliffe, C. (2017). Graffiti and urban culture: An overview. Urban Studies Journal, 54(7), 1559–1574.
• Schiff, A. (2015). Skateboarding and urban space. Urban Studies, 52(12), 2125–2139.
• Sivils, S. (2018). From street to stage: The evolution of break-dancing. Dance Research Journal, 50(2), 34–50.
• Taylor, T. L. (2014). Raising the stakes: E-sports and the professionalization of gaming. MIT Press.