Skip to Main Content

Grande - The Distance Between Us: A Memoir: Your Assignment

The Distance Between Us: A Memoir

What Do You Know?

You probably already know a little something about this author and literary work, but it's important to find out more in order to write an intelligent research paper. 

Ask yourself:

  • What do I know?
  • What can I find out?

biographical information
plot overviews
character studies
themes
literary style
critical essays

      What You Need to Know

      Understanding Your Assignment

      Before you begin looking for information you should make sure you understand your assignment. Some good questions are:

      • How many pages?
      • How many sources?
      • What kinds of sources?
        • Books
        • Articles
        • Websites
      • What format?

      Your professor is your best resource to answer these questions.

      image of student with her hand raised

      ENG 100 - Professor Applegate - FALL 2018

      Your Assignment

      Choose a topic from the memoir The Distance Between Us.

      2,500 word research paper. 

      Some of topics include:

      • Education for Mexican immigrant children in the United States
      • Instability for the Mexican children
      • Abandonment by parents to go to work in the United States
      • The process of becoming a permanent resident or citizen
      • Child or spousal abuse within the Mexican culture
      • Working conditions for the Mexican immigrant
      • Life in the United States for the Mexican immigrant
      • Danger of crossing the border
      • Racism 

      What is Literary Criticism?

      pen and ink image  Literary Criticism is discussion, analysis or appraisal of a literary work- whether a novel, poem, play, short story or essay.

      As a literary critic, you will read and study a piece of literature and attempt to:

      • describe
      • analyze
      • justify
      • interpret
      • evaluate

      The guide will help you find biographical and critical information about authors and their works.

      Research Basics - Step by Step

      Breaking Down The Research Process  

        research process image

      The following outline gives a simple and effective strategy for finding information for a research paper and documenting the sources you find. Depending on your topic and your familiarity with the library, you may need to rearrange or recycle these steps. Adapt this outline to your needs. We are ready to help you at every step in your research.

      1. Choose a topic - or have one assigned
      2. Understand your topic
        • Background reading
        • Consider a main focus
        • Refine your topic
        • Make a list of your keywords and concepts
      3. Search Sources
        • Find Books
        • Find Articles
        • Find Websites
      4. Write your paper - Informative, Analytical, Argumentative, Critical
      5. Cite your sources

                Talk to a Librarian

                Need Help 

                 

                The Cerritos College Librarians can help you with your research in a variety of ways:

                Librarians are available during library hours to answer your questions by phone or chat.
                (562) 860-2451 x2425

                Cerritos College Library | 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 | 562-860-2451 | Reference ext 2425 | Circulation ext 2424