This is an update on the Exploratory Essay I wrote as model text for our grade 11 students. Not only are we modeling writing as technique and strategy to teach and learn, we are also simulating the process involved in academic writing. To read Part 1 and Part 2 click the links.
I asked the help of my co-teacher, who read my essay and then, she gave feedback.
Here is what I did with her feedback. This text will become a teaching and learning material for our grade 11s who are navigating the academic writing process for the first time.
Title of Exploratory Essay: Understanding
Intertextuality as Literary Theory and Strategy in Selected Songs and Music
Videos of BTS
Context: After writing my exploratory essay on songs
of BTS and Intertextuality, I asked Ms. Locsin to read it, mark it using the
rubric/criteria and give feedback. Here is the feedback which is copy-pasted
from my email.
Hi Zarah,
An A on all criteria! My only comment is that from your
discussion of the examples, it seems that you have the answers to the questions
you ask - so medyo 'luto' na yung research findings.
How do we encourage our students to express authentic
questions that are answerable through research? How do we get them to envision
a process and lay out a possible pathway for exploration without being sure of
the outcomes? I believe kasi that if the question is genuine, authentic, and
fairly specific, it will be harder for AI to answer.
(So in the case of this paper, would that question
instead be - is the use of intertextuality a modus of 'borrowing' themes and
ideas and therefore merely recursive, using it as a way of ensuring some kind
of timelessness - rather than a creation of a new? and then that would require
a definition of new).
What I gather from Ms. Locsin’s feedback
My essay aims to justify and confirm, not inquire and inspire
me to ask genuine questions. Although I have a research question, it does not allow
me to think beyond what I know when research is all about risk taking and accommodating
room for complex and open-ended thinking. By doing the later, my skills in identifying
and utilizing sources of different kinds and variety will be applied and my
patience stretched. An opportunity to strengthen my character!
At this point of exploring my topic and what it consists,
its parts and interdisciplinary issues, I am to discover things—old and new,
rather than proving and justifying what already is in existence. In this case, it
is BTS’ use of intertextuality in their contents and music. I am prompted towards
writing about intertextuality as innovation and transformation vs. a mere resurgence
of old tricks by the literary masters to pay homage.
What do I do with this feedback/information/knowledge?
My current research question is strong but it leans to confirm
and conform rather than inquire and discover.
How does BTS use intertextuality as both a literary
theory and creative strategy in their songs and music videos to challenge
cultural norms, explore identity, and engage in global discourse?
Through Ms. Locsin’s feedback, I am revising my research
question to:
Does BTS’ use of intertextuality reflect a form of creative
originality or a technique of borrowing from sources ensuring familiarity, continuity
and the timelessness of literature?
My paragraph that holds my research question is written this
way:
BTS makes use of Intertextuality as a theory and creative
tool to examine themes of justice, freedom and identity. By deriving materials
and borrowing texts from literature, folklore and other forms of media, BTS’
songs and music videos are powerful storytelling strategies that challenge
socio-cultural norms, promote artistic expression and provide the connection
between idols and fans deeply. Given these statements, the working research
question for this academic paper is: how does BTS use intertextuality as both a
literary theory and creative strategy in their songs and music videos to
challenge cultural norms, explore identity, and engage in global discourse?
This is now the revised paragraph:
BTS makes use of Intertextuality as a theory and creative
tool to examine themes of justice, freedom and identity. By deriving materials
and borrowing texts from literature, folklore and other forms of media, BTS’
songs and music videos are powerful storytelling strategies that challenge
socio-cultural norms, promote artistic expression and provide the connection
between idols and fans deeply. It does appear that BTS’ is creating something new.
What remains to be explored is whether the use of intertextuality is a strategy
that fosters transformation and innovation or a means to establish symbolic permanence
of the arts and the humanities. The working research question of this paper is:
does BTS’ use of intertextuality reflect a form of creative originality or a
technique of borrowing from sources ensuring familiarity, continuity and the
timelessness of literature? Given this research question, I will examine the source texts
namely Snowpiercer, The Ones Who Walked Away from Omelas and Demian;
annotate fan and audience analysis of Spring Day and Blood, Sweat and Tears;
and analyze essays, articles and academic papers that discuss and evaluate contemporary
pop culture storytelling to account what is defined as “new” or “novel”.
My next steps is to report to Ms. Locsin my progress with a
timeline showing my working outline and references. This is a task I will bring
with me in the summer. 😊
Ms. Zee
05.01.2025
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