I must admit that when first faced
with this research paper prompt, I was overwhelmed. The truth is, I had never
before considered food as a topic that I really wanted to delve into. First, I
had to find a topic that I found interesting, determine what I wanted to say
about my topic, learn all I could, and communicate my message through my
writing.
I
must say I had a difficult time narrowing down my topic. I love history so I
thought I could focus on particular important events concerning food, like the
riots in 18th Century Paris. I also was inspired when I visited a
lecture from a local author about his latest book concerning growing food and
religion. However, both of these ideas weren’t topics that could really keep my
attention, that I would really enjoy writing a research paper on. Then I
thought of a combination of these two things – The history of the wedding cake;
this idea had history, religion, and weddings (my other all time favorite
subject). I had found my topic.
The
next phase was a little more difficult as I had to narrow down my topic into a
main point and purpose. It was quite a challenge to come up with a thesis
statement that wasn’t just centered on the ramblings of a girl idealizing
weddings and cake. I thought it would be best to tell the history of the
wedding cake as a sort of guide for brides-to-be who wanted a royal feel to her
wedding. This seemed like a natural fit for a thesis because most of the
wedding cake trends have been and still are made trendy my monarchical
marriage.
Through
my reflection, I discovered many things I had not known before. I was delighted
to find out that the wedding tradition of throwing rice originated ages ago
with the throwing of cake instead. An example of this was at Lucrezia Borgia’s
first marriage, a historical figure I find most compelling. Through my research
I learned that in the Middle Ages and not until the Stuart reign in England had
cake tins been invented. In fact, when watching a new TV show called “Reign” (a
historic drama following Mary Queen of Scots’ time in France), I was able to
point out that their use of tiered cake was not historically accurate. I was happily
able to apply this newly acquired knowledge that I thought I would never get a
chance to share beyond this class.
While
writing my paper, I found it difficult not to use first person perspective.
But, I thought in order for my paper to have a more masterly tone, third person
was the better choice. I outlined my paper chronologically in order to
communicate my opinion that the most modern royal wedding cakes have been the
most magnificent. At first, my voice was taking over the essay and I was
getting off track from my thesis, but that was soon corrected. After my
discussion with Professor Pisano, I took out some of the wordy sentences and
added more about the latest cake trends.
After
finishing my paper, I was quite pleased with what I had accomplished. I had
found a topic I was eager to learn about having to do with some of my favorite
subjects. I had come up with a thesis statement that fit well within my topic
and that I could format my paper around. I had analyzed my topic fully,
consulted multiple sources, and was able to use the information I learned in my
own life. I had said what I wanted to say through out my paper.
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