Chapter 2: Literature Map

I drew this today. To be honest, I suck at framing and organizing things, so my literature map is  just a bunch of connected ideas with no beginning or end. (u.u)

Please click to enlarge.

By the way, my literature review will basically follow this frame: I will first relate emotions to language learning, then refine it to the teaching of narratives. In terms of teaching narratives, emotion-based instruction will lead to emotional expressiveness and motivation to learn.

Nonetheless, I will also put the relationship of gender with emotion expressiveness and if this plays an important role in emotion-based language instruction.

In terms of literature, I've searched for various articles under three subheadings:
1) Emotion and Gender
2) Emotion in Narratives
3) Emotion/Expressive Writing and Motivation

I've also searched for the practices and approaches of ESL in Malaysia. This is to address what is lacking in our curriculum and how emotion-based language instruction can cater to this.

Now, the most difficult part of my Chapter 2 is (actually, it's everything, but let's not get too negative haha) establishing a theoretical framework. I need to read more theories on emotion and see which one fits my study.

I will upload the journals I've found according to each subheading in the next entry.

Godspeed. :D

Chapter 1: Fixed

I've taken Dr.'s advice and fixed some things in my Chapter 1. To be honest, I'm still reluctant to put my context of study because I'm afraid it would be difficult to get data later. Nevertheless, I've decided to conduct my study on Form 4 students in a secondary school which hasn't been decided on, yet.

It's hard and it depresses me that I still haven't started on Chapter 2 yet. It's not that I don't want to, but I think I need a rest for a day from Research. Haha.

You can view my completed and fixed Chapter 1 HERE. :)

So many people to quote. T.T

Chapter 1 Completed

You can view it HERE :)

Constructing Chapter 1

Today marks the third day of our mid-term break. I've been slaving off doing my Chapter 1 and it has increased my appetite by a manifold. T.T

On a more positive note, I am almost done writing my background of study. However, I can't help seeing it as a mini Literature Review. Is it really supposed to be that way? I have also searched for more journal articles, because apparently, 30++ references are still not enough to get my message across. There is a lot more reading to be done on my thesis topic, but I can't say that I am not having fun. I've broaden my choice of articles to not only ESL, but sociolinguistics, psychology, cognition, mental health etc. I think these journals would prove useful for my Chapter 2 later.

Also, what is left to be done for my Chapter 1 are more citations for my introduction, my limitations of study, the operational definition of emotion, and the conclusion to the chapter. As for my limitations, I can only think of one for now. Gahhh.

I know it still sounds like a lot of work, but I'll catch up. By the way, I've compiled all the new articles that I have found HERE. :)

Research Part 3: Finding Literature

I got more than 30 literature already! Some of them touches a bit on emotion, some a bit on ESL, some a bit on narrative composition. I used keywords such as "emotion in esl", "emotion in narrative", "esl narrative", "emotion in english", "emotion in language", and "labov" (the name of the person who studied emotions in language in depth, besides Dewaele and Pavlenko). I have yet to try searching with the keyword "affect".

The main problem I have with this topic is that emotions are more related to motivation in learning ESL (you remember the affective domain proposed by Bloom?) I want  to focus on emotions IN language usage, which is more on pragmatics and sociolinguistics. However, I'm relieved to know that a number of people are also having the same concern as I am. We are quite interested in the potential of affect in teaching English as a second language.

Another problem is, and I think this will never end until the end of time, is the amount of restricted journal articles and dissertations all over the Net. Gaaaaah why won't you share your insight for free? Hm I guess if you are good at something, might as well ask people to pay for it. 

Nevertheless, you can click here to browse the literature that I've found. :)

To think like a scholar, we have to look like a scholar. Hm, I should grow a beard.

Research Part 2: Constructing Chapter 1

So here, I've refined my problem statement, aim of research, research questions, and significance of my research. I'm holding off my limitations of research first, because I think that's the hardest part of Chapter 1. Now I have to work on my operational definitions. Sounds easy, but I got more than 30 literature to read. (u.u)

Keep climbing. Keep faith. Hihi.