I have this essay due for my gender studies class. The topic is about media representation of women in the 90s vs now. I KNOW what I want to say. My thesis is basically "90s media was openly sexist while modern media is sneakily sexist which is actually worse." I feel strongly about it, I have examples in my head, I'm ready to go. 
But when I sit down to write, I just... can't turn my opinions into ARGUMENTS. Like, my professor keeps writing "this needs more support" on my drafts. But what does that even MEAN? I give examples from TV shows, I explain why they're problematic, what else am I supposed to do??
I went to the writing center on campus and the tutor was nice but honestly not super helpful. She just said "try to find scholarly sources" and I'm like... scholarly sources about 90s sitcoms?? Does that exist??
I need real help. Not just "go to the library." Like, actual strategies for turning my thoughts into something that sounds academic. How do you take a personal opinion and make it into a real argument with evidence? Where do you even FIND sources for pop culture topics?
Has anyone taken a gender studies or media class and figured this out? I feel like I'm supposed to be passionate about this topic but instead I'm just stressed and confused.
Also, if anyone knows any good databases for media analysis articles, drop them below. I'm tired of typing things into Google Scholar and getting 0 results.
But when I sit down to write, I just... can't turn my opinions into ARGUMENTS. Like, my professor keeps writing "this needs more support" on my drafts. But what does that even MEAN? I give examples from TV shows, I explain why they're problematic, what else am I supposed to do??
I went to the writing center on campus and the tutor was nice but honestly not super helpful. She just said "try to find scholarly sources" and I'm like... scholarly sources about 90s sitcoms?? Does that exist??
I need real help. Not just "go to the library." Like, actual strategies for turning my thoughts into something that sounds academic. How do you take a personal opinion and make it into a real argument with evidence? Where do you even FIND sources for pop culture topics?
Has anyone taken a gender studies or media class and figured this out? I feel like I'm supposed to be passionate about this topic but instead I'm just stressed and confused.
Also, if anyone knows any good databases for media analysis articles, drop them below. I'm tired of typing things into Google Scholar and getting 0 results.
