Wolz 1

Mike Wolz
Mr. Hackney
English 101: Rhetoric
19 September 2014
Statement of Scope for the Annotated Bibliography
Do you ever wonder what your dreams/nightmares mean and where they come from?
Years of scientific research have been done in order to discover information about this. Whether
its a dream or a nightmare, they both come from your brain and are generated through a sleep
process called REM (rapid eye movement). Normal dreams occur during average REM, but
when REM is altered, nightmares occur. If nightmares are not a normal brain function during
sleep, then they occur due to outside experiences.
This essay will explore the science behind dreaming. Answering questions such as why
do we dream, what do dreams mean, and what causes nightmares. Most people know nothing
about the dream process in the brain and this essay will leave readers with a basic knowledge on
how dreams work. I will break down why dreams occur and how the brain generates them. What
dreams mean and how they relate to you and whats going on in your life will also be explained.
Lastly, what causes nightmares as well as their meanings will be covered.
This selected bibliography includes sources that address dreams, nightmares, REM, and
neurology. I have plenty of information of what causes dreams, but there is not a lot of
information available on what dreams really mean. The Andre-Clarke, Haaf, and Horne articles
all cover neurology and what REM does in the brain. The Hartmann and Psychology 2002
articles go more in depth about the meaning of dreams and nightmares as well as outside
influences on them.

Annotated Bibliography

Wolz 2

Andre-Clarke, Alice. Why Do We Dream? Ask 1 Feb. 2012: n. pag. elibrary. Web. 17
Sept. 2014. Andre-Clarkes article explains that when we sleep, the logic part of our brain
that controls judgement and reality shuts off, while the brainstem, which controls
emotion, memory, and desire, stays on. Also, she states that dreams do not mean
anything, even though the brain forces them to make sense to us. This is because the
brain cells all fire due to certain chemicals, which triggers random emotions and
memories that get processed and put into order by the story-making part of our brains.
Haaf, Wendy. Night Visions. Todays Parent 21.2 (2004): n. pag. elibrary. Web. 16
Sept. 2014. Haafs informative journal talks about how nightmares occur, which is
through a rapid REM dream process. Also, she stresses that nightmares can also be due to
stress as well as sleep deprivation. Stress and sleep deprivation will alter the REM
process in the brain, which is what causes dreams, but when REM is increased
nightmares occur.
Hartmann, Ernest. The Nature and Uses of Dreaming. USA Today 1 Mar. 1999: n. pag.
elibrary. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. Hartmanns article supports that dreams picture the
emotional state of our minds. He supports this by explaining the situation of a 20 year old
that lost his family in a fire. The 20 year old continues have nightmares where he sees
himself in hopeless situations, such as drowning. Hartmanns study of dreams is centered
around people that have been through traumatic situations, and he shows how the events
influence their dreams.
Horne, Jim. State of the Art: Sleep. State of the Art: Sleep: n. pag. elibrary. Web. 17
Sept. 2014. Horne defends that dreams and nightmares do not occur during REM stages

Wolz 3

of sleep. Also, it is stated that REM takes place in the midbrain as well as the brain stem.
However, the neurological basis of dreaming lies in much higher places.
Psychology 2002: Unraveling the Mysteries of Dreams. N.p.: World Book Science Year,
2009. elibrary. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. This article explains the meanings of dreams and
nightmares. It clarifies that many researchers suggest that dreams often serve as a
problem solving function of the brain, suggesting possible solutions to emotional issues.
Also, it supports that the brain can also use stored memories and thought patterns to form
dreams and bring order to the unorganized signals.