Research abstracts

For each secondary source that you are considering using (a minimum of 8 per student), submit
a brief abstract of that source. Follow the template below for each abstract (using the same
headings). Use single spacing to save paper. Your entire abstract should be about one-half to
one-full page long.
Sample Abstract for Research Paper
Bibliographical information:
Rockler, Naomi R. Be Your Own Windkeeper: Friends, Feminism, and Rhetorical Strategies of
Depoliticization. Womens Studies in Communication. 29.2 (Fall 2006): 244-264. Print.
Summary of the source (100-200 words):
Rockler discusses her concern with therapeutic rhetoric and how it is an outcome of the Third
Wave of feminism, which focuses on an individual womans right to make choices with all
aspects of her life. Rockler contends that the problem with therapeutic rhetoric is that it does
little to change the inequitable hierarchies that exist in our society. Rather than trying to break
down systems, therapeutic rhetoric prompts women to leave the hierarchical nature of the
system unchallenged and to merely change herself to rise to the top of the hierarchy. Rockler
then applies this theory to the television sitcom Friends. She argues that the female characters
on the program exhibit behaviors and philosophies that directly fall in line with therapeutic
rhetoric.
Academic level of the source (e.g. general public, high school reading level, college reading
level, graduate reading level):
College- to graduate-level reading
Why are you considering using this source for your paper? (100-200 words)
I noticed while analyzing Friends that while it tries to give off the impression that women have
progressed in society and gained more equality, its actually reverting to traditional stereotypes
of women. The women in the program seldom challenge these traditional roles and actually
embrace them. Finding Rocklers article was helpful because she notices some of the same
details that I do, and she provides a way for me to discuss them more theoretically. I agree that
the characters dont challenge the current inequalities, and I also agree that this is a trend that is
occurring in our current society as well. Even the popularity of Friends despite its regressive
gender roles shows that people accept these types of stereotypes for women.

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