Final Research Paper

The Ask

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The Ask ❦

For my final project, I was asked to write a research paper based on the topic proposed earlier in the semester, which focused on the singer Prince and how his style evolved throughout the years. I was given the flexibility to refine and narrow my angle as my research developed, but the paper still needed to present a clear thesis supported by thoughtful analysis of historical works and scholarly sources. I also had to include proper citations and a full bibliography to show where my research and evidence came from.

The Process

My process involved narrowing my focus and deepening my understanding of Prince’s artistic evolution. I began by reviewing my earlier proposal and annotated bibliography, then continued researching his career, style shifts, and cultural influence. As I gathered more scholarly sources, I refined my thesis and selected the most relevant examples to support it. From there, I analyzed how his fashion, music, and public image changed across different eras and what those changes represented. Drafting and revising helped me strengthen my argument, organize my ideas clearly, and make sure every point connected back to my thesis. Proper citation and a full bibliography were also an important part of the process, ensuring that I credited the sources that shaped my research and analysis.

I began by revisiting my proposal and narrowing my topic to explore how Prince’s style evolved across different eras of his career.
I gathered scholarly sources and analyzed Prince’s music, fashion, and public image to understand how each stage of his evolution reflected larger cultural meanings.
I organized my findings into a clear thesis and revised my writing to make sure every example and citation supported my overall argument about Prince’s artistic transformation.

Skills Used

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Skills Used ❦

Digital Literacy

Curation & Attention To Detail

Historical Research

Topic Refinement

Revision & Editing

Academic Writing

Through this project, I learned how to take a broad idea and refine it into a focused and researchable topic. Studying Prince’s evolution helped me understand not just how his style changed, but why those changes mattered in a cultural and artistic context. I became more confident using scholarly sources to support my argument and discovered how valuable deep analysis is when writing about music, fashion, and history. The revision process also taught me that shaping a strong thesis takes time, and that every adjustment strengthens the clarity and impact of my writing. Overall, this project showed me how style can function as a powerful form of storytelling and identity — something I’ll carry into future research and creative work.

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