"Through her writings, Robert Hemenway wrote in The Harlem Renaissance Remembered, Hurston "helped to remind the Renaissance--especially its more bourgeois members--of the richness in the racial heritage."

http://www.zoranealehurston.com/

The site this came from and the following two will provide you an excellent argument as to why she is a valued member of any literary canon.

http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/hurs-zor.htm
(Broken Link Removed)

You will be able to find other information- analysis of her work by searching google using "analysis, Hurston's writing".

Posted by honeybee on Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 11:44am

I need a good topic in which to write on a author by the name of Zora Neale Hurston, the research paper should make an argumentative claim concerning a author's inclusion ar dismissal from today's literary canon.

One possible topic for your research paper on Zora Neale Hurston could be to make an argumentative claim about her inclusion or dismissal from today's literary canon. To start researching for this topic, you can use the provided sources such as the Zora Neale Hurston official website (http://www.zoranealehurston.com/) and the Lakewood Public Library's Women in History Ohio website (http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/hurs-zor.htm). These sources will provide you with valuable information about Hurston's life, writings, and contributions to literature.

To begin your research, here are some steps you can take to gather relevant information and form your argumentative claim:

1. Gather biographical information: Explore the Zora Neale Hurston website and the Lakewood Public Library's website to learn about Hurston's background, upbringing, education, and career. Understanding her personal journey and experiences can provide valuable insights into her writing and literary significance.

2. Study her works: Read a selection of Hurston's writings, including her novels, short stories, plays, and essays. Consider the themes, style, and cultural context of her work. Pay attention to the ways in which she incorporates elements of African American folklore, language, and culture.

3. Examine critical reception: Search for critical reviews, analyses, and scholarly articles that discuss Hurston's works and assess her contributions to literature. Look for different perspectives on her inclusion in the literary canon. Are there arguments for her inclusion or dismissal? Note down key arguments and evidence from these sources as you read.

4. Compare with contemporaries: Explore the literary landscape during Hurston's time, particularly the Harlem Renaissance. Identify other writers and artists of that era and analyze how Hurston's work compares or contrasts with theirs. Consider the cultural, social, and political influences of the time and how Hurston's writing responded to or challenged prevailing ideologies.

5. Consider her legacy and impact: Evaluate Hurston's influence on subsequent generations of writers, particularly within the African American literary tradition. Examine how her work has been rediscovered or reevaluated over time and whether it has had a lasting impact on literature, culture, or society.

6. Formulate your argumentative claim: Based on the information you have gathered, consider the reasons why Hurston should be included or dismissed from today's literary canon. Develop a clear and concise thesis statement that reflects your stance on the matter and previews the supporting evidence you will provide in your research paper.

Remember to consult additional sources beyond the ones provided to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the topic. You can use search engines like Google to find more analysis and discussions about Hurston's writing. Incorporating diverse sources and perspectives will strengthen your argumentative claim and enrich your research paper.