MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

ABSTRACT:
Astrology is the interpretation that the movement and position of celestial bodies can be predictive of human personality and behavior. It has been used by humans since the third millennium BC, but its popularity has come and gone in waves. The most recent revival occurred in the 60s with the explosion of the civil rights and feminist movements. Today, millennials are demonstrating a renewal of this engagement in astrology, but in much different ways. Online horoscopes, relatable memes, and viral YouTube videos aid in the newfound ability to understand one’s birth chart without visiting an astrologer. Millennials are generally regarded as well-educated, agnostic, and skeptical, so astrological interest seems out of character. I will first break down a horoscope posted to a popular astrology website and briefly and lightheartedly explain why the nonspecific language makes astrology pseudoscience. I will then explore some of the reasons for millennial astrology use, by first introducing Dr. Nick Allum’s research, which includes the idea that it is used as an escape from a complicated world. Next, I will explore Dr. Graham Tyson’s research findings that suggest people who are stressed are more likely to visit an astrologer. Lastly, I will introduce the undergraduate research paper that shows astrology psychologically and physiologically reduces stress, as supported by years of self-affirmation studies by Dr. David Creswell. I will conclude with a summary of why astrology is beneficial to its users and therefore worthy of its recent attention, closing with suggestions of some entertaining, stress-relieving sites for curious readers.

WC: 243

READER’S PROFILE:
The reader is either someone who truly does not understand why anyone uses astrology and would like to find the answer to that, or someone who actively engages in astrology and is seeking validation.

READER’S RESPONSE:
Skeptic:
I appreciate that this article understands and immediately established that astrology is a pseudoscience. I’m glad I now have a greater understanding of why some of my peers enjoy reading their horoscopes, as everyone has their own method of stress-relief. I still don’t think it’s for me, so I don’t like the amount of time it spent referring me to other sites for astrology memes.
Believer:
Now I understand and feel a little less embarrassed about my love for astrology. I will send this article to my friends who make fun of me. I will try to focus more on using astrology as a means of self-reflection, rather than prediction. I shouldn’t let it control any of my major life decisions. Even though the section about astrology being a pseudoscience was a little funny, I almost clicked out of this article because I thought it would just bash astrology the entire time.

REVISED THESIS:
There has been a recent resurgence in astrology use, and it has come in the unique form of millennials sharing viral memes and videos. However, this trend has faced some controversy from skeptics, who assert that astrology is a pseudoscience clogging our Facebook timelines. Therefore, this self-study guide seeks to explore the motivations behind millennial astrology use and explain the beneficial self-reflection tool it has become.

I like your revised ABT thesis. See how this structure helps you?

I would use a combination of citation: some peer review and other authoritative sources, but some of the document might be a good fit with curated referral links.

Any numbers? Percent of millenials?

My colleague says she searches on "sarcastic astrology memes" "sassy zodiac memes" "zodiac squad memes" and reads them to reduce stress in between grading papers. Some of them are really funny. You might include a section on search terms to get to funny items. Or, give advice on how to make them and host them (Tumblr) or post them (Instagram).