Research Essay Introduction

When one thinks of marriage, funerals, and other spiritual rituals, they would typically think of history and tradition; not technology and virtual worlds. But there is an ever growing population of people who perform these rituals online. Let's explore why people chose to do such rituals in a virtual environment, if it's legal and how someone would go about doing a ritual in this nature.

Outline

"Title"?
I) Introduction
1) Growing population of rituals/ceremonies online
A)Research question
1) Let's explore why people chose to do such rituals in a virtual environment, if they're legal, and how someone would go about doing such a ritual in this nature.

II) Body
A) Marriage
1) Not legal- like a "test drive"
2) Advantages
a) no STD's
b) no aging
c) babies
- no unexpected pregnancies
3) How to get married
a) designate partner in world on profile
b) send proposal using a form or in person
c) cost L$10 to get married and L$25 to get divorced
d) ceremonies
B) Funerals
1) Real life people or avatars
2) advantages
a) don't have to go out in public when feeling down
b) people from all over the world can come at no cost
- some peoples closest friends are in Second Life
3) Funeral Ceremonies
a) Uitvaart.com- funeral company
- located in the Gardens of Memories in the Tatlina region
- casket burial
- cremation
b) costs
C) Wiccian/ spiritual funerals?

III) Conclusion
A) summary of points
B) restatement of question

*still not final on this outline

Topic and Research Question

I chose the spirituality and rituals topic.

When one thinks of marriage, funerals, and other spiritual rituals, they would typically think of history and traditon; not technology and virtual worlds. But there is a ever growing population of people who perform these rituals online. Let's explore why people chose to do such rituals in a virtual enviornment, if they are legal and how someone would go about doing a ritual in this nature.