Essay No. 4: Research paper

University of South Dakota

Research: You must have at least 5 sources (I encourage you to use more than that); at least 3 of those sources must be periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers, e-zines) dated after 11-1-95. You must hand in photocopies of all research sources (whatever you paraphrased, summarized, or quoted in your paper); material you quote must be highlighted. You may use field research (interviews) in your report as sources; be sure you list them on your Works Cited page. Copy sources early in your research to save yourself time later. I WON'T EVEN LOOK AT YOUR RESEARCH PAPER UNLESS YOU INCLUDE THE PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR SOURCES.

F 10/31 Chapter 6 (incl. Clark, Gelernter). Library Research--beginning with "Keeping a Record of Your Research" (424-444);

W 11/5 Visitor from I.D. Weeks Library.

F 11/7 Remote sites: Searching on the Internet. Vermillion students: library Tour (meet in entrance of I.D. Weeks Library).

M 11/10 Chapter 6 cont. (incl. King).

W 11/12 Chapter 8: "Writing from Sources" (including readings--Synder, Bailey). Pre-conference sheet due (remote sites: fax it)

F 11/14 Integrating and Acknowledging Sources (459-503).

SPECIAL: Conferences (optional)--NO CLASS ALL WEEK (11/17-11/21).

M 11/24 Paper #4, Draft #1 due. Peer revision. Bring 2 copies of your typed, completed draft of the 5-7 page body of your paper. NOTE: We will not collect journals at this time.

W 11/26 Discussion of problems with the research paper.

Fri. 11/28 No class (Thanksgiving Break).

M 12/1 Paper #4, Draft #2 due. Peer revision. Bring the paper (title page, outline, 5-7 page body, works cited page) and photocopies of sources used in paper. Remote sites, mail the paper only, NOT the photocopies of the sources used.

M 12/8 Paper #4, Draft #3 due.

Folder should include:

Left side of folder:

Final draft of paper
1. Title page
2. Outline
3. 5- to 7-page body of paper
4. Works Cited Page
Second draft underneath
First draft on bottom

Right side of folder:

Photocopies of sources you actually used in the final draft; whatever sources you quoted, paraphrased, or summarized in your paper must be included! Highlight all text that you actually quoted or paraphrased.

Assignment: For this writing assignment, you are to research and report on some arguable issue (an issue that has two sides). Choices:

1. After reading the Gelernter essay on computers in the classroom (page 241), take a side on this issue and argue for or against the use of computers in the classroom.

2. You will want to select an issue that interests you and research it thoroughly. Try to select an issue you have had personal or at least local experience with. Although you may initially begin with a very broad question, your research should help you focus on a more specific one. Further research will help you answer your initial question and formulate your thesis.

The more you learn about the issue you are researching, the more focused your research will become. Remember, your thesis is: a limited subject PLUS your opinion about the limited subject.

Try to include interviews and observations as well as library research in your investigation. Even if you are researching a national or even international issue, you may be able to find someone at your school or in your community who can provide you with valuable information. You might even contact someone one the Internet who can answer your questions.

Your essay should include a clear, explicit thesis statement or primary assertion in the beginning of your essay. You should provide several secondary assertions to support your primary assertion. Each of these secondary assertions in turn need to be supported with specific examples and evidence. Give the reader details.

Remember: you cannot just pick a topic, do research, and write a paper describing or discussing a topic generally.

You must:

find an issue
	that has two sides
		and at least three recent periodical articles and
			two additional sources which discuss it,
				take one side, and
					argue for your position on the issue.

You are expected to use one of more of the following methods of development: cause and effect, narration, description, or, comparison/contrast.

Go to the English Composition page.

F	10/31	Chapter 6 (incl. Clark, Gelernter). Library Research--beginning with "Keeping a Record of Your Research" (424-444);
W	11/5	Visitor from I.D. Weeks Library.
F	11/7	Remote sites: Searching on the Internet. Vermillion students: library Tour (meet in entrance of I.D. Weeks Library).
M	11/10	Chapter 6 cont. (incl. King).
W	11/12	Chapter 8: "Writing from Sources" (including readings--Synder, Bailey). Pre-conference sheet due (remote sites: fax it)
F	11/14	Integrating and Acknowledging Sources (459-503).
		SPECIAL: Conferences (optional)--NO CLASS ALL WEEK (11/17-11/21).
M	11/24	Paper #4, Draft #1 due. Peer revision. Bring 2 copies of your typed, completed draft of the 5-7 page body of your paper. NOTE: We will not collect journals at this time.
W	11/26	Discussion of problems with the research paper.
Fri.	11/28	No class (Thanksgiving Break).
M	12/1	Paper #4, Draft #2 due. Peer revision. Bring the paper (title page, outline, 5-7 page body, works cited page) and photocopies of sources used in paper. Remote sites, mail the paper only, NOT the photocopies of the sources used.
M	12/8	Paper #4, Draft #3 due.