Formal Assignment 3: Research Paper
conferences - April 10 & 11
version 1 - April 18
version 2 - May 5
To be determined.
One key to success is organization. A research journal is an excellent way to keep track of your work. I recommend a small spiral notebook (e.g. 8x5 inches). Write down everything your read, access and think about. For example, if you decide to start with a search in Franklin, title the page "Franklin searches, [date]." Keep a list of the subjects you look up and what you find. If you print anything out, date it and keep it in your notebook. As you read, you will undoubtedly come across useful sources in the text, footnotes and bibliography. Again, title a page with the name, author, call number, and publication information of the book and keep a list of these references and their page or footnote numbers. As you develop new ideas, you can look back and find useful sources without having to repeat steps. Also, if you have trouble locating a book or article, you can return to the original source to check your citation.
Use this notebook to write down your ideas. There's nothing worse
that forgetting the Nobel Prize-winning idea you had over lunch. Lastly,
take this notebook with you when you meet with professors and TAs. You
will not only impress your instructor with your organization, but also be
able to access your research quickly. It will also help you preserve any
information your teacher provides - you do not want to forget an avenue
s/he suggests.
Paper length: 3,000 -3,500 words
Documentation style: Kate Turabian A Manual for Writers
Learn to:
1. read critically.
2. use the library and electronic databases to find sources.
3. use material from a variety of disciplines to contextualize your
subject
4. analyze, both visually and otherwise, and to interpret data.
5. take notes and organize research material.
6. develop a structure that presents your evidence and thesis is the
most convincing way.
7. use a style manual and present a professional paper.
Grading Criteria:
How well you:
1. synthesized a variety of sources and identified authors' major
points, objectives, evidence, tone, biases.
2. identified and found a comprehensive bibliography including the
key sources for your subject.
3. established, explained and interpreted the social and political
context for your subject.
4. analyzed the formal attributes of buildings and used this as
evidence to support your conclusions.
5. kept track of your sources and followed-up on different types of
leads, such as footnotes and bibliographies.
6. organized your argument and articulated your thesis.
7. documented your evidence and followed style manual guidelines.
Policy on late drafts/papers: One plus or minus grade for every
day late.
Policy on missed conferences: One plus or minus grade for
every conference missed without 24 hour prior phone or email notice.
Writing Center (898 8525), Writing Advisors (drop in), writeme@english(24 hour)