Research essay

ENG 180, Section 46, Spring 2008

Summary: create an argument, evaluation, or proposal which shows clear evidence of extensive research. Write and rewrite to ensure a polished, substantive final essay.

As Kenneth Burke and other scholars have suggested, the best writing emulates good conversation by acknowledging the work of others, including their views and arguments, and inviting others to join in. Seek to meet this standard with an essay which makes an argument, in the form of a position (9), evaluation (12), or proposal (17).

As you write this essay, target the following writing skills and concepts, in addition to those required for the personal essay:

Selecting an interesting topic:: finding an issue which makes falling back on clichés and unsupported generalizations less likely.
Using research to develop your argument:: selecting sources which will help you refine your purpose, stance and genre, then finding additional sources which provide support and evidence.
Integrating others’ content in your writing:: using paraphrase, summary, and direct quotation to address others’ writing in your own; proper use of attributive tags & MLA documentation.

Generally speaking, I will expect more out of you for this assignment than on the first essay—better drafts, better improvement between drafts, and more attention to detail.

Milestones & calendar

All milestones are required.

Milestone	Brief description	Points	Due
Prospectus	Plan your essay in writing, one paragraph for each part of the rhetorical situation.	30 20	3/25
First draft	Write a first draft. Include summaries of all research sources and a self-evaluation.	60 40	4/08
Rewrite	Rewrite your first draft, addressing all issues identified in reviews.	90 60	4/24
Final	Your final draft, in a folder which includes all previous milestones & reviews.	225 125	5/06

Prospectus

A written plan for your essay. Describe your expected purpose, audience, genre, and stance in detail. Write as usual, then cut-and-paste into an email to me (do not send an attachment). I will respond with suggestions and starting points for research.

First draft

Write a draft which meets the requirements of your genre and shows evidence of research.

Include an annotated bibliography.

Include a self-evaluation which uses the form on the course web site. Two reviewers will use this review to write a quick peer evaluation.

Rewrite of first draft

Rewrite your draft to answer the criticisms raised by reviews. Target specific areas we’ve worked on in class—paragraph organization, beginnings and endings, and transitions between sentences.

Include an updated annotated bibliography.

Again, include a self-evaluation, and find two reviewers to answer your questions and concerns.

Final

As good as you have time to make it. Submit your final essay in a folder. Include all previous milestones, reviews, and self-evaluations. Include your mailing address if you would like your essay returned.

Trouble areas

Many students had trouble with these requirements on the personal essay; we’ll target these in class via reading, with examples, and other means.

Each successive milestone should show improvement and substantive change.
Evaluate your own work and the work of others, checking off the requirements of both this assignments and the selected genres.

Other requirements

Ensure that every sentence and paragraph is well-formed—work through your essay carefully to make it as well-written as possible.
Every milestone except the prospectus must be formatted using MLA style. Refer to the appropriate chapters of PSM or NFGW, especially the sample essays, for details.
Document sources, using parenthetical documentation and a Works Cited page, as needed.

Suggestions

Work with other students to complete multiple quick reviews between required milestones. Keep me in the loop via email, and I’ll award extra points for good reviews—and you’ll improve your essay, too.
For quick help with specific problems, turn in extra drafts—in whole or in part—via email.
Topic changes are strongly discouraged. If you change your topic, you must resubmit all previously submitted milestones and await my feedback on each one.