Category: English

There are two elements to this project: 1) the proposal and 2) the annotated bibliography. The proposal should be roughly 2 pages. The annotated bibliography should be 4-6 pages long. Each annotation should be about 200-300 words. Thus, the total length of the combined elements should be 6-8 pages.

For information on how to write/format the proposal, you will receive specific and detailed instructions in the . You are welcome to go directly to those notes before we get to Module 5, but it’s important to do in-depth research before writing the proposal. That’s why we do the annotated bibliography.

The annotated bibliography should include citations and annotations for four (4) sources that offer insight into the points of view on the issue you are going to write about for your Researched Argument essay. These will not be factual/reference sources; instead, you are looking for the debate, what “they say”: What are the different voices and perspectives on the issue? The goal in your annotated bib is to show that your topic is debatable and that you understand what the debate IS through doing good research. For formatting guidelines, go to Module 5 and watch .

Follow MLA guidelines for formatting your document, including heading, spacing, font, page numbers, and margins. Font should be Times New Roman, 12 point. There should be a hanging indent for the annotated bibliography entries, but the proposal should be in traditional essay/paragraph format. For information on formatting an annotated bib, go to the and watch the in Module 5. Follow MLA manuscript format. See .

Steps for the Process

1. Do preliminary research and choose a topic. Complete .
2. Conduct in-depth research, evaluating sources as you work.
3. Compile Annotated Bibliography.
4. Write Research Proposal according to guidelines in .
5. Submit full project by due date.

Criteria for Success

Your work will be evaluated by your teacher using a grading rubric. Click to find out how your work will be evaluated.

The information provided below is intended to help you understand how to more successfully meet the standards outlined on this grading rubric.

Research

Find four (4) sources that help you to understand the conversation about the issue you’re going to write about. The majority of these sources (at least three) should be scholarly sources found in the librarys databases. Additionally, you may use the Internet to search, but limit those sources to the most credible and authoritative sources you can find, and complete a or the form (in Module 4 Resources for Evaluating Sources) for each Internet source you use and submit it with your work.

Documentation of Sources

For this project, you will be expected and required to document your source(s) according to 9th edition MLA documentation guidelines. As you work, look for quotes that may be useful when writing your Researched Argument essay. Since annotations ARE summaries, you do not need parenthetic citations for those. However, if you directly quote from the text of a source in the annotation, it should be smoothly and accurately incorporated into the text of your annotations, and in-text citations should be provided; by contrast, parenthetic citations are necessary for any and all summaries, paraphrases, and quotes included in the proposal section of this assignment. You are also encouraged to begin using Noodletools to cite sources of various types.

If you use GenAI in the text of your assignment, it is important that you give credit to that source in the appropriate use of signal phrases and acknowledgment of ideas. For information on citation of chatbots, review information from on “Citing GenerativeAI in Academic Work.”

To discourage plagiarism, this assignment will be turned into the Dropbox in eLearn, which will send it through the Turnitin plagiarism detection service. Turnitin also includes an AI detection tool that the teacher will reference as a starting point for discussions about the use of GenAI.

AI Transparency

At the bottom of your assignment, after the annotated bibliography, write a reflection statement to offer insight into and to indicate your use of AI for this assignment. Refer to the page for guidance. NOTE: You should include this statement whether you used GenAI or not. This assignment should not be 100% generated from GenAI sources. Any information generated by GenAI should be underlined, and the total use of GenAI should not be more than 15% of the assignment.

Appropriate use for this assignment includes asking GenAI to help you brainstorm potential topics and to aid you in the process as you conduct preliminary research. You might also have GenAI help you with citing the sources in MLA format. However, it is up to you to write the summaries of your sources, to write the proposal itself, and to evaluate the sources for credibility and authority on your subject.

You should avoid using Grammarly or any other such tool to alter the language of your text, as it tends to remove evidence of your own writer’s voice.

Annotations

Each annotation should be one substantial paragraph. Each item in the annotated bib should begin with the MLA-style citation for each source. Under that, write an annotation that does the following things:

• Introduce the writer(s) of the article as the lead-in to the annotation, just as you would do in the signal phrase if you were quoting or introducing the source in the text of your essay.
• Begin each annotation with the authors full name and his/her credentials. Include details about the genre (type) of the work as a way to build ethos;
• Summarize and describe the key issues discussed in the source. Provide much of the following information:
• Sometimes it helps to analyze the rhetorical situation, such as the purpose of the work and the intended audience, but it is not always necessary.
• However, a summary should include the central idea of the work, the key points of the work, a comment about the inclusion of charts, graphs, glossaries, and any details that are necessary to YOUR understanding of the issue that will be relevant to your focus in the upcoming Researched Argument essay.
• Note the positions the writer takes on the issue. Put the writer’s main ideas into your own words without imposing your own thoughts or opinions onto what they are trying to say.
• Be aware that you DO NOT have to include everything, but it’s important that you NOT misrepresent the source. Consider counterarguments and claims alike.
• Evaluate the quality of the source, including the relevance, potential biases, currency, etc.
• Offer a brief statement in the annotation (1-2 sentences) about why your audience (scholarly readers) would find this source credible, reliable, and relevant.
• Assess the author or authors’ credentials. This might require additional research.
• End the annotation with a statement to explain the relevance of this source: how you may be able to use this source in your upcoming Researched Argument essay.

Guidelines for Success

• Your proposal should demonstrate to your teacher that you have narrowed your focus to a specific topic, but you should not take an argumentative stance just yet. Describe the different points of view that you come across, and show why you’re invested in writing on this topic. Show that you understand who your potential audience will be, and what your purpose in writing will be, for the final Researched Argument essay. In other words, this is a proposal of a topic for that final argumentative essay, but you aren’t writing the argument yet.
• Your annotated bibliography will include the first 4 sources you have found related to your general topic. We will find more when we work on the final project, so this is just to show that your topic is viable and debatable.
• Most sources should come from the Vol State Library databases: . for any needed assistance.
• Find sources that are varied, scholarly, and meet the standards of high quality. Do not use Wikipedia or any other non-scholarly websites or materials. These sources should offer differing points of view on the issue.
• The items/entries on your annotated bib should be in alphabetical order based on the first letter of the bibliographic entry.
• Your Annotated Bibliography should not be persuasive; it should not take a position or provide an opinion. This is an informative project that introduces your readers to your sources, discussing their content, quality, and approach to the issues they raise.
• For information on how to write/format the proposal and how to write annotations, see the and the .

Additional Resources for Help

• As you evaluate your resources, consult the following:
• Review the lessons in Module 6 on Evaluating Sources
• Also, use this Vol State Library tutorial on .
• See the sample student annotated bibs in the Additional Resources section of the Content in Module 7.
• For an example of how to format, follow the format of the samples provided in this unit. Note that the text of your annotations (source descriptions and evaluations) will focus on what the sources say, as well as on how useful and credible the source is for YOUR upcoming Researched Argument essay.
• Tutoring:
• You have access to several writing resources in this course. The first option includes the tutors in the Learning Commons at Vol State, whom you can reach through the Essay Review and Writing Support Center. You can access the Reading, Writing, and Speech tutors through the Academic Support menu, but there is access to this resource on our Course Home page as well. If you would like, they can do a live Zoom session with you, or you can do a drop-off essay review. For the drop-off review, there are limitations to their ability to get your feedback returned to you quickly, so a live Zoom session can sometimes be a better option. However, their hours are more limited than Tutor.com, so keep that in mind if you choose this as your preferred service.
• The second option, Tutor.com, is a revision tool that will connect you to a live tutor in real time. You can chat with the tutor about your whole draft or parts of your draft, and you can ask specific questions, particularly as they relate to grammar and mechanics. There is a link to Tutor.com in the Academic Support menu at the top of the page. Make sure to choose “Writing” as your topic and “Live Writing Help” as the Subject when you get onto the Tutor.com welcome page.
• Here is a video on how to submit your work to the Essay Review and Writing Support Center: . You are encouraged to seek help from them at any point during your writing process.
• Both Tutor.com and the Reading, Writing, and Speech tutors can be accessed through the Academic Support menu at the top of the page.
• Finally, you also have access, through the library, to NoodleTools. This resource is particularly helpful to citation and documentation. For more information, watch the video in Module 5 on .

feel free to choose any research u would like

Step 1: Read.

You should first read pages 484-485 in Chapter 21 of your textbook (starting from the section “Narrow Your Topic”). Use this section of the textbook to understand the work you’ve already done to gather background information and why it’s important to narrow your topic now. Pay particular attention to the examples of research questions provided by the book. You’re expected to offer a good research question in Step 2, so this section of the textbook will help you do that. I strongly recommend you watch the short video “Narrowing Your Topic”.

Then write a 75-word summary of the ideas that stuck with you most. How do you narrow a topic? Why should you narrow a topic?

Step 2: Progress Report and Questions

Write at least 100 words answering the questions below. Number your answers, and also start sentences so I can understand the question (Ex: “The topic I’ve been researching is…” )

1. What topic have you been exploring in this class?

Look at the example in the textbook where a broad general topic is narrowed down to something more focused. Using that as a guide, summarize how your topic progressed: What was your starting point? How has your topic become more specific over time?

2. Why does this topic matter?

What puzzle or problem lies at the heart of your topic? Use the Narrowing Your Topic video in the textbook to help you reflect. What makes this topic interesting to youand why might others care? Avoid vague answers like its a good school topic. Instead, consider current debates or questions youve encountered in your reading so far. For example, instead of “everyone should care about climate change,” you could reflect on how climate change affects your community.

3. What research question do you want to pursue in Unit 2?

Write at least one clear, open-ended question (with a question mark!) that your research will try to answer. You may write two questions if youre deciding between them.

Good research questions:

• Cant be answered with a single source or a quick fact.
• Invite exploration, multiple perspectives, and informed decision-making.
• Are often centered around problems and solutions.
• Example of a good research question: Should voters support the proposed changes to county bus routes?
• Bad examples: What are the current bus routes? (too narrow) or Are U.S. bus systems efficient? (too broad)

4. Who is your audience?

Identify one specific group that would care about your research question and explain why. Do not say everyone.

Examples:

• If researching the effects of COVID-19 on unborn babies, the audience could be pregnant women or obstetricians.
• If researching tone indicators online, the audience could be social media users.

5. What do you already know about this topic?

Based on your reading and research so far, what possible answers or perspectives have emerged? If you had to answer your research question today, what information do you have that points you to the answer?

6. What do you still need to find out?

List at least five questions youll need to answer in the next few weeks in order to fully answer your research question. These questions should:

• Help you build knowledge (What facts or background do I need to understand this issue?)
• Help you think critically (What complexities or opposing views should I consider?)

If youre struggling to come up with meaningful questions, that may be a sign that your research question needs refining.

1. Clear Research Question Your question must be arguable (not yes/no) It should connect to at least one stimulus source from the exam It should focus on a real-world issue Example structure: To what extent does ___ affect ___ in ___? 2. Introduction Paragraph Include: Hook interesting fact, statistic, or short background Context explain the issue briefly Connection to stimulus material (mention at least one) Thesis (your argument) clearly state your position Example structure: 1. Hook 2. Background of issue 3. Connection to stimulus 4. Thesis Example thesis format: Although X is often seen as ___, implementing ___ is the most effective solution because ___ and ___. 3. Body Paragraphs (Main Arguments) You should have 34 body paragraphs. Each paragraph must include: Topic sentence (your claim) Evidence from a credible source Explanation of the evidence Analysis (why it matters) Link back to your argument Structure: Claim Evidence Explanation Analysis Link to thesis Example: Claim: Renewable energy reduces pollution. Evidence: Research from ___ shows… Explanation: This means… Analysis: Therefore, this supports the argument that… 4. Counterargument Paragraph You must include an opposing perspective. Include: Explain the opposing argument Give evidence supporting that view Refute it (explain why your argument is stronger) Structure: Some argue that ___ because ___. However, this view fails to consider ___. 5. The So What? (Very Important) The So what? explains why your argument matters in the real world. Include: Who is affected Why the issue is important What could happen if nothing changes Example: This issue matters because it affects ___. If solutions are not implemented, ___ could occur, impacting ___. Think of it like: Why should society care about your argument? 6. Connection to Stimulus Material You must: Reference at least 12 stimulus sources Explain how it connects to your research Not just mention it analyze it Example: According to the stimulus article ___, ___ highlights the issue of ___. This connects to the argument that ___. 7. Evidence Requirements Use at least 68 credible sources. Good sources include: Academic journals Government reports University research Books Credible news sources Avoid: Wikipedia Random blogs Unverified websites 8. MLA In-Text Citations Every time you use information from a source you must cite it. Format: (Author Last Name page number) Example: Climate change is accelerating ocean warming (Smith 42). If no page number: (Smith) 9. Works Cited Page (MLA) At the end include a Works Cited page. Example: Smith, John. Climate Change and Society. Oxford University Press, 2022. Lee, Amanda. Renewable Energy Growth. Environmental Science Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, 2023, pp. 4560. Checklist: Alphabetical order Hanging indent MLA format 10. Conclusion Paragraph Your conclusion should include: Restate thesis Summarize main arguments Explain the bigger impact Structure: Restate argument summarize key points explain importance. Example: In conclusion, ___ is the most effective solution because ___. Addressing this issue is essential for ___. 11. Writing Quality (Important for Scoring) Make sure you have: Clear academic tone No grammar mistakes Logical flow between paragraphs Good transitions Examples of transitions: Furthermore Additionally However In contrast Therefore Typical requirements: 12002000 words MLA format Double spaced 12-pt Times New Roman Page numbers To score high: Make your argument very clear Use strong sources Connect to stimulus multiple times Explain why evidence matters Include a strong so Clear research question Strong thesis 34 argument paragraphs Counterargument paragraph Evidence in every paragraph Connection to stimulus material MLA in-text citations Works Cited page Clear So What explanation Strong conclusion No ai use include both social and economic lens

7 paragraph argumentative essay defining the ideal role of the citizen in a 21st century democracy. An independent document that uses the facts, logic,and key elements of the debate as your primary intellectual resources.

STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS

Essay must follow this specific 7 paragraph trajectory

1 Introduction Define the democratic Paradox. End with a clear debatable thesis statement

2 The Competance Argument Address the cognitive and informational limits of the public. Use the logic ofpictures in our heads and mental shortcuts to arrgue wether citizens are structurally capable of grasping comple policy

3The Technocratic Counterpoint Argue for or against the necessity of expertise should the publics role be limited to selecting leaders( spectator ship) or should experts merely serve as advisors.

4. The Participatiry Ideal Discuas Democracy as a way of life Argue the importance of civil habits,community dialogues, and the moral necessity of participation, regardless of complexity

5The Rile of Communication. Analyze how the press or modern digital media either hinders or helps the formation of an intelligent public is communication a barrier to truth or a pathway to anxiety

The Rebuttal Acknowledge the strongest argument against your position if you argue for participation, address the danger of misinformation,if you argue for elitism, address the loss of human values

Cinclusiin Synthesize your findings, offer a final vision for how democracy must evolve to survive the 21st century.

Evaluation Criteria

Use of Resources

Arfynentative Rigir

Voice- Professionalism,academic,and intellectually assertive prose.

Literacy Narrative Synthesis

Bottom line: For this synthesis essay, you will draw from at least three literacy narratives to construct a coherent argument.

Requirements

How long should it be?

800-1,000 words not including works cited or front matter (name, class, title, etc).

What will I write about?

You will synthesize at least three literacy narratives

Do I have to use sources?

You will use at least three and no more than five literacy narratives as your sources.

How should it look?

For all formal assignments, you should use MLA to format and document your essays. If you dont know what this means or you would like to see a sample, go to the OWL website (a link is in the readings for this

module).

There are infinite possible synthesis paths you could take depending on which literacy narratives you selected. Use these prompts to guide you.

In How and Why We Read, John Green says, good writing is an outgrowth of that urge to use language to communicate complex ideas and experiences between people. How are the literacy narratives you selected evidence of that statement? Use at least three narratives to illustrate your explanation.

After reading Nabokovs criteria for being a good reader or writer how do the selected literary narratives fit in? Synthesize the literacy narratives you selected using four (or more) of Nabokovs criteria.

Argue how family, school, and/or community influence an individual’s literacy journey. Consider how cultural practices, familial expectations, and community resources shape literacy skills and attitudes toward reading and writing. Use at least three narratives to highlight different perspectives and experiences.

Discuss various challenges individuals face in their literacy development and how they overcome those challenges. You may focus on obstacles such as socioeconomic barriers, language differences, timing, or learning disabilities. Use at least three narratives to illustrate the strategies and support systems that help individuals succeed despite these challenges.

Explore how technology has transformed literacy practices. Consider positive and negative effects, such as increased access to information versus potential distractions or misinformation. Use three narratives to demonstrate how technology has played a role in shaping literacy experiences and outcomes.

Share your topic and your specific research question (already approved). Include a

hypothesis about what you expect to find, as well as a statement of significance (why

this research matters). Also, address the target audience for this new knowledge. Who

would be able to use the information you find? Other students? Faculty? Administrators? Why/how?

This introduction will likely be three to four paragraphs.

The topic of my research paper is:

How do students perceive the use of AI generated podcasts as a learning tool.

What I expect to find:

After most student learn how to generate the information effectively for them. Creating an AI generated podcast will be added into their study habits.

Why this matters:

Students would have a better life balance leading to better grades and less stress

Target audience:

All Community College of Allegheny County Students

Who would be able to use this information:

All involved including students, faculty, administrators.

Why/how.:

why= Used as a tool to save time, leading to a better life balance, leading to better and more opportunities for educators to teach, students to learn and not be so stressed, for students to understand what they are learning..

How= By having the basic knowledge the Artificial intelligence programs exist.

Conclusion

In this conclusion, youll make an appeal for why you think this research is meaningful,

needed, and doable within the constraints of the course. (In other words, youre asking

for approval here.)